asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of claims for the repayment of Income Tax made in the last year for which the figures are available, and the number of the staff of the Inland Revenue Department engaged upon this work?

The number of claims for repayment of Income Tax received in the year ending 30th June, 1920, was 1,052,682. The staff employed at the head office on this work is 461.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of income subject to tax before deduction of the various personal reliefs and allowances for each of the years 1913–19, inclusive?

The total amount of income subject to tax before deduction of the various personal reliefs and allowances was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his definite warning last year that increased expenditure could not be afforded by the country, he is satisfied that the Education Estimates are such as the taxpayers should be called upon to bear?

In deciding what expenditure is necessary and where reductions can be made, Parliament and the Government must be guided by their view of the relative importance of different services. I do not think that the Education Estimates can be curtailed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangement has been made with banks and insurance companies to exempt them from Excess Profits Duty; and, if so, why such an arrangement was made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the cost of the recent campaign conducted by the National Union of Manufacturers against the Excess Profits Duty was borne by the State because of the Treasury's admission of such expenditure in advertising and telegraphing to Members of Parliament as a legitimate trading expense?

Expenditure incurred for the purpose of securing a remission of a direct tax could not in my view be properly regarded as an admissible deduction in arriving at a trader's liability to taxation. If a claim to a deduction of this character should be pressed by a trader in any substantial case, the question will in the normal course come before the Courts for decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is a fact, as stated by the secretary of the Royal Arsenal (Woolwich) Co-operative Society, that the co-operative movement as a whole had been able substantially to avoid the Excess Profits Duty, and whether substantially the whole sum paid by co-operative societies for this duty had been repaid to them; and whether the duty is still being collected from them and subject to what, if any, special deductions from profits?

The original provisions of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, as to the assessment of co-operative societies to Excess Profits Duty were found in the year 1917, in the circumstances of trade then existing, to exact from these societies a larger contribution than Parliament had intended, and accordingly a relieving provision was inserted in Section 26 of the Finance Act, 1917. Under the law, as thus modified, a co-operative society is, broadly speaking, chargeable, at the option of the society, either on the increased surplus per member as compared with the pre-War surplus per member, or on the increased ratio of the surplus to the turnover as compared with the pre-War ratio. Duty is still collected on this basis from societies liable to the Duty. Alterations in the conditions of trading and the relief above specified have combined to reduce in recent years the liability of the societies, or to entitle them to repayments of Duty under Section 38 (3) of the 1915 Act. No statistics have been compiled as regards the Duty paid by, or repaid to, these societies, and their preparation would involve an expenditure of time and labour which the present pressure of work upon the Inland Revenue staff precludes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of direct taxation in each Allied country which took part in the War?

I will refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Stratford Division (Mr. Lyle) on the 6th May last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now received from the Game and Heather Burning (Scotland) Committee an estimate for printing in extenso the evidence taken before it; and whether, in view of the widespread interest in the subject throughout Scotland and the grave situation which exists there with regard to game damage, he will now assent to the Committee having a limited number of copies of the evidence printed in extenso ?

No, Sir; I see no sufficient reason for departing in this case from the general rule which was introduced in the interest of economy. It is, of course, within the competence of the Committee to append a brief summary of the evidence to their Report if they think the matter of sufficient public interest to require it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will follow the example of the Italian Government and set up a committee of investigation to inquire into War administration and preparation?

The Foreign Office have no information of such a proposal by the Italian Government, which, in any case, we should not be prepared to adopt.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking that special Votes will be presented for approval by the House of Commons before any new military operations are undertaken in Europe?

The Government have no intention of undertaking any new military operations, still less of undertaking them without the full knowledge and approval of the House of Commons; but it would be contrary both to precedent and to the spirit and practice of our Constitution to give the pledge asked for in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if constables now serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police are entitled to increased pensions under the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1919?

The reply is in the affirmative except in the case of pensions on retirement before completion of twenty-five years' service, as to which I would refer to my reply of 9th instant to the question of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin University.

asked the Prime Minister whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the fact that several county councils in Ireland have declared their allegiance to the so called Republican Government in Ireland and have refused to recognise the Government of the Imperial Parliament or to carry out the orders laid down for the returns necessary for compiling the assessments of Income Tax and other orders made by the Local Government Board; whether under such circumstances the Government recognises such councils; and whether they will receive any grants from public funds in aid of local taxation?

As stated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Lancaster, Fylde (Colonel Ashley), on the 6th instant, the whole question of the administration of grants payable to local authorities in Ireland is at present under consideration. I can, however, assure my right hon. Friend that, before payments from the Exchequer are made to any Council, the Government will have to be satisfied that all the requirements of the law with respect to such payments have been complied with; and, in particular, they will not permit any loan to be issued or any subsidy to be paid from the Exchequer for housing, water supply, public health, or other subsidised local services to any local authority which will not undertake to submit their accounts to audit, and to abide by the statutory orders, rules, and regulations of the Local Government Board as heretofore.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many newspapers have been suppressed in Ireland during the last 12 months?

During the period mentioned 21 newspapers were suppressed, of which 12 were only suspended temporarily.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the uncared-for state of the British military cemetery at Anthuick, near Albert; and when this cemetery will be attended to?

The hon. and gallant Member is presumably referring to Authuille Military Cemetery. I am informed that this cemetery is now in excellent order and-is about to be taken over by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the graves registration and inquiry section of the War Office will be able to complete their work in France and Belgium by the 30th September, as contemplated; whether it is yet possible to determine by what date the whole of this work in France and Belgium can be completed; and what steps it is proposed to take to enable the Imperial War Graves Commission to continue to operate the inquiry bureaux, so far organised under War Office arrangements, when the War Office officials cease to be in charge of graves registration overseas?

It is expected that the work of exhumation and concentration will be completed by the 30th September, when the staff will be considerably reduced. The remainder of the work of the Directorate should be finished by the end of the year. Inquiries are being made as to the powers of the Imperial War Graves Commission to operate the inquiry bureaux.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the correspondence which has passed between the Scottish secretary of the National Union of Vehicle Builders and the Chief Ordnance Officer, Georgetown, relating to the back payments to which the wheelwrights (ex-employés) at the depôot are entitled according to the agreements between the trade union and the Scottish Vehicle Builders' Association; and, if so, whether he will now issue the necessary instructions to the Chief Ordnance Officer authorising the payments claimed?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question, arrangements are being; made for issue of the payments due.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of British troops in Constantinople and other parts of Asia Minor, and if he intends sending additional troops there, and, if so, how many; whether the cost of such force will be defrayed by this country or jointly by the Allies who are parties to the Turkish Treaty; and what portion of such force, if any, is composed of Indian troops?

It is not considered desirable to make this information public at this juncture.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any further information regarding the progress of operations in Southern Mesopotamia; whether he has yet received any report regarding the number of casualties; and whether the rebellion is spreading?

The operations of the column sent from Baghdad to relieve Rumeitha have been hampered by continual cutting of the railway by the Arabs. The garrison of Rumeitha is holding out, and has obtained supplies by aeroplane and by a raid into the town of Rumeitha, which has been effectively bombed by our aeroplanes. The Arabs are known to have suffered heavy casualties, inflicted both by troops and aeroplanes. The rebellion appears to have spread to the Shamiyah district, where one tribe at least has joined the insurgents. It has not spread beyond the Middle Euphrates area.

Six railway trains in all have been cut off since the beginning of the outbreak, but some have returned on the line being repaired. There are at present four engines and about 170 trucks missing.

As regards casualties it has not been possible to obtain definite returns, and mutilation of telegrams has increased the uncertainty. The following figures are therefore only approximate:—

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that certain officers of the Regular Army about to be invalided out will not receive the higher rate of half-pay laid down in Army Order 324/1919 if they are in receipt of a wound pension, and upon what grounds this arrangement is made; and whether he is aware of the profound sense of grievance any such decision is likely to produce?

The rule to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is in accordance with the express recommendation of the Select Committee on Pensions, which was accepted by the Government. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the observations of the Committee on the subject of half-pay and wound pensions in paragraphs 22 and 31 of their Second Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether G. H. Day, who before discharge was Sergeant-major Day, No. 8,997, Royal Air Force, is entitled, in addition to service pension, to a pension of 6d. per diem in virtue of holding the Distinguished Conduct Medal; and, if so, seeing that he has repeatedly applied for the same, why payment of such additional pension continues to be withheld?

Payment of the addition of 6d. a day to this warrant officer's pension has now been authorised. The first claim for this additional pension was received on the 8th ultimo. Verification entailed reference to other Government Departments, and until the replies were received it was not possible to authorise any addition to his pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if representations have been made to him with reference to the damage being done by the Royal Air Force to the road between Orphir and Kirkwall; that a lorry, nominally 3½ tons but actually 4½ tons, runs to and from Kirkwall at a high rate of speed; and also with reference to the general waste and destruction continually going on at Houton Station, that in the huts there windows are smashed, doors left open, and material thrown about and exposed to all weather conditions, and boots that were to have been sold neglected and useless; and if the Government will have an independent inquiry made?

With regard to the first part of the question, financial assistance to the extent of £2,764 is being rendered to the highway authority of the-Orkney County Council for the restoration of this road which was unavoidably damaged by Royal Air Force traffic. Until the receipt of the letter from the Orkney County Council which my hon. Friend was good enough to forward to me, no representations had been received concerning the continuance of Royal Air Force traffic over the road. The Royal Air Force has been responsible for considerable traffic on the roads of Orkney, but such traffic has been unavoidable. The use of lorries capable of carrying a load of 3 tons has been essential for the transportation of stores. A tender runs daily between Kirkwall and Houton for the purpose of drawing stores and rations. No complaints have been received by the commanding officer of the Station that the bye-laws of the County Council with regard to speed limits have been broken. It is considered that the transfer of personnel from other more important duties for the purpose of repairing damage to huts and stores caused by winter gales or for providing maintenance parties would be uneconomical. The boats, to which I presume my hon. Friend refers in the penultimate part of the question, were sunk during gales, and the cost of salving them would greatly exceed their commercial value. It is not considered that any useful purpose would be served by a special Government inquiry into this matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total number of steam trawlers on the Admiralty books: how many of these will be retained in the Navy and how it is proposed to deal with the remainder; how many ships are to be disposed of to the projected Fishermen's Trawler Company, and on what terms; and when will this company be floated?

The total number of Admiralty steam trawlers not yet finally disposed of is:—

Of these 32 will be retained in the Navy, and more are at present temporarily employed on naval duties. The balance of vessels not retained in the Navy will be disposed of as soon as they complete their naval service, probably by sale. Action is now in hand to dispose of the Canadian built trawlers by sale. 200 trawlers are to be disposed of to the Minesweepers' Co-operative Trawling Society (which, it is hoped, will shortly be registered), as already announced in the reply by the then Financial Secretary to the Admiralty dated 29th October, 1919, which contains other particulars asked for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the Admiralty trawlers commissioned by the Government for fishing purposes have ceased to pay their way; if so, to whom was this fact reported and what is the approximate loss to date; and under what head will this loss be shown?

Many of the Admiralty trawlers employed by the Government for fishing purposes are making profits, and the Ministry consider that they are at present, on the whole, paying their way. As regards the last part of the question, any profit or loss which may ultimately accrue will fall on the Vote for the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether it is proposed to lay up Admiralty trawlers commissioned by the Government for fishing purposes; whether he will state the number of officers, engineers, and fishermen who will be thrown out of employment by the laying up of these vessels; and whether it is a fact that the fishing-trawler fleets are generally being run at a loss?

It is not proposed to lay up any of the trawlers as long as they can be worked to advantage. The number of officers, engineers, and fishermen employed on these vessels is about 396. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what was the average cost per lb. and the catch of fish landed by the Admiralty trawlers commissioned by the Government for fishing purposes in all ports for each month of the operations; what was the average price per lb. at which the fish was sold in each month; and to what head of revenue were the profits or losses accruing from these operations credited?

In answer to the first part of the question, the figures asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend are not available, and the labour and expense which would be involved in preparing them would be entirely disproportionate to the public advantage which would be gained. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my previous reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the total number, and respective number from each port, of Admiralty trawlers which have been commissioned by the Government since the Armistice for fishing purposes; on what date fishing operations commenced; how many voyages have been made; and how were these vessels manned?

The total number of trawlers now used by the Government for fishing is 36, and they are distributed as follows:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what rates of remuneration were granted to officers, engineers, and crews of Admiralty trawlers commissioned by the Government for fishing operations; what was the approximate strength in all ports of these ratings; whether these vessels were managed by Government officials or by private managers; if by the latter, on what terms; and whether he will publish the correspondence and contracts entered into with regard to this matter?

The rates of remuneration granted were those which were current in the ports from which the vessels sailed. The total numbers employed in all ports in these vessels are, approximately:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that the recommendation of the Yorkshire District Wages Board fixing the hourly rate for female workers in Yorkshire at a figure 2d. to 3d. per hour higher than in any other part of England was passed in the absence of any representative of the employers, and at a later date was only passed by a majority Vote; whether the Order of the Central Wages Board giving effect to the recommendation of the District Wages Board was made on the incorrect assumption that the recommendation was made unanimously; what justification there is for treating Yorkshire differently from any other part of England; and whether, in view of these facts, he will invite the Central Wages Board to reconsider their recent Order?

I understand that, although the representatives of employers on the Yorkshire Committee subsequently demurred to the record (which was confirmed by the appointed members) that the first decision was unanimous, there is no dispute that some of them were present and took part in the discussion on that occasion. The Wages Board did not make an Order until after this decision had been twice confirmed by a majority Vote, so that they must have been aware that the unanimity which was said to have existed in the first instance, was not maintained. Whether it was regarded as the decision of the whole Committee or of a majority, the Wages Board are entitled to claim that they have given effect to the recommendation of the District Committee, and the only alternative open to them was to ignore the recommendation and make an Order contrary to it. The Minister is not prepared to invite the Wages Board to reconsider their decision.

As regards the third part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Ripon (Mr. Wood) on the 7th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, whether the 636 higher officials of the Disposal Board, receiving salaries from £250 to £2,400, provided for in the Estimates are still employed at a cost of about £300,000; and whether he is aware that the subordinate and clerical staff, estimated to cost £107,833, is less in number than the higher officials, which is contrary to all practice in business establishments?

The number of higher officials at present employed under the Disposal Board is 605, at a cost of approximately £257,750. The subordinate and clerical staff at present numbers 820 persons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many of the following officials of the Disposal Board, all of whom were provided for in the Estimates, are still employed, namely: 11 members of the Disposal Board, salaries from £1,500–2,400, 6 commissioners, salaries from £1,315–2,200, 10 deputy and assistant commissioners, £750–1,350, 18 controllers, £800–1,500, 6 deputy controllers, £600–1,000, 10 assistant controllers, £500–1,000, 8 directors, £600–900, 19 deputy and assistant directors, £450–700, 37 section and subsection directors, £400–600, and 153 administrative assistants, £250–350?

There are 13 members of the Disposal Board of whom 11 are volunteers, one is a Civil Servant with a salary of £1,400 plus war bonus, and one is paid a salary of £1,500. There are in addition the following officials: 3 commissioners, with salaries from £1,500–1,700; 6 deputy and assistant commissioners, £750–1,320; 14 controllers, £1,000–1,500; 9 deputy controllers, £800–1,000; 15 assistant controllers, £600–1,000; 31 directors and section directors, £450–800; 23 deputy directors and sub-section directors, £350–675; 119 administrative assistants, £300–650.

asked the Minister of Labour the annual cost at 1st January, 1919, of the upkeep of the Ministry of Labour and the labour exchanges; and the estimated annual cost of the upkeep of these two Departments at the present day?

The cost of the Ministry of Labour at 1st January, 1919, was at the rate of £3,600,000 per annum; of this total £3,050,000 was attributable to the Employment Department, which includes the administration of the Employment Exchanges. The corresponding total as estimated for the financial year 1920–21 is £5,250,000 for the Ministry of Labour, of which £3,750,000 is attributable to the Employment Department. The Employment Department performs a variety of services besides the placing of men in work, namely, the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Benefit and Out-of-Work Donation. All these figures include the cost of services rendered by other Departments, namely, the Office of Works and Stationery Office. Of the difference of £1,650,000 between the totals for the two periods, about £1,285,000 is accounted for by increases in rates of War bonus and rates of pay of temporary staff.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the officials on loan from railway companies referred to on page 39 of unclassified services 6 of the Ministry of Transport Estimates, and to whom £4,900 is paid as subsistence allowance, are paid salaries by the railway companies; and, if so, what need is there for a subsistence allowance for these officials?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to Section 7 (1) (iii) of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919. The officers referred to continue to draw their railway salaries from their respective railway companies, and the subsistence allowance is necessary to meet the extra expenses to which they are put by reason of living away from their usual home.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the competition for clerical posts in the Civil Service is not to be held until November; and whether competitors, after passing an examination and paying an entrance fee of 15s., are offered the salary of £80 per annum?

The temporary staff's competition for appointment to the Clerical Class is to be held for women on the 26th October, and for men on the 4th November. A fee of 5s. will be payable on application, and a further fee of 10s. on admission. The initial salary of £80 is exclusive of bonus, and is based on the recommendation contained in the Report of the Joint Committee of the National Whitley Council.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many cases concerning female candidates were dealt with by the Civil Service Commissioners in the year 1919; and how many women were employed upon the permanent staff of the Civil Service Commission during that period, and in what grades?

The number of cases of female candidates for appointment to the Civil Service, whether by open com- petition, by single nomination, or by competition with other nominees, which were dealt with by the Commissioners in 1919, was 16,494.

Of these, 5,471 were found in that year to be successful, and qualified for appointment.

The number of women employed on the permanent staff of the Civil Service Commission in 1919 was three, namely:

1 Superintendent of Typists.

1 Shorthand Writer Typist.

1 Typist.

There were also employed on 31st December, 1919, the following unestablished female staff:—

1 in place of a Junior (Class I) Clerk.

1 Administrative Assistant.

2 Junior Administrative Assistants.

43 in various grades of Temporary Clerks.

4 Shorthand Writer Typists of different grades.

2 Typists.

asked the Minister of Transport whether return tickets issued on a date before the raising, of fares, but available for return on a date subsequent to such raising, will have the advantage of the existing rate for both outward and return journey?

All descriptions of tickets issued before the date of any increase that may be determined upon will be honoured within the terms and conditions of their availability.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Scottish railway companies own sections of track which they do not operate; how many Scottish railway companies already running over these lines are prepared to purchase these sections of railway, and what facilities are the Government prepared to give such companies to render such transactions simple and to provide the shareholders with adequate protection; whether the Ministry of Transport proposes to either grant or continue existing subsidies to certain train services; and, if not, what action will be taken to maintain such services?

Sixteen Scottish railway companies own sections of track which they do not operate. On the general questions of policy which the hon. and gallant Member raises, I cannot add anything at present to the outline given in Command Paper 787.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the exceptional reasons which allow Kentish fruit pickers to enjoy cheap railway fares, while such are denied to Portsmouth, Southampton, and other centres?

The hon. Member would appear to have been wrongly informed. The concession in regard co cheap fares is made, not in respect of fruit pickers, but of hop-pickers, going from London to Kent, who travel under quite exceptional conditions, as I explained in reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer) on the 12th of July.

asked the Minister of Transport if, before any fares are raised in London to the disadvantage of the travelling public, he will ascertain the views of the various borough councils in the districts affected?

As regards any question of increasing fares, if the provisions of the London Electric Railway Companies (Fares, &c.) Bill becomes law, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 14th of July. If he refers to other fares in the London area, I would refer him to the answers given to-day to questions about the general increase in railway rates, fares and charges.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the tonnage of ale and porter, including empties, and wines and spirits conveyed on the railways of Great Britain during the 12 weeks ending 28th March, 1920?

The tonnage of ale and porter, including empties, charged, at station to station rates, conveyed on railways in Great Britain during the twelve weeks ended 28th March, was 287,440 tons. Particulars in regard to wines and spirits were not obtained prior to February, but for the twelve weeks ended 25th April the tonnage at rates, including collection and delivery, was 81,619.

asked the Minister of Transport why, in the Return relating to railway working,. No. 815, issued recently, he does not show the separate figures for Government traffic which were shown in the Return covering the period of the War issued last year and numbered 402; and whether he can supply the House with the actual figures for Government traffic as a separate paper?

I would refer the hon. Member to Section C of Statement 2 of Appendix A of the Return (Command Paper 815) to which he refers. He will there find the amounts in respect of Government traffic included in the receipts of the Controlled Railways of Great Britain (page 7), Ireland (page 8), and United Kingdom (page 9) for each month of the financial year

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of railway directors and employés in this country, including all grades and office staffs, who receive free residential passes, privilege tickets, and free holiday passes for themselves and families; what the total of such travelling would cost were they to pay the ordinary public fares; and whether such amount could be used in helping to clear the existing deficit in the running of the railways?

The details for which the hon. and gallant Member asks are not available, but I would refer him to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Maidstone Division for Kent (Commander Bellairs) on the 1st of July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused amongst agriculturists that Frisian cattle being carried by rail for breeding purposes are not allowed the same concession as to special rates which apply to horses; and whether under these circumstances he will have steps taken to grant this concession?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not aware of the dissatisfaction to which reference is made, and I would remind the hon. Member that the railway companies generally have never granted any concession in the charges for the conveyance of cattle for breeding purposes. It is not practicable to consider favourable any reduction in charges in the present financial position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of war wages and Sankey award, respectively, paid to miners per ton of coal produced during the first quarter of 1920?

The amount of war wage paid to miners engaged in the production of coal was for the first quarter of 1920 at the rate of 4s. 4¾d. per ton disposable commercially. The amount paid to miners during the same period under the Sankey award was 2s. 11¾d. per ton disposable commercially. These amounts cover payments made in respect of small quantities of ironstone, fireclay and other minerals raised with coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the exports of coal, giving quantities and values, during the first and second quarters, respectively, of the current year?

The quantities and the values f.o.b. of the coal exported from the United Kingdom during the first and second quarters of the current year were as follow:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade the aggregate output of coal during the 13 weeks ending 27th March and also during the 13 weeks ending 26th June; and what was the average number of persons employed during each of these periods?

The aggregate output of coal during the first and second quarters of 1920, and the number of persons on colliery books at the middle of each quarter were as follows: —

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons it was not found practicable to take any action in accordance with the recommendations of the Profiteering Sub-Committee on Motor Fuel, except so far as concerned power alcohol?

I cannot go fully into the subject in reply to a question, but the main difficulty, as indicated in the covering letter from the Chairman of the Central Committee which is printed with the Sub-Committee's Report, is our complete dependence on foreign sources of supply, the price of which we are not in a position to control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to take any action in view of the finding by a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Trusts that the Salt Manufacturers' Association, directly or indirectly, fix the selling price for 95 per cent. of the salt sold in this country, and that the sudden and marked increase in prices and profits in the year 1916 can only be attributed to the formation of this association?

The Report of the Sub-Committee appointed to investigate salt, in addition to the findings contained in the hon. and gallant Member's question, stated that prior to the formation of the association the prices obtained for salt were barely remunerative. The present situation does not seem to call for action by the Board of Trade, but the course of prices will be watched.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to his Department with regard to the seizure at Madeira of 100 tons of sugar, the property of a British firm, ex the Portuguese steamer "Mozambique"; and whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to take action to obtain payment from the Portuguese authorities and to prevent a repetition of such incidents?

I understand that the sugar in question, which was en route for Lisbon, was commandeered by the Governor of Madeira, and that the owners have been offered a price for it which they state to be substantially below its real value. The matter is under discussion with the Portuguese Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is a fact that William John March, of 77, Middle Street, Yeovil, was injured in the daylight raid of 13th June, 1917; whether he has made repeated applications for compensation without any result; whether it is the intention of the Government to grant any compensation in such cases; and when Mr. March, who is now 67 years of age, may expect to receive this help?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Particulars of injury to William John March in the daylight air raid of 13th June, 1917, have been registered by the Reparations Claims Department of the Board of Trade for inclusion in the claim of His Majesty's Government against Germany for reparation. With regard to payment of compensation, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for the Ladywood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain) on the 4th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value, nature, and quantities in each case of the imports and exports from and to Germany since the Armistice?

The compilation of the particulars asked for by the hon. Member has not yet been completed, but I hope to be able to have a statement printed in the Official Report in the course of the next two or three days.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what orders have since the Armistice been placed in this country by any of the Crown Colonies for locomotives and rolling stock, for bridge work, and for dock and harbour equipment, or for other constructional work?

A large number of such orders have been placed in this country, but it would be difficult to supply the information within the compass of an oral reply. If my hon. Friend so desires, I shall be pleased to place him in communication with the Crown Agents for the Colonies, who will be able to supply the information from their records.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the draft ordinance submitted for the incorporation of the British Guiana labour union has yet been approved; and, if so, whether he can let the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor) have a copy?

The draft ordinance has not been approved, but as I informed the hon. Member on the 6th May the Secretary of State proposed to approve, and has now in fact approved, the introduction of trade union legislation of a general character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the four Colonies which have definitely decided against granting any increase of pensions to meet the increased cost of living to retired Civil Servants who have served in these Colonies?

The Colonies in question are Trinidad, Barbados, Bermuda, and the Bahama Islands.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can see his way to give financial assistance to the purchasers of the hutments at Vron Goch Camp, Merionethshire, for the purpose of converting these huts into dwellings for the locally employed quarrymen and their families, or, failing such assistance, will he arrange for the purchase of the huts by the local rural district council for the same purpose?

I regret that I have no authority to give financial assistance to the purchasers of the hutments referred to, as they cannot be regarded as new houses, for which the subsidy under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act is intended. As regards the latter part of the question, I understand that the District Council decided against purchasing the huts.

asked the Minister of Health what are his plans in respect to the hospitals and infirmaries throughout the country who generally are, by lack of subscriptions, unable to continue their useful and life-saving efforts to the people of the country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on Thursday last.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th July, Vol. 131, Col. 2655.]

asked the Minister of Health if and when the Government intend to introduce legislation carrying out the draft convention concerning the employment of women before and after childbirth carried at the International Labour Conference at Washington last year?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 17th June to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health what is being done to safeguard the consumers of the milk imported from Denmark and Holland; if the milk is being tested for purity and quality when it reaches England; and are the farms inspected which produce the milk by their respective Governments?

I understand that a few experimental consignments of sterilised milk were imported from Denmark in the earlier part of the year, but that the undertaking proved unremunerative. I have no information of milk imported from Holland, but in either case consignments would be subject to examination at the port of entry under the Unsound Food Regulations. Samples of the Danish milk have also been examined at the Ministry of Health. There is, I believe, a system of municipal inspection of dairy farms in Denmark and Holland.

asked the Minister' of Health what has been the cost per cent. of the receipts from contributions of the working of the National Health Insurance scheme: what proportion in each case applies to workers engaged in agriculture; and the amount in the last year for which figures are available of claims paid to, and the contributions of, agricultural workers under the scheme?

With regard to the first part of the question, the cost of working the National Health Insurance scheme by the general body of approved societies represents on average about 12 per cent. of the receipts from contributions. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, the Department is not in possession of statistics as to the particulars asked for, whether in the case of agricultural workers or workers in other industries. The records required from approved societies under National Health Insurance do not afford the desired information, because those bodies are not organised according to occupation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that when the military authorities evacuate the 3rd London General Hospital it is proposed to pull it down: and whether he can take steps to ensure this hospital being retained for use as a central hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis and thus save a considerable sum of public money?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) on the 14th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Joseph Haubrich, formerly town commander of Budapest under the régime of Bela Kun, is now being tried by the Hungarian Government; whether Haubrich disarmed the Red Terror detachment of Czerny during his term of office, and is now being tried by a Government which is incapable of disarming its own terror detachments; and whether His Majesty's Government will make representations to the Hungarian Government, in accordance with the terms of the agreement signed by Sir Thomas Cunningham last July, to secure the release of Haubrich and others whose only crime is that they took office under the Bolshevik régime, and to secure the arrest and trial of officers mentioned as guilty of atrocities in the Report of the British Labour Delegation?

I am aware that Joseph Haubrich was to be brought to trial by the Hungarian authorities on charges of embezzlement and attempted murder, but I have no information as to whether this trial has actually begun, and, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the Hungarian Government have now resigned. I should be glad to learn what authority there is for supposing that Haubrich disarmed the Red Terror detachments, since he appears to have been town governor of Budapest under that same regime. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I returned to him on the 5th of this month.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Sir Thomas Cunninghame was refused permission to give evidence at Budapest in favour of Peter Agoston when his evidence might have served to save that commissary's life?

While it was considered by His Majesty's Government quite impossible to allow the British Military Attaché at Vienna to be called in person as a witness in a trial of this nature, the Allied representatives at Vienna have placed on record Sir Thomas Cunninghame's and his colleague's plea in favour of leniency towards the accused persons.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government will give the same recognition to the Albanian Government as has been accorded by the Italian Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I returned him on the 7th July.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the outdoor staff of the Chinese maritime customs formed a guild for the purpose of protecting their interests generally; and whether any, and, if so, which regulation of the service is infringed by such a proceeding?

The Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service is administered under the Chinese Government; and His Majesty's Government have no responsibility in regard to matters such as that to which the hon. Member's question refers. I have no information enabling me to answer the second part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to reports in the Press on 8th July last to the effect that the Greek troops shot down the Turkish prisoners taken at the fall of Balikessir because they were considered to be rebels and not amenable to the laws of war; and whether he will inquire into this matter?

His Majesty's Government have received no reports of this nature themselves and do not feel called upon to make inquiries as to the truth of every rumour in the Press.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Clearing House has yet agreed to any and, if so, how many of the British Clearing House claims based upon British-owned instruments of value due from German debtors; and whether he will take steps so that on the expiry of the stipulated time, four weeks hence, dis- bursements will be then made by the British Clearing House to British firms and others of what is due to them from Germany without it being necessary for them to await the convenience of the German Clearing House officials beyond the stipulated time fixed by the terms of the Peace Treaty?

The German Clearing Office has not yet notified the admission of any British claims forwarded to it by the British Clearing Office. Under the provisions of the Peace Treaty, the time limit for the admission of, or objection to, claims is three months from the receipt of notification by the debtor Clearing Office. Some of the British claims of the nature referred to in the question were notified to the German Clearing Office on the 15th May last, and some on the 8th July last; and on the expiration of three months from these dates, claims not already admitted or objected to, or in respect of which no extension of time has been agreed to by the British Clearing Office, will be paid by the British Office. Claims which are admitted by the German Clearing Office before the expiration of the periods referred to, will be paid by the British Office as soon as possible after admission. The German Clearing Office has been requested to expedite the admission of claims as far as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total, in marks, of the British-held unpaid coupons on German Government and municipal bonds received by the British Clearing House and forwarded by the latter to the German Clearing House; and if he will request the German Clearing House to confirm or reject these coupons immediately on expiry of the time limit, on 18th August next, so that official delays may be prevented?

The total value of British-held coupons in German Government and municipal bonds received from British claimants by the British Clearing Office and forwarded to the German Clearing Office is up to the present date marks 301,000. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. A. Short).

asked the Prime Minister, in the event of a further occupation of German territory being decided upon, what portion of the burden in men, money, and material will fall on the British Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether the threatened occupation of the Ruhr Valley, if the Germans do not deliver coal, will cost more than the value of the coal required?

If the German Government fulfil their undertakings there will be no question of the occupation of the Ruhr Valley.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the lack of post office accommodation at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, owing to the ever-increasing growth of the town; and if he will meet the views of the Lincolnshire Ironmasters' Association on the subject?

The Post Office building was only provided a few years ago, and an enlargement of the premises at the present juncture would not appear to be justified. The question will, however, be kept under observation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the extreme inconvenience caused to the inhabitants of the Bedale, Masham, Leyburn, Aysgarth, and Hawes districts owing to the late hour at which letters are delivered; and what would be the extra cost to restore the pre-War postal facilities to the districts named?

The mail service in the Bedale district was revised in February last. The town delivery now begins at 8 a.m. and the rural delivery at 7.15 a.m. The delivery at Masham begins at 8 a.m. At certain places west of Bedale the delivery is not made till 9 a.m. or later. The railway company are unwilling to restore the pre-War train which left Northallerton at 4 a.m., and the only alternative method of improving the ser- vice to Hawes and the neighbouring district would be to provide a road service, the cost of which would probably exceed £1,000 per annum. I fear the number of letters which would thereby be accelerated is insufficient to justify this expenditure.

asked the Home Secretary whether all police officers attached to the Houses of Parliament of 26 years' service are to be compulsorily retired on the 31st December next; and, if so, seeing the special nature of their duties, requiring long experience, he will say for what reason this step has been decided on?

No, Sir. Police officers attached to the Houses of Parliament or engaged on other special duties who are entitled to retire on full pension on or after 31st December next are to be transferred to ordinary duty so as to allow other deserving men to enjoy the additional emoluments and less arduous duties attaching to these positions. The change was decided upon at the request of the Constables' Representative Board.

asked the Home Secretary when the Return of Members elected to the present Parliament is likely to be circulated to Members?

No Return of Members elected to the Present Parliament has been ordered, and it would be contrary to the practice of recent years to grant such a Return, which could not be complete while the Parliament is still in existence. The right hon. Gentleman will remember that the Return of Members elected to the last Parliament was issued in November last.

asked the Home Secretary if a police pensioner who rejoined the Police Force at the commencement of the War, and is still serving, will be entitled on retirement to the new scale of pension?

The answer is in the negative. The men who rejoined retain their pensions in addition to their pay; and they cannot by their temporary service acquire new pension rights.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether, in view of the high prices of home-killed meat, and to the fact that the Argentine is now perfectly free of foot-and-mouth disease, he will consider the advisability of removing the present restrictions upon the importation of live cattle in this country?

Foot-and-mouth disease has existed intermittently in the Argentine and neighbouring States for a considerable number of years, and the Ministry has no evidence that it has been permanently eradicated. When the Ministry is satisfied that all danger of introducing foot-and-mouth disease has passed away, the question of again admitting animals for slaughter within 10 days of their arrival will receive consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions why no communication was made to the British commercial vehicle manufacturers of the intention of the Ministry to dispose of the Slough mechanical depot before it was sold to private interests outside the British motor industry?

The Ministry of Munitions, having received an offer which it was obviously in the interest of the Government to accept, it was decided to take advantage of that opportunity of disposing of the property without delay. The purchaser represents a purely British undertaking.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what number of mechanical transport vehicles of a weight-carrying capacity of two tons and over were included in the sale of the Slough depot; how many were of English make: and how many of American make?

No vehicles were included in the sale of the Slough depot. Approximately 11,000 vehicles of which- about four fifths were of British manufacture of a weight carrying capacity of two tons and over were surplus at the date of the sale and were included in the block sale of Mechanical Transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any of the American mechanical transport vehicles disposed of by the Ministry were acquired from the American government as distinct from those purchased by the Ministry of Munitions from American manufacturers?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is able to give figures showing comparisons of cost of shipping of American, Japanese, French, and English shipping lines between such ports as more particularly concern British trade; and what steps he proposes to take to strengthen British shippers in the need of adequately competing for the retention of the transport of British merchandise to and from various ports in the Empire?

A comparison of the running costs of lines of different nationalities serving the same routes would be very difficult to compile, and I am afraid the data are not available from which any complete statement could be framed. The question is, however, one of great interest and importance, and I can assure my hon. Friend that it is being carefully watched by the British lines concerned, as well as by the Ministry of Shipping and the Board of Trade.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of his statement on 30th June that the Control Board will be pleased to give any information possible and in view of the statement contained in the last Report as to the Carlisle experiment that a complete set of books is kept at the Carlisle office just as if the undertaking were a private commercial concern, and that an accounting system on the most modern principles has been devised, and it is doubtful whether there are many brewing firms in the Kingdom which can show a more concise and useful analysis of trading results, he is now pre- pared to give the figures as to the quantities of beer, spirits, and wine sold by the Control Board in their licensed premises in the City of Carlisle during the last three complete financial years of the Board's operation in Carlisle and also the gross takings in respect thereof during, the same period?

It would not be desirable to give details of their trading such as would not be given by any private commercial firm.