asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state how many coal mines inspectors are engaged in the Indian coal mines; what is the proportion of coal mines allocated to each inspector; if a record of the accidents in the mines, fatal and non-fatal, is kept; what is the yearly average of such accidents; if compensation is paid to those who meet with accidents in and about the mines and what is the amount; what is the age when young persons are permitted to enter mines; if women are permitted to be employed in and about the mines; if any Coal Mines Regulation Acts are in existence fixing the hours of labour for miners, and how many days per week and what are the annual holidays; and what is the day's wage paid to miners?

The Department of Mines in India has a staff of one chief inspector and four inspectors, who deal with mines of all descriptions under the Indian Mines Act of 1901. It has been decided to increase this staff by two officers, who are now being recruited. I do not know the proportion of coal mines allocated to each inspector. The annual published report of the chief inspector contains statistics of fatal and of serious accidents, with details of the former. The average number of separate fatal accidents for the three years 1916 to 1918 (the date of the latest report) was 175, involving 217 deaths, and of serious non-fatal accidents, 295. Compensation is not compulsorily payable except when the employer has been negligent or otherwise culpable. There is no age limit for the employment of young persons in mines, but the question of fixing a limit is under the consideration of the Government of India. Women may be employed, employment being largely based on the family system. As to hours and wages, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 22nd December last, except that miners are believed usually to work on five or six days a week.

Are we to understand that in the case of ordinary accidents in the mines in India, the person injured gets no compensation?

There is no Workmen's Compensation Act or anything analogous to it in India at present, but if there has been negligence, of course he gets compensation.

Is it not the case generally that accidents are rare and the conditions comfortable?

I have very little knowledge of mining, but I gave the statistics as to accidents in three years. They did not seem to me to be very heavy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the women at the Indian mines are taken out by their husbands, who do the work, and that the wives are kept there in case some other man steals them?

Yes. I have stated, in answer to the question, that it was done on the family principle.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial, with comparative statement appended, from officers of the Public Works Department, asking for improvement in the scales of salaries recently issued; and whether he has already taken, or proposes to take, any action in connection therewith?

I have seen copies of the memorial to which the hon. Member refers and the original memorial has doubtless been submitted in the ordinary

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India propose to recognise the services of those officers, both civil and military, who, in its opinion, contributed to the quelling of the distur-

way through the Government of India, and will come to me with the recommendations of the Government of India. Since the memorial was written an improved scale of pay has been introduced with effect from 1st January, 1920. I am circulating this improved scale in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement referred to:

bances in the Punjab and elsewhere in India, by any other method than the general expression of satisfaction mentioned in paragraph 43 of the Government of India's letter on the Hunter Committee's Report?

I have not received from the Government of India any proposal for further recognition. I will draw the attention of the Government of India to the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Sir Michael O'Dwyer communicated day by day with the Government of India concerning the various outbreaks in the Punjab and the measures taken by General Dyer to deal with them; whether this information was submitted forthwith to the India Office; and if not, for what reason?

I received daily telegrams from the Government of India from the beginning of the disturbances up to the middle of May. These telegrams embodied the reports of the Punjab Government and, as I have already stated, were all, except two unimportant messages, communicated to the Press here. General Dyer was in charge in only one area, and there was no mention of him by name in those telegrams, and only one mention of him as General Officer Commanding Amritsar. Some movements of troops that were under his command are also reported in those telegrams.

If the right hon. Gentleman was receiving these communications daily from the Government of India, will he say why he stated in December that he knew no details except what he read in the newspapers?

There has been a great deal of misunderstanding on the point. I can assure my hon. Friend that what I said then was true. I was referring to a question put by my right hon. Friend the Member for Peebles (Sir D. Maclean) on the publication of General Dyer's evidence in the newspapers. I then stated that I had published reports on the occurrences as I received them. If my hon. Friend will look at it, he will see that the matters dealt with in the published newspaper evidence of General Dyer were not covered in this report.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the manner in which this gallant officer has been treated is likely to assist officers in general in dealing with outbreaks?

That does not arise out of the question.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman actually told the House that he knew nothing of these occurrences, that he would wire for information in regard to them, and left the impression on us that he was entirely ignorant of the whole business?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to look at the OFFICIAL REPORT on the question and supplementary question I answered. Perhaps he will look also at the speech I made immediately after the occurrence, and the telegrams which resulted. I think then he will be in a position to take part in the Debate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he stated on 16th December: "I thought I said I knew no details until I saw the account in the newspapers."

Every report I had received from the Government of India, with the exception of these two telegrams, was published. That is true. The occurrence to which my right hon. Friend drew attention was the details of the shooting by General Dyer at Amritsar. I had no information on that subject.

Did the Government of India keep the right hon. Gentleman fully informed of events, or did the telegrams hush up the most important part of the account?

A great deal of this unfortunate controversy has arisen because there is an impression that I was accusing the Government of the Punjab or the Government of India of concealing facts. I never made such an accusation, and I am prepared to defend their conduct in awaiting the Committee's report.

On a point of Order. Is not the supplementary question I put in accordance with Question 13, which says "concerning various outbreaks in the Punjab and the measures taken by General Dyer to deal with them?" I venture to suggest that the supplementary question I put actually arises out of the question.

I venture to suggest that it does not.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what date he first interviewed Sir Michael O'Dwyer in regard to the outbreaks at Amritsar and discussed General Dyer's action; and whether at any time he interviewed Miss Sherwood, who was assaulted during the riots, and, if so, when?

The answer to the first part is, I think, on the 30th June, 1919; to the second, yes, on the 7th October, 1919.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it was that he was able positively to state in December, if he knew from detailed information, both from Sir Michael O'Dwyer and Miss Sherwood in June, "I said I knew no details until I saw the report in the papers." If he sent the report to the papers he must have known it before he saw it in the papers. Is that a correct way of giving information to the House?

I suggest that the hon. Member's question shows the wrong- headedness of the whole thing. Miss Sherwood could not possibly have given me any information of what General Dyer did because this gallant lady had been attacked long before all these incidents occurred. If the hon. Member wishes to accuse me of giving false information or making a statement which is not true perhaps he will raise it in Debate, when I shall have an opportunity of answering him.

I shall have great pleasure in asking the right hon. Gentleman to explain how it is he is able to say he knew nothing at all of any details when he had seen Sir Michael O'Dwyer and had all the details from him six months before.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that he knew nothing of the Amritsar shooting until he read it in the "Daily Express"?

No, I never said so. The fact that there had been shooting at Amritsar was known to me and was published to the world when it occurred in the telegrams I received from the Government of India. What I said in December, and what I say now, is that I had no information as to the details, shooting without warning, and shooting to the exhaustion of ammunition, and the principles upon which General Dyer acted, and so forth. Those things came to me as a shock when I read them in the newspapers.

When the right hon. Gentleman saw the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, why did he not, in June and at that interview and other interviews, ask him for full details?

I can answer that much better in Debate, and I should prefer to do so. I have many most important private interviews at the India Office, and it is very difficult to keep in one's head a year after exactly what occurred, but I think I can satisfy the House, if not the hon. Member, that everything I have said is absolutely true.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish, before the Debate takes place, the account which Miss Sherwood gave him?

How can I do that six months after I had the private interview with Miss Sherwood, of which no record was kept? The step I took about Miss Sherwood, if the hon. Member wishes to know, was to tell, I think, two important London newspapers that Miss Sherwood was in London, and that it would be a good thing, in the public interest, if she were interviewed. I do not know what other steps I could have taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Miss Sherwood's story has never really appeared in the Press?

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the new rates of leave pay for officers of the Royal Indian Marine?

An announcement regarding revised rates of leave pay for the Royal Indian Marine, which will take effect from 1st July, 1919, will, I hope, be ma de in a few days' time.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Governor-General in Council has approved the draft conventions and recommendations prepared at the International Labour Conference at Washington; whether India will be represented at the forthcoming conference at Geneva; and, if so, whether the Indian taxpayer will be called upon to provide funds for participation in the activities and actions of the League of Nations, whether or not such have any reasonable relation to Indian conditions and whether or not such are likely to produce practical results?

The Government of India have expressed the intention of ratifying the draft convention regarding the night employment of women and of young persons. They had already taken action on the lines of the Conference's recommendation regarding white phosphorus matches. They have addressed local governments generally favouring action in accordance with the other recommendations of the Conference, but have not yet come to a final decision on all points. It is intended that India shall be represented at the next International Labour Conference. Membership of the League of Nations necessarily entails some expenditure for all participating countries, including India. I believe membership of the League of Nations to be of great value to India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that chaplains of the Indian ecclesiastical establishment, serving overseas out of India after the Armistice, have since their return to India been called upon to refund the Army of Occupation bonus drawn by them under Army Order 54 of 1919, and also have been refused the special war leave granted to all officers of the Indian Army on service with them; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have these grievances remedied?

I have no information whether refunds have been called for, but, as regards the claims of these chaplains to the bonus, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 14th May to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Albans, of which I will send him a copy. The grant of After-War Leave is confined to officers serving under military leave rules. Like other civil officers employed on military duty during the War, these chaplains are entitled to the corresponding civil concession of accumulating privilege leave up to six months, subject to certain conditions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have had various letters from chaplains in India telling me that they have been obliged to refund their war bonus in one lump sum, that their pay does not allow of that, and that they have been very hardly hit?

I shall certainly inquire into that. If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me a specimen letter, I shall be able to investigate the actual facts.

May I also send the right hon. Gentleman instances of the same?

I shall be very glad to receive that, but one will be sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether officers sent to the motor transport in India from infantry regiments, Indian Army Reserves, etc., with no experience of transport, are paid considerably higher than officers sent out from England who are experts in mechanical transport; and, if so, whether he will see that this matter is rectified?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for War to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wimbledon on the 17th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the North-West Frontier force was authorised to hire, and did hire, a considerable amount of mechanical transport at a price of 115 rupees per vehicle per day, the Government providing rations, accommodation, military clothing, petrol, and lubricants; and whether he will take steps to see that the mechanical transport service in India is put on such a basis that similar extravagance will not occur?

I have no information bearing out the statements made by the hon. Member, but I will ask the Government of India for the facts.

Without my going into details, will the right hon. Gentleman give very careful consideration to the conditions of mechanical transport in the Army in India? I will not say more than that.

I am giving very careful attention to it, and when the hon. Member put down this question I wrote him this morning telling him, in much more detail than is possible in answer to a question, the steps that have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for India when despatches concerning the fighting in Afghanistan last summer are going to be published?

The despatch on the operations against Afghanistan, 1919, was published in the "London Gazette" on 15th March, 1920.

asked the Prime Minister when the announcement of Mesopotamian policy is to be made; and whether he will arrange that it is communicated to Parliament not later than its publication in Mesopotamia?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a draft civil constitution has been drawn up in Mesopotamia for the future system of government in that country, the outlines of which have been communicated to leading personages among the inhabitants; whether representations from the latter regarding the proposed draft are being received; whether this proposed constitution will be embodied in the mandate to be placed before the Council of the League of Nations; and whether it will be embodied in an Act of Parliament or otherwise submitted to Parliament before becoming operative?

Hon. Members will have seen the announcement of policy that has appeared in this morning's newspapers. They will no doubt have an opportunity of seeking further information during this afternoon's Debate.

Are we to understand that a report in the news- papers is to be taken as a substitute for an answer to a question in this House?

The policy was announced, not here, but in Baghdad, and the telegram has appeared in some newspapers reporting what announcement was made in Baghdad. Speaking from memory, I think the purport of the announcement was that, in response to the wishes of the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Sir Percy Cox was to be the British representative under the mandate, and a temporary predominant Arab Government was to be instituted by him.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it would have been only courteous to the House that an announcement of this very grave importance should have been presented to the House at the same time as it was made at Baghdad? Does he think it is considerate and courteous to refer Members of the House to a telegram which appeared in some papers? It did not appear in the paper I happened to look at, but it was no doubt in some paper connected with the Government, which is given the information for which the House has a right to ask. I venture to ask my right hon. Friend whether he will not, even now, send for a copy of this telegram and read it to the House.

I assure the House that I had no intention of being discourteous. The reason that I did not read the announcement in answer to the question is that I understand that, in the Debate this afternoon, the Prime Minister proposes to read the announcement himself. I would have referred my Noble Friend to the Debate, had it not been that I was bound to take notice of what had already been published in the Press.

Has the mandate been granted to this country?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the assistance of His Highness the Aga Khan has been invoked in connection with the administration of Mesopotamia?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the descriptive account of the battle of Jutland brought out by the Harper Committee will be published; and what has been the total expenses of the committee, including the printing of the publication?

I regret that I am not in a position to state when the account will be published. Difficulties arising, among other things, from the provision of paper for the charts, are stated to be likely to delay the publication beyond the time given in previous estimates. The expense of the work cannot yet be given in full till the publication is completed; but it is anticipated that it will be balanced to a substantial extent by the sales.

Does that mean that we are to wait for the chart paper?

No, that is not what I said. I said difficulties arising, among other things, from the provision of paper for the charts had caused delay. There is no avoidable delay.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when this Report will be forthcoming? Will it be before the summer Recess or not?

I cannot say that. I have said, what I think ought to satisfy any reasonable person, that there is no avoidable delay. The Admiralty are just as anxious as anyone in the House or out of it. We will produce it the first moment we can.

As the Report intimately concerns Lord Jellicoe, will it appear before he departs for New Zealand?

That I cannot answer, because I do not know when he goes to New Zealand.

August.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in Volume I. of Naval Operations of the War, Sir Julian Corbett had access to all the documents in the possession of the Admiralty relating to the events described; whether the proofs of this volume were submitted to, and approved of, by the Admiralty; and whether the Admiralty accepts responsibility for the statements contained in this history based on official documents?

It will be sufficient for me to quote the statement which faces the title page of the volume, namely— The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have given the author access to official documents in the preparation of this work, but they are in no way responsible for his reading or presentation of the facts as stated.

The Admiralty saw the proofs and agreed to publication; but, as stated, do not accept responsibility.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present number of persons employed by the Admiralty at home as compared with the 56,000 before the War?

I presume that my right hon. Friend's question refers to the Outport Home Establishments only, and is not intended to include Head Office staff. On this assumption, the number of the staff (including workpeople) now employed is 81,322.

Is it intended that 81,000 should be kept on the outdoor staff during the year, and has provision to be made in the Estimates for that number?

Discharges are taking place as is found possible. If it be necessary to come to the House in connection with Supplementary Estimates for more men, of course an explanation will have to be given.

Can the hon. Baronet give the House an assurance that all these men are being productively employed by the Admiralty?

Certainly.

Before asking this question, may I inquire whether you, Sir, have noticed a most extraordinary buzzing here to-day? I do not know if it can be stopped?

There is always a "buzzing."

The reply to my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative, but I cannot make a statement about negotiations still in progress.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman can inform the House whether it is intended to sell any modern ships abroad, and, if so, whether it is with the proviso that they are to be broken up?

That question has been answered I should think at least half-a-dozen times in complete detail. I have told the House repeatedly that ships which are surplus to post-War requirements will be sold under conditions which are approved not only by the Board of Admiralty but by the special staff of the Board of Admiralty whose special duty this is. If we do not sell our ships to countries which want them, someone else will. Meanwhile, it is wholly inconsistent with the action taken by the hon. and gallant Gentleman himself, and others, to press on the Admiralty a policy of economy if we are to be deterred from selling ships we do not want.

Where does the economy come in if we sell efficient ships abroad and then have to provide defence against them in future?

I am rather surprised that the hon. and gallant Gentleman, who has served in the Navy, takes that view. The ships that we are selling are surplus to our requirements. In other words, in the opinion of the Board of Admiralty they would not be helpful to the Navy in future. Any ships that are built will be of such a type as to be of value to the Navy.

In calculating the necessary naval forces of the country, will any account be taken of ships to be disposed of to potential foes?

In deciding upon the post-War Navy the Admiralty have had under consideration, as far as is humanly possible to-day, the risks to which this country can at sea be exposed, and all our post-War fleet in men and in ships is fixed accordingly. In any future policy that we may adopt we must, quite obviously, in regard to building consider the facts as they are.

Am I right in supposing that we have calculated our post-War fleet purely on the basis of the ships of which we have disposed of to other countries?

The hon. and gallant Member is looking at the matter from the wrong end. The Admiralty, by a most careful examination of the facts, have arrived at what they believe to be, and are prepared to defend as, an adequate Navy for the safety of this country, and, having decided how that Navy is to be constituted both as to men and ships, the rest of the ships are for disposal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present position of the Grand Fleet Fund and the United Service Fund as far as the Royal Navy is concerned; and what has been decided as to the future of both of these funds?

It has been decided, as the result of a ballot taken in the Fleet, that the serving Navy shall not be associated with the United Services Fund. The question as to whether the ex-service men who served in the Navy during the War, and have since been demobilised, shall be associated with that fund is not yet settled, as the various associations representing ex-naval men which the Admiralty are consulting have not all replied. The question of absorbing the Grand Fleet Fund in a wider organisation suitable for dealing with naval benevolent funds generally is at present under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in considering the withdrawal of cadets under training at Osborne and Dartmouth, he will give special consideration to the sons of officers who have rendered long and distinguished service in the Royal Navy?

This matter is under consideration, but I am afraid that no statement can be made at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any regulations have been drawn up as to the methods of selection of officers for admission to the courses of the Staff College at Greenwich; and, if so, whether such regulations will be published?

The regulations governing the selection of officers for the course commencing in September next were published in Admiralty Weekly Order of the 3rd of March last. The Press have full access to these orders.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the food allowance at home ports and naval establishments; and can he now say what is the policy of the Admiralty with regard to raising the allowance of the ratings employed?

The question of an increase in the rate of provision allowance to naval ratings is still under consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on two occasions I have put a similar question and the same answer has been given? Can the hon. Gentleman say when the statement will be made?

I regret very much the delay in the matter, but it is one of considerable difficulty. If my hon. Friend will put down a question next week, I hope to be able to give an answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress"; and whether it is proposed to dispose of if?

H.M.S. "Enchantress" will be employed as before. The reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

Would it not be possible for the Lords of the Admiralty to do without the "Enchantress" in order to show some economy in the public service?

It is a little difficult to answer that inquiry by means of question and answer. If my hon. Friend, believing that he is well advised, wants to raise the question seriously, I would suggest to him that he should do so by moving a reduction of my salary on Vote 12, which has yet to be considered by the House. His question seems to presume what is not a fact, namely, that economy would be the result of getting rid of the "Enchantress." I can only say that the matter has been most carefully considered, but if anybody thinks that undue extravagance is caused by the use of the "Enchantress," I suggest that they should raise the matter by moving a reduction of my salary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that Edgar Cooper, No. J25,089, who enlisted in the Royal Navy on 5th June, 1913, and served until his discharge as an A.B. from His Majesty's ship "Ramillies" in November last, having taken part in the battle off the Falkland Islands, is unable to get his gratuity and balance of account due to him from the Admiralty Records Office, his address being, care of R. E. Cooper, The Piece, Butterrow, Stroud; and will he inquire into this case?

I am having inquiry made regarding this case, and any adjustment necessary will be made as early as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether an investigator has been appointed for the Civil Liabilities Department in the Hebrides and the Western Isles; what is his salary and the expenses of this office: what is the work justifying this appointment; and whether he will make a complete inquiry into this appointment and will place upon the Table of the House the Report of the Commissioner on this subject?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he sanctioned the appointment recently of an investigator to the Civil Liabilities Department for the Hebrides and Western Isles of Scotland; if before doing so the official concerned took steps to ascertain if such an appointment was necessary by consulting the recent Report of the new Commissioner for the North of Scotland on this point; and can he state whether the investigator is an ex-officer needing assistance or is possessed of ample private means of his own?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury to answer also the question addressed to him. The appointment of investigation officers in connection with the new scheme for local decision under the Civil Liabilities Fund was sanctioned by the Treasury. The Inverness district, within which this particular appointment falls, comprises the counties of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Elgin, Nairn, Inverness and Argyle, and the Islands of Lewis, Harris, North and South Uist, together with the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The total number of cases at the Inverness office for the week ending 11th June was 146. The principle on which the Department acts is to have a personal interview in every case in order to give the applicant a full opportunity of stating his case. This is particularly necessary in such a district where the men, crofters and fishermen, naturally find difficulty in filling up the forms. I am quite sure that my hon. Friend and all Members of the House would wish the cases of these men to be dealt with as promptly and as adequately as possible. After very careful consideration of the whole facts, however, I am proposing to make re-arrangements by which it may be possible shortly to withdraw this investigator from the area, if this can be done without prejudicing the right of the men to prompt determination of their claims. I should add that I have no information as to the private means of the officer in question who was appointed on the recom- mendation of the Selection Board for Scotland.

Is it not a fact that in this particular district there were many men who had insufficient or no knowledge of the facilities offered by the Civil Liabilities Department?

Yes, undoubtedly. While on the whole the scheme is not so expensive, it has enormously increased the efficiency. The present head of this Department, Captain McLaren, had to face 70,000 arrears, and I am very much obliged to him for having cleared them and having got to current cases.

Was not this temporary appointment necessitated by the fact that a large proportion of the population were called away on the first day of the War and had to leave their farms, their stock, their boats and nets, and that they were in the position of one-man businesses and suffered great damage.

Yes, this is a difficult district, and we must do our best to meet these men. I am going into the matter very carefully and I think I can arrange without prejudicing the men's claims to prompt attention, to withdraw this investigator in a short time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has as yet been arrived at with regard to the possibility and desirability of handing over all the work of the Appointments Department to Lord Haig's Ex-Officers' Association; and whether such an arrangement would lead to economy?

I have given, and shall continue to give, my personal and unremitting attention to this matter, and I am in close touch with Lord Haig and the Officers' Association with representatives of which I held a conference last Saturday morning. Our joint endeavour is to avoid any waste of effort that may arise from any overlapping of functions between the Appointments Department and the Officers' Association, and to secure the most effective co-operation, in the interests of the ex-officer, between the two bodies. As at present advised, I do not think that it would be possible for me, while over 13,000 officers and other ex-service men of similar qualifications are on the lists of the Appointments Department still seeking posts, to close down the valuable machinery that the Department has created. But I can assure my Noble Friend that my only concern is to see that the work is done, and done well, with due regard to economy, but without regard to the particular form of agency employed; and with this end in view I am laying before the Officers' Association a series of proposals.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that there is no proposal before the Officers' Association to hand over all this work to the Employment Exchanges?

No. This is the first I have heard of that.

asked what steps have been taken to carry out the promise given by the Prime Minister on 22nd March last, and by himself, that use should be made of the post offices throughout the country to advertise for public information the names of firms in each area who are employing ex-soldiers in the proportions entitling those firms to inclusion in the King's Roll; and, if these promises are still unfulfilled, what is the cause of the delay?

Arrangements for this purpose are in hand, and I hope it will be possible to exhibit the lists at an early date. The delay has been due to the time necessarily occupied in preparing the large number of separate lists that are required. Everything possible will be done to hasten the publication of the lists.

Will such lists have specific reference to the districts to which the lists apply?

Yes. They will deal with the locality in each case.

asked how many firms are now on the King's Roll under the National Scheme for the Employment of Disabled ex-Service Men; how many disabled men are employed by these firms; how many are still awaiting employment; and what steps are being taken to extend the national scheme?

The number of firms on the King's National Roll on 21st June, 1920, was 17,811; the total number of disabled men employed by these firms was 154,569. The corresponding figures for 31st December, 1919, were 9,524 firms employing 89,619 disabled men. The number of disabled ex-service men shown as unemployed on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain on 11th June, 1920, was 19,235, the corresponding number on 31st December last being 35,079. The Local Employment Committees and officials of my Department are at present engaged on a canvass of all employers who have not yet enrolled under the National Scheme. I am also in communication with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary for Scotland with a view to ascertaining the possibility of enrolling more local authorities under the National Scheme, as I feel that this is an avenue of employment which ought to offer further vacancies for disabled men. I am glad to say that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has agreed that the name of His Majesty's Treasury, on behalf of Government Departments, shall at once be placed on the King's National Roll. It has also been decided that in placing Government contracts preference shall be given by Contracting Departments to firms on the King's National Roll.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that disabled ex-service men are being rather freely discharged at present from His Majesty's Civil Service, and will he look into the matter?

Indeed I will. I should say that they come last in the detailed scheme. They have a preference for retention in the detailed scheme in regard to discharges from Government service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the effect of an increase of 30 per cent. on house rents upon the index figure of the cost of living issued by the Ministry?

An increase of 30 per cent. on house rents (exclusive of rates) would raise the index figure relating to the cost of living, which is issued by the Ministry of Labour, by about 3½ points.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the expression of opinion by the House last Friday in favour of a 48-hour week for shop assistants, more especially as this would tend to settle the question of early closing; and whether, under these circumstances, he will expedite his Bill dealing with the hours of labour generally in the country?

We shall proceed with the Hours of Employment Bill as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, instead of giving any facilities for the Shops (Early Closing) Bill, he will introduce a one-clause Bill ensuring to shop assistants a 48-hour standard week?

asked the Prime Minister if, considering the importance to a million and three-quarters of shopkeepers and their assistants of a limitation of shop hours after the expiry of the Defence of the Realm Act in August, and the failure of the Shop Hours (Early Closing) Bill to pass the House on Friday last, if the Government will introduce a Bill this Session dealing with the whole question, or introduce a Bill continuing the present hours for a short period so that the whole question can be dealt with in the Autumn Session?

The whole question will be dealt with under the General Bill to regulate the hours of employment, but His Majesty's Government are considering the introduction of a Bill to extend the existing Regulations for a short period.

May I ask when it is proposed to introduce that Bill?

My answer says that we have not decided. I have only said that the Government are considering the matter.

Will it be before the Recess?

I think that is necessary, because the Regulations come to an end before we meet again.

asked the Minister of Health if he will say how many schemes for rehousing have been submitted by local authorities during the last six months and how many of these have been sanctioned, with the number of houses involved; how many new houses have been actually started or completed in the Metropolitan area, in urban districts, and in rural districts, respectively; and whether the difficulty, if any, is due to lack of initiative or money, or shortage of labour?

I am not clear what figures my hon. Friend wishes me to give under the term "rehousing," and if he will be good enough to see me on the point I will supply him with the figures he requires. Many of the details were given on Monday in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, of which I am sending him a copy. Of the 61,708 houses included in contracts already signed, in addition to the 9,768 sanctioned under the subsidy scheme, the returns on 1st June showed that 29,076 were in various stages of construction, apart from 1,500 already completed. In the greater Metropolitan area, the figures under these heads are 6,147, and outside the Metropolitan area the number is 24,429. Of the latter, 4,158 are in rural areas in connection with local authorities schemes. The number of houses completed to date is 2,605, which includes 108 completed under the subsidy scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increasing need of utilising every dwelling-house in the country for residential purposes, he will expedite the introduction of his promised Bill for preventing the withholding of dwelling-houses from occupation?

Yes, Sir.

In view of the urgency of the problem, will the Government pass this measure into law before we adjourn for the Recess?

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of empty houses in London fit for habitation; and how many of these are only for sale?

I regret that I have not this information available.

Would not a question sent to every London Borough Council soon elicit this information, which it is most important to have?

A complete survey is being made of all empty houses to ascertain which of them can be put into proper condition for habitation. I cannot answer the last part of the question, as to how many of them are for sale only. The number of such houses varies very much from day to day.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of my question, as to the number of houses in London fit for habitation? I understand the right hon. Gentleman says that he has that information, and, if so, why can I not get it?

I have not that information, but the houses are being carefully examined, and if the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him particulars as to a specific date. The last part of the question I cannot answer.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Swansea direct administration building scheme is practically at a standstill for the want of certain classes of building materials; whether he is aware that a large quantity of wall-ties were ordered from the Director of Building Materials on 11th May, and so far have not been delivered; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter and supplies expedited to enable the bricklayers to carry on their work?

I cannot accept the statement in the first part of the question. I am informed by the responsible local officer attached to my Department that since 3rd May (the date from which the work has been carried out by direct administration) the supply of all materials, except wall ties, has been satisfactory, and that the progress made during May was better than in any previous month. On the 14th of this month a visit was made to the site by the local officer, who found all bricklayers at work. As regards wall ties, I am informed that an order for 15 cwt. was placed by the Director of Building Materials Supply by wire on the 11th May. A further order for 35 cwt. (the balance of the local authority's requisition) was placed by letter on the 15th May. Fifteen cwt. wall ties were delivered on the site on the 13th June, and in the meantime authority was given for the purchase locally of small consignments which were sufficient to prevent a stoppage of work.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the handing over of Army huts for temporary use by families who are practically homeless, to tide over the time that must elapse before the new houses are ready for occupation?

Arrangements were made so long ago as last September to enable local authorities to acquire Army huts for temporary housing purposes, and steps have been taken to bring this method of making temporary provision prominently before local authorities. Huts and hostels have been thus acquired for conversion which provide accommodation for over 3,000 families.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the opinion of the House that a scheme of pensions for mothers is desirable, he will appoint a Committee to inquire into the details of such a measure, with a view to an agreed Bill being introduced at the earliest possible date?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a Committee such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned the proposed appointment of clerk to the Erpingham Board of Guardians; whether he is aware that the chief reason given by the board for the proposed appointment is that the selected individual has a head clerk who has been accustomed to doing work for a board of guardians; and whether he will insist upon the board obtaining a person who has personal knowledge of Poor Law work, and not one who would have to rely upon the services of others whilst at the same time enjoying the emoluments and privileges of the office?

I have not sanctioned this appointment. I am impressing on the guardians the importance of selecting a candidate who is qualified by the possession of Poor Law experience as well as by War service.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any stipulation in the Turkish Treaty as to whether the fortifications of Adrianople are to be dismantled?

The answer is in the negative.

asked why Sir Basil Saharoff, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., was not consulted with regard to the Turkish Treaty?

I do not understand the object of my hon. Friend's question.

Is it not a fact that this distinguished Greek gentleman paid for the Smyrna expedition out of his own pocket, and controls the greater amount of the shares of Vickers Maxim?

I was not aware of either of these facts; but I wish that he would defray the expenses of our troops.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the continued offensive of General Wrangel in the Ukraine; whether he is aware that this general is devastating and disorganising one of the richest wheat- and sugar-growing districts in the world; and whether His Majesty's Government are attempting to take any steps to bring this fighting to an end?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I should be glad to learn the source of the hon. Member's information. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government have ordered His Majesty's forces not to assist General Wrangel in any way in either defensive or offensive action.

With regard to the last part of the question, will the Government take some more active steps than starting to withdraw our missions? Why not cut off supplies from this man?

We are not giving him any supplies. I do not know whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggests that we should send troops to fight General Wrangel.

Will not the Government consider the stopping of supplies, whether we are officially supplying him or not? Ships must be going to this man. Otherwise he could not carry on.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is constantly advocating the stopping of interference with ships going to Russia.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the increasing dissatisfaction amongst club members owing to the prohibition of the supply of alcoholic refreshment after 9 p.m. on Sundays; whether he is aware that the bulk of members do not assemble in working men's clubs before 8 p.m.; whether the Government will therefore extend the closing hour to 10 p.m., in case of need altering the opening hour from six to seven; and whether, following the promises that have repeatedly been given, he will undertake to abolish the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) without further delay?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the answer which he gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Market Harborough (Major Sir K. Frazer) he referred to the answer which he gave on the previous day, and that in that answer he said that he had nothing to add to what had already been said, and in consequence of the feeling in the various clubs, can we get a definite reply as to whether we are going to have the hours increased or not?

The supplementary question of my hon. Friend leaves me a little in a maze, but I think that he is wrong as to the facts. The answer I gave yesterday was that the matter was put before the Liquor Control Board, who had promised to consider it.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which he gave yesterday on the subject, and in the reply given on the previous day, did he not say, "I can add nothing to what has already been said on the subject?"

My hon. and gallant Friend has quoted one reply, but I am not sure that he has quoted the whole of it. If he has, there was another reply.

Is it to be understood that Members of this House must inform members of clubs in their constituencies that, as far as this present season is concerned, Members of the House of Commons are powerless to do anything in the matter?

No. Sir; that would be a great mistake.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman hurry up the Control Board, so that we may have some definite information at an early date?

I have no doubt whatever that the Liquor Control Board will consider it without any delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake, as suggested in the last part of the question, to do away with the Liquor Control Board altogether?

May we have an encouraging date?

asked the Prime Minister whether France, England, Italy, and other Powers have made their appointed financial contributions to the League of Nations?

As regards His Majesty's Government's contribution, I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on 14th June last. I have no information as to what contributions have been made by other Powers, but inquiries on the point are being made of the Secretary-General to the League.

asked the Prime Minister whether persons convicted of offences in Ireland who go on hunger strike will be released when their lives are in danger, or whether it is now the considered policy of the Government to inform such persons that they must face the consequences of their action?

The policy of the Government is as stated in the last part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state how many county councils and also how many other local authorities in Ireland have formally resolved to ignore the authority of the Local Government Board and to recognise Dail Eireann alone; and what measures the Government proposes to adopt in the matter?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for the Burton Division of Stafford (Colonel Gretton) on Monday last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what measures they are going to take in view of the situation, as he omitted to do so?

I said in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford that we had received no information of such cases.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a good many cases, will he take some action?

Certainly, if I find on inquiry they warrant it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a partially successful attempt was made on the night of 12th June to burn down the premises belonging to the local branch of the Comrades of the Great War, at Borrisokane, County Tipperary; and, in view of the fact that the clubs of the Comrades of the Great War, both at Midleton and Youghal, have already been maliciously destroyed by fire, will he state what special steps are being taken to give protection to the property of this and other ex-service men's organisations in Ireland?

An attempt was made to burn these premises on the night of the 12th instant. The fire was believed to be the work of some persons who were refused admission to the club. Somewhat similar fires took place at the club houses at Midleton and Youghal. The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary has given instructions to afford all possible protection to premises of the Association.

Will it have any effect?

May I ask the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can give the House any information as to the position of affairs in Londonderry to-day?

At nine o'clock this morning a telephone message was received as follows: Londonderry during the night has been comparatively quiet. Occasional shots have been fired by civilians. It has been unnecessary for the troops to fire. At three minutes past ten o'clock, a telephone message stated that all was quiet.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state now if the citizens of Londonderry are going to be disarmed?