asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the resumption of pre-War uniforms will impose a greatly increased burden on officers generally, what arrangement he intends to make to relieve such officers of charges which seriously tax the resources of many of them, and thereby tend to discourage promotions from the ranks and the adoption of the Army as a profession by young men of limited means?

An initial outfit allowance will be given to new entrants, as stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Southwark (Commander Dawes) on 15th June. The question of the rates to be granted to those promoted from the ranks is receiving attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take into consideration the hardship entailed upon men who are at present serving under adverse conditions in Ireland, which does not permit of facilities for study, and who are obliged to obtain a second class certificate of education in order to qualify for proficiency pay; and if he will meet their case by waiving the condition of a second class certificate, and by granting the proficiency pay on the basis of a third class certificate?

The question is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 62 Royal Army Service Corps officers, Horse Transport, Motor Transport, and Supplies were lent for service in India, at the special request of the Indian Government, early in the War, and remained in that country until September, 1919; that they were paid at a lower rate than the Supply and Transport Corps officers of the Indian Army, with whom they worked, and under identically similar conditions, and whom, in many cases, they taught their duties; and whether he will see his way to recommend that the pay of the 62 Royal Army Service Corps officers be made up to equal that of the officers in the employ of the Indian Government, and thus remove the cause of complaint?

British Service officers serving temporarily in India are not normally considered to have any claim to the special Indian Army scales of pay fixed for officers serving permanently in India. The question of the pay of the officers mentioned has been considered on several occasions by the Government of India and the War Office, and it was eventually agreed that those who remained in India should receive Indian Supply and Transport Corps pay from 7th September, 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been come to as to granting of commissions in the Regular Army to officers in the Territorial Army who have served with distinction in the late War; and, if so, how many such commissions will be granted?

Applications for permanent commissions in the Regular Army have been received from some 4,500 officers who have served in the Army. Although the future establishment of the post-War Army has not yet been fixed, His Majesty's Government feel impressed by the desirability of giving to officers with exceptionally fine records of War Service an opportunity of entering the Army as a permanent career. It has accordingly been decided that from 200 to 300 commissions in the infantry shall be made available. The necessary machinery is being set up at once to select those officers to whom commissions are to be granted and a Committee will be formed forthwith to investigate the records and qualifications of all candidates. As I have previously indicated, distinguished service in the field will be the primary qualification required, and those who have been granted distinctions for gallantry and shown aptitude for leading in the field will receive preference. The conditions governing the grant of these commissions will be issued shortly, together with instructions for those who may not have applied in the past for commissions but now wish to do so. In addition to the commissions in the infantry which I have referred to above, it has been found possible to grant a few regular commissions in other arms and branches of the service. Full information regarding these is also being issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has approached business firms with a request that they should offer incentive in the shape of monetary rewards and promises of promotion to their employés to join the Territorial Force; and whether such forms of compulsion are compatible with the idea of voluntary service?

No, Sir. No such request has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War, (1) whether the rate of pay of major-generals of the Kut garrison was, whilst prisoners of war, arbitrarily fixed at that of a regimental commander only and considerably below the Indian pay of their rank alone, whilst the Indian staff pay of their rank and appointments as brigade commanders has been left out of consideration; whether he has afforded the India Office a satisfactory explanation for this treatment; if so, what is the explanation;

(2) whether, in fixing the rate of prisoner-of-war pay for two major-generals taken prisoners at Kut, the War Office has ignored their substantive rank as major-generals and the Indian rate of pay of their appointments; and whether these officers were treated on different lines to other officers of the Indian Army with the Kut garrison?

These officers have received everything to which they are entitled under the Regulations of their own service. But in considering whether further emolument could be given to them, outside Indian Regulations and at the expense of the British Exchequer, they have been regarded, as is the custom of the British service, from the point of view of the post of Brigade Commander which they held, and not from that of their substantive rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Secretary of State for India, as well as his predecessor, has protested against the statement as regards the rates of pay accorded by the War Office to two major-generals in the Indian Army who commanded brigades in Kut whilst prisoners of war; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I do not know to what statement the question refers; but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that I have not dealt with this matter without communication with my right hon. Friends at the India Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the annual saving that would be effected by the amalgamation of a one battalion regimental headquarters of Footguards with that of another regiment, on the assumption that two regimental bands and two staffs for record office purposes would still be necessary;

(2) whether the bands of the Irish and Welsh Guards have an establishment of 44, while the other three regiments are allowed 66; whether the latter are called upon to perform any more duties than the former; and the annual saving that would result from the reduction of all five regimental bands to the lower establishment, including the cost of pre-war uniform?

As I explained on Tuesday last, the whole question of effecting economies in the Guards is being considered, and the suggestions of the hon. and gallant Member will not be lost sight of. I think, however, it would prejudge the matter if at this stage I were to attempt to give further estimates in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the last patients vacated the Brighton Pavilion Hospital six weeks ago; whether he is aware that the Brighton Corporation are anxious to take over these premises and so enable them to start the necessary repairs and open the grounds to the general public; that the retention of these premises and grounds is causing a great amount of dissatisfaction amongst the local inhabitants; whether any officials are still retained at this hospital; if so, the cost of salaries and the amount each official receives; and, in view of the fact that these premises are urgently required for use during the present holidays, when it is proposed to hand them over to the Corporation?

The Brighton Pavilion Hospital was evacuated of the last patients six weeks ago. It is expected to clear the stores and close the accounts by the 14th July, 1920. Every effort has been and is being made to hand back the premises as soon as possible There is a large amount of stores to be disposed of and various accounts to close. The only protests received from the local inhabitants have been directed not against the continuance but against the closure of the hospital. In view, however, of the representations of the Municipal Authorities, steps were taken to arrange for the closing of the hospital, and, after some delay, due to the want of alternative accommodation elsewhere, this was effected. The officials remaining are only those whose services cannot be dispensed with until the stores have been cleared and the accounts have been closed. They consist of one officer and thirty-two others.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that undue hardship is being caused to many pensioners in Wigan through the allow- ance books not being received at the various post offices, some of these people not having received any payments for over two months; and whether he will have inquiries made why this delay is caused and see that the delivery of books is attended to more promptly in future?

I have received from my hon. Friend a list of nine cases, into which I have caused immediate inquiry to be made. I hope to be able shortly to send him particulars about each case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. H. Smith, late No. 86,677, Royal Engineers, of 10, Duke Street, Barnsley; whether he is aware that this man applied for a pension on the 13th February, 1920, and the necessary papers were sent by the local War Pensions Committee to regional headquarters, who replied on the 27th February, 1920, that arrangements would be made for his medical examination; whether, in spite of repeated applications by the local War Pensions Committee to regional headquarters, urging immediate action, as the man and his family were without funds and were in receipt of parish relief, no action has been taken and letters ignored; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case and the matter expedited?

I am having immediate inquiry made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an application is before his department by Mrs. J. M'Keane, of Rushfield, Carrigans, Londonderry, for the payment of £17 10s. gratuity in respect of her son, John Simpson, No. 487,592, Labour Corps; that the last will of the deceased soldier was sent to his department on the 18th February last; that no claim is made in respect of funeral expenses, this amount having already been paid out of other moneys; and that Mrs. M'Keane is entitled to the whole of the £17 10s.; will he expedite this payment; and is he aware that the secretary of the county Donegal Local War Pensions Committee wrote to the Secretary, Imperial Institute, on 26th March, 6th April, and 24th April about this case, but no reply whatsoever was sent to any of these letters?

Authority has now been given for the issue of the balance of the estate to Mrs. M'Keane.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the fact that in the middle of April 66 hunger strikers were released from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, of whom more than half had been convicted of various seditious and treasonable crimes, and the release of these convicted prisoners was alleged to have arisen from muddled orders, whether any individual, or individuals, convicted and sentenced for offences in Ireland who have gone on hunger strike, whether imprisoned in England or Ireland, have been released since that date; and, if so, how many, and what were the offences of which they were found guilty?

Since the middle of April last sixteen prisoners on hunger strike who were convicted by Court Martial of offences under the Defence of the Realm Regulations have been released. Five of them who had been on hunger strike before that date, and whose cases were similar to those of prisoners previously released, were released on verbal parole. The remaining eleven were released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill Health) Act, 1913, and are, of course, subject to re-arrest. No one imprisoned in England for an offence in respect of which he has been convicted and sentenced in Ireland, has been released since the middle of April.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many local authorities in Ireland have declared their adherencé to the Dail Eireann; and if any of the local authorities are refusing to carry out the duties for which they were formed by statute?

I am informed by the Local Government Board that elections for local bodies have only recently taken place, and they have received no official intimation from any of them on the subject mentioned in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the question of granting some special recognition to prison officers in Ireland, in view of the unprecedented nature of the duties now being discharged by them?

A decision on this point has not yet been reached.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is intended to continue the publication of the list of outrages attributed to Sinn Fein?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether Members of this House or the general public will be fully informed of what took place between himself and a deputation of the National Union of Railwaymen on the question of the Union permitting their members to handle Government supplies for the military in Ireland?

A full report of what took place at the meeting has been sent to the Press.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade whether British firms are now at liberty to make contracts for the supply of goods for Russia; whether licences are necessary for the shipment of such goods; whether the Department advises such contracts to be made with M. Krassin forthwith; whether any returns of such contracts recently made are known to the Department; and the general conditions under which these arrangements have been made?

The question of the resumption of trade with Russia and the conditions applicable to such trade is now under discussion between the Permanent Committee of the Supreme Economic Council, which represents the principal Allied Governments, and the Russian Trade Delegation now in this country. Pending the results of this discussion, I do not think it desirable to make any statement on the various points raised in the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government is in a state of war with the Soviet Government of Russia; and, if not, by what right and under what principle of international law His Majesty's Government is acting in instructing the British naval forces to search vessels, sailing to or from Baltic ports, suspected of carrying arms or munitions consigned to the Russian Soviet Government?

I cannot add anything on this subject to the very full statement made recently by the Prime Minister in this House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to abolish passports between the United Kingdom and France at an early date; and, if not, what are the objections to such a course?

The answer is in the negative. As regards entry into France, passports are required by the French regulations, with which His Majesty's Government have no power to interfere. As regards entry into the United Kingdom from France or any other country, I understand that the possession of a British passport is a very great convenience, as it enables the holder at once to establish his nationality on landing at a port, and so relieves him from the necessity of examination under the Aliens Order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether passports have been granted to any individuals or firms travelling abroad with a view to establishing munitions works; and, if so, to whom?

I am unable to say whether any of the ten thousands of persons to whom passports have been granted have had any such intention.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Ministers it is pro-proposed to appoint in each of the provinces of British India; and whether, in view of the present number of high officials in the administration in India, he will see that, as far as possible, in no province in India there are more than two members of the Executive Council, as proposed in the Montagu-Chelmsford Report?

The number of Ministers and of the Members of the Executive Council in each province will be settled for each province in the light of the volume of work to be entrusted to them, and of the recommendations of the Governor. I cannot, at this stage, make any definite commitment in either case.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether it is proposed to include in the rules to be framed under the Government of India Act, rules for the appointment of standing committees of the legislative bodies, their composition, and regulations governing their procedure, in view of the fact that Lord Selborne's Committee considered that it may often greatly assist the political education of India if standing committees of the legislative bodies are attached to certain Departments of Government;

(2) whether the representation of Europeans is Bengal on the legislative council, as recommended by the Franchise Committee, is out of all proportion to their population or voting strength; and, if so, what action has the Government of India taken to remedy the inequality by a readjustment of seats, as recommended by Lord Selborne's Committee?

The matters referred to in these two questions are matters which it is for the Joint Select Committee to consider, and on which they will advise Parliament.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has information to the effect that representatives of the English wholesale co-operative societies in New Zealand are attempting to corner the whole of the output of cheese and butter in New Zealand for the forthcoming season; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the establishment of a monopoly in so important a source of supply?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that an attempt is being made by a certain trading organisation in this country to secure the whole of the output of cheese and butter in New Zealand, for distribution in this country; and, if so, whether any steps will be taken in the interest of the consumer to prevent any one trading organisation having the monopoly in these important commodities?

I would refer the hon. Baronet and the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on this subject on Wednesday 16th June, to the hon. Member for the Sevenoaks Division (Mr. Bennett).

asked the Minister of Food whether the decision of the Government not to permit the Ministry to enter into any further contracts for the importation of cheese, is intended to indicate that all control over imported cheese by the Ministry will be relinquished; if, when this decision was arrived at, regard was had to the attempt of the Wholesale Co-operative Society to create a corner in the supply of New Zealand cheese; and does the Ministry propose to take any steps to prevent the creation of a monopoly in any staple article or articles of food and their exploitation by any company or person?

Following on the decision of the Government that no further purchases of imported cheese should be made by the Ministry of Food, cheese is no longer controlled by Statutory Order, except in so far as the substantial balance of the cheese already contracted for by the Ministry is concerned. As regards the second part of the question, when the decision referred to was reached it was realised that following on the restoration of a free market in Australasian cheese changes in the established channels of trade might ensue, but there was at that time no indication that the Wholesale Co-operative Society intended to open negotiations for the purchase of New Zealand cheese. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the concluding part of the reply given to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Bennett) on the 16th instant. Should any attempt be made to exploit the consumer, either in the case of cheese or any other foodstuff, the Minister of Food will not hesitate to employ any powers entrusted to him by Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an arrangement to supply Germany with maize or other cereals in exchange for other commodities has been recently carried out by ourselves only, and so far Germany has not fulfilled the terms of her contract and possibly may not do so; and what steps he intends to take with her in future before parting with the goods?

I have been asked to reply. No maize has been supplied or promised to Germany by Great Britain. In this connection I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers given to-day to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. R. McNeill).

asked the Minister of Food whether he can make any statement about the position in the Scottish retail meat trade?

I am not aware of any special circumstances in connection with the Scottish retail meat trade which call for a statement from me; but, if the hon. and gallant Member will make his inquiry in more definite terms, I shall be glad to furnish him with information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he will give a definition of the term "good estate management," as employed in Section 7 (4) of the Agriculture Bill?

The term is taken from the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, and has been the subject of judicial decisions. I cannot undertake to define the term.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the area of unproductive land in Great Britain is now larger than at any period during the last thirty-five years; whether the Government accept responsibility for this state of affairs; and, if not, can he give an explanation?

The area under crops and grass is now smaller than at any period during the last 35 years. The explanation is that more land has been required for housing and for industries for the additional 10,000,000 to 11,000,000 persons by which the population of Great Britain has increased during the period.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what compensation is available for the dependants of the captain and crew of the tugboat "St. Boswells" which was recently sunk by striking a mine off Santa Theresa?

I have been asked to reply. The officers and crew are entitled to compensation under the Board of Trade War Risk Compensation Scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, (1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that the steamers "Auchinish" and "Kilbaha," the property of the Limerick Steamship Company, on requisition were handed over to the brokers, Messrs. Scott Fell and Company, at Sydney, New South Wales, by the Australian Commonwealth at the requisition rates; is he aware that these brokers traded with these two steamers and made large profits for themselves over and above the blue book flat rate allowed to requisitioned steamers by the Australian Government; will the attention of the Australian Government be called to this injustice to a firm of shipowners in debarring them from using their steamers in the same manner as the Australian-owned steamers were being used;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the fact that an injustice has been done to a firm of Irish shipowners, the Limerick Steamship Company, Limited, by the requisitioning of their two steamers, the "Emerald Wings" and "Bright Wings," renamed the "Kilbaha" and "Auchinish" during the War by the Commonwealth Government of Australia; that, while this firm were not objecting to the requisitioning of their steamers in the ordinary course, they objected to these two Irish-owned steamers being the only steamers requisitioned together with the English-owned "Southborough," while the whole of the Australian-owned steamers were permitted to trade on the Australian coast free; and whether he will have full inquiries made into the complaint made by the Limerick Steamship Company, Limited?

I have been asked to reply. It is true that last year strong complaints were received from the former owners of these vessels as to their treatment whilst under requisition by the Commonwealth Government. The steamers have, however, since been sold, and in the circumstances it is not thought that any useful purpose would be served by re-opening the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Limerick Steamship Company, Limited, made several applications through their brokers to be allowed to have their colours carried on the steamers' funnels and to fly their own house-flag; that such permission was refused them, while the brokers under whose management the Australian Government placed the steamers were allowed to sail these Irish-owned steamers under their own colours and fly their own house-flag; and, if this is so, what action will be taken?

I have been asked to reply. As the vessels, which I pre- sume my hon. Friend refers to, are on the Australian Register, I regret that I have no information as to the action which has been taken in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a brief statement of the effect of the Jones Shipping Act?

It is impossible for me, as yet, to pronounce any opinion as to the effect of the Act referred to. I have only got telegraphed summaries of the most important provisions and I shall be glad to furnish the hon. and gallant Member with a resumé of those terms, if he so desires; but some time must elapse before anything of value can be said as to their effect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the revised Australian tariff just introduced provides for lower rates of import duties on goods of British origin than the previous tariff; and what effect it is likely to have on trade between the United Kingdom and Australia?

The duties leviable on British goods under the new tariff are lower than before in only a few instances, though the extent of the preference they will enjoy over foreign goods admitted under the general tariff is greater in most cases than before. The advantage of this increased preference may, however, tend to disappear if our competitors in the Australian market are able to secure the benefit of the "Intermediate" tariff which the Tariff Bill proposes to introduce for the first time as part of the Commonwealth tariff system.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any new oil wells have been opened in this country during the last three months; if the amount of oil obtained shows any increase during that time; if the latest reports of experts give any hopes of any consider- able extension; and in what form is the oil now obtained utilised?

I have been asked to reply. No new oil wells have been commenced during the last three months, but drilling is in progress at nine wells; oil is still being obtained from one well only and at the same rate; no opinion can usefully be expressed as to future prospects until the present borings have been completed. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Battersea South (Viscount Curzon) on the 11th May.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is intended to appoint a transport officer for agricultural work who will act in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport and the Board of Agriculture; whether this appointment will be open to other than ex-service men; and whether, in view of the fact that there are many ex-service men with agricultural college diplomas who had experience in transport work during the War, are still unemployed, and are eminently qualified for such a post, he will rule that such men should have a preference in the event of such an appointment being made?

No special appointment of the nature referred to is contemplated. The Ministry of Agriculture and this Ministry are constantly co-operating together in matters in which both are interested.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that owners of agricultural tractors are being summoned on the ground that the plates on the driving wheels of their tractors do not conform to the Heavy Motor Car Order of 1904; and whether, having regard to the exemption granted to locomotives under five tons by the Locomotives on Highways (Agricultural Locomotives No. II.) Regulations, 1917, he will take steps to ensure that a similar exemption be accorded to agricultural tractors until such time as the new Regulations amending the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1914, come into operation?

I am not aware of any such prosecutions. The Regulations referred to were made under Section 9 of the Locomotives and Highways Act, 1896, and are operative for the duration of the War. They will, therefore, automatically cease to have effect after the official declaration of the termination of the War. The whole question of the revision of existing Regulations, both as regards heavy motor cars and locomotives, is under consideration by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built and tenanted since the formation of his Department; how many are in the course of construction; and how many have been planned?

Up to the 1st June, the latest date for which figures are available, 2,605 houses had been completed, with the sole exception, in some cases, of painting, by local authorities and public utility societies, and in addition 108 houses had been completed by private persons under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act. 187 working-class flats had also been provided by the conversion of existing houses in London. I have no information to show how many of these houses are actually occupied. A further 29,076 houses are recorded as in various stages of construction on the date in question. The total number of houses included in contracts already signed by local authorities and public utility societies was 61,708, whilst tenders had been finally approved in respect of 112,658 houses. Up to the 12th June plans relating to 214,153 houses had been submitted to my Department, of which 201,370 had been approved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many experimental cottages have been built near Amesbury by direct labour; and what is the cost of each cottage already built, including lay-out, drainage, and water supply?

Fourteen cottages have been completed by direct labour and others are in process of erection both by direct labour and under contract. Until these are completed, I am afraid I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the last part of my hon. Friend's question, as it will not be possible to apportion the expenditure on lay-out, road-making, and water supply until the expenditure on these items has been completed.

asked the Minister of Health for what reason the grants under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, to private builders of houses in Ireland are restricted to houses built in municipal areas, having regard to the fact that, in many rural districts in Ireland, the need for houses is urgent; and whether he will take steps to place builders of houses in Ireland on the same footing in this respect with builders in Great Britain?

Under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, grants can only be given in respect of houses built in the areas of local authorities within the meaning of Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, which, in Ireland, applies only to urban districts and towns with town commissioners. As regards the last part of the question the Acts relating to labourers' cottages apply to rural districts and 48,000 cottages have already been provided under these Acts.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what Government buildings in Great Britain, commandeered during the War, have been given up within the first 14 days of June; whether any of the rooms have been recently given up in Caxton House, Westminster, and what use is now to be made of them; and how much space is occupied by the War Contracts Department?

The following premises commandeered during the War were surrendered during the period mentioned: Fifth floor of Finsbury Court, E.C. 82, Lancaster Gate, W. Portion of store in Bollo Lane, Chiswick. The greater part of the east block of Caxton House has been recently vacated by Government Staffs, and will shortly be re-occupied by firms dispossessed during the War. If the last part of the question refers to the Contracts staff of the Ministry of Munitions, the control of which is being transferred to the War Office, the space occupied is 16,000 square feet.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the monthly cost of administering his Department at Horrex's Hotel and the Howard Hotel, respectively; what is the number of the respective staffs, and how many of these staffs are voluntary helpers on the panel and selection boards; the number of applicants who are interviewed at these two hotels on an average each week and the number of applicants who have been found employment; and whether he has any information as to the number of vacancies at present at the disposal of these two Departments?

I would explain that Horrex's Hotel is the headquarters of the London Directorate of the Appointments Department, and, as such, carries out duties of a different character from those of the Central Selection Board which sits in the office of the Divisional Controller, Employment Department, London and South-Eastern Division, at Howard's Hotel, for the purpose of interviewing ex-service men who are candidates for temporary posts in Government Departments. This Selection Board receives its candidates from both the Appointments Department and from the Employment Exchanges.

The approximate average monthly cost of the staff of the Ministry of Labour employed in administering these two organisations during the period from 1st January to 31st May, 1920, was:— (i) Horrex's Hotel, £4,120; and (ii) Howard's Hotel, Selection Board, £370.

(The cost of premises is not included in these figures.)

The numbers of the respective staffs are:— (i) Horrex's Hotel, 220; but, in addition, there are about 450 voluntary helpers, who assist the Appointments Department Director in the work of interviewing and placing in employment ex-officers and other ex-service men of similar standing. (ii) Howard's Hotel, 18; but, in addition, two representatives of the Civil Service Commission also sit on this Board. There are no voluntary helpers attached to this organisation. The average number of applicants interviewed weekly during the period from 1st January to 31st May, 1920, was:— (i) 1,934 at Horrex's Hotel; and (ii) 314 at the Selection Board, Howard's Hotel. The weekly average of applicants placed in employment during the period from 1st January to 31st May, 1920, by (i) Horrex's Hotel was 205, and (ii) Howard's Hotel Selection Board, 204.

The number of vacancies at present at the disposal of Horrex's Hotel is 401. In the case of Howard's Hotel, it is not possible to give any figure which would not be misleading, since vacancies, which are periodically notified to the Selection Board, are generally filled almost immediately after notification.

asked the Minister of Labour why no notice was sent to the post offices (mentioned in Form X73) at the end of May of the closing of the seven Metropolitan sub-offices where Commissioners sat, and that two new offices had been opened; whether this omission provides evidence of the inefficiency of the establishment officer primarily responsible and of the new Controller ultimately responsible; whether the Controller's scheme of reconstruction forms a part of the subject of this question; whether this subject-matter provides evidence of careful consideration being given to their late comrades-in-arms on the part of these ex-service officers of whom the staff is now almost entirely composed; and whether he is aware that the result of this chaos is that applicants for aid arrived at closed offices and had to travel from one end of London to the other, wasting both their time and money?

The changes referred to in my hon. Friend's question are the substitution of Examining Commissioners, with power to decide cases locally, for the old part-time Commissioners, without this power. This new system has been in operation less than a month, and where the changes have involved the closing of old offices and the opening of new ones, the post offices concerned have been informed locally. The points mentioned in the remainder of my hon. Friend's question do not, therefore, appear to arise. I should be glad, however, if my hon. Friend would personally visit the Civil Liabilities Department, when I think he will find that there is no foundation for his suggestion that there is disorganisation in that Department. On the contrary, I am grateful to the staff for the industry with which arrears have been overtaken, and with which current applications are dealt.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, pending the Report of the Committee on Labour Exchanges, he is suspending all building and extension work in connection with the existing and contemplated Employment Exchanges?

The suspension of all building and extension work in connection with the Employment Exchanges, pending the Report of the Committee which has been appointed, is not practicable. No permanent buildings, however, are being erected at the present time, and, apart from a few exceptionally urgent cases, it is not proposed to commence building permanent premises during the present financial year. In a large number of cases the necessity for new premises is due to the fact that existing premises have to be given up during the present year, and to meet this difficulty temporary huts are being erected; if this work were postponed it would not be possible to provide Employment Exchange facilities for the public. The only alternative would be to incur heavy expense in the hire of premises for work which must be carried on. Quite apart from the Committee of Inquiry, however, and without prejudice to any recommendations that the Committee may make, I have personally investigated the proposals for building work in this connection, and can assure my hon. Friend that no such work will be undertaken that is not absolutely necessary for the discharge of the responsibilities at present laid upon my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of munitions whether the depot of the Royal Air Force at Yate, Gloucestershire, has been sold by the Disposal Board to two local firms; whether a considerable time has elapsed since this agreement was come to, but the Board has failed as yet to transfer the property; why there has been this delay; and is he aware that the serious condition of unemployment in Bristol makes the immediate transfer of the property urgent?

Arrangements have been made for the sale of two portions of the Aircraft Repair Depot at Yate, Gloucestershire, to two separate firms, and both transactions are in course of completion, which will be expedited as much as possible. In both cases some of the land had not been actually acquired by the Government, and I regret that some delay has been caused thereby.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will give a list showing the names of firms who have purchased munitions of war from any branch of his Department; and what conditions, if any, have been laid upon the purchasers?

The following firms have purchased surplus warlike stores from the Disposal Board: The Sabellum Trading Company. Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth & Company. The National Metal and Chemical Bank. The Compania de Nyassa. The Wilkinson Sword Company, and Messrs. Kynoch, Ltd. The special conditions applying to the sale of warlike stores are as follows: ( a ) Before entering into negotiations, it is pointed out to the firm that 1785 no arms or ammunition can be supplied without War Office authority, and applicants are required to apply to the Director of Military Intelligence at the War Office for a special licence to purchase. Without such licence no sale is effected. ( b ) If arms or ammunition are required for export a further permit has to be obtained from the Export Licence Department of the Board of Trade, and without such permit no sale is effected by the Disposal Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he will give a list showing the names of firms who have purchased munitions of war from any branch of his Department; and what conditions, if any, have been laid upon the purchasers?

The only sales are a few thousand rounds of small arms ammunition and one rifle, which have been purchased by three firms for experimental work and testing purposes. As regards the last part of the question, the firms cannot re-sell without a licence from the War Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if an Englishman residing for more than six months of the year in France, and with no residence in England, and with an income of £5,000 per annum derived from securities in this country, is liable to Income Tax and Super-tax; and, if Income Tax be deducted from his dividends before he receives them, is he entitled to claim the repayment of tax from Somerset House?

Income arising from securities in this country is chargeable to United Kingdom Income Tax irrespective of the nationality or place of residence of the owner of the securities, and is equally within the scope of the Super-tax charge. There is a statutory exception in favour of certain British Government War Securities, issued subject to the conditions set forth in Section 46 (1) of the Income Tax Act, 1918, where such securities are in the beneficial ownership of persons who are not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. Under the proviso to Clause 23 (1) of the Finance Bill at present before Parliament, it is proposed to grant the ordinary Income Tax allowances and deductions to British subjects resident abroad, subject to the conditions indicated in the Clause.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to allow the current rate of bank interest, or average rate of bank interest, on sums of money wrongly charged by the Inland Revenue under the Excess Profits Duty and eventually recovered, many sums of which have been paid to his department for three years and more and are returned without any interest allowance whatsoever?

I am not prepared to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion that interest should be allowed on repayments of Excess Profits Duty, nor do I admit the implication that if a repayment is made, the duty has therefore been wrongly charged.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the figure of £13,000,000,000 as the total post-war wealth of individuals given in the Board of Inland Revenue Memorandum on War Time Increases of Wealth includes private wealth in the form of war loan investments?

The figure of £13,046,000,000 given in column 5 of Table II on page 18 of the Memorandum referred to represents, as indicated by the heading of the table, an estimate of the total post-war wealth of those individuals whose total wealth has increased since June, 1914. It does not include the post-war wealth of individuals whose total wealth has not increased. For the individuals concerned, the estimate includes private wealth in the form of war loan investments at their market value on the 30th June, 1919.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause a memorandum to be circulated to the Members of this House setting out the objections to the continuance of the petrol duty, and giving in particular any memoranda prepared by the Customs and Excise for the information of the Departmental Committee on Taxation of Road Vehicles; evidence given before the said Committee; and any additional information in the possession of his Department?

The Minister of Transport has already dealt on several occasions with the objections to the continuance of the petrol duty, and the question will no doubt arise again on the Committee stage of the Finance Bill. The grounds for the recommendation of the Committee are fully set out in their report, and it is not desirable that the proceedings of a Departmental Committee should be published. I will, however, endeavour to supply any available figures bearing on the question which the hon. Member considers will assist him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present-day value of the investments of the British Government in the Suez Canal, Anglo-Persian Oilfields, British Cellulose Company, British Dyes, Limited, and other companies in which they are interested?

The present value of His Majesty's Government's holding in Suez Canal shares is approximately £23,200,000. For some of the other shares mentioned there is no available quotation, but the cost value of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's shares was £4,250,000, and of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited shares, £1,700,001. With regard to British Cellulose, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Whitechapel (Mr. Kiley) on the 1st March last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any and what sum has been paid for the relief of the poor and starving people in foreign countries; how much has been spent in each country, and by whom have such funds been administered; and under what Vote such grants have been made?

The amounts shown in the attached statement were paid up to the end of the last financial year for relief and reconstruction purposes in the countries specified:— Country. Advances to Governments. Advances through Societies. £ £ Belgium 4,995,201 — Austria 3,794,376 131,298 Roumania 1,606,572 — Czecho - Slovakia 232,168 4,762 Jugo-Slavia 102,107 — Serbia 1,155,842 31,336 Poland 942,093 — Esthonia 158,821 — Lithuania 16,812 — Latvia 13,422 — Montenegro — 1,486 Advances to Societies for General Relief Purposes. British Red Cross (for Poland, etc.). 30,000 Anglo-Czech Relief Fund 15,400 Armenian Refugee (Lord Mayor's Fund). 37,728 Armenian Refugee (Clothing Fund). 34,933 Armenian Red Cross and Refuge Fund. 4,431 Jewish Victims of War in Russia 74,725 Palestine Relief Fund 2,000 Friends' Emergency Committee 69,229 Friends' War Victim's Relief 10,107 Scottish Women's Hospital Fund 8,208 Acton Lodge Famine Relief Fund 14,904 Westminster Catholic Federation 2,746 13,017,414 473,293 Total £13,490,707

The contribution took two forms:— (1) Loans or grants advanced to the Governments of the countries concerned for relief or reconstruction. (2) Free gifts; these consisted of contributions under the £ for £ scheme to various approved societies, whose applications were recommended to the Treasury by the Official Committee for Relief. Both varieties of grants were made under the Vote of Loans to Dominions and Allies and for Relief.

As regards the current financial year the sum of £10,000,000 is provided in the Estimates for relief loans to Austria and Poland.

In addition, both the forms of grant made during the last financial year are being continued this year. A further sum of slightly over £4,000,000 is being advanced for Belgian reconstruction and an amount of approximately £3,500,000 is available for other relief and reconstruction purposes. In the latter sum an estimated sum of about £300,000 will be available for free gifts under the £ for £ scheme.

These grants are administered in the same manner as those made last financial year and are made from the same Vote (Unclassified Services, Vote 10).

asked the Postmaster-General whether delivery in the S.W.1 district can be expedited by causing letters to be delivered at the houses before such are delivered at the garages and mews attached to the houses, as is now believed to be the order of delivery at any rate in certain cases?

It is not practicable to distinguish between letters addressed to houses and letters addressed to other premises in the way which the hon. Member suggests, and if it were practicable I could not defend the principle of such a distinction.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the position of those education authorities who have submitted their bye-laws governing the employment of children under the Employment of Children Act, 1903, and Section 13 of the Education Act, 1918, to the Home Office for approval, and are still waiting official sanction to the said bye-laws; what is the position of those authorities who have made bye-laws beyond the scope of the requirements of the Employment of Children Act, 1903, and Section 13 of the Education Act, 1918, should they proceed to put these bye-laws into operation; whether some authorities have abolished all Sunday labour and evening as well as morning labour; and, if so, whether, in view of the provisions of the Acts concerned, he will say what action he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Section 13 of the Education Act, 1918, which amends the Employment of Children Act, 1903, came into force on the 1st April last, and it is the duty of Local Education Authorities to enforce its provisions. When, however, a Local Education Authority is proposing a bye-law to give some exemption from the provisions of the Section, I think they are justified, pending the settlement and confirmation of the bye-law, in provisionally allowing employment to continue within the limits of the proposed exemption. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that these bye-laws have no legal effect until they are confirmed by the Secretary of State, and I am not aware that any bye-laws have been confirmed which are outside the scope of the Acts.

In reply to the third part of the question I am advised by the Law Officers that bye-laws absolutely prohibiting all employment on Sunday or all employment on any week-day are ultra vires, and since I received this opinion no such bye-laws have been confirmed.

asked the Home Secretary what Regulations are in force with regard to the arming of the police force; and who is the authority who decides what events justify the putting of these Regulations into practice?

The Regulations in force in the Metropolitan Police provide that officers engaged on night duty may carry automatic pistols for purposes of self-defence, if they so desire, and, in -the opinion of the station officer, can be trusted in their use. I have approved similar Regulations for county forces when application has been made; and Regulations for borough forces can be made by watch committees.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any assurance that the recent decree forbidding members of the police force joining the Police Union is being carried out; if he can give any indication, how many members of the force are secretly contributing to the funds of the said union; and if any members of the force have recently been dismissed because of their known and active sympathy with such organisation?

I have no reason to think that there has been any infringement of the Act of Parliament which forbids a member of a police force to join any union, and I have no evidence of any secret contributions by the police to the funds of the body calling itself the Police Union. Any police officer joining a union ipso facto ceases to be a constable, but I have heard of no such case, nor has any police officer been dismissed for any cause such as that suggested in the question.

asked the Lord Privy Sea whether it is by inadvertence in the Representation of the People (No. 3) Bill, giving the concession of proxy votes to all absent voters, that it is not proposed to extend such a privilege to university electors, in whose case there is no absent voters' list; and whether, in view of the fact that many university electors are in distant parts of the world, he will consider the advisability of including them in the privilege provided by this Bill?

It is expressly provided by Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, that it shall not be necessary in the case of a university election to prepare an absent voters' list, but that the right to vote by proxy may be exercised by any person who would be entitled to exercise such right if his name were entered on an absent voters' list, so long as all other conditions enabling him to vote by proxy are fulfilled. University electors will, therefore, have the same right of appointing proxies as other electors under the Representation of the People (No. 3) Bill, and no special provision on the subject is required in the Bill.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total cost of the National Health Insurance Act since its inception; and what have been the amounts paid for administration and in benefits, respectively?

The total cost of National Health Insurance from its inception to 31st December, 1919, was (as respects England and Wales) in round figures, £162,000,000, namely:— £ Contributions of employers and employed 119,000,000 Exchequer grants 43,000,000

The amounts paid for administration and benefits were £21,000,000 and £84,000,000, respectively.

For Ireland the total cost was, in round figures, £7,700,000, namely:— £ Contributions of employers and employed 5,200,000 Exchequer grants 2,500,000.

The amounts paid for administration and benefits were £1,500,000 and £3,700,000, respectively.

I have not yet received the figures for Scotland.