asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet able to state the views of the Foreign Office on the Report of the labour delegation to Hungary, particularly on those parts which comment on the issue of the White Paper on the alleged White terror; and whether he can state anything further as to Lieutenant Hejjas or as to the disbandment of the officer detachments?

Further reports have just been received from Hungary and are now under consideration. As regards Lieutenant Hejjas, His Majesty's representative at Budapest is informed that he is no longer detained "under arrest," but that he has been court-martialled, found guilty and imprisoned in the military barracks at Buda. The further inquiries, promised in the answer returned to my hon. and gallant Friend by the Prime Minister on the 28th June, as to alleged "risings" on the part of Hejjas and his supporters, show that no such rising took place, but that the National Army have arrested some 80 of these persons charged with committing various outrages.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to a document of Bolshevik origin captured at Perm and handed over to the British in which were outlined the methods of Soviet propaganda; and whether, in view of their extreme nature, he has called the attention of the Home Office to the need for increased vigilance?

The Home Office are fully alive to the necessity for vigilance with regard to Bolshevik propaganda, but, owing to the large number of similar documents in the possession of His Majesty's Government, it has not been found possible to identify the particular document referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in assessing the value of Bolshevist offers of foodstuffs, the Government has endeavoured to ascertain whether these are in Russian or in Ukrainian or other hands; and whether he is aware that the Ukrainians at least have announced they will under no circumstances dispose of them through Bolshevist agents?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in October, 1919, Mr. O'Reilly, acting British High Commissioner in Siberia, complained that General Knox was dealing with political questions with Admiral Koltchak on a direct wire with the Secretary of State for War, and without reference to the Foreign Office or the High Commissioner; whether General Knox wired to the Secretary of State for War commenting strongly on this tele- gram; and whether Mr. O'Reilly was told to hand over his duties to a consul-general and return home?

In reply to a similar question put by my hon. and gallant Friend yesterday, the Leader of the House stated that His Majesty's Government are considering whether it would be useful to lay Papers on Siberia. 1 do not think, therefore, that I can properly make any further statement on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether an agreement has been reached between the United States of America and the Soviet Republic of Russia in regard to the resumption of trading relations; and, if so, what are the terms of that agreement?

I understand that the United States Government have removed all restrictions on trade with Russia, the export of war material alone being exempted. Licences are required for the export of railway material. I have no knowledge of any agreement between the United States Government and the Soviet Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of desertions during the last six months from the Army now occupying Ireland, and the number for the corresponding six months of last year?

I have endeavoured to obtain statistics from Ireland which would enable a comparison to be made of the number of deserters from the Army in Ireland during the periods mentioned. Owing to moves of units and to the fact that some of the battalions have been broken up consequent on demobilisation, complete figures for the period of 1919 are not readily available, and I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to give figures which are in any degree comparable. The proportion of desertions at the present time approximates to that for the Army as a whole.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office when the Skelton-in-Cleveland Co-operative Society may expect the compensation, as agreed upon, due to them for the use of fields; is he aware that the Army representative has constantly been written to since the huts were removed, with no result; and, seeing that the War Office has withheld payment for so long, is it expected that interest on the money will be paid in addition?

I have been asked to answer this question. It is anticipated that the awards of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission upon the claims will be made in the course of next week, and payment will then be made immediately by the Ministry of Munitions. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of the strength of the Welsh Guards consists of Welshmen?

The percentage of Welshmen in the Battalion of Welsh Guards is 45.18.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to increase the number of disabled ex-service men, which is now 1,408, on the temporary staff of the War Office in place of women, also temporarily employed, who now number 1,899?

The figures quoted by the hon. Member were those for 1st April, 1920. Since that date there has been a slight increase in the number of disabled ex-service men temporarily employed, and the number of women temporarily employed has been reduced from 1,899 to 1,701, the latter figure including nearly 200 transferred from the Ministry of Munitions during June. Of the women temporarily employed, approximately 700 are exempt from substitution, being employed as shorthand typists, typists, and charwomen, and women exempted on other grounds. Leaving out of account the transfers from the Ministry of Munitions, the staff of the War Office has been reduced by over 800 since 1st April last, and the maintenance of this rate of reduction makes it impracticable to increase to any extent the number of disabled ex-service men employed in the Department. The majority of the female clerical staff still remaining have been employed for some years and are engaged on duties which necessitate a lengthy apprenticeship. In view of the gradual diminution of work, substitution in these cases is not considered practicable.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to increase the number of disabled ex-service men, which is now 597, on the temporary staff of the Board of Inland Revenue, in place of women, also temporarily employed, who now number 5,261?

Since the 1st April last (the date of the return from which my hon. Friend's figures are taken) the systematic substitution of ex-service men for women on the temporary staff of the inland Revenue Department has been proceeding. The total number of ex-service men on the temporary staff of the Department on the 1st instant was 2,080, of whom 682 were disabled men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many women and girls, and how many discharged soldiers, are employed by his Department?

On July 1st, 1920, 1,761 women, of whom 701 were typists and cleaners, and 1,785 ex-service men were employed on the Headquarters Staff of Ministry.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the shortage of bricklayers, joiners, and other artificers required for housing schemes in Scotland, he will consider the advisability of forming an organisation for instructing unemployed ex-service men in those trades so as to increase the number of workers available for the housing schemes?

I have been asked to reply. Considerable facilities have already been provided for the training of disabled ex-service men in the various branches of the building trade, on lines agreed both by employers and employed, and these are being largely increased. As arranged at present, these facilities are restricted to disabled men. As regards fit ex-service men, I would in the first place refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on 2nd July to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Lieut.-Colonel Croft), a copy of which I am sending him. This refers only to the younger men who may have been prevented from learning a trade by the outbreak of war. The wider aspect of the question he raises is now the subject of consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can see his way to extend the time during which soldiers who were demobilised before October, 1919, can apply for an educational training grant, seeing that in certain cases men are debarred from making application owing to the fact that they were unfit for training previous to 31st December, 1919, but have recovered since?

The Board are prepared to consider applications which are lodged after the dates specified in the Board's public announcements, where the applicant can satisfy the Board that the delay in making his application has been due to ill-health.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total number of men receiving unemployment donations in Ulster and the rest of Ireland; whether he is aware of the fact that numbers of men in the South of Ireland who are receiving unemployed donation are reported to be actively working in the Sinn Fein interest; and whether he will recommend that unemployment donation in the South and West of Ireland shall cease except so far as it applies to discharged sailors and soldiers?

I have been asked to reply. The number of men claiming out-of-work donation in Ireland on 2nd July was 17,709, of whom approximately 5,500 were in Ulster. I have no information on the point raised in the second part of the question. In regard to the third part, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that since the end of November last, no donation has been paid to civilians other than merchant seamen; the figures given above relate entirely to ex-service men, with the exception of about 100 merchant seamen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if it be possible for the Fish Transport Committee appointed at the conference held on 15th June to be transferred to the control of the Ministry of Transport, seeing that the recommendations, etc., will inevitably affect that Department?

It does not appear that any question of control arises. The Committee is appointed by inter-Departmental arrangement. The chairman of it will be an officer of the Ministry of Food; the vice-chairman and secretary will be officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; and the Ministry of Transport, the railway companies, and the fishing industry will be represented on it.

asked the Minister of Food whether, on the 17th June last year, he promised to a deputation of the National Fish Association, the British Trawlers Association, and other representatives of the fishing industry, that he would press on the Railway Executive the desirability of providing suitable trucks and refrigerated vans for the transport of fish; what steps have actually been taken to press these points on the railway companies, the Board of Trade, and the Ministry of Transport; and what has been the result of his action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Numerous representations are from time to time addressed to the Ministry of Food with regard to the question of transport and the handling of fish traffic, by traders and others, which are duly transmitted to the railway companies, in whose power it lies to remedy such grievances as are well founded. So far as this Ministry is con- cerned, the Wholesale Markets Committee, appointed some time ago, has made certain investigations and recommendations, and a Fish Transport Committee, upon which the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Food are represented, has recently been appointed to investigate further the matters in question.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Advisory Rates Committee have received any evidence on behalf of the fishing industry; if applications to give evidence have been received and refused; and the reason of the refusal?

The question of calling for or hearing evidence is one left by statute entirely to the discretion of the Committee. The Committee has not received evidence from the fishing industry, although efforts were made to obtain it. In addition to the public notice inviting evidence as to the general principle governing rating, a written invitation was sent by the Committee to the association concerned, which failed to respond until that part of the inquiry was closed. An opportunity of making representations upon the rates chargeable will arise later, and the industry should apply to be heard if they wish to give evidence.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Food Investigation Board has been considering the question of refrigerated cars for the transport of fish, and for how long; whether the Board is of opinion that fish carried on ice in such vans is liable to suffer from the fact that the vans have no ventilation; and, if so, on what scientific data were these opinions based in the case of each description of van?

The Food Investigation Board have considered the question of refrigerated railway wagons in the year 1919, and issued a Report, published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, on the design of railway wagons for the carriage of perishable foods. In this design for wagons intended to convey fish or other articles similarly perishable, it is provided that all doors, joints, etc., should be air-tight, and, if ventilating louvres or other openings be fitted, that they should be supplied with air-tight insulated covers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the ventilation of fish-cars would merely have the effect of drying the fish, conveying heat which would counteract the effect of the ice, and admit bacteria which would hasten the process of decomposition; that the theory of the insulated van is that the admission of heat from the outside should be reduced to a minimum, thereby maintaining the air inside the van at the low temperature produced by the ice inside; that this prevention of ventilation by insulation has been proved by Le Danois to reduce the quantity of ice necessary to preserve a given quantity of fish during the journey; and that in Norway the use of ice and salt refrigerator cars has rendered possible the expansion of the export of fresh fish to Germany; whether, in the opinion of the Ministry, insulated and refrigerated cars are unsuitable for the carriage of fish in the British Isles; and, if so, will he publish the Report of the scientific experts which has led them to form this opinion?

The Food Investigation Board are not aware that ventilation of fish vans would necessarily have the effect of drying the fish. They are aware that ventilation would, in nearly every case, result in the admission of heat, and of bacteria, unless special precautions were taken; that the theory of the insulated van is that stated in the question, and also that insulation, whether it did or did not prevent ventilation, would tend to reduce the quantity of ice needed to keep the interior of the van cool. They are aware of the valuable observations of M. Le Danois upon the utility of refrigerated and insulated vans in the transport of fish, and of the possibility of carrying fish long distances in good condition by their use. They have no evidence to the effect that insulated and refrigerated railway vans would be unsuitable for the carriage of fish in the British Isles.

asked the Minister of Food the amount allowed for travelling, subsistence, and other personal allowances paid to the Divisional Food Commissioner for the North Midland area from the time of appointment to March, 1920?

The total amount of the allowances (including subsistence and travelling allowances) paid to the Food Commissioner for the North Midland Division for nearly three years, from August, 1917, to 31st March, 1920, is £372 7s. 1d.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what is the length of time land taken over by the agricultural executive committees is to be retained and when it will be returned to the owners; whether, in the meantime, the committees receive rent for it; whether the owners are compensated; and if the Board will directly investigate cases of hardship created by small owners of plots which were bought for building purposes and which have now been turned into portions of ploughed fields?

The Ministry is authorised under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act, 1916, to retain possession of land entered upon under Regulation 2 M for a period of two years after the termination of the War, or, with the consent of the Railway and Canal Commission, for a further period of three years. Where such land has been let to a tenant, a reasonable rent is charged, having regard to the state of the land when taken over. Any person interested in the land is entitled to compensation for loss attributable to possession being taken, and any plot owner who can satisfy the Committee that he requires his plot in order to build on it can apply to have it restored to him. My right hon. Friend is unable to admit that owners of derelict building plots have necessarily suffered any hardship or loss by reason of the cultivation of this land, but he is prepared to inquire into any specific case of hardship that the hon. Member may bring to his notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether any, and what, provision has been made to enable the powers conferred by Section 24 of the Inebriates Act, 1898, to be carried out; whether a habitual drunkard may be detained in a certified inebriate reformatory for a certain time; and what certified inebriate reformatories for male patients exist in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply to this question. There is at present in Scotland, to which the Section cited refers, one certified inebriate reformatory to which female patients may be committed under that Section. A habitual drunkard may, on conviction under the Section, be detained in a certified inebriate reformatory for a term not exceeding three years. In Scotland no certified inebriate reformatory for male patients at present exist.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will issue a statement giving the names of the voting areas in which there are no licences under the Temperance (Scotland) Act?

The reply to my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. I hope to include the desired information in the statement promised in my reply to the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Rodger) on the 29th June.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the salaries of headmasters and principal teachers in higher grade schools in Aberdeenshire have been fixed by the education authority on a lower scale than those offered by other county authorities to teachers occupying positions of similar importance; whether a reasoned representation against the scale was received by the Education Department from the Aberdeenshire County Executive, and what action was taken with reference thereto; and whether the Department has approved the scale, and, if so, on what grounds?

I am informed that, while the remuneration of the head teachers and principal teachers of the post primary schools under the management of the Aberdeenshire Education Authority is on a lower scale than that allowed by some county education authorities, it does not compare unfavourably with that offered by many other education authorities in Scotland. Representations on the subject from the Execu- tive of the Aberdeenshire Branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland were received by the Scottish Education Department, and were sent to the Aberdeenshire Education Authority for their observations. On receipt of these observations the matter received the full consideration of the Department in connection with the scheme of salaries submitted by this education authority. As the scheme made provision for such payments of teachers' salaries as are obligatory in terms of the Minimum National Scales, it was accordingly approved by the Department.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has been informed of the continued complaints of the residents of the Norbury area of North Croydon with regard to the postal facilities and accommodation in that district; and if he can hold out any hope that improvements may be effected in the near future?

Representations have been made about the Post Office arrangements at Norbury, and the matter has been fully examined. It is considered that the existing postal facilities and accommodation are adequate to the present needs of the district.

asked the Postmaster-General how many municipal banks have been created by municipal authorities throughout the country, and for what purpose the deposits in these banks are to be used; whether it is estimated that these banks will in any way decrease the number of depositors and the amount of money lodged annually in Post Office Savings Banks; and whether he will consider the advisability of confining the work of the Post Office in this direction to a limited number of large Post Office branches distributed throughout the various postal areas?

The only municipal bank at present in existence is that of Birmingham: the purpose for which the deposits in this bank can be used are set forth in the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1919, and the statutory Regulations under that Act. The answer to the last two parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the Dominions have agreed to pay a bonus on the pensions of retired Civil Servants which served in them to enable such Civil Servants to meet the increased cost of living, and which have declined to do so; and whether the Colonial Office will be prepared to invite those Colonies which have not yet agreed to pay a bonus on pensions to reconsider the matter?

I have no information with regard to the action taken by the self-governing Dominions in this matter. With regard to the action taken by the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Bennett) on the 7th of July. The Secretary of State invited the Governments of all the Colonies and Protectorates to consider the question, and only four Colonies have definitely decided against making any increase of pensions. In the case of these four Colonies whose finances are not directly controlled by the Secretary of State, it is not considered that a further request would be likely to, lead to any useful result.

asked the Home Secretary whether steps are taken by his Department to keep the various Dominion Governments informed on the subject of naturalisation of Germans; and whether the Dominions reciprocate such information in order that it may be impossible for German officers to become naturalised in South Africa or in other parts of His Majesty's Dominions?

The names and other particulars of any Germans to whom certificates of naturalisation are granted in the United Kingdom within the very strict limitations laid down by Section 3 (2) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1918, are published monthly in the "London Gazette" and are included in the Annual Returns as to Naturalisation. The Government of a Dominion has no power to grant a certificate of naturalisation having any validity outside the Dominion except by adopting Part II. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, and this the Government of South Africa has not yet done. Where a Dominion has adopted the provisions of Part II., lists are received by my Department periodically of all aliens to whom certificates of Imperial Naturalisation are granted. Certificates of Imperial Naturalisation granted in Colonies not possessing responsible Government are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and, together with those granted in India, are registered in the Home Office. There is no power to interfere with local naturalisation in the Dominions: the certificates granted are valid only within the Dominion and do not concern the Mother Country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any action in regard to the recommendations of the Desborough Committee on the Police Service; and, if so, whether legislation will be necessary?

I presume my hon. Friend refers in this question to the Committee's recommendations in the Second Part of their Report. Legislation will be necessary to give effect to certain of the recommendations, but others can be dealt with by way of regulation, and as provided by the Police Act, 1919, my right hon. Friend consulted a Council containing representatives of the local Police Authorities, the chief officers, and the several ranks of the Service on draft regulations dealing with a number of these points.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase in the manufacture of lemonade powders; and whether, in view of the duty charged on all aerated water manufacturers, he proposes to deal in any way with this anomaly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would remind the hon. Member that aerated waters are liable to duty on sale only, and are then liable whether made from lemonade powders or from other materials. Aerated waters made in a private household for domestic consumption, and not for sale, are not liable to duty, and beverages made by the use of lemonade powders have no special advantage in this respect. In the circumstances, it is not proposed to take any action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what properties are occupied in connection with the timber operations at Pennal, together with the amount of rent and rates payable in respect thereof; how many men are still employed at Pennal; what are their duties and the amount of wages paid per month; and at what date is this operation to be brought to a close?

The property occupied in connection with the timber operation at Pennal is the house known as Pennal Towers together with the stables, etc., attached thereto; the rent is at the rate of £150 per annum, and rates and taxes with the exception of Landlords Property Tax are payable in addition; two men are at present employed, one as caretaker of the house at 5s. per week, and one labourer at 50s. per week who works in the grounds. The timber operations are practically completed, but there is a certain amount of clearing up to be done, and it is hoped that the operation will be closed by the end of September.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller under what financial arrangements the ex-German ships temporarily handed over to this country are being worked: by which company the "Imperator" is being run: and on what terms?

The ex-enemy vessels allotted to Great Britain for temporary management since the Armistice have been managed on behalf of the Ministry of Shipping by private firms for the benefit of the Government: the managers receive a lump sum per annum, according to scale, plus a commission on certain freights, namely, homeward commercial freights. They receive no commission on Government cargoes. For the time being the running expenses of the vessels are met and the earnings received by the Ministry of Shipping. It is, however, impossible to state the final result to the Exchequer until the vessels are allotted to the several Allies for final ownership by the Reparation Commission. With regard to the latter part of the question, the "Imperator" is being managed by the Cunard Company on behalf of the Shipping Controller, but the terms of management have not yet been finally settled.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the emoluments and what are the duties of the principal of the Royal College of Art; and whether, in filling the vacancy in that post, knowledge of industrial art and experience in its development, as well as experience of the organisation of a large teaching institution, will be required as indispensable qualifications?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. Stanton). Mr. Rothenstein's duties will be to exercise general supervision over the teaching work and courses of study in the various schools of the college and over its educational organisation. His salary will be £1,000 per annum.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total revenue collected in Mesopotamia since the British occupation up to the latest available date; and how this money has been expended?

From the information available, it appears that the total amount of revenue collected in Mesopotamia from the date of the occupation till the end of the financial year 1919–20 approximated very roughly to £7,000,000, taking the rupee as equivalent to 1s. 4d. Of this sum, an mount approximating roughly to £6,000,000 went to meet the ordinary expenses of administering the country.