asked the Secretary of State for India how many retired officers of the Indian Army on the outbreak of War were detained as prisoners of war in Germany?

So far as I am aware, four.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make any definite statement regarding the Grand Trunk Canal and Inland Harbour Scheme in Bengal; and when operations will be commenced?

The scheme was sanctioned in May last. I have no information as to the exact date when operations will commence, but I know that the Government of Bengal are anxious to make a start as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India what measures it is proposed to take for the better conservation of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Megna group of waterways; whether any despatch has been received from the Government of India on the subject; and what, reply has been sent?

I have been in correspondence with the Government of India on the subject, and agree with their view that, for the present at any rate, it is not desirable to form either a Government Waterways Board for all India or a Trust for the management of waterways in Bengal, Bihar and Assam. But I hope for useful results from the formation of a separate Public Works Branch in Bengal to superintend navigation, irrigation and drainage, and from the enlargement of the Bengal Waterways Committee. I have also drawn special attention to the desirability of considering schemes for improving existing waterways, where direct revenue returns cannot always be expected, from the point of view of their effect on the trade and the general prosperity of the areas affected.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any information to the effect that, according to news from Mesopotamia, repressive measures are being adopted by the British authorities against the expression of opinion in favour of the Khalifat, and that many an honest Moslem has been thrown into prison for his religious views?

No, Sir. Perhaps my hon. Friend will furnish me with the material on which he bases his question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any further statement as to the assistance afforded by mayors of municipal boroughs in the London area to secure recruits for the Territorial Army?

I regret that in my answer on the 15th June no reference was made to the assistance that is being afforded by the Mayor of St. Marylebone and the Council, who have formed a strong Committee not only to deal with recruiting for the Territorial Army in that borough, but to go whole-heartedly into the subject in all parts of the County of London. I should also add that the Mayor of Bermondsey, although unable to form a Committee to deal with the subject, has expressed himself as personally willing to do all in his power to help recruiting.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are a number of nurses stationed at the 24th Stationary Hospital, Kantara, Egypt, who have been in Egypt for more than three years without leave and whose contracts have expired; and whether arrangements can be made to bring them home?

I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now give any further particulars relating to the purchase of discharge of Private S. Rowe, No. 51,977, King's Own Lancaster Regiment, Richmond Barracks, Dublin, and if it is possible for this purchase to be completed at an early date since, owing to the father's health having broken down and Private Rowe being the eldest son, he is really the only one to whom his parents can look to for support, and that work has been promised to him on release?

I am still awaiting a report on this case from the military authorities in Ireland, who have been asked to expedite the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there exists in many districts a strong feeling against the retention and care of German guns captured in the War, mainly because many persons feel that the actual gun in their district may have been the one that caused the death of a relative or comrade; and if, under these circumstances, he will consider replacing them with a British gun whose past service in the War can give rise to no such painful thoughts among the people of this country?

I am not aware of any widespread feeling against the use of captured German guns as trophies of war. They have been distributed for this purpose throughout the country, but are only issued when the district or town has notified its willingness to accept such trophies. I am afraid I cannot adopt the suggestion in the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. In any case there would not be sufficient surplus British guns to go round.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the net profits realised during the past three years in the Admiralty canteens in London; and if he will give the particulars as to their disposal?

There are no naval canteens in London. It is assumed that the question has reference to canteens in H.M. ships and fleet establishments which are run by the Navy and Army Canteen Board, whose headquarters are in London. The profits on the working of the Navy side of the Navy and Army Canteen Board up to the end of June, 1919, amounted approximately to £180,000; the accounts beyond that date are not complete. These profits are being used as part of the working capital of the Navy and Army Canteen Board, and the question of their disposal in future is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that special grants are being made to Army officers to meet the cost of providing new peace-time uniforms, he will make a similar grant to naval officers?

The matter referred to by my hon and gallant Friend is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of cadets training on H.M.S. "Carnarvon," and how they are selected; how many officers and men are engaged; whether the ship is exclusively used for training purposes; what has been the total expenditure for the last three months and the average cost per cadet over that period; and whether he is satisfied that the expenditure is justified?

There are 45 "special entry" cadets and five paymaster cadets under training in H.M.S. "Carnarvon." They are entered by competitive examination after passing a selection committee. The crew of the "Carnarvon," including officers borne specially for instruction of cadets, is 32 officers and 488 ratings. The ship is at present used exclusively as a cadet training ship, but is in commission, and available for other services if necessary The total cost of maintaining this ship for three months, including wages of crew, fuel, repairs, and all running expenses, is estimated to be £47,700. The expenditure is not, as suggested in the question, solely—or even principally—due to cost of training cadets; £30,500, namely, over 60 per cent. of the total, is accounted for by pay, allowances, and victualling of the crew. The officers and men are necessary for manning the Fleet in case of war, and the cost of their pay and victualling would not be reduced if no cadets were being trained. The cost of the maintenance of the ship would also have to be met if she was in Reserve, although it would be less than the cost in full commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (1) whether his attention has been drawn to recent claims for small holdings and allotments from the borough of Godmanchester; and what steps the Huntingdonshire County Council are taking in the matter;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the claims of some recently returned ex-soldiers in the parishes of Warboys and Stilton for land under the Land Settlement Act; what chance these men have of obtaining this land this year; and whether he can secure an undertaking from the Huntingdonshire County Council to get them settled by Michaelmas?

My attention has not previously been called to the case of the particular applicants referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I will have inquiry made, and will inform him of the result. I am satisfied that the County Council are taking all possible steps to settle their ex-service applicants at the earliest possible date, but, in view of the large demand, it is not possible to give any guarantee that holdings can be provided for all of them by Michaelmas next.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why well-educated ex-service men between 27 and 30 years of age, who relinquished their civilian jobs to join His Majesty's Forces in 1914, and are now unable to secure reemployment in commercial life, are not regarded as eligible for appointment to the post of officer of Customs and Excise; and whether vacancies for these posts are considerably more numerous than those already stated?

The upper limit of age for candidature for the situation of officer of Customs and Excise under the Reconstruction Scheme is fixed on the comprehensible and reasonable principle stated in my reply to my Noble Friend's previous question, candidates being required to have been born on or after 2nd September, 1893. Under this limit of age an ample supply of qualified candidates is available, and I can see no ground for substituting any other principle for fixing the limit of age. All existing vacancies for these posts have been reported to the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the age limits fixed by the Civil Service Commissioners for the post of officers of Customs and Excise preclude the appointment of men who were over 21 years of age at the outbreak of War; and whether he will raise the age in order to meet the case of ex-service men of good education who joined His Majesty's Forces in 1914 and served throughout the War, and who are now unable from age or physical disability due to the War to obtain re-employment in their former jobs?

The upper limits of age under the Reconstruction Scheme have been raised so as to allow the candidature of men who may have missed their last chance of competing under the normal system by joining His Majesty's Forces. The Reconstruction Scheme was designed to provide opportunity of appointment to the Civil Service in classes normally filled by open competitive examination to candidates who missed a chance of competing either by the suspension of competitive examinations during the War or by enlistment before examinations were suspended. The Scheme was not intended to provide opportunity to men who had, but did not take, opportunities of candidature before the War broke out.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. B. A. Board, of 10, Grace Street, Bow, E., who was examined by a medical board in February, 1920, after all the necessary forms had been filled up and forwarded to the Ministry; and why no decision on the case has been announced, although the Poplar Pensions Committee wrote to the Ministry about it on the 13th May and, further, sent two reminders without any effect whatsoever?

My right hon. Friend regrets that there has been delay in this case. Mr. Board, on demobilisation in September, 1919, did not claim to be suffering from any disability due to service, and his subsequent claim to pension has not been admitted as it has not been possible to obtain corroborative evidence of the fall from a motor lorry in August, 1918, which Mr. Board alleges resulted in the disability, synovitis of the knees, in respect of which his claim is made. Everything possible will now be done to expedite a decision.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will have an inquiry made into the case of Mr. F. Fuller, of 56, Abbeyfield Road, S.E., reference number in the correspondence being 4448/E, who served in France from August, 1914, to June, 1916, when he was discharged unfit, and who, in view of the serious state of his health, applied at Easter, 1920, through the Bermondsey Pensions Committee for a medical board, and is still waiting for this board, although constant applications have been made to the Ministry both by him and by the Local Pensions Committee?

I am having immediate inquiry made into this case and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the Peace Treaty with Germany, a president of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal has now been appointed; when the tribunal will commence its sittings; and whether he can give the approximate date when the rules of procedure and the necessary forms upon which claims must be submitted will be issued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which were given on this subject to the hon. Member for Coventry (Mr. Manville) on the 21st June, and to the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Holmes) on the 23rd June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping how many merchant ships have been handed over to His Majesty's Government by Germany but have not yet been disposed of; how many merchant ships have still to be handed over by Germany and how it is proposed to dispose of these ships; and whether any ships will be sold to neutrals in the late War?

The total number of German vessels delivered under the Armistice arrangements and ceded under the terms of the Peace Treaty up to the 19th June, 1920, was 378, aggregating about 1,900,000 gross tons. Of these 260, of 1,397,000 gross tons, have been allocated to the temporary management of Great Britain pending a decision by the Reparation Commission for final ownership. I understand that between three-quarters and one million gross tons still remain to be ceded by Germany—the exact figures depend upon the determination by the Reparation Commission of several questions still outstanding. The Reparation Commission have not as yet allocated any vesels to final ownership, and it has not yet been possible to settle the final conditions of sale in the case of vessels allocated to Great Britain.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information from Italy concerning recent occurrences at Ancona and Piombino?

I understand that since the 24th instant serious disturbances, accompanied by rioting and destruction of property, have occurred among the troops and civil population both at Ancona and Piombino. According to the most recent information which has reached me order has been reestablished in both these localities

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Rumanians have closed the universities and about 5,000 schools in Transylvania and in other parts of Hungary which they now occupy; whether he is aware that over 200,000 Hungarian pupils are now prevented from continuing their studies; and, if so, will he use his influence with the Rumanian Government to enable these young people to have ordinary educational advantages?

I am unaware that the University of Klausenburg, which is the only university in Transylvania, has been closed, and I have no information with regard to the remaining parts of the question. I would point out that this is a matter in regard to which His Majesty's Government have no right of interference, but is one entirely for the Rumanian Government, subject to the obligations which they have undertaken by signing the Minority Clauses of the Treaty of Peace.

REES asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what treaty, convention, law, custom, or usage His Majesty's Government is interested in the sentences passed in the Kingdom, Republic, State, or Commonwealth of which Buda-Pesth is the reputed capital?

His Majesty's Government have no locus standi for intervening, nor have they any intention to intervene, in the internal affairs of Hungary. Whatever representations may have been made in regard to the State trials pending in that country have been in the form of friendly and unofficial counsel. It cannot be too clearly realised that His Majesty's Government have no right of fussy interference in the administration of the internal affairs of independent States.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet troops have been withdrawn from Enzeli and that neighbourhood in accordance with the Soviet Government's promise to the Persian Government?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long a delay usually occurs between the receipt by the Inland Revenue authorities of a claim for repayment of Income Tax and the payment of the same provided it is in order; and what increase of staff it is anticipated will be required to deal with the increase of claims if the Finance Bill becomes law?

Claims for repayment of Income Tax are not spread evenly over the whole year, but are received in very great numbers during a limited period of time. During the period of pressure some delay is inevitable, but the steps which, as I announced last year, are being taken to decentralise the system will result in accelerating repayment. It is not anticipated that the provisions of the Finance Bill will entail any increase in the work of repayment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons who have voluntarily surrendered holdings of Government stocks in the present year and the total amount thus surrendered?

The number of persons who have voluntarily surrendered holdings in Government stocks and bonds since January, 1920, is approximately 16, and the total amount about £163,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state when the Bucks County Council may expect to receive the Government contribution to local rates, including the county rate, in respect of properties taken over for war emergency purposes; whether, as regards any properties which the Government intend to occupy permanently, valuations have yet been made taking into consideration the improvements made upon the land; and when contributions in lieu of rates will be given to the County Council on the basis of the improved values?

Contributions in lieu of rates are made by the Treasury to the Overseers of the parishes within the county; as regards the second part of the question the answer is in the affirmative and the third question does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the passage in the Report of the Reconstruction Committee dealing with the reorganisation of the Civil Service, which refers to the position of assistant clerks; whether he is aware that the committee failed to agree on the request that wage should be given on the basis of age; whether the staff has refused the offer made on the ground of the low remuneration offered, together with the fact that it would give men entering the Civil Service in future a great advantage over those at present established who had succeeded in securing the improved conditions; and whether he is prepared to reconsider this matter, so that the staff may have more generous treatment?

My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to in the hon. Member's question. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that a claim for improved terms of assimilation has been submitted by the staff to the Civil Service Arbitration Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government have given any subsidy or financial assistance to ensure the adequate representation of Great Britain at the Olympic Games at Antwerp in August; and if he will state what is the general practice of other countries, including France and America, in this respect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have no information as to the general practice adopted by other countries in such matters.

asked the Minister of Food whether it has yet been decided what officials are to be dispensed with in consequence of the abolition of local food control committees; and whether he can give any estimate of the saving which will be effected by this step?

The arrangements for the new local organisation which will take the place of the Food Control Committees at 30th June will, it is anticipated, result in a reduction of staff of about 3,400. The total expenditure on Food Committees for the years ending 31st March, 1919, and 31st March, 1920, was in round figures £1,500,000 and £1,100,000 respectively. Of the latter figure, about £830,000 was in respect of salaries and wages of staff. It is estimated that the annual rate of expenditure on staff under the new arrangements will be approximately £375,000.

asked the Minister of Food if control is being exercised by the Ministry of Food in connection with the use of wheaten flour for textile trade purposes; if a demand is in operation at present by the Ministry for a return of all purchases of wheaten flour since September, 1917; whether an examination is being undertaken of textile firms' books by officials of the Ministry of Food; if a staff of officials is being maintained for this purpose; and what is the object of this course of action, involving labour and expense to textile firms and cost to the State?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The use of flour for sizing and other industrial purposes is prohibited except under licence, which is granted on payment of a sum approximately equivalent to the amount of the subsidy. These licences are issued from the headquarters of the Ministry. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As to the remaining parts of the question, a small staff of inspectors is maintained to check the use of flour for precluded purposes. If this staff were not maintained a very substantial loss to the State would ensue from the unchecked use of subsidised flour for manufacturing purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the labour boycott of Hungary will directly or indirectly affect the import of wheat into this country and operate as a factor to keep up the price of bread; and, if so, whether any statement to that effect will be published for the guidance of those responsible for the policy of stifling self-determination in another country?

The extent of the Hungarian exportable wheat surplus, if any, is not yet known, and it is therefore not possible to estimate how far the immobilisation of transport from Hungary might tend to affect world supplies and prices. In any event, it is not anticipated that there will be any import of wheat from Hungary into the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will state who were the last commissioners appointed under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act; and in what years and on what authority were the terms of that Act, as stated in Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28, 33, 53, and 54, modified, altered, or repealed.

The present commissioners appointed under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, are Lord Terrington and Mr. Tindal Atkinson, K.C. I am not aware of any material modification, alteration or repeal of any of the Sections of the Act referred to in the question except that effected by Section 2 (1) (iii) of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, under which the power of appointing commissioners has been transferred to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, if he will state the cost of the special train running daily between Quedgley and Gloucester stations and the amount paid by the workmen carried during the past month for their fares.

I have been asked to answer this question. I have no information on the subject but I am making enquiries and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will state the numbers of the staff employed by the Railway Clearing House on any date in 1914 before August and now; and if he will state the salaries of the chairman, the secretary, the solicitor, and of any other principal officer, and the extent to which the duties of the Clearing House have been varied from pre-War to the present time?

The particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not in my possession, but the principal alteration in the duties of the Railway Clearing House since the beginning of control has arisen from the cessation of the division of receipts between the companies of which possession was taken. This economy of labour freed a large number of men for duties outside the Clearing House during the War. The staff which is now engaged in preparing statistics for the railway companies was redundant, and claims for compensation under Section 7 of the Ministry of Transport Act would have arisen had work not been provided for them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the accounts of the North-Eastern Railway Company disclosing the payment by the company to himself of £50,000 have come or will come before the Board of Trade or the financial department of the Ministry of Transport; and, if so, has either Department passed the afore-mentioned payment?

I am very much obliged to the hon. Member for giving me an opportunity to make this matter clear. The settlement in question was one made on an agreement come to between myself and the railway company in 1912, before the Government had any interest in the matter. The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. On my instructions the item was dissented from by the Ministry of Transport officials who examined the accounts. At my request, for reasons which the House will, I am sure, fully appreciate, the Treasury undertook to deal with this matter should it arise again.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which now exists amongst the railway police owing to the delay in deciding on the terms of settlement between the railway companies and the railway police, he can say whether a date has yet been fixed for another meeting of general managers and the elected representatives of the railway police so that the negotiations may be resumed?

I understand that the representatives of the railway police have recently submitted amended proposals which are now being considered by the general managers, and that a further meeting will be arranged in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Caledonian Railway Company have the largest percentage of clerks in the lowest grade of any railway company in Great Britain; that the company have not yet fulfilled that part of the agreement which provides for the appointment of a special committee to hear appeals for re-classification, although most of the other companies have set up the required machinery and have disposed of appeals; and whether he will make representations on this matter to the Caledonian Railway Company, which has been expending large sums on other projects?

I have communicated with the Caledonian Railway Company on this matter, and am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received complaints that the restrictions on the export of coal are being carried to unnecessary lengths, and that as a result ships which should be loading coal cargoes are lying idle, although there is coal waiting to be sent abroad; and if he has any statement to make on the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I have recently given on this subject, particularly those on the 16th June, to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple (Capt. Tudor-Rees), and on the 28th June to the hon. Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Inskip).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will explain why coal merchants, who received compensation for losses on their stocks when the price was reduced on 1st December, 1919, were instructed by the Coal Controller in May to increase the selling price of their coal in stock by 14s. 2d a ton, to the detriment of the consumer?

The maximum retail prices of household coal were increased by 14s. 2d. per ton as from the 12th May last, but it is not the case that coal merchants were instructed by the Coal Controller to increase the selling price of their coal in stock on that date by 14s. 2d. per ton.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the high rate of increase in the imports of silk mixtures from Switzerland for the five months ending May, 1920, which, compared with 1913 and 1919, are: 1913, 1,652,811 yards, £148,000 value; 1919, 369,042 yards, £84,000 value; and 1920, 11,968,988 yards, £3,460,000 value; whether he is satisfied that this very large quantity, imported in the first five months of 1920, is all made in Switzerland; whether he has been informed by British silk manufacturers that, if importation be continued on this scale, unemployment will be caused in the British silk industry, as it is engaged in large measure in the manufacture of similar mixed silk fabrics; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent our work-people in the silk trade being thus thrown out of work?

The quantities and values of the imports of silk mixtures were as stated by my hon. Friend. I have no information as to the actual origin of the goods coming from Switzerland. The yardage of imports from all sources in the months referred to is about (a) Total Imports (excluding Specie). Period. From all sources. Of which from United States. United Kingdom. Amount. Proportion of total. Amount. Proportion of total. Thousand £ Thousand £ Per cent. Thousand £ Per cent. Annual average: 1899–1900 to 1903–4 13,650 5,730 41.98 2,127 15.58 1904–5 to 1908–9 19,406 9,324 48.05 2,763 14.24 1909–10 to 1913–14 24,555 12,965 52.80 2,950 12.01 Year 1914–1915 25,586 15,427 60.29 2,937 11.48 Year 1915–1916 35,794 25,079 70.07 3,268 9.13 Year 1916–1917 48,923 35,058 71.66 3,790 7.75 Year 1917–1918 61,875 46,352 74.91 2,606 4.21

double that of 1913. I have not received any representation from manufacturers in this country on the subject and cannot promise to take any steps.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has taken or proposes to take any action on the Report received in December, 1919, from the Farriery Sub-committee?

No ground on which any special action can be taken by the Board of Trade is shown in the Report of the Farriery Sub-committee; but this Report, together with those of other Committees, will be considered in connection with any legislation of a permanent nature dealing with monopolies and combinations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any figures as to the development of trade between the United States and Cuba since preferential trade was established between the two countries; and what are the corresponding figures of British trade with Cuba?

The following statement, which has been compiled from Cuban official trade returns, gives particulars of the trade of Cuba with (a) All Countries, (b) the United States, and (c) the United Kingdom, during the periods specified. The existing reciprocity Treaty between Cuba and the United States came into force on 17th December, 1903: (b) Total Exports (excluding Specie). Period. To all destinations Of which to United States. United Kingdom. Amount. Proportion of total. Amount. Proportion of total. Thousand £ Thousand £ Per cent. Thousand £ Per cent. Annual average: 1899–1900 to 1903–4 12,515 9,387 75.01 1,187 9.49 1904–5 to 1908–9 22,009 18,897 85.86 1,109 5.04 1909–10 to 1913–14 31,446 26,124 83.08 2,545 8.09 Year 1914–1915 44,774 38,117 85.13 5,045 11.27 Year 1915–1916 62,907 47,887 76.12 10,862 17.27 Year 1916–1917 69,236 53,211 76.85 11,137 16.09 Year 1917–1918 78,517 57,598 73.36 15,984 20.36

NOTE.—The Cuban fiscal year covers the period from 1st July of one year to 30th June of the following year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that some residents in Hampstead and Beckenham who are telephone subscribers have not yet received the new telephone directory; whether he will take steps to expedite its delivery; and if he will explain what was the object of publishing a new directory in April if its issue is to be delayed until the end of June?

The issue of the London telephone directory was begun on 19th April, and will, it is hoped, be completed during the course of next week. About one-fifth of the subscribers have still to be supplied. The delay is due to the difficulty which the printing contractors have experienced in obtaining the 300 tons of paper required for the directory, largely in consequence of the moulders' strike, which delayed the completion of new paper mills. They have also been hampered by the dearth of efficient labour, the reduction in the hours of working and the restrictions on overtime.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the delay in providing new plant for telephone extension which is urgently needed to promote business at the present time is due to congestion at the manufacturers or to conditions in respect to labour; whether he is aware that there is much unemployment in the country; and whether, under these circumstances, he can try to extend the list of firms which manufacture for the Post Office?

The delay to which the hon. Member refers is due to congestion at manufacturers' works. The position has arisen out of the abnormal demands from many sources for the products of the engineering foundry, building, woodworking, and other trades, during a period when manufacturers' output is limited owing to shortage of certain materials, and to other causes. Every opportunity is taken to extend the list of firms capable of meeting Post Office requirements.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has been an appreciable decrease in the volume of letters for the inland postal service since the introduction of the 2d. rate?

According to the opinions obtained from representative offices, there has been a small diminution, probably something less than five per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the amount paid for the purchase of the Cippenham motor depot was paid in actual cash; if not, how much was paid in cash; and how the remainder is to be recovered by His Majesty's Government?

The sale price of the depot was £3,350,000, payable as follows: £100,000 on the signing of the heads of agreement on 7th April, 1920, £400,000 upon completion of the conveyance of the property to the purchasers by the Ministry or within three months of the signing of the heads of agreement, whichever may be the earlier—£500,000 by acceptance dated three months after the date referred for the payment of the £400,000 above, and the balance, £2,350,000 by five equal annual instalments, the first of which shall be payable on 31st December, 1921, and the remainder upon 31st December of each succeeding year, together with simple interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum calculated on the unpaid balance of the said purchase price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether a farm of about 200 acres at Quedgley, about three miles from the City of Gloucester, which was acquired under the Defence of the Realm Act for the purposes of a munition factory, is still being held by his Department, to the loss and detriment of the owner of this land, who is being paid a rent which is much below its market value; and whether he is aware that the owner of this land cannot get any satisfactory reply to his letters?

Part of the property in question is at present utilised as an ammunition breaking down depot, and I regret that at the moment I am unable to say when it will be possible to release it. The remaining portion of this property comprising some six fields has been sub-let to the Gloucester Agriculture Executive Committee for training discharged officers, and I understand that the Committee are at present negotiating with a view to renting the property direct. The Ministry will gladly concur in such an arrangement.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made during the last month in the erection of new houses, and if differences of opinion between certain local authorities and the Health Ministry as to sites, costs, and prospective rents are so acute that a number of schemes have been abandoned; if there is a very marked variation as to the proposed economic rents in different localities; and how many people, with the total salaries paid them, are employed in the work connected with re-housing?

Complete figures are not yet available to show the progress of house building during June, but during May 792 houses and flats were completed, and work was commenced on a further 3,810 houses. The total number of houses included in contracts signed during the month by local authorities and public utility societies was 10,671. In addition the preliminary certificate of approval was isued by local authorities in respect of 2,762 houses proposed to be erected under the subsidy scheme, and work will have been commenced on a number of these. I am not aware that any schemes have been abandoned for the reasons quoted by my hon Friend, but it is certainly true that difficulties as to costs of sites and high prices generally in connection with building have in some cases occasioned delay to housing schemes. The proposals regarding the initial rents to be charged by local authorities show variation, but not very material variation between localities. Different circumstances in each locality must inevitably occasion some variation. As regards the last part of the question, it is not clear to me whether my hon. Friend refers to staff engaged on housing generally or only to those engaged in "re-housing" under Part 1 and 2 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that considerable delay is taking place in the payment to the police force in Glasgow of the increased emoluments granted to them in accordance with the recommendations of the Desborough Report; and whether he has taken, or will take, any steps to expedite matters?

I am informed by the Town Clerk of Glasgow that the new scales of pay and allowances sanctioned for the police are now in operation, and that all arrears have been paid, except arrears of overtime, on the new scale, which will be paid on next pay-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he has received protests from farmers against the continuance of the Daylight Saving Bill, and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative. I agree that the proposal to continue the Daylight Saving Bill is not favoured by farmers, but in view of the alleged benefit of the scheme to the great majority of the population, the Ministry is not in a position to take any action.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how, and on what authority, the Agricultural Committees recently set up by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are constituted; and what is the extent of the area for which generally the Agricultural Committee is appointed?

The agricultural executive committees which were set up under my authority are appointed by electoral bodies, each consisting of 24 members, of whom one half are nominated by the county council and the remainder equally by the three chief agricultural associations in Scotland. Provision is made for the representation of the various classes of agriculturists, and in addition to the members appointed by the electoral body two representatives of farm servants are nominated for each committee by me, in consultation with the Scottish Farm Servants' Union. As regards the latter part of the question, there is one committee for each county, except that in each of three counties it has been necessary for convenience of administration to form two committees.

asked the Home Secretary if men of any nationality other than British are employed in the secret service department of the police force, and the number of men employed in the department who were in the pay of the late Czarist Government in Russia?

All the men employed in the special branch of the Metropolitan Police are British subjects, and none of them was in the pay of the late Russian Government.

asked the Home Secretary whether a passport has been refused to Mrs. Dora Montefiore to go abroad, and, if so, why?

The application of Mrs. Montefiore has been under consideration, and a passport will be granted to her.

asked the Minister of Labour why the cookery training centre at Erith, Kent, is being closed after 10 weeks' training has been given; whether the training period was fixed at six months; and, in view of the progress of the pupils, will he reconsider the decision to close down the centre in this manner?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the cookery training centre at Erith is to be continued in order to complete the full three months' course, which is the time fixed for training in domestic subjects.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government has arrived at any decision respecting the reinstatement or abolition of grand juries at assizes and quarter sessions?

This matter is under consideration.