asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Canadian Government to impose, in its next Budget, excise duties on luxuries and specified articles, to be paid by the purchaser at the time of sale, ranging from 10 to 100 per cent.; and whether, if it be possible to impose such taxes in Canada, there is any reason why similar duties cannot be imposed in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the hon. Member is aware, the question of imposing a luxury duty has been carefully considered, both by my predecessor and myself, hut, for reasons which I indicated to the House in the course of the Debates on the last Finance Bill, the Government are of opinion that the proposals for raising additional revenue laid before the House during the present and last financial years are preferable to the introduction of such a tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the Excess Profits Duty is paid by individuals or firms making between £2,000 and £4,000 profit; and if he will add the exact percentage of this sum as compared with the entire amount levied in the last financial year under the operation of this tax?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that precise information of this character in regard to Excess Profits Duty or any other tax can only be obtained at very great expenditure of time and labour, and I am precluded by the necessities of the time from authorising the diversion of the energies of the staff to this work at the expense of their normal and more pressing functions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider, in the interests of the nation, the advisability of exempting agricultural shows, which are held for the purpose of encouraging the breeding of the best class of stock and stimulating the highest productions in agriculture, from the payment of the Entertainment Tax, which constitutes a serious addition to the abnormal expenses of organising and carrying out such exhibitions?

It is already the practice of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to grant exemption from Entertainments Duty, under Section 1 (5) ( d ) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, in respect of agricultural shows, provided that they do not include music, sports, side-shows, or other extraneous attractions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount, approximately, it is expected will accrue to the Treasury during the present financial year under the new tax on co-operative societies; and what, approximately, is the estimated cost of collecting that tax?

The amount of Corporation Profits Tax which will be payable by co-operative societies under the present Budget proposals is estimated at £170,000 in a full year. The cost of collecting this portion of the tax cannot be separated from the cost of general collection and administration

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the considered decision of His Majesty's Government that ex-soldiers over 35 years of age who served in the recent War are ineligible to compete in the projected examination for permanent Civil Service employment; and whether any extension of the principle that a man who was young enough to fight is too old for the Civil Service may be expected?

Inquiry is being made as regards the possibility of still further extending the age limit of 35 years proposed for the examination to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the intention to give ex-service men temporarily employed as clerks an opportunity of competing at the forthcoming Civil Service examination for permanent appointments, he will permit deduction from actual age of time served with the colours or, alternatively, the age limit raised from 35 to 41 years in the case of ex-service men?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether for the past six months recruits have joined the Welsh Guards at the rate of 44 per month; and whether this figure of recruiting is higher than that of any battalion in the Brigade of Guards for the same period?

Yes, Sir; the figure is as stated. The average is higher than the Irish Guards but not higher than the other regiments of Foot Guards during the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Captain E. A. Evans, late 38th Field Company, Royal Engineers, who was severely wounded at Bois Grenier on the 21st October, 1914, has been refused the award of a clasp to the 1914 Star because he has been unable to find any officer or non-commissioned officer who has been awarded the clasp and also was present with him when wounded; and if he will inquire into the matter?

I am informed that the clasp and roses due to Captain Evans have been despatched to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War if clasps to the 1914 Star are not awarded except on the certificate of an individual who has himself received the clasp; and, if so, how it is proposed that the first officer or man applying from any unit shall obtain the distinction?

No, Sir; the certificate in question is required only in the case of individuals who served with formations other than those specified in Appendix "A" to Army Order 361 of 1919. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Army Order.

asked the Secretary of State for War the address where Private Thomas Gaskell, No. 100,437, 1st Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, is stationed, who when on leave overstayed the time allowed and was arrested and taken by escort, since which time nothing has been heard of him, although several letters have been addressed to him through the regimental headquarters, and letters have also been sent addressed to the officers of his regiment, asking to be informed where he is stationed, but no reply has been received either from Private Gaskell or the officers?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give any further particulars relating to Private S. Rowe; and if he is aware that it is necessary for this purchase to be completed at an early date, since, owing to the father's health having broken down and Private Rowe being the eldest son, he is really the only one to whom his parents can look to for support, and that work has been promised to him on release?

I regret that the report in this case has not yet been received. The inquiries are being expedited, and I hope to be in a position to write to the hon. Member at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the offer of the Commissioners of the site of Burton's Court to the Office of Works for a period not exceeding four years has been accepted by the Office of Works; if so, whether the pensioners, for whose benefit the site was given by Lord Cheyne, will benefit in any way by the transaction; and whether the conditions that no additional buildings shall be erected means that no additional storey shall be superimposed upon the existing building?

I am informed that no reply has yet been received by the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital in regard to the offer made by them to the First Commissioner of Works.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any British officers on the active or retired list now serving in the Polish Army?

There are no British officers on the active list serving with the Polish Army, and I am not aware that any British retired officers are in the service of the Poles.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give a list of all yachts exceeding 250 tons, Thames measurement, which were chartered by the Admiralty during the War, the monthly rates of charter paid for each yacht during different periods, and also the lump sum paid in respect of each boat as a reconditioning grant?

The number is considerable, and I do not see what advantage to the public interest would accrue from the cost involved in obtaining and printing the list. I hope my hon. Friend will not press for it. To provide accurate lists of the amounts paid in lieu of reconditioning would involve a good deal of investigation, owing to the nature of the settlements, which include money allowed or deducted for stores, appreciation, depreciation, etc. No good purpose can be served by giving the information asked for regarding lump sum settlements, as it would be useless for purposes of comparison without detailed explanations of how the settlements were arrived at, and in any case, it is not considered advisable that this information should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in reviewing the rates of half-pay for officers in the Indian Army who have rendered satisfactory paid military service during the War, he will take into consideration the climatic conditions of India and recommend that under these circumstances the rates of half-pay should be framed on a higher basis than that laid down for the British Army, and that 12 years' service in the Indian Army should be counted as equivalent to 15 years' service in the British Army for this purpose?

There are two classes of officers to whom the question applies. Officers who on becoming unemployed would be placed on half-pay under British rules will under the new Indian rules be granted a rate of unemployed pay made up of the War Office rate of half-pay plus an addition in respect of Indian service. But I presume the hon. Member has in mind the case of officers invalided from the Indian Army. These receive invalid pensions which correspond to half-pay under British rules. I am now awaiting the issue of a Royal Warrant, which is expected very shortly, governing similar cases of retirement under British rules, before I finally decide the new rates of invalid pensions under Indian rules. In arriving at that decision I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, at a recent meeting of the Indian Legislative Council, a resolution recommending that gold imports into India be freed from all restriction was supported by 22 non-official Indians, but thrown out owing to the opposition of the Government?

The Government of India, as the Finance Member stated in the course of the Debate, would have been prepared to accept the Resolution, subject to the addition of the words "as soon as possible." As, however, the mover did not accede to this suggestion, the question went to a division, with the result stated by my hon. Friend. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the announcement issued in connection with the Report of the recent Indian Currency Committee explaining the circumstances in which it was thought necessary to continue for the time being the restrictions on the imports of gold into India. I share the desire of the Government of India to see the removal of the restrictions at the earliest practicable moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many separate firms have been negotiated with in regard to the contract to be made by the Government for the construction of the Uasin-Gishu Railway and the Thika Railway, in British East Africa; whether this undue delay is caused by the uncertainty of the financial situation in that territory caused by the arbitrary fixing of the value of the rupee; and why contracts cannot be put to public tender in the ordinary way or adequate explanation given as to the reasons that lead to special firms being invited to submit contracts?

Offers for the construction of the Uasin-Gishu Railway have been received from three firms. The intentions of the Protectorate Government with regard to the Thika extensions are not sufficiently matured to make any progress possible with regard to that line. As regards the negotiations in connection with the Uasin-Gishu Railway, I must refer to the answers given to the questions put by the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Sir Robert Chadwick) on the 18th of May, and by the hon. Member for East Nottingham (Sir J. D. Rees) on the 14th of June. The change in the currency system in East Africa has had no influence on the discussion of these railway projects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Chamber of Commerce of Dar-es-Salaam has been putting on record the opinion that the development of Tanganyika territory is characterised by administrative lethargy, and is urging the establishment of civil courts and the creation, on strong and efficient lines, of a Land Department and a Mines Department?

As stated on the 3rd of June, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Hood), the resolution referred to has been received. To the explanations then given I have nothing to add, except that the Dar-es-Salaam Chamber of Commerce does not appear to have appreciated the difficulties which confront the Administration at the present juncture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered as to the advisability of lending to the Ministry of Health for the purposes under its national housing scheme of part of the large balance standing to the credit of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank at a small rate of interest, sufficient only to cover the cost of administration and to prevent any loss to the depositors concerned.

The machinery of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund already achieves in essence what the hon. Member proposes in his question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if arrangements can be made whereby part of any sums raised by war savings certificates can be made available for loans to local authorities?

On the urgent representations of the National Savings Committee I propose, if the House will agree to the necessary legislation, that 50 per cent. of the proceeds of savings certificates bought after the 1st October next should be made available for loans to local authorities. Arrangements are being made to work out a scheme under which each area will be able to borrow from the Local Loans Fund in proportion to the amount of its subscriptions to certificates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received any communication from the Chester-le-Street district council regarding the case of Mr. F. J. Edge, until recently commissioner for Region A; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received a copy of the letter addressed by Major Edge to local authorities in Region A, in which he announces his resignation, his return to private practice and his willingness to place his services at the disposal of local authorities wishing to avail themselves of them. In view of the inadequate progress made in this Region, in which the housing needs are very great, I found it necessary to ask Major Edge to tender his resignation. I do not think that any further action on my part is called for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury, in sanctioning expenditure for public contracts, makes allowance to contractors for changes in wage rates from time to time resulting from the decisions of courts of arbitration; if so, whether such extra allowances are also made in cases where there is no decision by a court of arbitration but voluntary agreements between contractors and their employés; and what is the general policy of the Treasury and the Ministry of Health in dealing with the extra remuneration of contractors in housing and other schemes who have by voluntary arrangement recently granted increased wages to various classes of employés, including joiners at 2s. 6d. per hour?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Ministry of Health require that contracts between local authorities and contractors should provide that the rates of wages payable should be such rates as may from time to time be fixed by a body representative of employers and employed in the class of labour concerned in the district and as may be generally paid and observed in the district in respect of that class of labour. Payments in excess of these rates would not be allowed to rank for the purpose of the Government subsidy. I am informed that in no case has so high a rate as 2s. 6d. been so fixed in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the aggregate net rateable value attributable to the 777 acres in the county of London purchased for housing purposes, and the similar value of the 2,646 acres purchased in the Metropolitan Police district?

It would entail a large amount of work to collect the information desired and I do not think that I would be warranted, in the present pressure of work, in obtaining it. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue, which advises the Ministry as to the value of land proposed to be purchased for housing purposes, take all relevant factors into consideration. As he will understand, in the case of land in the neighbourhood of big towns which is used for agricultural purposes but has a much higher building value, rateable value is not an adequate criterion of what has to be paid for it.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of his refusal to include business premises in the scope of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill, he contemplates introducing legislation to safeguard the interests of business men until the proposed Select Committee has reported?

An Amendment was introduced into the Bill by the Standing Committee yesterday, making the Bill applicable, subject to certain modifications, to business premises of the same rental value as the dwelling-houses to which the Bill applies.

asked the Minister of Health whether the limits of rental referred to in the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill are the gross rentals or the net rentals; for instance, in the case of a flat, does the standard rent mean the amount at which the flat was let, including taxes, or does it mean the net amount received by the landlord after deducting the taxes?

Standard rent means the rent at which the house or flat was actually let on the deciding dates, including the amount of rates paid by the landlord. But a flat would be included within the provisions of the Bill if either the standard rent or the rateable value did not exceed the prescribed limits, and the permitted increases in rent to meet mortgage interest and cost of repairs will be calculated on the basis of the net rent, that is, the standard rent less the amount of the rates paid by the landlord.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications that have been made by county boroughs to extend their areas from January, 1919, giving the names of the various applications, together with results of applications where already determined; the cost, where known, to the parties making the application and to the parties defending themselves; and the method adopted in these various applications?

The number of applications made to the Ministry since January, 1919, by Councils of County Boroughs for Provisional Orders extending their areas is nine. The county boroughs in question are Barnsley, Lincoln, Nottingham, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, and Wakefield. In the cases of Lincoln and Southampton Provisional Orders have been issued; the application of the Nottingam Town Council has been refused; and in the remaining six cases it has been decided to issue Provisional Orders allowing part of the extension asked for, subject to conditions as to health administration in certain cases. The Ministry have no information as to the costs incurred by the local authorities concerned in the applications. In each case a public local inquiry was held by an Inspector of the Ministry, and the decision arrived at after consideration of the Inspector's report and the evidence submitted at the inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to hold an inquiry into the actions of, and the information supplied by, the British representatives in Hungary since July, 1919, in view of the report of the labour delegation which visited Hungary at the request of the Hungarian Government?

The report of the Labour Delegation is being considered by His Majesty's Government. There is, of course, no intention whatever of instituting the inquiry suggested in the earlier part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action his Department is taking regarding the long standing dispute between Holland and Belgium regarding the control of the Scheldt and the Maastricht district; and whether the Allies will take the present opportunity to rectify this grievance?

His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Governments concerned as to the steps which it may be possible to take in order to bring about an early resumption of the negotiations between Belgium and Holland for the revision of the Treaties of 1839.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he proposes to fix the appointed day for the coming into operation of Sections 14 and 15 of The Scottish Education Act, 1918?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 21st April last to the question put by the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities (Mr. D. M. Cowan), a copy of which I am sending him. I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a further statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if, in view of the reading of the Treasury on 20th December, 1918, to the effect that the 10s. increase of pay granted to the prison staffs in September, 1918, was largely based on a comparison of the rates of pay of the warder with those of the police, he will explain why 10s. was deducted from the 24s. per week bonus granted under Award No. 84, dated 31st March, 1919?

I understand that the Treasury have taken the view that the 10s. increase of pay granted to the prison staffs in September, 1918, was given at least in part on account of the change in conditions due to the War and partook of the nature of a War bonus. It was therefore held that these officers were not entitled to the same bonus as other Civil servants whose pay was fixed on pre-War conditions, and when a further increase of pay was granted in May, 1919, it was arranged that 10s. should be deducted from the full bonus calculated on the rates of pay then fixed. I may add that the whole question of the pay and bonus of prison officers is now being revised in connection with the recent increase of the Civil Service bonus.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at a Special Court held in Tuam on 5th June, before Captain Holmes, Royal Marines, four men, acting, it is alleged, on behalf of a Sinn Fein Court Martial, were charged with arresting and imprisoning a man called Connolly; that they were remanded in custody for eight days, but subsequently one of them accepted bail; and on what grounds bail was granted, in view of the serious nature of the charge and the great difficulty of effecting an arrest in Ireland when once a prisoner is out of the custody of the police or military?

Captain Holmes, who held the Special Court, is a resident Magistrate and not a member of the Royal Marines. He dealt with the cases under his jurisdiction as a Justice and admitted one of the men to bail. The granting of bail is a matter entirely for the resident Magistrate, and there is no power to interfere with his discretion, which I have no reason to believe was other than properly exercised.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is the considered policy of the Government to take no steps whatever to deal officially with barristers of the High Court and with solicitors who take part in illegal Sinn Fein Courts, whether held under the Republican Flag or not; and why the Government have refused in any way to deal 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 the 27th May?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have already informed my hon. and gallant Friend that any complaint as to improper conduct in the case of a barrister will be dealt with by his Inn, and in the case of a solicitor by the Incorporated Law Society. If evidence can be procured that any person was intimidated into submitting his case to the so-called court, those responsible for the intimidation will be prosecuted. No complaint of this kind has been received up to the present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what promotion, recognition, or reward he proposes to bestow on Sergeant Ruth and the eight constables who defended the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks at Carrigadrohoid, near Macroom, on 10th June, in view of the fact that the attack lasted from 11 p.m. till 4.30 a.m., when it was beaten off; that the roof of the barracks was set alight by the use of petrol; and that the defenders were not only exposed to danger from hand grenades, rifle fire, incendiary bombs, and other explosives, but were also very nearly burned alive?

The gallant conduct of the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who were stationed at Carrigadrohoid, county Cork, in defending their barracks against a prolonged attack by armed men on the 10th instant, has been already considered by the Constabulary Reward Board. All the men who took part in the defence have been granted the Constabulary Medal for preeminent valour and bravery. Each man has also been granted a First Class Favourable Record, with grant of money from the Constabulary Reward Fund, and Sergeant Ruth, who was in charge of the barracks, has been promoted to the rank of Head Constable, and three constables have been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether any information is available as to the total weight of fish caught by British boats, the weight thrown away before landing, the weight landed, and the weight sold for food, in any recent year?

In the year 1919 515,422 tons of fish were landed by British boats. It is impossible to state precisely what proportion was sold for food, but in the year 1919 less than 2 per cent. of the fish delivered at Billingsgate was condemned. The Ministry of Food has obtained for the Departmental Committee on the Wholesale Food Markets of London particulars of the landings and condemnation of fish at all the principal fishing ports in the first four months of the present year. These particulars have been published, and I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to the Report, which is Command Paper 713. The Ministry have no means of ascertaining what quantity of fish, if any, is thrown away at sea.

asked the Minister of Food on what principle granulated sugar of the same quality is sold at widely varying prices for grocery, domestic jam-making, and manufacturing purposes, respectively?

In accordance with the policy of supplying the domestic consumer with sugar at the lowest possible price, sugar for grocery purposes is sold by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply at a figure based on the average cost of purchases made by the Commission, many of which were made when the price of sugar in the world's market was much less than it is to-day. Sugar for domestic preserving is sold at a figure equivalent to the world's price at the date when it was necessary for the Commission to fix a price for sugar issued for this purpose. Sugar sold for manufacturing purposes is disposed of at prices in conformity with those ruling in the world's markets at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a quantity of white West Indian crystallised sugar has been landed in London, but that under direction of the Royal Commission on Sugar Supply can only be left in bond or sold to a purchaser outside the United Kingdom; whether he will state what advantage can accrue to this country by the re-exportation of an article presumed to be scarce; and whether he will instruct that permission be issued forthwith for the release of the sugar in question for the purpose of sale within the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. The world's production of sugar is so far below the quantity required to meet full normal consumption that it has been found advisable to restrict consumption in the United Kingdom to approximately 1,100,000 tons per annum. To allow free private importation of sugar in excess of this quantity would be in direct conflict with this policy, and would defeat its object by further enhancing world prices. No disadvantage accrues to this country by permitting the re-exportation of this sugar to other countries in diminution of the amount which they would otherwise require to import from elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Food whether his Department has decided on the date when it will relinquish control of and abstain from interference with the flour mills?

The Minister of Food recognises the desirability of relinquishing control of the flour mills as soon as that step can safely be taken. It is not possible at present for me to make any definite statement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Food whether in the coming winter he proposes to reintroduce the Stale Bread Order; and whether he also contemplates any public campaign to promote the economical use of bread?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Economy in the use of breadstuffs is in every way most desirable, but no special measures of the nature indicated are as yet in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has information that a Co-operative Wholesale Society is endeavouring to secure the whole output of cheese and butter in New Zealand available for export in the coming season; and whether, in that case, he will take action against an arrangement that would withdraw the whole of the exportable provisions of an important dominion from the usual agencies of distribution in this country, to the detriment alike of the traders and consumers?

I understand that some negotiations have taken place between the Co-operative Wholesale Society and the New Zealand producers, but I have no information as to their precise tenor. So far as butter is concerned, the Ministry of Food is prepared to negotiate for the exportable surplus up to the 31st March, 1921, on lines similar to those of previous contracts. In any case, the intention of the Ministry is to maintain the existing restrictions on private dealing in imported butter in this country, and the difficulty referred to in the question will, therefore, not arise. In the case of imported cheese the Government has decided that no further contracts shall be made by the Ministry. As, however, supplies of cheese are expected to be adequate to the demand. I do not anticipate that the consumer will suffer from any re-adjustment of trading arrangements that may take place.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the very low grade of Brazilian beef now being supplied to the retailers of meat for the use of the consuming public, and by whose orders is this class of beef being charged at the top price seeing that much of it is unsale- able on account of its repulsive appearance; is he prepared to arrange that this poor class of meat should be disposed of for manufacturing purposes; and is he aware that his agents are making conditions compelling the buyer of decent beef to take at the same deal fat old ram sheep which in some shops are unsaleable, and which prior to control were melted for tallow?

The Brazilian beef now being offered on the market is imported on private account and not by the Ministry of Food, and importers are en titled to make what price they can for it, subject to the maximum prices prescribed for imported beef at the time of sale. There is no reason why retailers should purchase this beef if they do not wish to do so, or pay more than they regard as its value. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what steps the Department is taking to stimulate the raising of calves; and whether it is possible to utilise existing machinery to distribute superfluous calves taken from dairying districts to other parts of the country where they could be reared?

While the Ministry is not taking any special steps to stimulate the raising of calves, the provision of bulls under the Live Stock Scheme encourages indirectly the rearing of calves, as on the information before the Ministry practically all the heifer calves, and the majority of the bull calves that are bred from subsidised sires, are reared in consequence of their higher value. The Ministry has no machinery that can be utilised for the purpose mentioned in the second part of the question, and it is to be regretted that large numbers of calves bred in dairying districts are not fit to rear owing to the fact that many dairy farmers make use of badly-bred bulls. It is hoped that when meat is decontrolled, next month, there will be greater inducement to rear calves. The Ministry will keep this matter under constant review.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agri- culture why he has included nursery grounds within the provisions of Part I. of the Agricultural Bill but has excluded them under Part II.; why, seeing that farmers are granted a minimum price for corn under the Corn Production Act and an increased price is proposed to meet their greatly increased liabilities, no provision is made to assist nurserymen who have much heavier liabilities to meet under the Act; and whether he will take steps to remedy the Bill in this respect?

I understand my hon. Friend's point to be that although the occupiers of nursery grounds have to pay their employés the minimum wages prescribed by the Agricultural Wages Board, nursery grounds do not come within the definition of a holding in the Agricultural Holdings Act and consequently the occupiers cannot obtain the compensation provided by that Act for tenants of agricultural holdings or market gardens. It appears to the Ministry that it would be difficult to justify the extension of the scope of the Agricultural Holdings Act so as to include nursery grounds, and I am not prepared, therefore, to propose an Amendment to the Agriculture Bill to that effect. With regard to the point as to the payment of minimum wages, it seems obvious that occupiers of nursery grounds cannot reasonably expect to pay wages which are less than the minimum wages fixed for agricultural labourers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his inquiries have now been made with regard to the cases of ex-service men about whom a protest meeting was recently held at Northampton; and, if so, if it is proposed to introduce temporary measures of relief pending any Amendment of the pensions warrant which may be found necessary?

I have seen a general account of the meeting referred to at which various difficulties, in regard to housing, unemployment as well as pensions, affecting ex-service men of all classes were discussed. Certain cases were produced of complaint on the part of disabled ex-service men in regard to refusal of pension on the ground that their disabilities were not due to service, but in no case did it appear that advantage had been taken of the statutory right of appeal and of the powers of local committees and of the special grants committee in such cases. I have not, however, yet received full particulars of the individual cases complained of, and until I do so I am unable to say whether or not any action can be taken by my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tons of coal and coke estimated to have been used in brewing and distilling during the year ended 31st December, 1919?

I regret that there is not sufficient information available in my Department to enable me to answer the hon. Member's inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of coal mined in the North and Midland coalfields during the months of April and May; how much of this was exported and the ports it was exported from; and if he will arrange for coal mined in the Yorkshire and Midland collieries for export to be exported through Hull and other Humber ports?

The estimated quantity of coal mined in the North and Midland coalfields during the nine weeks ended 29th May was 22,183,300 tons, and the amount of coal exported from this area was approximately 1,203,000 tons. Practically the whole of this was shipped from ports in Northumberland and Durham. Export of coal is not at present allowed from Yorkshire and Midland collieries, and in this connection I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on the 14th June to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieutenant-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the strenuous efforts now being made, against many difficulties, by certain British manufacturers to develop and extend the manufacture of thorium nitrate, incandescent mantles, or mantle rings in this country; whether he has considered the recommendations embodied in paragraph 23 of the Interim Report on Certain Essential Industries, made by the Committee on Commercial and Industrial Policy, presided over by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, namely, that the manufacture of the mantles is obviously of great importance, especially in respect of efficient illumination and the conservation of coal supplies; whether he is aware that it is estimated that 112,000,000 tons of coal per annum can be saved as a result of using gas-mantles instead of flat-flame burners; and whether, with the object of safeguarding a new enterprise, which may result in the creation of an important national industry, he proposes to take adequate measures to safeguard the manufacturers of the articles referred to in this question from unfair foreign competition?

I am aware of the position of the industries in question, and of their importance as regards economy of gas. I am not, however, at present in a position to make any statement as to the policy of His Majesty's Government, but I hope to be able to do so at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the desirability of restoring to the community some of the facilities for cheap travelling in force prior to the War, he will give favourable consideration to any proposals made by responsible firms or societies, whereby the risks that he fears of such facilities being economically disadvantageous to the State would be obviated by such firms or societies undertaking to recoup the cost of running such trains, together with a profit or bonus of 33⅓ per cent. thereon, leaving to such firms or societies the right to charge such fares as might seem to them to be requisite, but with the proviso that such fares should not exceed the fares at present charged by the railway companies?

I have no reason to doubt that railway companies will give fair consideration to any specific proposals of the character named in the question which may be submitted to them, but I do not wish to encourage the view that existing traffic conditions will make it possible for much, if anything, to be done in the direction indicated without detrimentally interfering with the normal services of the company.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted upon the working women and girls in Scotland by the withdrawal of all special railway fares at the times of fruit-picking; whether he has considered the shortage of workers which may be the cause of the possible loss of a proportion of the fruit crop; and whether, inasmuch as the case differs from that of holiday facilities, he will give it special consideration?

I have received a deputation upon the matter to-day. The question shall receive further consideration, and I hope to announce the result at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the schemes in connection with which a grant of £1,000,000 is made, as shown on page 3, Command Paper 654, Ministry of Transport's Estimates, 1920-21; whether they are grants which are likely to be repaid at any time; and whether they are in connection with schemes under the control of private enterprise or under public control?

The Parliamentary Estimates for the Ministry of Transport, 1920–21, state that the £1,000,000 includes provision for possible assistance to Transport Undertakings in Agricultural and Industrial Areas, and for Transport facilities in connection with Housing Schemes under Section 17 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919. Under this sec- tion the Minister of Transport may, subject to the approval of the Treasury, make advances to any authority, company, or person, either by way of grant or by way of loan, or partly in one way and partly in another for (inter alia) the construction, improvement, and maintenance of railways, light railways, or tramways, or the promotion of transport services by land or by water, as defined in Section 30 of the Ministry of Transport Act.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the certain increase of railway fares and charges, the shortage of wagons, and the congestion of goods at important centres, what action he is prepared to take to develop motor transport on the roads; and whether the carrying of passengers by the latter means will materially help to lighten the burden on railways; and what facilities, if any, he is prepared to give to private traders and others who develop such service for themselves?

asked the Minister of Transport if he can hold out any hope of such an alteration in the policy affecting road transport and the price of petrol as will make the great highways of this country available for business purposes; and, if so, when he hopes to make such an announcement as will tend to the relief of the congested railways and the substantial promotion of trade?

The House is aware of the steps which are being taken to secure a higher standard of road maintenance and improvement, and to provide funds for this purpose. In addition, existing legislation is being reviewed with the object of such revision of restrictions on road transport as may be possible, consistently with public safety. It is realised that the needs of the country are likely to require all the facilities which the various agencies of transport can afford. The Ministry of Transport has no control over the supply or price of petrol.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is any limitation to the size of the motor chars-a-bancs which are permitted to make use of the narrow country lanes in Great Britain; and whether, in view of the great inconvenience and danger caused by this form of traffic, he can see his way to give an undertaking that motor vehicles above a certain size should be strictly limited to the main roads of the country?

The size and weight of char- a-bancs, as of other heavy motor vehicles, are regulated by the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904. Highway authorities are empowered under Section 8 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, to make application to the Minister of Transport for an Order prohibiting the use of such vehicles on roads which do not exceed 16 feet in width, or on which ordinary motor car traffic would, in his opinion, be especially dangerous.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the Cumberland County Education Committee to pay its teachers the scale as laid down in the Burnham Report; whether all head teachers received a communication from the secretary of the Education Committee to the effect that the salary due on the 31st May could not be paid on that date; and whether he will make representations to the Committee on these matters?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. According to my information, the local education authority for Cumberland adopted the provisional minimum salary scale early this year, and I have no reason to believe that they have refused to put it into effect. Any question of detail upon the interpretation or administration of that scale can be referred either by authorities or by associations of teachers to the Reference Committee of the Standing Joint Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the grave situation which exists in Ireland in respect of the postal service by reason of the secret and subtle interference of Sinn Fein; to what extent it has and is interfering with the secrecy and security of Irish mails; and whether arrangements are being made to prevent further abuse of this important public service?

If the hon. Member is in possession of any evidence that letters are being opened in the post in Ireland by Post Office servants contrary to their duty, I should be glad if he would communicate it to me. As I have already stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Tavistock Division of Devonshire (Lieut.-Commander Williams), I have no such evidence.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Post Office declines to re-direct letters when requested to do so by a taxpayer who has left a particular address and gone to reside elsewhere so long as there is anyone actually resident at the previous address, though gu eh person may in no sense be the agent of the person who has removed, and may even have assumed an attitude of hostility or unfriendliness to him; and whether he will see that the Post Office Regulations are modified to provide for the re-direction of letters, if requested to do so by the person changing from one address to another?

Re-direction of letters by Post Office servants occupies so much time that it is not, as a general rule, undertaken where letters can be redirected after delivery at the place of address. Exceptional cases are considered on their merits.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the increase which has taken place in the number of accidents to men employed in the iron-ore mines in West Cumberland; and, if so, will he be prepared at once to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines by the appointment of two sub-inspectors who should be practical iron-ore miners?

There has been no increase in the total number of accidents, but the number of fatal cases during the last two years has been considerably above the average, as often happens when dealing with very small figures. The Home Secretary has not felt justified at present in asking Parliament for an increase of the inspecting staff, but the filling up of the vacancies which arose during the War has enabled him to arrange for a substantial increase of the inspection in the Cumberland iron mines.

asked the Home Secretary when the Metalliferous Mines Bill, based upon the Report of the Royal Commission on the working of the Metalliferous Mines, will be introduced, seeing that the judgment of Mr. Justice Roche in the recent case of Crisp v. Hodbarrow Mining Company now makes the passing of a new Act one of extreme urgency?

My right hon. Friend regrets that owing to pressure of other legislation it is not possible for him to promise a Bill on the subject this Session. From the reports I have seen of the case mentioned in the question, it appears that the accident which was the subject of proceedings was due to an error of judgment and not to any defect in the Regulations in force at the mine.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements have been or are being made for the instruction of the Metropolitan Police in the use of firearms; whether superintendents were asked to submit names of officers qualified to give instruction in the use of pistols; whether the officers recommended by the superintendents have been approved and are to be used in the discretion of superintendents in order that the instruction in both .22 and .32 weapons may be proceeded with as quickly as possible; whether a supply of .22 ammunition for instructional purposes is now being distributed based on authorised strength; whether about 26,000 rounds of ammunition have been obtained from the War Department to be available for sale to divisions for practice or for the use of rifle clubs; and, if so, whether he will explain the reason for instructing police officers in the use of firearms?

No new departure is being made with regard to the arming of the Metropolitan Police or their instruction in the use of firearms. For nearly 40 years officers on night duty have been permitted, if they wish, to carry revolvers for their own protection. The police have also for many years had Miniature Rifle Clubs which are run by the men themselves for purposes of sport. It is obviously desirable that firearms should be carried only by men practised in the handling and use of them, and steps are now being taken to revive the firing practice which had been suspended during the War. Practice ammunition for the Miniature Rifle Clubs is purchased in bulk in order that the men may be able to obtain it at the lowest cost.

asked the Minister of Labour why the British Bankers' Association has refused to accede to the request of the Bank Officers' Guild (representing 22,000 bank clerks) to have set up a national Whitley Council for the banking profession; and, in view of the trouble that has been caused both in Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa by similar refusals, will he do all in his power to persuade the British Bankers' Association as representing the bank directorates, to grant this measure and prevent the friction that will occur by a refusal?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. Friends the Members for Wednesbury (Mr. A. Short) and St. Helens (Mr. Sexton), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is being, or proposed to be, done with the Government chemical factory at Ludlow, and why the stores are not being disposed of while they are saleable?

The wood distillation factory at Ludlow forms one of the group of five factories which are at present advertised for sale. The stores at Ludlow consist mainly of cordwood which would be required as raw material for use in the operation of the factory plant, and, for this reason, the stores are at present being reserved for sale to prospective purchasers of the factories.

asked the Solicitor-General whether he has received an important communication from the Liverpool Law Society as to the Indemnity Bill, pointing out that Sub-section (1) of Clause 1 seems to be sufficiently comprehensive in its terms (in particular lines 16 to 18, inclusive) to render void not merely proceedings now pending, but also proceedings which have been perfected by judgment (or the equivalent of judgment in the case of a petition of right) or even proceedings in which payment has long since been made under such judgment; and whether he will give such a reply or make such an official announcement as will allay the natural anxiety of those who are affected?

Yes. I have received the communication referred to from the Liverpool Law Society, and have already replied to the Society that the points raised are receiving my careful consideration.