asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Service men, fit and disabled respectively, are now seeking employment; and what steps are being taken to assist the industry of the country to absorb these men?

The number of ex-Service men claiming out-of-work donation at 4th June was 192,200, of whom about 24,600 were disabled. These figures include about 1,400 merchant seamen, a number of whom are ex-Service men. As regards ex-officers and men of similar educational qualifications

Date. Ex-service men drawing Donation. Registered with the Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour, as requiring employment Other Ranks. Drawing Donation. Date. Officers. 1920. 1920. 2nd January … … 378,000 2nd January … 8,496 8,879 6th February … … 339,000 6th February … 7,598 8,446 5th March … … 274,000 5th March … 7,092 7,985 9th April … … 212,000 1st April … 6,352 7,339 7th May … … 206,650 7th May … 6,076 7,305 4th June … … 192,200 4th June … 5,921 7,395

As regards the absorption of these ex-Service officers and men in civil occupation, my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, as regards disabled men, of what has been achieved by the instrumentality of the National Scheme for the Employment of Disabled ex-Service men. I append a Table of Progress respecting that scheme showing the number of firms which have qualified for admission to the King's Roll and the number of disabled ex-Service men they are employing at the dates given.

Date. No. of Firms on the National Roll. No. of Disabled men already employed by Firms on the National Roll. 1920. February 12th 10,000 88,486 March 4th 12,165 109,557 April 1st 13,669 117,309 April 30th 15,045 127,416 May 7th 15,558 130,530 May 14th 16,012 134,104 May 28th 16,835 139,841 June 4th 16,969 140,759

who are registered with the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, the numbers registered on 4th June as requiring employment are as follows:— Ex-officers … … … 5,921 Other ranks … … … 7,395

It is not possible to state how many of these are disabled.

The following table shows that there has been since the beginning of this year a steady fall both in the number of ex-Service men drawing donation and in the number of ex-officers and men of similar educational qualifications registered with the Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour, as requiring employment; notwithstanding the de-mobilisation during that period of approximately 20,000 officers and 250,000 I men:—

As regards the absorption of fit ex-Service officers and men, the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour is day by day actively engaged upon the duty of finding employment for the 13,000 applicants upon their books. It has, I may say, found posts for 31,500 officers and men of similar educational qualifications. The Employment Exchanges, which are called upon to give preference to ex-Service men, are similarly engaged, and we are at the present time discussing various other aspects of the employment of fit ex-Service men with the several parties concerned, in the hope of materially reducing the outstanding figure of about 167,600 representing the number of fit ex-Service men unemployed at this time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the allegations made against the trade unions of Great Britain by Field-Marshal Lord Haig at the United Services Institution, he will issue a statement of the whole of the facts, together with the figures of unemployment among ex-Service men?

I have read a report of Lord Haig's speech. With the appeal he makes on behalf of his old comrades in the field, I need not say we all of us desire to be associated. At the present time in the United Kingdom there are drawing the Unemployment Donation 195,000 ex-service men; and of that number 24,000 are disabled. At the beginning of the year the corresponding figures were respectively 388,000 and 39,000. These figures, I am glad to say, show improvement which, though good as far as it goes, is by no means good enough; and we are making every endeavour, both as regards the fit men and the disabled men, to do the right thing by those who deserve so well of their country. As regards the absorption of ex-service men in civil employment without training, my hon. Friend can see roughly how the figures have been affected during the last six months. But we really need to continue, and indeed quicken, our efforts on behalf of these men. I am actively engaged at the present time, in consultation with those best able to advise me, as to the best steps to take to secure greater progress.

With regard to the general attitude of the trade unions, as far as it affects the training of disabled men, I am glad to say that many unions have been helpful. But there has been opposition from the local branches and members of some of the unions. I cannot help thinking, and have frequently expressed the view, that where difficulties have been emphasised by local branches of the trade unions, there is a failure to appreciate the indebtedness under which we all rest—trade union members and others—to those on whose behalf Lord Haig appeals. With the help of the trade unions which have given their assistance and encouragement, we have been able to do a great deal, and to reduce the amount of unemployment. We are, as I say, by no means satisfied, and are pursuing the matter day by day, in order that we may find a satisfactory solution to a problem which must, I feel sure, appeal to the conscience of the whole nation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state to how many industries has the Whitley scheme been applied up to the present time; in how many instances within his knowledge has the institution of a Whitley council been objected to by employers and employés, respectively; what is the present position with regard to the application of the Whitley councils to the life, fire, and general insurance industry; and, if it is not applied, will he undertake to see to its institution in this industry?

The scheme has been applied, up to the present time, to 61 industries. It is not possible to give a definite answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question. The Ministry of Labour does not assist in the formation of councils except with the agreement of the employers and employés concerned, and after ascertaining that the organisation among employers and among employés warrants the establishment of a council. In very few cases, however, where the circumstances have appeared favourable to the formation of a Council has serious objection been met with, either from employers or employés. The present position with regard to insurance is that there is not at present agreement between the two sides as to the necessity of a council. It is understood, however, that at the moment the intervention of the Department is not desired, and in these circumstances the point mentioned in the last part of my hon. Friend's question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a letter and resolution from the Whitley Parish Council, Hexhamshire, Northum berland; and what action he is taking in the matter of the light railway referred to therein?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Whitley Chapel Parish Council rightly addressed their resolutions to the County Council of Northumberland, and this Ministry is therefore awaiting a communi- cation from that authority. The Whitley Chapel Parish Council have been informed accordingly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland by what method or rule are advances under the Land Purchase Act of 1885 and amending Acts and under the Act of 1903 and amending Acts ascertained to have been repaid by sinking fund payments?

No cases have yet matured where the Land Purchase Annuities set up under the Land Purchase Act of 1885, or the subsequent and Purchase Acts have been extinguished by the accumulations of the Sinking Fund having amounted to the advance originally made for purchase. The accumulations of the Sinking Funds are governed by the different statutes under which they have been set up, and the statutory rules made by the Treasury thereunder.

asked where land stock is bought by the National Debt Commissioners or by other Government Departments under par, if there is any provision for terminating the purchase annuity payable by the tenant purchasers at an earlier period than that originally prescribed; and how are the sums represented by the difference between the par or nominal value and the purchase price applied?

Where land stock is bought by the National Debt Commissioners for sinking fund account at a discount, the benefit of such discount is secure to tenant purchasers by Treasury Rules of 21st April, 1908, and later Rules.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, annuities payable by the tenant purchasers are to continue for the originally prescribed periods; and whether the sinking funds are or are not more than available to replace the capital moneys advanced before the end of that period, owing to the increased rate of interest or otherwise?

It is understood that on the land purchase annuities being trans- ferred to the Irish Governments, as proposed by the present Government of Ireland Bill, they will continue for payment by the tenant purchasers until the original advances have been deemed to have been repaid by the operation of the different sinking funds set up under the several Acts. The sinking fund under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1891, has accumulated at a higher rate of interest than the rate at which the purchase annuities were calculated. The benefit of this accumulation is secured to tenant purchasers by Treasury Rules of 21st April, 1908. The sinking funds under the Irish Land Acts of 1903 and 1909, have not accumulated at a rate of interest higher than that at which the purchase annuities are calculated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether constables and others in receipt of a pension for pre-War service in the Royal Irish Constabulary, who have served in the military forces during the War, will be reassessed for the new rates of Royal Irish Constabulary pension on their pre-War service, in the same way as old soldiers are reassessed on the new rates?

There is no legal power to reassess the pensions of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who retired on pension prior to 1st April, 1919. To adopt the suggestion in this question would require fresh legislation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if, in the case of those schoolmasters, Royal Navy, who have accepted the conditions of A.M.O. 3,802/18, all service is, in excess of six months from the date of their continuous service engagement, reckoned as service in warrant rank?

Although schoolmasters count their qualifying service for pay, pension and advancement from a date subsequent by six months to that of their continuous service engagement, they reckon their seniority as Warrant Officers from the date of their warrants or acting warants as shown in the Navy List.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many women messengers and how many men are now employed at the Admiralty; how many messengers were employed in June, 1914, and if any of them were women; and if it is possible now to employ discharged sailors and soldiers instead of the women now employed?

There are at present 210 men messengers employed in Admiralty Departments in London, and 55 women. Of the latter, 27 are under notice of discharge, and the remainder are employed in buildings temporarily occupied away from headquarters buildings in Whitehall. There is no intention of employing women messengers over the age of 21 as a permanency, and naval and marine pensioners will be appointed in all vacancies. Female messengers under the age of 21 are only being employed to replace boys. In June, 1914, there were 135 men messengers and no women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Return relating to Government investments in registered companies, ordered to be made on 30th March last by this House, will be presented?

I hope to be able to issue the Return very shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have been made by Government employés in East Africa asking for a proportionate increase in exchange compensation on their salaries; and, if so, with what result?

(for Lieut.-Colonel Amery): I assume that the hon. Member refers to the non-European Government employés in East Africa. The question of their position under the new East African currency arrangements is still under consideration with the Governments concerned. I may point out, however, that there is now little difference between the value of the rupee in East Africa and India.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of the loss on the working of the Post Office and telephones, respectively, for the year 1919?

the commercial accounts for the financial year 1919–20 are not yet available in respect of the Postal and Telegraph Services, but it is anticipated that the profit on the former will be more than set off by the loss on the latter. As regards the Telephone Service it is estimated that there will be a deficit of £1,750,000 after allowing for interest on capital amounting to £880,000. It should be borne in mind that the figures for the above year will furnish no criterion of the present state of Post Office finance as very large increases of pay were granted to the staff of which a proportion only fell into the year's accounts; while on the other hand in the present year additional revenue will be obtained from the increases in rates announced in the Budget Speech.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether arrangements are to be made to place flags of the Allies round the base of the cenotaph, when completed?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether cable censors and postal censors during the War both wore military uniform and received the same rate of military pay; whether he has decided that Army Order 324, of September, 1919, in reference to increase of pension applies only to cable censors and not to postal censors; and, if so, what is the reason for this discrimination?

The postal censors did not receive military, but civil pay. The wearing of uniform was optional.