asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of two years passed upon Private Owen, at Woolwich, on 29th June; what is the real name of Private Owen and whether he is a foreigner; and can he be deported after having served his sentence?

I find that this man is a military and not a civilian prisoner, and I am informed by the War Office that Owen appears to be his real name and that he is a natural-born British subject. He is not liable, therefore, to deportation from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction has been caused among senior officers of the Territorial Force at being asked to fill in Army Form B. 199a, owing to its length and inquisitorial character; and whether he will consider the question of having this form simplified?

No, Sir. I am not aware of the existence of any feeling of dissatisfaction nor do I consider that there are any grounds whatever for such a feeling. The form referred to is designed with the object of affording information which is required in the interests of both the officer concerned and the Army as a whole and is applicable to all officers of the Regular and Territorial Forces. I regret I cannot see my way to make any alteration in the form.

asked the Minister of Labour whether an order has been issued that all clerks in employment exchanges in the Leeds and other districts are to be discharged and ex-service men employed in their places; whether he is aware that part of the alleged inefficiency of the exchanges is due to the lack of technical knowledge on the part of some officials in some exchanges regarding the important industries in their area; whether the wholesale discharge of experienced men and the employment of inexperienced men will add to the alleged inefficiency; and whether he will give discretionary powers to exchange managers to secure that the preference given to ex-service men is conditioned by their having equal technical capabilities to the men who are to be discharged?

No general order of the nature indicated has been issued. It is the case, however, that, in effecting reductions of temporary staff, necessitated by a diminution in the volume of work falling upon the exchanges, ex-service men are ordinarily retained in preference to men who have not served with the Forces. Indeed, all vacancies for temporary posts in the Ministry are, to the greatest extent possible, reserved for ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Joseph Price, of Pentllanfraith, Monmouthshire, had his pension raised from 19s. per week to 21s. 10d. per week, and that when this was done his old age pension was reduced by 2s. per week, thus reducing the amount on which he and his wife had to live from 31s. 10d. to 29s. 10d. per week; that these people, who are 80 and 70 years of age, respectively, had two sons killed in the War, and consequently have nothing but their pensions to live upon; and will he consider raising their pension above the 21s. 9d. per week?

The maximum pension available under the Royal Warrant has been awarded in this case after full inves- tigation, and I am therefore unable to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what grounds was Chief Engine-room Artificer (1st class) F. C. Cull, No. 269,508, late of the Portsmouth Division, Royal Navy, discharged when he only required ten months of a full period of service, and thereby enjoys a weekly pension of 24s. 10d. only instead of 38s.; whether his discharge had relation to injuries suffered in the course of his service; and, if so, how and when were such injuries caused?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that in the short time available it has not been possible to obtain the information necessary to prepare an answer, but immediate inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the aim and objects of the Latham Fund, and how application should be made to it for help, and by whom?

The fund referred to has been placed at the disposal of the Minister of Pensions under the provisions of Section 6 of the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc. (Administrative Expenses) Act, 1917, to be used at his discretion for the assistance of cases which are not, in his opinion, sufficiently provided for from other sources. The manner in which the fund should be administered is at present under the consideration of my right hon. Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will lay upon the Table a copy of the Report made by the traffic manager of the London and North Western Railway Company who, in March, 1918, was attached to the Ministry of Shipping as transportation officer, which Report was to the effect that it was not necessary to escort the Holyhead and Kingstown mail packets; and whether, in consequence of that Report, the escort of armed destroyers, which had been pro- vided after the attack on the R.M.S. "Leinster" on the 28th December, 1917, was withdrawn, with the result of the total loss of the "Leinster" on the 10th October, 1918?

No official of the London and North Western Railway Company served on the transport staff or in the Ministry of Shipping during the War, and no such Report as that referred to is known. With regard to the question of escorting the Holyhead and Kingstown mail steamers, the Admiralty policy was that it was better to use all available destroyers on patrol to hunt submarines, than to divert them as escorts for the fast Holyhead. boats The speed of these vessels (given by Lloyd's as 23½ knots) was itself some measure of protection; and moreover was such that in heavy weather, such as prevailed when the "Leinster" was sunk, destroyers could not keep pace with them. Escorts were provided occasionally when destroyers were available, and they were provided for a few days after the attack on the "Leinster" on the 27th December, 1917, but they were withdrawn early in January, 1918.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Treasury received a deputation in May last with reference to the claims of acting paymasters to a gratuity on discharge; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at by the Government?

His Majesty's Government do not feel able to depart from the previous decision on this claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what deductions it is proposed to allow to co-operative societies in the collection of the Corporation Profits Tax; and whether similar deductions will be allowed to ordinary trading corporations?

The general provisions for the determination of profits for the purposes of Corporation Profits Tax are contained in Clause 45 of the Finance Bill, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. Special provision is made in paragraph (h) of that Clause for treating as a trade expense any sums paid by way of bonus, discount or dividend on purchases in the case of a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of the various personal reliefs, abatements, and allowances granted in each of the years 1913 to 1919, inclusive?

The estimated amount of tax, calculated at the various rates in force for each year as determined by the total income, from which individuals were relieved by the allowances for abatements, life insurance premiums, children and (for 1918–19) for wife, housekeeper and dependent relatives, is approximately as follows: £ 1913–14 6,700,000 1914–15 9,300,000 1915–16 16,500,000 1916–17 45,500,000 1917–18 63,000,000 1918–19 85,000,000 1919–20 Not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of individuals liable to Income Tax for each of the years 1913 to 1919, inclusive?

The number of individuals with incomes exceeding the exemption limit is estimated as follows: Year. No. 1913–14 (exemption limit £160) 1,200,000 1914–15 (exemption limit £160) 1,240,000 1915–16 (exemption limit £130) 1,480,000 1916–17 (exemption limit £130) 3,264,000 1917–18 (exemption limit £130) 4,476,000 1918–19 (exemption limit £130) 5,346,000 1919–20 (exemption limit £130) 6,800,000 A proportion, however, of the taxpayers were entirely relieved from tax by the personal reliefs (e.g., in respect of children) to which they were entitled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated number of employed persons not paying Income Tax, males and females, for the years 1913 to 1919, inclusive?

I have no information as to the number of employed persons not paying Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether paper currency is still being issued in this country; if so, to what extent since 1st January, 1920; and the present figures of currency notes issues now in circulation as compared with the total on 1st January, 1919?

The active circulation of notes in the United Kingdom on 1st January, 1919, 31st December, 1919, and 7th July, 1920, was approximately as follows:— — Currency Notes. Bank of England Notes. £ £ 1st January, 1919 323,240,501 70,190,250 31st December, 1919 356,152,022 87,349,990 7th July, 1920 … 360,122,230 106,643,815

These figures exclude Bank of England notes held in the Currency Reserve Account and notes issued by Scottish and Irish banks of issue which are largely covered by currency notes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a considerable number of 5s. currency notes were printed bearing Sir John Bradbury' s signature; if on the appointment of Sir N. F. Warren Fisher as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury these were destroyed and a fresh issue prepared bearing the new name; if these have also been destroyed; and if it is now correct to assume that the Treasury have abandoned the intention of issuing any additional notes of lower denomination to those already in circulation?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The notes bearing Sir Warren Fisher's signature are still in stock, but as I have stated before, I hope it will not be necessary to issue them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Roscommon County Council recently ordered the Sheriff's salary to be stopped as a protest against his allowing the military to occupy the court-house; and what action the Government intend to take to secure payment of this official's salary?

It is open to the Sheriff to take proceedings against the County Council for the recovery of any salary to which he may be legally entitled.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the total number of small-pox patients admitted to Belvedere Hospital, Glasgow, since the recent outbreak, and of that number how many had been vaccinated in infancy and since, and how many had never been vaccinated; and whether the number of deaths which have taken place were entirely those of vaccinated persons?

A return giving the information requested has been prepared in tabular form.

The following is the Return: SMALL-POX IN GLASGOW TO 12TH JULY, 1920. Age Period. Unvaccinated. Vaccinated. Cases. Deaths. Cases. Deaths. Under 10 years 71 16 8 Nil. Over 10, under 20 12 4 74 2 Over 20 5 1 182 29 Totals 88 21 264 31 Total cases admitted to Belvedere Hospital 352 Total deaths 52

Of the vaccinated cases, 15 have been re-vaccinated since infancy. Two of these are said to have been re-vaccinated in 1916, but there is no visible evidence of this.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he proposes to fix the appointed day for the coming into operation of the clause in the new Education (Scotland) Act prohibiting street trading under 17 years of age?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 20th April to my hon. Friend the Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Hogge) on the same subject. The matter is still engaging my attention, and I hope to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the military are being used to break strikes in Madras; and, if so, whether he will give orders that soldiers are not to be used for this purpose in India, in view of the grave discontent which military strikebreakers will cause, not only among Indian workmen but also among British labour?

I would refer to the reply which I gave orally to-day to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr Sitch).

asked the Secretary of State for India what reasons were adduced by the Governments of France, Italy, and the United States to show that the differential export duties on raw hides and skins exported from India should not be imposed?

The representations of the Governments mentioned were received after the duties had been imposed. They dwelt mainly on the harm likely to result from the duties to the industries of France, Italy, and the United States and to the users of leather in those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can supply the House with an outline of the proposals now before the Indian Legislature for establishing conditions for the entry into India of persons from British Colonies and Protectorates on a basis of reciprocity?

The Bill in question provides for a mutual system, between India and other parts of the Empire, of preventing the entry of criminals and bad characters. I shall be glad to let my hon. Friend see the papers if he desires. It is not a measure for regulating emigration or immigration in the ordinary sense.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the amount due by Germany to this country for the cost of the Army of Occupation; whether the Government has considered whether a demand for immediate payment, if exacted, would retard the economic recuperation of Germany; and whether any arrangements have been made for the payment of this debt precedent to the payment of indemnity and other charges?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a question by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on the 1st June. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third that by the Treaty of Versailles the cost of the Armies of Occupation ranks prior to reparation.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement concerning the result of the Allied Conferences at Brussels and Spa?

I have no doubt that the Prime Minister will make a statement on his return. He will have returned, I expect, by the beginning of next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, under an Order dated 7th December, 1915, permission was given to make payments to enemy agents for obtaining registration or renewal of patents and trade marks in enemy countries, but on the 15th July, 1918, the licence to make such payments was revoked; that the moneys owing to enemy agents for such charges and ex- penses cannot now be paid to them, as they are claimed by the Public Trustee under Article 297 of the Treaty of Peace with Germany; and whether he can see his way to permit such payments to be made direct to the agents who have performed the services and made the payments on the faith of the Order of 7th December, 1915?

I understand that no such claim, as is suggested in the second part of this question, has been made by the Public Trustee. Debts arising out of the employment of German Patent Agents, under the licence of 7th December, 1915, come, in my opinion, within the scope of paragraph 1 (xvi) of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, as being property, rights or interests of German nationals acquired under a general licence issued by, or on behalf of, His Majesty, and such debts may, therefore, be paid direct to the Agents in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can expedite the findings of the Committee which he has appointed under the Profiteering Act to investigate the increase in the cost of building material, since the problem is one which is hampering housing construction?

I fully appreciate the urgency for the publication of the Reports referred to in the question, and am doing everything in my power to expedite the issue of the Reports. As stated in the answer to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Newbould) on Monday, three of the four Sectional Committees appointed to investigate building materials are engaged in the preparation of their draft Reports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will supply a statement of the weight and value of the coal shipped in foreign bunkers during the first and second quarters, respectively, of the current year?

The weight of the coal shipped as bunkers on foreign-going vessels during the first and second quarters of the present year was 3,345,393 tons and 3,366,824 tons, respectively. The value of such shipments cannot be stated, since particulars as to value are not required to be furnished at the time of shipment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the estimated expenditure of £60,000 for the year ending 31st March, 1921, under Class 2, 24 F, in respect to machinery and sundries for other Stationery Office printing works includes any costs in regard to the erection of new Government printing works; and whether any additional works have been actually commenced or are contemplated, and the specific class of printing which it is intended they shall undertake?

The estimated expenditure of £60,000 for the year ending 31st March, 1921, under Class 2, 24 F, is the anticipated expenditure on new machinery, etc., which will be required for the seven printing works (other than the printing works at Harrow) which are under the management and control of the Stationery Office. The figure estimated does not include any costs in regard to the erection of new Government printing works. No additional works have been commenced, nor are any contemplated. The work undertaken in these printing factories is general printing (confidential and otherwise) for Government Departments, previously done under contract.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed on 1st January, 1919, at the Ministry of Labour and the Employment Exchanges; and the number of persons employed by these two Departments at the present day?

The information which my hon. and gallant Friend asks for is contained in the statement and notes which follow. I should like to remind my hon. and gallant Friend, however, that between the dates referred to, the Ministry of Labour was charged with many additional responsibilities, a number of which are referred to at the end of this reply.

MINISTRY OF LABOUR. Numbers of Staff. — Full-time Part-time Staff. 1 * Total Staff Ministry of Labour. 2 Divisional Offices and Employment Exchanges. 3 Branch Managers. 4 Other part-time staff. 1st January, 1919 12,810 7,654 1,082 939 7th June, 1919 … 25,709 19,082 1,147 1,270 1st July, 1919 … 15,875 8,750 1,117 1,068 * Including items entered in Column 2, but excluding items entered in Columns 3 and 4.

(1) This return does not include the industrial staff attached to the instructional factories controlled by the training department of the Ministry of Labour.

(2) The total shown in the second column includes the staff of the Employment Exchanges and of the Divisional Offices, which are the regional offices of the Employment Exchange service in the different districts.

(3) Column 3. Branch managers. Nearly all these are part-time staff, who work in premises provided by themselves, and are paid according to the volume of work done. The majority of the branch managers own private businesses, in addition to undertaking duties for the Department.

(4) Column 4. These figures include cleaners employed by the Department.

(5) The figures shown for the 1st July, 1920, represent a very substantial decrease as compared with the maximum figure which was reached during June, 1919 (25,709, excluding part-time staff), when the volume of work caused by the out-of-work donation during the demobilisation period was at its maximum; this decrease is still continuing.

(6) It should further be noted that between the dates of the 1st January, 1919, and 1st July, 1920, the Ministry was charged with additional responsibilities—apart from the payment of the unemployment donation—the most important of which necessitated the setting up of the following departments:—

In order that a proper comparison may be made, I have included in the statement the figures for 7th June, 1919, on which date the pressure of work during the demobilisation and re-settlement period reached its maximum.

(a) The training department which was created to provide training facilities for ex-service men;

(b) the military service (civil liabilities) department, which was taken over from the Local Government Board, and whose function is to provide assistance to ex-service men who are unable to meet certain financial obligations without serious hardship;

(c) the Irish department, which was created in order to perform in respect of Ireland the work performed in respect of Great Britain by the various departments of the Ministry in London; and—as a body indepndent of, but paid by the Ministry—the Industrial Court, which was created by the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, for the settlement of trade disputes.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the composition of the Rates Advisory Committee; and if any invitation has been given to any section of the fishing industry to nominate a delegate to be a member of the committee?

The composition of the Rates Advisory Committee was determined by Section 21, Sub-section 1, of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, and it is not open to me to invite the fishing industry to nominate a member.

asked the Minister of Transport the reason why the special terms granted to children going on holiday from Sunday Schools are refused to workmen's clubs when taking out children under similar conditions?

In so far as their traffic position allows, the railway companies generally are granting reduced fares in connection with the annual outings of recognised schools, but the railway companies find that, in present circumstances, it is not practicable to extend these facilities to parties of children organised by bodies other than schools, and it is not possible to make an exception in favour of workmen's clubs. The concession applies to all recognised school treats, and not only to Sunday Schools. The aim is to enable the largest number of children to have, at any rate, one trip in the season. By adhering to this category it is hoped to avoid duplication for certain children, to the exclusion of others.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps the railway companies are taking with regard to increasing the pensions of their superannuated staff; what recommendation the Ministry has made to the companies; and if he is pressing them to take steps in accordance with the Resolution of this House on the 2nd of March?

The position of the Government was stated clearly in the course of the Debate on the Resolution referred to. I would also refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. D. Herbert) and to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Pancras South-West (Major Barnett) on the 28th June. Those questions and the replies thereto have been brought to the notice of the Railway Companies' Association, and I propose also to discuss the matter with that Association on an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, before the new fares under the London Electric Railways Bill are settled definitely, he will invite the opinions of the various local authorities of London on the particular fares which may be applied to their disticts, since the provision of cheap travelling accommodation is vital to their prosperity?

In the event of the London Electric Railway Companies (Fares, etc.) Bill becoming law, it is intended when the various undertakings affected submit schedules of their proposed new fares in accordance with Clause 6 (2) of the Bill, to refer the proposals to the Rates Advisory Committee for advice, in which case it is within the discretion of the Committee to hear representations from the local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the University of London has accepted the offer of the Government of the Bloomsbury site near the British Museum; the cost of the site and its total acreage; and whether the Government propose to make any grants to the univesity for the erection of buildings on the site?

The Government's offer of a site behind the British Museum is still under the consideration of the University. The extent of the site is about 11½ acres. As the purchase has not yet been actually completed, I am not at present in a position to make a statement as to the price proposed to be paid for it. The Government have informed the University that the state of the national finances did not justify their undertaking to provide the cost of the buildings for the new headquarters of the University from public funds, and that for the money needed for this purpose the University should look to the citizens of London. The Government have intimated that, when the time comes for King's College to move from the Strand to Bloomsbury, they are prepared to seek authority to purchase at a fair valuation the buildings at present occupied by King's College in the Strand, and the price so paid would be available towards the cost of the new buildings to be erected for King's College on the Bloomsbury site.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether local education authorities are responsible to his Department for their correct and efficient working; whether he would have any power to alter the decisions of any local education authority should such decisions appear to him unjust or incorrect or contrary to Act of Parliament; or whether the local education authority is the supreme authority where salaries, conditions of employment, and appointment of teachers in secondary schools is concerned?

If Local Education Authorities fail to fulfil their duties under the Education Acts, the Board of Education can enforce their fulfilment either by action in the Courts or by deduction from grant; in the former case it would be for the Court to determine whether any particular action was contrary to an Act of Parliament. The Local Education Authority are responsible for the salaries, conditions of employment, and appointment of teachers in Secondary Schools provided by them. The Board's Regulations for Secondary Schools, in Articles 12 to 16, however, contain certain provisions relating to the teaching staff, and failure to comply with those Articles may involve reduction of grant.

asked the Minister of Food how many executive officers of Food Control Committees or chief clerks have applied for full-time work as executive officers under the new system; how many have been appointed; and how many have been appointed who already hold public positions and whose private business takes much of their time?

I am asking for a return from Divisional Food Commissioners giving the information asked for by the hon. Member, and I shall communicate the results to him as soon as these are available.

asked the Minister of Food whether his Department has insisted upon the position of food officer being filled by men who can give full time to the office; whether he is aware that the position at Wisbech has been filled by the appointment of a man who holds other public offices as well as having a private business; and, in making this appointment, was an applicant passed over who was prepared to give his whole time to the work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; but, whenever possible, the appointment of a full-time officer is regarded as desirable. There are, however, cases where, owing to special circumstances, it is considered desirable to appoint a person, despite the fact that he is unable to give full-time attendance. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General is he is aware that Post Office mail bags are seriously damaged by being dragged from mail carts to trains without any pretence at carrying, or utilising a trolley; and if it be possible to insist that the bags shall be carried?

It is not possible to insist that bags shall always be carried, but they ought not, of course, to be so dragged as seriously to damage them. I am making inquiry about the particular case to which the hon. Member has called my attention privately.

asked the Postmaster-General under what statute the Post Office or the Treasury have power to demand the surcharge of £4 which recently has been imposed in respect of each new subscriber to the telephone and in respect of each new telephone line; and whether the charges both for the telephone and for the telegraph service are regulated by Parliament?

The terms for the provision of telephone service at private premises are the subject of a contract with the person concerned and are not prescribed by Statute. The charges for the use of the trunk telephone lines and for call office service are laid down in the Statutory Telephone Regulations, 1915, and those for inland telegrams in the Post Office and Telegraph Act, 1915. If the proposals now being examined by a Select Committee of this House are adopted, the telephone surcharge will be abolished.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities had decided to proceed with housing schemes and had land for the same in December, 1918; what was the total acreage and total number of houses intended to be built; how many authorities had carried out, or partly carried out, such schemes; and what was the total number of houses built by December, 1919?

At the beginning of 1919 the position was as follows:—

1. One hundred and eight local authorities had submitted proposals for the acquisition of land. The area was not known in a few cases, but in the remainder it amounted to 2,650 acres.

2. The proposals of 52 of the local authorities included schemes for the erection of dwellings comprising eventually in all 10,506 houses.

3. Three hundred and forty-three local authorities reported that they had selected sites for houses.

4. One thousand and twenty-six local authorities had indicated their willingness to build houses under the terms published in March, 1918, or subject to conditions.

None of these schemes had been approved, and no progress had been made upon them. Upon examination, many of them were found to be defective. The total number of houses completed at the end of the year was 248.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to carry out an educative campaign of hygiene and health propaganda in the country, and by what methods; whether lectures are being held; whether exhibitions are being arranged; whether literature is being distributed; and whether any use is being made of the cinematograph?

Yes, Sir. Each of the various methods of disseminating information mentioned in the question is being employed in relation to various matters either directly by the Ministry or by local authorities and voluntary agencies concerned. In addition, Press announcements are regularly made on matters of special interest.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the treatment urgently required for ex-military and other local tubercular patients, the London County Council are desirous of taking over the completely equipped wards in the ground at the back of the 3rd London General Hospital on their vacation by the military authorities at the end of July; whether the London County Council are prevented from doing so by provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act, under which it is obligatory that these huts will then be dismantled and broken up; whether the erection of similar wards elsewhere will cost a sum of not less than £150,000; and what action he proposes to take?

I appreciate very fully the importance of preserving these buildings for the treatment of the civilian population, and I am in communication with the London County Council on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health the present average cost of paupers under the Poor Law?

Statistics showing the cost at the present time are not yet available, but in the year 1918–19 the average weekly cost per person in receipt of relief in England and Wales was approximately as follows:— Institutional Relief: s. d. In infirmaries 34 1 In separate schools and other institutions for children 18 2 In general institutions 20 0 Domiciliary Relief 5 1

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the following members of the Trinidad Working Men's Association, M'Conney, the Reverend Salmon, De Bourg, and Braithwaite, Secretary of the Association, have been deported from Trinidad; if so, under what law and for what reasons such deportation has taken place; whether De Bourg has resided in Trinidad for the last 30 years; and whether he was arrested on board ship on returning from a labour conference in Demerara, served with deportation papers, refused permission to land and see his family, and deported by the same steamer to Grenada?

M'Conney is a native of Barbados, Salmon a native of Jamaica, De Bourg a native of Grenada and Braithwaite a native of Carriacou. The Governor decided it to be necessary, in the interests of security and good order, that the first three should be deported from Trinidad to their native colonies. The Governor has power to do this under provisions of His Majesty's Order in Council of the 26th October, 1896, in the interests of public order and security. The Secretary of State has no information that Braithwaite has been expelled, nor as to the method in which the deportations were carried out, but he understands that in each case the Governor ascertained that the individuals concerned would be received in their own colonies.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the fact that at a recent meeting of the Islington Borough Council a resolution relating to the showing of the British Flag on the town hall was carried, and that during this meeting speeches were made which were not in keeping with the spirit of the bulk of the residents of the borough; if he has taken any action in the matter; and, if not, will he explain what can be done to stop such proceedings in the borough in future and to ensure the showing of the British Flag on all constitutional occasions?

I saw a report of this incident in the Press, but I have no other information with regard to it. The Home Office has no power to act in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what action His Majesty's Government was proposing to take relative to the purchase of property by a British concern from the original and rightful owners in the Baltic provinces, having regard to the fact that the Latvian and Esthonian Governments refused to recognise the transaction as lawful, and had themselves confiscated the properties or passed such laws as to render the sales null and void without their sanction?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the suggested purchase of certain timber estates in Latvia and Esthonia by a British concern. According to reports received from His Majesty's representatives in those states, it is understood that the sale of such property is prohibited by law without special permit which these Governments are not disposed to grant. As at present advised, His Majesty's Government do not propose to take further action in the matter.