asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the substance of the proclamation recently issued in Syria by the French Government; and whether the terms of the armistice concluded between the French and Mustapha Kemal included any reference to the French position in Syria?

I am not aware that any proclamation has recently been made in Syria by the French Government. My Noble Friend is doubtless referring to the message from M. Miller and to the Emir Feisal. A copy of the message was courteously communicated to His Majesty's Government by the French Government, and I am not, of course, at liberty to give the substance of the message without the consent of the French Government. As regards the second part of the question, the answer is, so far as I am aware, in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any official paper, publication, or source of information to which an hon. Member can refer in order to ascertain what are the requirements of the post-War Fleet; and, if no such papers are available, will he grant a Return giving this information?

I can only refer my Noble and gallant Friend to the reply given to this identical question yesterday by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if no flag was flown at half-mast, or at all, on the Admiralty on the occasion of the funeral of Admiral Lord Fisher; and, if so, can he give any explanation of this failure to do tribute to one who had rendered distinguished service to the Admiralty and the Navy?

My hon. Friend, I am sure unintentionally, but nevertheless very seriously, misrepresents the Admiralty. The proper flag of the Board of Admiralty is flown on the main Admiralty building day and night continuously, and is never hauled down or half-masted. The White Ensign was flown at half-mast during the ceremonies of the funeral of the late Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher of Kilverstone from the flagstaff erected on the top of the Admiralty Arch for use on ceremonial occasions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Griffith John Edwards, of Friars Cottage, Bangor, ex-Gunner, No. 310,450, Royal Garrison Artillery, was removed to the North Wales Counties Asylum at Denbigh on the 26th December, 1919, certified as insane, and admitted as a pauper patient chargeable to the Bangor and Beaumaris Union; whether the account for cost of removal expenses was duly forwarded to the proper quarter through the Carnarvonshire Local War Pensions Committee, but, owing to the delay in the Medical Branch of the Ministry in determining if the malady was due to or aggravated by military service, the account has not yet been paid; and whether, as seven months have now elapsed, a decision can be reached without further delay, with a view to the account being paid and this ex-soldier placed in the category of the service class patients?

The facts in this case are substantially as stated. Some delay, which I greatly regret, occurred in obtaining the information necessary to enable the Ministry to determine whether the insanity in the case of Mr. Edwards, which had occurred long after his demobilisation, could be held to be due to his war service. The matter has recently, however, been satisfactorily settled, and the man has been classed as a service patient. I may add that the removal expenses have also been refunded to the guardians.

asked the Minister of Penions whether 15s. per week pension is the maximum allowed to parent or parents who may have lost two or more sons in the War; if so, in view of the inadequacy of this sum to maintain an aged couple who have lost their only source of support, does he intend to remove this hardship; and can he further state where such people may apply for relief outside the boards of guardians?

Where two parents have lost two sons on whom they were dependent, each may have a pension based on the extent of their dependence up to 18s., in all 36s. a week, under the terms of the Royal Warrant; and in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee the maximum has now been increased to 20s. for one parent and 40s. for two. Supplementary assistance in exceptional cases of hardship may also be given by the Special Grants Committee under extended Regulations which are now on the point of issue.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Ernest H. Hunt, late private No. 185,695, Royal Air Force, Blandford, was removed from Plas Tudno Hospital, Llandudno, to the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Bangor, on the 31st May last and was on the following day certified as insane and removed to the North Wales Counties Asylum at Denbigh as a pauper patient chargeable to the Bangor and Beaumaris Union; whether this ex-soldier is still classified as a pauper patient; and, if so, will he take immediate steps to have him transferred to the category of the service class patients?

I have not yet received full particulars of the case referred to, but instructions have been given that, if the man's condition is in any degree attributable to his War service, he shall at once, in accordance with the usual practice, be classed as a service patient. I will communicate further with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I receive the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private E. Jeavons, No. 74,330, Worcester Regiment, now stationed at Portobello Barracks, Dublin, joined the Army in August, 1919; whether he was then under 18 years of age; whether his parents did not sign the parents' consent form; whether repeated applications for his release have been made; and whether he will now explain why Private Jeavons is still retained in the service?

Private E. Jeavons stated his age as over 18 on enlistment, and parents' consent was not therefore asked for. Further inquiries have, however, been made, and discharge has been authorised on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the relatives of the late Private H. Morgan, No. 29,385, Machine Gun Corps, who died in Salonica on 1st November, 1918, were informed on 20th May, 1919, that the dead soldier's effects were being held by the officer commanding the Machine Gun Corps records, and would be sent on as soon as War Office authority was received, and that the relatives are still waiting for same; will he take such steps as may be necessary to expedite the sending on of these effects, which the relatives are anxious to obtain?

The personal effects of the late Private Morgan were sent, on 16th December, 1919, to the representative (namely, the widow) of his brother, Thomas, the legatee under his will, who survived him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in addition to battalion commanders and brigade commanders connected with the brigade of Foot Guards, it is also intended to retain a regimental colonel, regimental adjutant, and staff for each regiment of Foot Guards; whether it is possible to curtail expenditure in the latter direction; and, if so, what his intentions are in this respect?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the whole matter is now being investigated, and I can assure him that his suggestion will be fully considered along with other proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to remedy the injustice to quartermasters who were previously in receipt of the rate of pay for 15 years' commissioned service, and were given, during the War, an extra rate of pay for distinguished service in the field, and who, by the wording of the new Royal Warrant for pay, issued with Army Order No. 324 of 1918, are now compelled to draw the same rate of pay as if they had never been on active service at all; and, if not, whether, in view of this extra rate of pay having been given in lieu of an active service decoration, it is the intention of the Government to issue a decoration in cases where this extra rate of pay has been taken away?

Army Order 324 of 1919, while increasing the emoluments, altered the scale and provided that the maximum rate of pay for length of service should be attained after 15 years' service. Any step in pay given as a reward became merged in this rate just as it had done under the old scale after 20 years' service. This situation is inseparable from a scale that provides a maximum rate. The maximum for length of service having been reduced from 20 years to 15 years, it follows that the situation referred to occurs at an earlier date than before, but the principle is unaltered. There is no intention of varying the scale and conditions laid down in the Army Order. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. David Blackford, residing at 153a, Horsely Heath, Tipton, and father of Private David Blackford, No. 46,168, 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Z Company, 13th Platoon, stationed at the Curragh, Ireland, sent on 3rd June £18 to the commanding officer of Private Blackford to purchase his release, and that no acknowledgment has been sent; and, if so, if he will explain when Private Blackford will be released or the money returned?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if copies of the physique records of each county, city, and county borough in Great Britain of recruits received therefrom between August, 1914, and August, 1918, could be supplied on request from such counties, cities, and towns, on condition such request was preferred by the medical officer of health of such places for the purpose of considering schemes to improve the physique of the inhabitants?

I am afraid it is not possible for the War Office to furnish such information as this, but I will consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the unrest existing among the dock workers in East Anglia in consequence of a number of men being employed by the Army Service Corps in handling, pressing, and unloading hay in sheds or docks and quays who are being paid less than the 16s. minimum which should be operating from 10th May last in accordance with the national agreement; and if he will take steps to see that all men employed on this work are paid the full rate of wages?

I have received communications from the Dock, Wharf, Riverside, and General Workers' Union in regard to the case of their members in the employ of the Army Service Corps in the East Anglia district, and am in communication with the War Office on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether they have within the last year bought land incidental to the Portbury shipyard?

I have been asked to reply. The Lands Directorate of the War Office, who are acting for the Government in the matter, have not bought any land for Portbury shipyard.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of other ranks in the Territorial Army in the United Kingdom?

Up to the 9th July last, approximately 36,000 recruits had been obtained for the Territorial Army. In addition, over 6,700 have been registered but are not yet attested, making a total of approximately 43,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many divisional commanders and brigade commanders have been appointed in connection with the Territorial Army; what is the total number of staff officers employed in the above commands; and the total estimated annual cost to the public of the above-named commanders and their staffs?

14 divisional commanders, 42 infantry brigade commanders and 2 mounted brigade commanders have been appointed. 28 staff officers (second grade) and 44 brigade majors have also been appointed. The annual cost (pay and allowances) is approximately £75,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now announce the names and terms of reference to the Committee of Inquiry into the claims of ex-service men to permanent positions in the Civil Service; and whether he is aware that it is important that the Committee should report in good time before November, at which date the examination is being held in which ex-service men have been invited to compete for entrance into the Civil Service?

The Committee has now been set up, with the following terms of reference:—"To consider the existing arrangements for the appointment of ex-service men to posts, whether permanent or temporary, in His Majesty's Civil Service, and to advise what modifications, if any, should be made therein."

The Committee will be made up as follows:

Chairman:

The right hon. the Earl of Lytton.

Members:

The hon. Member for Ripon (Mr. E. Wood).

The hon. and gallant Member for Bradford East (Captain Loseby).

Sir Malcolm G. Ramsay, K.C.B., Controller of Establishments, Treasury.

Mr. A. W. Watson, C.B.E., Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Labour.

Mrs. Oliver Strachey.

I am aware of the importance of an early Report from the Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General if men taken on by the General Post Office, under the scheme for employing disabled soldiers, will be put on the established list and so assured of regular employment as soon as their work is proved satisfactory; and if he is aware that uncertainty as to the duration of employment is extremely disquieting to men with families to support, who, although wounded in the service of their country, are anxious to work and not to loaf?

I hope to absorb into the permanent service of the Post Office a large proportion of the disabled ex-service men at present temporarily employed.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the number of demobilised service men who have been refused work or have been discharged because they have not served the five or seven years' apprenticeship customary in the trade in question; and to what city, country, and trade is such prohibition most in evidence?

If my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the case of the lad whose apprenticeship was interrupted by the War, that case, I think, is fairly well covered. Over 38,000 such apprenticeships have been or are being completed under conditions consistent with the fact that the person concerned is no longer in his teens. If my hon. and gallant Friend means that ex-service men who might have been apprenticed, but who were not apprenticed because of the War, are not allowed to sign on as skilled men, that is, of course, true. Their case is, however, intended to be met by the power given to the Ministry of Labour to train fit men who, on account of joining the Forces at an early age, did not enter upon an apprenticeship to a skilled trade. About 1,000 have been so trained. The great bulk, I imagine, however, of fit ex-service men now unemployed are unskilled, and there is, of course, particular difficulty in fitting these men into employment. We are giving close consideration to this problem, the solution of which, as my hon. and gallant Friend will at once see, is not easy to find.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received applications from the Tipton branch of the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors for a gun-carriage to be permanently retained; if so, whether the application can be granted; and, if not, for what reason?

An application was received from the Tipton and District branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers for a funeral gun-carriage for permanent retention. In the reply, which was sent on 16th April last; it was explained that owing to the large number of applications it was regretted that it was impossible to issue such a carriage. As many funeral gun-carriages as possible have been distributed to the various military commands, and the federation were advised to apply to the nearest Military Headquarters whenever such a carriage is required.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number of casualties among the British naval forces operating against Soviet Russia from the date of General Golovin's interview with the Secretary of State for War and Air in May, 1919, up to the latest available date?

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the number of casualties among the British forces in Russia from the date of his interview with General Golovin in May, 1919, up to the latest available date?

I gave on Tuesday last the number of British casualties incurred since the date of the Armistice by British operations in the withdrawal from Russia. The hon. Member now asks for a return showing what proportion of these casualties were incurred after a conversation, of which a very inaccurate account has appeared, which I had at an early date in May with a Russian general. As this conversation constituted no departure in policy and involved no action of any kind which affected the situation, there would be no sense in giving such a return. Its only purpose would be to provide material of a petty and misleading kind for pro-Bolshevik propaganda in this country. I shall therefore ask the House to support me in declining to waste the time of the War Office staff on such a matter.

On the other hand, I am willing to have a calculation made of the losses incurred after the date when some definite decision of policy was taken, for instance, the telegram of the five great powers (Great Britain, France, the United States, Italy and Japan) sent to Admiral Koltchak on the 3rd of July last year promising him a continuance of allied support; or the decision of the War Cabinet of the 27th June, 1919, authorising an advance to be made on Kotlas for the purpose of disengaging the British forces in North Russia and enabling the evacuation to be completed without interference from the enemy; or the decision of the House of Commons on the 5th November, 1919, approving a further and final contribution in arms and money to General Denikin.

(Clitheroe) asked the Lord Privy Seal what action has been taken by the British Government on the recommendations made in the Report of the mission under Sir Stuart Samuel to inquire into the treatment of Jews in Poland?

His Majesty's Government have forwarded the Report to the League of Nations for such action as they may wish to take in their capacity of supervisors of the Treaty signed by Poland in regard to the treatment of minorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the political situation in Poland; whether the Polish Diet has been dissolved; and how the Government of Poland is now being conducted?

As far as I am aware the Polish Diet has not been dissolved; but a Council of Defence has been created which will have the final decision in all questions concerning peace and war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement as to the military situation of the Polish forces?

I think it better to refer the hon. Member to the Polish and Bolshevik official communiqués on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the issue of a monthly statement giving lists of the numbers of riots and other outrages attributable to the Army of Occupation in Ireland on similar lines to the statement issued concerning outrages alleged to have been committed by the Sinn Feiners?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has had an opportunity of inquiring as to the type of rifles employed by the Ulstermen in the recent riots in Derry; whether these rifles were the latest pattern War Office type; if he has any information as to how these rifles were supplied; and if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the mayor of Derry congratulating the Irish Volunteers in their work in restoring order and protecting property.

No rifles of the latest War Office pattern were captured in Derry. Those taken were obsolete Mausers. I understand that the Mayor congratulated the Irish Volunteers and one of the leaders of the Ulster Volunteers for their efforts to restore order.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has read the resolution passed by the Council of the Bar of Ireland against the co-operation of Irish barristers in the activities of the Sinn Fein Courts; how many such Courts are in operation in Ireland; whether he has information of any members of the Irish Bar taking part in these proceedings; and whether it is his intention in cases where they do so to have their conduct specially reviewed with a view to the withdrawal of their licence to practice in the recognised Courts of Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second and third parts in the negative. As regards the fourth part, the matter is, as already stated, primarily for the Benchers of King's Inns, but the whole question of the Government's action in relation to these Courts is at present under consideration. No licence to practice is held, or required, in the case of a barrister.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the number of resignations from the Royal Irish Constabular since 1st June, 1920?

The figures for the period stated are 250.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, on 21st June, troops and police forcibly suppressed an Irish language festival at Ballinhassig, County Cork; and, if so whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government in Ireland to attempt to suppress the Irish language?

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

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that at a recent meeting of the Castleblayney Rural District Council the Chairman stated that in the case of compensation for malicious injury Dail Eireann was sending out men to inspect the damage done to private property, which would include dwelling-houses, hay, etc., and that when reports had been sent in Dail Eireann would in form the council as to the rate that should be struck to meet the claims; and what action the Government intend to take to secure that such matters shall be decided by the King's Courts and not by illegal organisations?

Sir H. GREENWOOD: No, Sir; I am informed that the council resolved unanimously not to oppose malicious injury claims. The ordinary procedure will he followed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the desire of the public at Thame, in Oxfordshire, to have greater train facili- ties, either in respect of the re-establishment of an early train to Oxford or connection with some existing train leaving Princes Risborough; whether the Great Western Railway Company falls back upon pre-War experience as an excuse for doing nothing; and whether he will ask the railway companies to take into account the altered conditions of life and movement resulting from the War?

I am informed by the Great Western Railway Company that, in view of the shortage of locomotive power, it is not practicable at present to restore the early morning connection from Oxford to Princes Risborough, and I may say that prior to the cancellation of the service the number of passengers from Oxford averaged three and from Thame 10. For working reasons it is not possible to re-time the present first service from Oxford to enable it to connect with the 9.17 a.m. train from Princes Risborough. With regard to the last part of the question, I am satisfied that the railway company is dealing with this matter on a present-day basis.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he purposes to give a preferential rate by road or rail for grain as distinct from flour, seeing that the amount of bulk is greater in one than the other, and at present war grain and manufactured flour are graded together for classification purposes in Class C?

The whole question of the classification of merchandise forms part of the reference to the Rates Advisory Committee who are already considering the systematic revision of railway rates and charges, and the hon. Member will recognise that I can in these circumstances express no opinion as to the course to be taken in regard to particular commodities. I suggest that the interest concerned should apply to be heard by the Committee if it is thought necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping the result of the conference at the Ministry, on 14th July, of all interests affected by the congestion in the Port of London; whether ships are still being diverted from the Thames to other parts of the country; and whether he is aware that in most cases the cargoes there landed still remain untouched?

The conference held on 14th July dealt only with the importation of tea, and it was agreed that the interests concerned would confer together with a view to obviating possible congestion in the autumn. One vessel bound for London with a wool cargo has been diverted by arrangement with the Ministry of Munitions to Liverpool in view of the large arrivals of wool to be dealt with in London shortly. It is the case that some cargoes of tea which were diverted to our ports some months ago still remain at those ports untouched owing to the very large stocks that are held in London.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the date on which it was decided to raise the maximum price of wheat from 75s. 6d. per quarter; the date on which the increase was publicly notified; and if he can explain how certain firms in the corn trade obtained prior knowledge which enabled them to forestall the farmers by making purchases at the then ruling maximum of 75s. 6d. per quarter?

I have been asked to reply. On the 14th June last, with the concurrence of the Minister of Agriculture, I decided to issue to controlled millers an instruction raising the permitted average price for wheat of the 1919 crop, and circular letters conveying this instruction were issued to all such millers on the 15th June. With regard to the third part of the question there is no justification, so far as I am aware, for the statement that certain firms in the corn trade obtained prior knowledge of this instruction.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, owing to the present shortage of sulphate of copper in West Norfolk, it is impossible to spray adequately the potatoes in that district; that consequently there is considerable risk of the loss of this year's late crop; and will he take immediate steps to have sufficient supplies of sulphate of copper sent there?

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry exercises no control over the production or distribution of sulphate of copper. No information has reached the Ministry which would indicate that supplies are insufficient to meet the demand, provided that consumers are prepared to pay the market price. If the hon. Member would give my right hon. Friend the names of persons who are unable to obtain supplies, he will endeavour to put them in touch with producers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that one dairyman in Wiltshire throughout May and June received 3½d. a quart for the milk he sold to one of the leading combines, who retailed it at 8d.; whether there is any information showing that other farmers are receiving similar amounts; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the activities of a trading organisation which is obtaining such profits from the public?

I am informed that an average price received by producers of milk in the south-western area during May and June was Is. 2d. per gallon. The price in this area is governed by the fact that a considerable proportion of the milk produced at this season is not retailed as liquid milk, but has to be converted into cheese and other milk products. As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, milk prices are no longer controlled by Statutory Order. Milk is, however, scheduled under the Profiteering Act, and a sub-committee appointed under that Act is at present engaged in an investigation of the organisation of the industry.

asked the Minister of Food if the Government has any financial interest in the British Farina Mills, Limited, which owns the farina mill at Monikie, Forfarshire; if so, will he state the actual amount of public money invested in this concern; and if any contract, or contracts, has been made with potato growers to ensure a supply of raw material for the mill at Monikie?

The relations between the Government Departments concerned and the British Farina Mills, Limited, are at present the subject of arbitration, and I cannot at this stage make any statement on the matter.

asked the Minister if he is aware that the tea market in this country is utterly congested; that some common brands of tea have been sold in Mincing Lane as low as 1½d. and 2d. per lb., and that good Indian tea is being sold wholesale at 6d. per lb., making, with the duty, 1s. 4d. per lb.; is he aware that at 1s. 6d. a lb. such tea would yield a satisfactory profit to the retailer, and in that case will he explain the present high retail price of this commodity?

I am aware that there is some surplus of common grades of tea on the market in this country, due in part to the importation of unusually large quanities following restriction of imports during the War, and to the reduction of the Russian demand. I have no information that any good Indian teas have been sold as low as 6d. per lb., but I understand that certain common Java and Indian teas have been sold wholesale at about 2d. per lb. and 6d. per lb., respectively. These common grades of tea, however, are not such as normally in this country pass into consumption unblended. Before tea reaches the retailer the cost of brokerage, sampling, blending, packing, carriage, and other charges and wholesaler's profits have to be added to the price. Tea is now being sold by retail at prices ranging from is. 8d. per lb., upwards. I may add that tea is scheduled under the Profiteering Act, under which the Board of Trade have full power to deal with any case in which it can be proved that excessive prices have been charged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what cost has been incurred by the county of Huntingdonshire and the Board of Agriculture over the recent Ouse drainage litigation: whether the expenditure of the county will fall upon the Huntingdonshire rates, and what addition to these will be necessary; and upon whom the expenditure incurred by the Board will fall?

The Ministry has no information available as to the costs incurred by the Huntingdonshire County Council in opposing the Ouse Drainage Provisional Order. The points raised in the second part of the question are matters for the Council to decide. As regards the Ministry's own expenses, no exact figure is available at the present stage; but under the provisions of the Order such expenses are a first charge on the rates leviable within the district comprised in the Order.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of his Department to issue a booklet giving explanations of the recently-passed Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act; if he can state when this will be published; and if it will be issued free to all local authorities and officials as well as to Members of this House?

A summary explaining the principal provisions of the Act is now in the hands of the printers, and I hope it will be issued in a few days. I understand that a charge of 2d. will be made by the Stationery Office to cover the cost of printing.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the new functions of the Office of Works in connection with housing schemes; and whether the Office of Works may be permitted to make any profit on its participation in these schemes?

I am arranging for the Office of Works to assist local authorities by acting on their behalf in special cases where is seems to be desirable in order to ensure that a scheme will be carried out in a reasonable time. It is not proposed that the Office of Works shall make any profit.

asked the Minister of Health whether the "Housing Journal" of 5th July contains only a partial and incomplete statement of the local authorities building by direct labour; whether he can now publish a complete list in the OFFICIAL REPORT in view of the importance of letting local authorities know the extent to which building by direct labour has been approved and the estimated prices; and whether he could also issue comparative figures showing the contractors' tenders for houses of similar types in the same areas?

I will circulate a further statement as to direct labour schemes.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the response from builders as the result of the increase of the housing subsidy to £250; and what is the total amount for which the Government is now liable in respect of these subsidies?

From the end of May, when it was announced that the building grants under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act would be increased, up to 9th July, local authorities have issued preliminary certificates in respect of 3,284 houses. The total number of houses in respect of which such certificates had been issued up to the 9th July was 13,177; if these houses are completed satisfactorily within the time allowed, the amount payable by the Exchequer will be £3,186,350.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to introduce the promised Bill to amend or abolish the Poor Law?

I am afraid I cannot fix a data for the introduction of this Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet completed his consideration of the question of pensioners of local authorities in connection with the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Superannuation; and whether he has decided that the adoption by local authorities of the scale of bonus and pension applicable in the case of Civil servants should be made a legal obligation and not merely permissive?

As regards the first part of the question, proposals are being framed, but I cannot say when it will be possible to introduce a Bill. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education when he will be in a position to make a statement in regard to the progress of the Government's educational programme?

If one of the remaining days of Supply can be allotted to the discussion of the Education Estimates, I shall be glad to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the recent rise in the education rates levied by local authorities; whether boys in the industrial schools were up till recently allowed to work from seven o'clock until time for school at nine o'clock, and earned 5s. a week and their breakfast; whether this money will now be lost, and a further burden thrown on the ratepayer in consequence; and what was the reason for the order?

The practice of allowing boys from industrial schools to be employed in paid domestic work outside the school before breakfast has never been encouraged by the Home Office, and the practice has been confined to a few schools only. In December last, in a clrcular letter in. which the chief inspector urged on managers of industrial schools the need for a higher educational standard, and the application to these schools of the principles underlying the Education Act, 1918, he recommended that this and other forms of employment which have little educational value should be discontinued, in order that the boys might take full advantage of the education and training afforded by the school. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of this letter, and I feel sure that he will agree with the principles laid down. The cost of making this small change will be trifling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated amount of the wages bill for the United Kingdom for each of the years 1913–19, inclusive, which was not liable to Income Tax?

I have been asked to reply to this question. No statistics exist from which it is possible to compute the amount of the wages bill of the United Kingdom for each of the years 1913 to 1919. On the basis of available indications, however, it is estimated that the aggregate annual income of the wage-earning classes in the pre-war year probably amounted to between £800,000,000 and £850,000,000. In 1919, as compared with 1913, weekly rates of wages were on the average rather more than double, but other factors, such as changes in the numbers of persons employed in various industries, improvements in organisation, the movement of workpeople from low paid to higher paid occupations and from time work to piece work, and the results of short time and overtime, the effects of which on the average earnings in industries are not known, render it impracticable to give any useful estimate of the aggregate annual income of the wage-earners in years subsequent to 1913.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a bonus to meet the cost of living has been given to Grades 1, 2, and 3 temporary clerks and temporary administrative officers; and, if so, whether this honus will be extended to the lower grades of temporary clerks?

Temporary graded clerks are at present paid in accordance with the terms of the Civil Service Arbitration Board Agreement No. A 71, dated 19th March, 1920. The maximum rates of pay prescribed in that Agreement for the lower grades of temporary clerks will be considered in connection with the inquiry of the special Committee of the National Whitley Council to which I referred in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 12th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that great numbers of workmen who were liable for Income Tax under the old scale have received papers demanding payment although they are only receiving £150 a year; what steps he proposes to take to inform such persons that under the new £250 limit they are not liable; and when the new scale comes into operation?

No demands for payment of Income Tax for the current year from weekly wage-earners have yet been issued, and I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the forms of return which are now in process of issue. In this connection I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Houghton (Mr. W. T. Wilson) on the 10th ultimo. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the widow of the late Warder Harper has not yet been notified of the Treasury decision to grant her the full amount under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906; and whether, in view of the fact that Warder Harper died over a year ago, he will endeavour to expedite matters?

I understand that difficulties have arisen in adjusting the amount payable under the Treasury decision to which I referred in my reply of the 22nd ultimo, but every effort will be made to secure payment as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments have collected detailed information as to the architecture of many of the City churches; and, if so, whether, in view of the interest aroused by the recent Report of the City of London Churches Commission, he will give instructions for such information as relates to the threatened churches to be published at once?

I understand that the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments have collected certain information on City churches, but that this informa- tion is not at present ready for publication

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of the fund in the hands of the Cotton Control Board at the time the Board ceased to operate; and how it is proposed to dispose of the moneys if any are in hand?

The surplus which remained for disposal in the hands of the Cotton Control Board at the time the Board ceased to operate amounted to about £1,500,000. The Board of Trade have under consideration proposals which were put forward by the Cotton Reconstruction Committee for the constitution of a "Cotton Trade War Memorial Fund," to be devoted to expenditure under two main heads, namely, benefactions to operatives in the cotton trade and the welfare of the cotton trade as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of Lyminge, Kent, at the proposal of the Elham Valley Water Company to increase their charges by 100 per cent., which they regard as unreasonable; whether such increase can be made without the sanction of the Board of Trade; and whether, before giving sanction to such increase, he will hold a local inquiry into the conditions alleged to necessitate such increase?

An application by the Elham Valley Water Company, under the Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1918, for authority to increase their charges by 100 per cent. is now under consideration by the Board of Trade. Some of the local authorities concerned have lodged objections, and they will be given an opportunity of being represented at the hearing of the application.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many of the staffs of His Majesty's prisons, including Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, have not yet been paid the new War bonus which has already been paid to other similar Government servants; and will he take steps to rectify this as soon as possible?

Instructions were sent to all Governors on the 29th June to pay the new war bonus.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion the convictions for drunkenness bore to the population of Carlisle for each of the years 1914 to 1919; and what was the average proportion for all the county boroughs of England and Wales for the same years?

The figures desired are to be found in the Annual Volumes of Licensing Statistics, and particularly in column 5 of Comparative Table B in each volume. They are as follows (the figures for the year 1919 being taken from the proof of the volume for that year, which is in the press, and not yet published):

PROPORTION OF CONVICTIONS FOR DRUNKENNESS PER 10,000 OF ESTIMATED POPULATION IN CARLISLE AND ALL COUNTY BOROUGHS, RESPECTIVELY, IN EACH OF THE YEARS 1914–1919. Year. Carlisle. All County Boroughs, including London County. 1914 52.07 73.26 1915 52.45 54.92 1916 180.45 33.33 1917 60.59 19.18 1918 15.15 12.35 1919 12.96 23.75

For the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918 the proportion of population is based on the estimated population for the middle of the year 1914. For 1919 the proportion is based on the estimated population for the middle of 1918. The estimated population of Carlisle for the middle of 1914 was 52,813; for the middle of 1918 it was 60,188.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Sir Basil Thomson, head of the special department of the Criminal Investigation Department, has been making an enquiry with reference to a Mr. Nuorteva, a Russian subject, now staying in the United Kingdom; that in spite of the fact that this gentleman's passport was vised by the aliens control officer at Liverpool, Sir Basil Thomson immediately stated that he should be deported, and that, during the course of a cross-examination, Sir Basil Thomson stated to Mr. Nuorteva, opinions respecting the Soviet Government which falls far outside the competence of the department with which he is nominally charged, and which would appear to encroach upon the competence of the Foreign Office; having regard to these facts, will he investigate this matter, and if satisfied that Sir Basil Thomson has overstepped the limits of his duties as head of his department, will steps be taken to instruct this officer that in future he will not be permitted to exceed the limit of his function?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary had all the facts of this case under consideration. The fact that an alien has been given leave to land at a port in this country does not afford him protection against his liability subsequently to be deported from this country if circumstances are held to justify his deportation; and in view of the circumstances brought to the Home Secretary's notice by Sir Basil Thomson, and particularly in view of the known activities of Mr. Nuorteva in another country, he decided to make a Deportation Order, under which Mr. Nuorteva will embark on the first available vessel for Russia. Sir Basil Thomson informs me that he did not submit the alien to cross-examination nor express opinions respecting the Soviet Government. He kept the Home Secretary fully informed of his proceedings, and, in my opinion, he did not exceed the limits of his duties in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed on 31st March, 1920, and 30th June, 1920?

I have no data to enable me to state the total number of workpeople unemployed in the United Kingdom at the dates mentioned, but I may state that the number of workpeople claiming Out-of-Work Donation or Un employment Insurance Benefit at 2nd July was 232,263 as compared with 303,317 at 1st April.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will arrange for an increased number of waste-paper baskets being placed in the Royal Parks, in view of the growing tendency of the public to litter paper, etc., about?

I understand that the receptacles for waste paper, etc., already provided in the Royal Parks are, unfortunately, not sufficiently used by the public to justify any increase in the number.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at the twentieth meeting of the Cave Commission on Southern Rhodesia, held on 30th June, it was stated to the Commission that the Government would take a decision in the course of a few days as to whether they would ask for the further postponement of the Commission pending the receipt of further information from South Africa, or whether they would ask the Commission to furnish a Report forthwith on the facts so far put before them; whether this promised decision has now been taken, and, if so, what is the decision; whether the Commission has been sitting for over a year; and what has been the cause of such delay in the preparation of the case of the Crown?

Yes, Sir, a statement to that effect was made, but I am not yet in a position to say anything with regard to the decision of the Government. The Commission was appointed on 17th July of last year. The delay is, I think, attributable to the anxiety of the Crown to give the Commission all possible assistance in the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with the termination of the Protectorate in British East Africa, Kenya Colony is self-governing, or whether full authority and responsibility for the administration of the Colony remains with the Colonial Office; whether the status of Indian settlers has undergone any improvement by the change of the status of the Colony or of its constitution and, if so, in what respects; whether Indian settlers formerly enjoyed equality of political status with white settlers under the régime of the British East Africa Company; whether the attention of the Colonial Office has been drawn to a despatch of the Government of India to the Secretary of State, dated 10th December, 1908; whether the fears apprehended in that despatch have in fact been realised during the past three years; and what steps the Government now propose to take to give effect to such and similar more recent representations of the Government of India?

The Kenya Colony is not self-governing, and the authority and responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Colonies are not affected by the annexation, nor will it affect in any way the status of Indian residents in the country. The position of the Indian community and the representations made by them or on their behalf are still under the consideration of the Secretary of State, and it is not possible for me to make any statement on the subject at present.