asked the Minister of Pensions if the allowance in respect of disabled officers' wives and children has yet been sanctioned and authorised, as recommended by the Select Committee in September, 1919?

The Government decided not to give a flat-rate allowance for wives of disabled officers, but that allowances should be granted, in cases of need, by the Special Grants Committee both for wives and children. The increased maximum rates for children, and the maximum allowance for wives recommended by the Select Committee have been approved, and are now being administered by the Special Grants Committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that county local committees in Ireland are depriving local sub-committees of their functions as sub-committees; and whether these county committees are entitled, under the procedure of committees regulations of the Ministry of Pensions, to interfere and withdraw from local sub-committees the function of making direct payments of allowances to men under treatment?

Delegation by a local committee of any of its powers to a sub-committee it within the discretion of the local committee, and it is competent to a local committee, under rules approved in accordance with Section 6 (1) of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, to withdraw any powers delegated to a sub-committee. I understand that, one or two local committees in Ireland have decided, in exercise of their powers, to vary the functions of their sub-committees by centralising the payment of allowances.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that hardship will result from the discontinuance on 30th June of the Part II. Regulations of the Special Grants Commission, in the case of widows who are still drawing separation allowance pending the issue of pension; and whether he will arrange for continuance of the supplementary separation allowance in such cases for so long as State separation allowance is in issue, in view of the fact that the loss of the supplementary allowance cannot, as in the case of the wife of a serving man, be met by allotment on the part of the man?

I am considering with the Departments concerned what arrangements can be made to meet this class of case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether cases have occurred in which women, on applying for pensions on the ground that they have been deprived of the support of a male relative killed in the War, have been called upon to undergo medical examination in order that their fitness to go out to work might be tested; and, if so, whether he will give instructions for this procedure to be discontinued?

My hon. Friend probably has in mind those pensions to dependants which are under the Royal Warrant conditional upon the existence of incapacity of self-support through infirmity or age. Where the evidence on this point is open to doubt it is the practice to ask for a medical certificate, which is ordinarily given by the applicant's usual medical attendant. I do not consider that this procedure entails any hardship or calls for revision.

In the case of a mother whose son contributed to the family exchequer, and has been killed, is the policy of the Department to see that this woman is medically examined and certified as fit for work?

My hon. Friend is misinterpreting the answer which I gave. There is no desire on the part of the Ministry of Pensions to produce hardship, but in a case where a woman is able to do work, my hon. Friend will agree that it would be right that we should ask whether she is fit to do work or not. The appropriate way to do that is to ask for a certificate from her own family attendant.

But is the giving of the pension dependent on the capacity of the woman to work? If she is certified as fit for work, she gets no pension?

If dependent on the man who is killed she gets the grant irrespectively.

But surely it is not the policy of the Department to force out to work widows of soldiers killed in the War? Surely the intention is that they should get a pension for their comfort, and not be forced out to work?

There is no question of forcing out to work. Of course, in the case of a young woman, it is not hardship to ask her to do work, and give her a pension which is appropriate; but if she is quite unable to do work we are anxious to get a certificate, not from our medical officer, but her own medical officer.

Is it the policy—

There are 167 Questions on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the term "totally disabled" is merely a pension classification or whether it means totally unable to follow any trade or profession; if it is a pension classification, how many service men so classified are now employed; and, if any, whether total disablement pension once granted has in any case been reduced?

The award of a pension at the maximum degree of disablement does not necessarily mean that the pensioner is totally unable to follow any trade or profession. The assessment of a disablement pension is based upon the medical aspect of the man's disability, and I am unable to state the number of men in receipt of maximum pensions who are in fact in employment. Pensions awarded on the basis of a 100 per cent. disablement are in many instances reduced when a fresh medical examination reveals an improvement in the man's physical condition.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of persons employed as secretaries and clerks in local War Pensions Committees in Ireland; and how many of these are ex-service men or dependants of such?

There are 148 secretaries of local War Pensions Committees and Sub-committees in Ireland, of whom 79 are either ex-service men or the dependants of those who have served in the Forces. I have been unable to obtain the corresponding figures for clerks in the short time available, but I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that in England practically every secretary of a War Pensions Committee is an ex-service man, why cannot the same consideration be extended to ex-service men in Ireland, where men went voluntarily to fight for this country?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that everything possible is being done in Ireland to appoint ex-service men to these positions, but my hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, remember that these men began their service when the War was still on, and were quite unable to serve.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to dismiss these secretaries, and put in ex-service men?

I could not say that, because that is a very difficult question. One has to consider all the circumstances in every individual case. My hon. and gallant Friend is the last person to turn out into the cold world any man who has served well in difficult circumstances.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that only a few days ago the Minister of Labour announced in this House there were 13,316 ex-officers and other ranks with qualifications which made them eligible to fill these posts, and, while I agree with the right hon. Gentleman, yet everything is not being done for ex-service men in Ireland—

The hon. Member is not entitled to make a statement.

On a point of Order. Am I not within my rights to say that ex-service men are being boycotted, and that I want the Government to do something in their behalf?

The hon. Member is not within his rights in making a statement at question time. He should put down a question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that 325,000 members of the National Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors are estimated by that organisation to be out of work and what steps the Government propose to take for dealing with the problem?

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the estimate of the Federation. So far as our registers are concerned, on June 18th there were 180,801 ex-service men claiming out-of-work donation. If I add to that figure the number who have exhausted their right to the same, and add another quota of ex-service men unemployed, but not on our registers, I think we could probably add another 20,000, making the estimated total of unemployed ex-service men round about 200,000. But if the Federation has any evidence that the number is larger, I shall he glad to have it. Over and above this 200,000 there are, I regret to say, probably round about 20,000 ex- officers and other ranks of similar educational qualifications who are unemployed. As regards the second part of the question, we are at work daily upon this problem, and, amongst other things, have the great advantage of the advice of the Standing Joint Committee upon which employers, trade unionists, and ex-service men are represented. While it is entirely creditable to the nation that 5¼million ex-service men have been re-absorbed in civil life, there still remains to us the task of concentrating our energies upon the outstanding 200,000 men and 20,000 officers and other ranks unemployed.

Is it not possible to utilise the services of these men in the construction of new houses?

Will the same machinery apply to Ireland?

Yes, precisely the same machinery as is used for the training of soldiers.

Is it the fact that the trade unions will not allow these men to be employed in the building industry?

I would not make a sweeping statement of that kind. We have received great help from some trade unions, and we are in negotiation with others, which perhaps have not quite seen this problem in its proper perspective.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Third London General Hospital, which is to be closed on the 31st July, has been offered to the Ministry of Pensions and declined; and whether he will state the number of War pensioners now receiving treatment in civil hospitals?

The hospital referred to has been offered to the Ministry; but the accommodation was considered less suitable to the requirements of the Ministry than that of another hospital, the transfer of which to the Ministry is being considered. The number of War pensioners now receiving treatment in civil hospitals is approximately 15,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that pre-War pensions which were due on the 1st October, 1919, were not paid till the 5th February, 1920, and the pensions due on the 1st April, 1920, were not paid until the 14th June, 1920; if any reasons can be given for this delay; and will he take steps to see that these pensioners receive the money in future on the day it falls due?

I do not know to what class of pension my hon. Friend refers. Pensions paid by my Department are, with very few exceptions, paid weekly in advance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent this delay?

Certainly, but I should like to point out that pre-War pensions are really under the Service Departments. Pre-War pensions are divided into two classes—the Service pension and the Disability pension. If my hon. Friend has got any case in which he is specially interested, and will send it to me, I will look into it at once, or consult the appropriate Department. I may say that under the new Bill I am taking over the administration of all pre-War war pensions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it has now been decided to institute a special medal or decoration to be granted to the officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin metropolitan police who have shown special gallantry in the execution of their duty under circumstances dangerous to life and limb; and whether, if the answer is in the affirmative, the medal or decoration will carry a money pension with it?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his question on this subject on Thursday last, and to which I have nothing at present to add.

Was not the reply that the matter was under consideration? When shall I put down a further question?

The matter is an extremely technical matter. I must have the fullest time for consideration, for I am reluctant to advise the issue of a new medal, having regard to the fact that two medals are already available for the gallant constabulary in Ireland.

11. To ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many permits to possess arms have been issued but not withdrawn in Ireland to date; how many of these permits are held by citizens of Londonderry; whether it is intended to withdraw these permits, in view of recent outbreaks; and what progress has been made with the disarmament of the citizens of Londonderry?

I desire to postpone this question, and shall be glad of a date when I can put it again.

Thursday. May I take this opportunity of asking hon. Members to give three days' clear notice of questions regarding Ireland. The most of these must be referred to Ireland and different parts of that country, to get answers as full as I like to give hon. Members.

When may I again put this question down—will next Thursday be a suitable day?

I said yes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the County Council of County Donegal have granted the use of the Court-house in Ballyshannon for holding Republican Courts; and, if so, what steps the Government intend to take in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to a Press notice to the effect mentioned in the question, but there is no evidence available to prove that the Court-house has been used for illegal purposes. If, and when, such evidence is obtained, then action will be taken.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to ascertain whether this is true or not, and not wait for private Members to tell him?

May I ask if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is yet convinced of the fact that there are such. things—he denied it the other day—as illegal Courts in Ireland?

I am convinced that there are a great many irregular gatherings called Courts in Ireland—

At which barristers appear!

At which some barristers are alleged to have appeared.

Do appear!

It is impossible for the Secretary for Ireland to take legal steps until we have evidence, which is legal.

Get evidence!

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps he proposes to take to recover from the Dublin County Council the first moiety of demand in connection with the Dublin Metropolitan Police rate, in view of the fact that at a meeting of this County Council held on 24th June under the republican flag it was decided not to pay the first moiety of £8,164 2s. 7d., and an additional item of £119 14s. for extra police?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the Lord Lieutenant has power to recover moneys due to the Crown by a local authority out of grants which would otherwise be payable to such authority from the local taxation (Ireland) account. This power will, if necessary, be exercised.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a request from the Dublin correspondents of the London and provincial papers asking that the official list of outrages be issued each evening in time for transmission to their respective papers; and whether he will give instructions that the request be complied with?

The present arrangements have been made to meet the convenience of the Press, but I shall be glad to consider any further representations that are made to me.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of any instance of a person having been arrested for speaking or learning the Irish language?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a raid was made on Sligo prison about 2 a.m. on Saturday, 26th instant, by a party of masked and armed men, who rescued and carried off a Sinn Fein prisoner; whether the prison was entirely unprotected; whether the military guard has been withdrawn from the prison and, if so, will he say by whose orders the guard was withdrawn; whether he is aware that a number of unmarried officers, male end female, sleep in the prison, also a number of married officers with their wives and families live there entirely unprotected; and whether, seeing that those officers are not provided with any means of defence in case of a further attack on them, he will state what steps the Government propose to take to have those officers, their wives, and families properly protected in the future?

The raid and the consequent rescue of a prisoner occurred as stated. The military guard was withdrawn on 1st May, 1920, for the purpose of protecting Sligo Courthouse, and there were not sufficient troops in Sligo at the time to protect both buildings. Four unmarried officers and two married officers with their families have quarters in the prison.

Is this place protected now?

Yes, adequately protected.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the house of Mrs. McKean, Islandmagee, county Antrim, was, on the night of Friday, the 25th June, burglariously entered by armed and masked men; if any arrests have been made; and, if not, what steps are being taken to effect the arrest of the offenders?

The house of Mrs. M`Kean was entered on the morning of 26th ultimo by one man, who was not armed or masked. No arrest has yet been made. The case appears to be one of ordinary crime.

Will such a case be put in the official list of outrages?

No, it will not be put in that list.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the stationmaster at Mallow, county Cork, who was kidnapped some days ago, has been set at liberty; and can he say what reasons were assigned for his abduction?

The stationmaster at Mallow who was kidnapped on the 27th June returned home at 4 a.m. yesterday. He can assign no reason for his abduction. He is not aware who the parties were, where they came from, or where they went to.

Does that only mean that he is afraid to give names?

That may be very likely.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the further stages of the Government of Ireland Bill not being proceeded with until later in the year, the Government intend to immediately introduce and pass into law measures important to Ireland, such as the completion of land purchase and the reform of the Irish education system.

As it is the intention of the Government to carry the Government of Ireland Bill through its remaining stages, it is not necessary to consider the hypothesis in the last part of the question.

Is it intended to proceed with the Government of Ireland Bill before the Autumn recess?

I doubt whether there will be any more time for it before the Autumn recess, but it will be proceeded with when we resume.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum in the form of Imperial taxes was collected in Ireland during the first five months of the calendar year 1919 and also in the corresponding five months of the year 1920; and can he state the amounts collected by Customs and Excise separately from the total sums collected as above?

The following are the figures desired. First five months of 1919, £14,809,000, of which Customs and Excise produced £6,029,000; first five months of 1920, £20,179,000, of which Customs and Excise produced £10,076,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can state the names of those countries which have now established full trade relations with the Russian Soviet Republic?

No countries can be said to have established full trade relations with the Russian Soviet Government, but limited agreements have been concluded between Russian representatives and groups of firms in Sweden and Denmark. There are also certain trade negotiations taking place with Norwegian and Italian interests.

Is it not the fact that trade has been opened up between Esthonia and Latvia?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would put a question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister what is the latest news of the officers and men captured and reported to be held as slaves and undergoing torture at the hands of the Soviet forces at Baku?

The latest information from General Headquarters, Mesopotamia, dated 29th June, states that on the 9th of June the Dutch Consul left Baku and stated that on that date naval prisoners were confined to Babeloff Prison. The food issued was insufficient and primitive, although treatment not bad. Supplementary information to this has been received, viâ Tifflis, to-day, to the effect that about the middle of June the British prisoners were removed to Nobel's Villa at Petrovia, outside Baku. It is reported that the British civilians are expected to be released shortly.

Has any news of what that treatment is been received?

I have given all the information we have.

Are we then to understand that there is no confirmation whatever of the allegations of torture in the Press?

I do not know about torture; but certainly there were indications that they were not well treated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House of Commons an opportunity of debating the Anglo-Russian situation before negotiations are broken off and M. Krassin leaves this country?

I am not prepared to give the undertaking asked for in the question.

Are we to have no say in the matter? Are we to be told nothing at all?

There has been a considerable quantity of discussion already, and I have no doubt there will be a great deal more.

Does the answer mean that this episode will be closed, unless the House of Commons makes its voice heard?

That does not depend upon us.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that M. Krassin, the agent of the Soviet Government of Russia, is fulfilling his pledge not to engage in any political action in this country; and whether he is aware that M. Krassin has had interviews with Miss Sylvia Pankhurst, who has been actively employed in propaganda work for the Soviet Government, and that in other ways he has broken the pledge under which His Majesty's Government agreed to enter into commercial negotiations with him?

There is no reason to believe that M. Krassin has broken his pledge not to engage in any political action in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the woman referred to in the question is in the pay of Lenin, and that she is endeavouring to disaffect British soldiers, and propagate Bolshevik doctrines?

That may be true, but we have taken all the means in our power to ascertain whether M. Krassin has broken his pledge not to engage in political action, and the answer I have given is the result.

Is M. Krassin being closely watched?

asked the Prime Minister what are the commodities in which M. Krassin proposes to trade as exports from Russia and imports into Russia; and are satisfactory guarantees being given that Russia has wheat, or other food, in any quantity available for export?

In answer to the first part of the question, M. Krassin proposed to export from Russia the following commodities:—

Timber and timber products, flax, cereals, oil products, bristles, leather and fur goods, manganese ore, etc.

He proposes to import:—

Mining gear, machine tools, electric plant, medical appliances and drugs, agricultural machinery, locomotives, railway material, textile goods and appliances, and general merchandise, etc.

In answer to the second part of the question, the quantity of wheat or other food available for export will depend on the date at which trading starts and the speed with which transport is organised.

Will manganese from the Caucasus come under these arrangements? Is the Caucasus still considered part of Russia?

I should like to have notice of that. I do not think it is only from the Caucasus that manganese from Russia comes.

Are the Government taking steps to satisfy themselves of the possibility of maintaining trade relations with Russia?

We have done our best to find out the facts, but my information is so conflicting that I do not care to make myself responsible for them.

asked the Prime Minister if the negotiations with M. Krassin are proceeding and are still strictly confined to trade matters; will he say if the preliminary conditions have been agreed; and, if so, what the conditions are?

Negotiations are still proceeding, but as the Government have come to the conclusion that the time has arrived when a decision should be reached, they have intimated this to M. Krassin who is returning to Russia in order that he may put the conditions of the British Government before the Soviet authorities and be in a position to give a definite answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these negotiations are confined to trade, or do they extend to political matters?

It is rather difficult to define what is trade and what is politics, but we have made it quite clear that His Majesty's Government will make no trading arrangements until certain conditions have been fulfilled.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister stated that he hoped to make a statement on the whole subject to the House in the course of a few days? Shall we have that statement?

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement when some decision has been come to, and I do not think any object will be gained by a discussion until then.

Is it true that the question of Persia has been raised in these negotiations, and that M. Krassin is returning to Russia partly to deal with that question?

I do not think it would be wise to go into one aspect of the question when we cannot deal with other aspects.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that a full statement shall be made to the House before the negotiations are concluded?

I cannot give such an undertaking, in view of the fact that a decision might be arrived at at any moment, or the negotiations might come to an end.

Would it not be as well to have a statement of the views of the British Government on these negotiations, such as would appeal not only to Lenin, but to the whole of the Russian people?

I do not think anything would be gained by propaganda.

Will you stop propaganda on the other side?

asked the Prime Minister whether the loan obtained by Russia through the British Government was secured on the pledge of the Ural Mountains with all their valuable mines of platinum, etc.?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in publishing the statement of the total cost of British intervention in Russia up to 31st March, 1920; whether the statement of the cost of intervention up to 31st July, 1919, was issued in August, 1919, and the statement of the cost of intervention up to 31st October, 1919, was issued in November, 1919; and what is the reason for the delay of over 10 weeks in issuing the statement of cost up to 31st March, 1920?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Clitheroe on 15th June. The papers issued in August and November, 1919, were in the nature of interim statements of expenditure, but I am taking pains to see that the further statement now to be issued shall be as complete and correct as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Russian trades union leaders are alleged to have been arrested at Batoum by the British Forces and deported to Constantinople; whether he is aware that great indignation has been aroused in Russia by this alleged arrest; whether the allegation is correct; and, if so, on what grounds were the arrests made and was approval given by His Majesty's Government before the step was taken?

The report in question has been brought to the attention of His Majesty's Government, who are endeavouring to ascertain whether there is any truth in it, and, if so, what are the facts.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is certain that, under whatever political arrangements are made in Mesopotamia, the Turks will not get back into possession; that pro-British Mesopotamians have adequate protection; and that fully sufficient safeguards are provided for the protection of trade routes?

It is impossible to say more on this subject than was said by the Prime Minister recently in Debate.

asked the Prime Minister what concessions were granted prior to the War by the Turkish Government to develop the oil and mineral resources of Mesopotamia; were the rights of the local inhabitants safeguarded in these concessions in any way, and, if so, how; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter?

asked the Prime Minister when he will lay upon the Table any agreements entered into by the Government with regard to the oil deposits in Mosul.

asked the Prime Minister whether all the pre-War concessions granted by the Turkish Government in regard to oil in the vilayet of Mosul are now vested in the Turkish Petroleum Company; whether the Turkish Petroleum Company is an entirely British concern; whether the British Government have any holdings in this company; whether the Royal Dutch Company has any interest in the Turkish Petroleum Company, and, if so, to what extent; and whether the Turkish Petroleum Company have made any representations to the Government as to the steps which, in their opinion, should be taken to safeguard the use and means of supply of oil in the vilayet of Mosul.

I would refer the hon. Members to the Prime Minister's reply to questions on this subject on 28th June. As already stated, the method of development of the Mesopotamian oilfields is still under consideration. The Turkish Petroleum Company is registered in the United Kingdom, and the participation fixed before the War was Anglo-Persian Oil Company 50 per cent., Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company 25 per cent., and Deutsche Bank 25 per cent. The latter holding has been temporarily acquired by His Majesty's Government. The Royal Dutch Company is interested as a shareholder in the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company. I am not aware of any representations having been made by the Turkish. Petroleum Company as suggested by the hon. Member for Mid-Stafford.

Is there any information with regard to the rights of the local inhabitants being safeguarded? That is a question which was not answered by the Prime Minister.

No, but the Prime Minister did say that the whole question of the development of the oil would depend upon the new arrangements when the new State was set up. He also said that the local rights before the War would be considered and dealt with on their merits.

Was the concession granted by the Turkish Government in perpetuity or only for a limited time?

I do not know.

When he said it was subject to the pre-1914 arrangement, should he not have said that that absorbed all the interests?

No. What the pre-1914 arrangements were will be settled on their merits.

Can we not be given the terms of these concessions? May we have them laid on the Table of the House?

I daresay they could.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any information he can give the House regarding the present position and future progress of the Baghdad Railway project as affected by railway constructions and developments during the War?

I have no information at present to give the House in regard to the Baghdad Railway project, the future of which is necessarily bound up with the general liquidation of the Ottoman Empire.

asked the Prime Minister what are the respective duties and emoluments of the Lord President of the Council, the Lord Privy Seal, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Minister without portfolio?

(1) Lord President of the Council. —I would refer the hon. Member to the evidence upon the duties of the Privy Council Office laid by the Clerk of the Council before the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments which reported in the year 1914, since which important functions of a scientific character have been assigned to the Lord President in connection with the Committee of the Privy Council on Scientific and Industrial Research, the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau, and the Medical Research Council. In addition to the above duties the present Lord President of the Council represents Great Britain on the Council of the League of Nations. The salary of the Lord President is £2,000 per annum.

(2) Lord Privy Seal. —There are no special duties attached to the office of Lord Privy Seal. The present holder is in receipt of a salary of £5,000 per annum.

(3) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. —The duties of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster are to control the management of the Duchy estates and revenues and to exercise the patronage vested in him on behalf of His Majesty. His emoluments are £2,000 per annum, paid out of the revenues of the Duchy.

(4) Minister without Portfolio. —The duties of the Minister without portfolio are to assist in carrying on the Government, and he receives a salary of £5,000 per annum.

Arising out of that answer, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that of these four well-paid sinecures, three might be dispensed with?

Does the right hon. Gentleman look upon the office of Lord Privy Seal as a sinecure?

The office of Lord Privy Seal is a sinecure! But I can say, as regards the other three, if they do not earn their salaries, it is not because they have not plenty to do.

Have the Government not assigned the representation of this country on the Council of the League of Nations as a permanent part of the duty -of the Lord President of the Council.

No, Sir; but he is at present exercising it.

asked the Prime Minister what has become of the 27 German U-boat commanders whose names were published by the Admiralty in September, 1918, as prisoners of war, and many of whom stood accused of grave violations of the rules of warfare; whether the six other commanders then stated to be interned in neutral countries are still so interned; and when, and in what manner, it is proposed to bring these war criminals to justice?

As regards the first part of the question, only one of the German U-boat commanders stands accused of grave violation of the rules of warfare, and he is still in detention in this country. The remainder have been released. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, the trials will take place before the German Court at Leipzig. The date has not yet been fixed.

As regards the one who is still in custody here, are we to send him over to Germany for trial?

We are detaining him until we are satisfied that he will be tried.

Why not try him here?

What is the use of asking that question? It has been arranged that the trial shall take place at Leipzig.

But surely that applies only to those who were offenders, and are at present in Germany?

Oh, no! It was definitely arranged by the Allies, and they agreed the first trials should take place at Leipzig. If they were not satisfactory, we reserved the right to try them here.

Why not try sending this man back, and see if it is satisfactory?

What will be regarded as a satisfactory trial; does it mean a sentence?

It will mean a sentence if the man deserves it.

Who will be the judge of whether or not he deserves a sentence?

We shall be the judges of whether or not the trial is being carried out in a way that is satisfactory.

Will the ex-Kaiser be tried at Leipzig; also the higher grade and lower grade criminals?

That is not included in this question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Allies and His Majesty's Government intend to press the German Government at the forthcoming Conference at Spa to proceed with the trial of those Germans who are mentioned in the black list forthwith?

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to have this question discussed at Spa.

asked the Prime Minister whether the immunity promised to the ex-Kaiser in the event of war with Holland will equally protect the lesser criminals who have perpetrated acts of barbarism against humanity, and who are still awaiting trial in different centres of enemy countries.

There is no connection between the question of the ex-Emperor, for whose custody the Netherlands Government have accepted responsibility, and that of the punishment of other persons accused of acts contrary to the laws of war. On that subject I have nothing to add to previous statements which I have made.

In the event of any of these lesser criminals seeking sanctuary in Holland, and the Dutch Government refusing to repatriate them, what is to take place?

That is an academic question. It is a thing unlikely to arise. The cases are not analagous, anyhow.

How long is the ex-Kaiser to remain in Holland—indefinitely?

That depends on the Dutch Government, and possibly on the length of the life of the Kaiser.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Allies and His Majesty's Government are satisfied with the efforts made by Germany to sweep up mines in the area allotted to her in the North Sea under the Treaty of Versailles for sweeping; whether a very large number of German mines are known to be adrift or remaining to be swept up; and, if so, whether the Allies at Spa will take steps to compel Germany to carry out her portion of the Peace Treaty during the few remaining months when mine sweeping is possible in the North Sea before the moored mines break adrift in the winter storms?

The result of Ger man mine sweeping has not been satisfactory, as owing to conditions of internal disorder in the German Navy the mine sweeping was delayed during the spring and early summer of this year. Better progress, however, is now expected. The demands to be made on Germany at Spa will be considered by the Allies at the Conference at Brussels.

asked the Prime Minister whether the stipulated number of war planes have been surrendered by Germany to the Allies; how many of these have been destroyed before delivery; and whether it would serve the Allied cause best if many of these war planes were to be sent to some Allied zone from which they could be used for purposes of offence against belligerents with whom we have declared war since the Armistice?

In accordance with the provisions of the Peace Treaty all aeronautical material used or designed for warlike purposes is to be surrendered to the Allies. Up to 19th June, 1920, 19 aeroplanes had been handed over to the Allies and 2,846 aeroplanes had been destroyed under Allied supervision. Owing to the disadvantage of increasing the variety of types employed and the difficulty of providing for the supply of spares, I am afraid the suggestion contained in the third part of the question is not practicable.

How many aeroplanes are left? The right hon. Gentleman has told us how many have been surrendered and how many destroyed. How many are there which ought to have been surrendered?

I could not answer that without notice. My right hon. and gallant Friend knows that the question of disarmament is one of the main topics for discussion at Spa.

Would not planes used in the Great War be of great service in the guerrilla warfare in which we are now engaged?

I think we have a large number of aeroplanes of our own which were used in the War.

Surely we are not going to destroy this war material in view of our many commitments in various parts of the world?

Is it not a fact that all the hangars in this country are already filled with our own planes?

Send them to Russia.

asked the Prime Minister what was the proportionate strength of the French and Italian forces originally agreed upon to assist the British forces in protecting the Sultan in Constantinople and in keeping the Straits open; and what is the proportionate strength at present?

No definite agreement has yet been made as to the proportion of troops to be found by each power, and it would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister what obligations of any kind in men, money, or material this country has undertaken in connection with the new offensive against the Turks?

asked the Prime Minister what is the extent of our obligations in connection with the campaign against the Turkish Nationalists; why we are engaged in that campaign; how many troops we have, or that it is expected we shall have, engaged therein; what is the estimated cost of our participation; and what useful purpose will be secured, so far as this country is concerned, by such participation?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, as stated by M. Venizelos, the Greek Government in its operations against the Turkish Nationalists is acting with the approval of the Supreme Council, and strictly in accordance with the directions laid down by Marshal Foch and Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson?

The present Greek operations were sanctioned at the recent meeting at Boulogne, at which the French and British military advisers were present.

Is it desirable that the operations of the Greeks against the Turks should appear to be directed by His Majesty's Government, in view of the great interests we have in the Mohammedan world, and that there are more Mohammedan than Christian subjects of the King?

His Majesty's Government are engaged only in resisting attacks.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public concern with regard to the state of our national finances, he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee composed exclusively of men eminent in business and financial circles, to make an independent and searching inquiry into the financial situation, and report as to what economies can be effected in national expenditure?