asked the Prime Minister whether he can state when the Milner Commission on the Government of Egypt will complete its Report; and, if so, when the Report will be published?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Derby (Mr. C. White) on 7th July. I am still not in a position to give the desired information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will now relax the conditions of liquor control in the Falmouth area in accordance with other parts of the constituency, in view of war conditions having ceased to exist?

I am informed by the Central Control Board that they see no reason for differentiating between the Falmouth area and the other scheduled areas of Great Britain in this matter. It has been more than once stated that the question of the drink restrictions should be considered as a whole, and that in advance of this consideration there are objections to carrying the process of relaxation further than has been done already.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Bill dealing with the liquor traffic will be introduced before the recess?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the scheme for the future organisation of secondary school cadet corps put forward by the Headmasters' Conference and Headmasters' Association has been definitely rejected, or is action on these lines being considered by the War Office; and, if so, at what date may an announcement on the subject be expected?

No, Sir; the matter is still under consideration by the Army Council. I am afraid I cannot say at present when a decision is likely to be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Second-Corporal James Jones, No. 27,331, late of the 3rd Signal Company, Royal Engineers, attached headquarters 3rd Division, served in France from the 20th August, 1914, to the 2nd October, 1914, when he was invalided home; whether Corporal Jones was informed by the Colonel-in-Charge, Royal Engineers Record Office, in his letter R9/J/10,468/526–750, dated 28th June, 1920, that he was ineligible for the award of the bar to the 1914 Star unless he could provide a certificate from an individual who was present with him at the time and places stated; whether this is directly contrary to the provisions of Army Order 361, of 1919; and if he will inquire into the matter?

Owing to an error in submitting the name of this applicant as belonging to the 3rd London Signal Company (which unit has been disbanded), he was asked to have Certificate B on Army Form W. 5124 completed. As it now transpires that the applicant belonged to the 3rd Signal Company arrangements have been made to obtain the signature of the officer commanding the unit (or his deputy) to the certificate required (Army Form W. 5125), and on receipt of this the roses and clasp will be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision that the experimental ground at Porton is to be permanent, he will take immediate steps to pay fair compensation to the landowners and smallholders who have been dispossessed?

No decision to retain this land permanently has yet been taken, so that this question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the present establishment of major-generals, colonels, lieut.-colonels, majors, captains, and lieutenants of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps; what is the excess or deficiency of establishment of each rank; are all paid the rates of their rank; what is the number of retirements of of officers from this corps by ranks since April, 1918; how many applications are now under consideration; whether he is aware that the pay and allowances of officers of this corps serving abroad in India, owing to the present high cost of food, horses, servants, forage, and bungalow rent, are totally inadequate to enable the officer to live decently; will he take up this matter with the Government of India; whether he is aware that the increase of pay lately made to officers of this special Royal Army Veterinary Corps in India is not proportionate with those of other corps; and will he take steps to remove this anomaly?

The post-War establishment of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps has not yet been finally settled. On a pre-War basis the establishment, including India, is one major-general, six colonels, six lieut.-colonels and 156 majors, captains and lieutenants. The last three ranks are grouped under one head as promotion to the rank of major is by length of service. There are at present three major-generals, two of whom are holding colonels' appointments and are included in the establishment of colonels, on which there is no deficiency or surplus. There is a surplus of two in the rank of lieut.-colonel. Two lieut.-colonels hold the acting rank of a colonel and three majors hold the acting rank of lieut.-colonel owing to the temporary continuance of colonels' and lieut.-colonels' appointments in excess of the normal requirements. Allowing for a recent increase of establishment of 30 in India there is a total deficiency of 11 in the establishment of regular officers of the corps, which is met by the employment of Special Reserve, Territorial Force and Temporary Officers. All officers are paid at the rates laid down for their rank with the exception of the major-general holding a colonel's appointment in England, who is paid as a colonel. Since April, 1918, two lieut.-colonels, seven majors and eight captains have voluntarily retired and no further retirements are at present under consideration. As regards the last part of the question, relative to rates of pay in India, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for India.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the decorations conferred upon British officers, noncommissioned officers, and men by the North Russian government in connection with the operations in North Russia have yet been gazetted; and, if not, when the omission will be rectified?

No, Sir; awards of the decorations referred to have not yet been notified in the "London Gazette" and at present it is not proposed to do so. Provisional permission to wear the decorations has, however, been granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an advertisement appeared in the press in May last for men to join the service as wireless operators and wireless artificers for the signal service; whether it was a condition that bounties of £100 and £50 should be given, respectively, on final approval to those who passed the test as operators and those who passed as wireless electricians, fitters, and instrument makers; whether there are at present in Ireland alone about 70 men who joined the Royal Engineers on these conditions; whether the bounty has yet been paid; and, if not, whether steps will be taken immediately to carry out the terms embodied in the advertisement, and the bounties forthwith paid to those paid to those men who have been finally approved?

The conditions under which these bounties were offered are as stated by the hon. and gallant Member. I am not aware that anyone who is entitled to a bounty has not received it, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can say what are the numbers of the German military forces in Eastern Germany?

According to our latest information, the strength of the German forces in Eastern Germany is estimated to be as follows:

In East Prussia, east of Polish Corridor and exclusive of the Plebiscite Area:

There are, in addition, from 35,000 to 50,000 partially armed Einwohnerwehr (Civic Guards).

Between the Polish Frontier and a line through Stettin, Frankfurt a/O. and Liegnitz, exclusive of the Plebiscite Area in Upper Silesia:

Four Reichswehr Brigades and two Cavalry Divisions from 45,000 to 50,000 strong.

Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police), 5,000.

In addition there is the partially armed Einwohnerwehr (Civic Guards) organisation, whose strength is about 150,000, according to German figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what proportion of the Turkish prisoners of war now being repatriated after captivity in India are Turks and what proportion are Syrians or normal Palestinian domicile and of normal domicile in the areas of Syria administered by the French and the Arabs, respectively?

I regret that this information is not available in the War Office. The only information which I have on the subject is that in October last the Commander-in-Chief in India reported that there were 1,000 Syrian Arabs among the Turkish prisoners of war who wished to return to Syria. After consultation with the Commander-in-Chief of the French troops in Syria, arrangements were instituted for them to return to Syria. Over 300 of them were repatriated from India early in June last.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what it is proposed to do with the large stacks of baled hay, 1918 crop, near Towcester Station, especially with the stack which has recently collapsed and is now lying uncovered in the rain; and if he will state the price per ton originally paid and the further cost per ton for baling?

I am informed that these stacks are not the property of the War Department, and that they were sold in March last to the Central Council for Civil Supplies (Forage Department).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reason why the military authorities have refused to lend tents and camp equipment to the Boy Scouts for camping purposes, as in previous years; and whether, in view of the desirability of encouraging the Boy Scout movement in every possible way, he will have this decision reconsidered?

Camp equipment is lent by the War Office to recognised cadet units only, and it is regretted that the Department is unable to extend to the Boy Scout these facilities, which involve considerable expenditure of public funds.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that many ex-service men are still unemployed, the Government will extend the period of out-of-work donation for these men, or, alternatively, whether the Government will take steps to provide suitable employment for all unemployed ex-sailors and soldiers?

The question is engaging my close attention, but I am not in a position at the moment to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state how many cases there are still outstanding in the Civil Liabilities Department, and how does this compare with the number of cases outstanding on the same date in January of this year; and how many new cases are being received weekly?

The total number of applications and appeals of all kinds outstanding throughout the Civil Liabilities Department on 10th July, 1920, was 14,731. On 10th January, 1920, the total number outstanding was 42,446. The average number of cases dealt with per week since 1st January, 1920, is 5,170.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the approximate monthly cost of care and maintenance of Admiralty trawlers not in commission; what cost has accrued by vessels thus maintained since naval crews were paid off on the cessation of active service operations; and what was the approximate average value of these trawlers in May, 1920, and in May, 1919, respectively?

I have consulted the Departments concerned, and I am advised that to answer the first part of the question would involve exhaustive inquiries and would take a considerable time which cannot in the public interest be justified in view of the present pressure of work in these Departments. As regards the last part of the question, the comparative value of these vessels in May, 1920, and May, 1919, can only be approxi- mately estimated by making allowance for the depreciation which it is customary to allow for this class of vessel.

asked the Minister of Pensions why no reply has been made to the inquiries of Captain H. W. Maydwell Kendle, of The Laurels, Victoria Road, Worthing, and to those of his former employers, Messrs. J. Wilson Browne and Sons, Limited, of Mercantile House, Birmingham, who filled in and posted Ministry Form No. 421 to the Director-General of Awards on the 13th April last, and gave further particulars on the 30th April, with regard to his application for an officer's alternative pension of £128 per annum, plus his disablement pension of £42, which he made on Ministry Form P.O. 420, and sent to the Director-General of Awards, Ministry of Pensions, Officers' Branch, Cromwell House, Westminster, on the 18th February, 1920?

The particulars supplied on the forms referred to had to be supplemented by further information, both from the officer's previous employers and from the present employer, and delay has been caused by the investigation necessary in this case. A decision has now, however, been arrived at and conveyed both to the applicant and to the employers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain-Quartermaster George Prior, Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force, who obtained a commission in 1915 and on demobilisation was refused the usual gratuity granted to officers; whether he can state on what grounds this gratuity has been refused; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter?

Captain Prior was a Poor Law official who received a commission when the Workhouse of which he was Master was taken over as a military hospital. Officers of this category are ineligible for gratuity as provided in paragraph 2 of Army Order 406 of 1915. I regret that no exception to the rule can be made in favour of Captain Prior.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under Army Order 325 of 1919, the increase paid to pre-War pensioners who re-enlisted in His Majesty's Forces during the War only applies to those who re-enlisted in the Imperial Army; whether he is aware that there is a considerable sense of injustice among pre-War pensioners who reenlisted in the Forces of the Overseas Dominions and who are not eligible for the increase; and whether he can state what the increased cost to the public would be of putting the pensioners who re-enlisted in the Overseas Forces on the same basis as those who re-enlisted in the Imperial Forces?

I am aware of the limitation in Army Order 325, but am unable to give an estimate of the cost of relaxing it in the manner suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state why certain officers who belonged to the Reserve of Officers and who were liable for Army service, who wished to rejoin for the War yet were not allowed to do so, since they were holding positions considered of a character to warrant these officers being retained for such special duties, have been excluded from the increased rates of retired pay granted by Royal Warrant; whether the Army Council concurred in these officers continuing to occupy their peace-time posts; and whether, since the services rendered by these officers were held to be equivalent to the paid military service mentioned in the Royal Warrant, their retired pay may be re-assessed?

Re-assessment of pension, both for officers and men, depends on the duties actually performed, and if these do not satisfy the terms of the Royal Warrant as to paid military service, re-assessment is refused. I regret no exception can be made to the rules, but if the hon. and gallant Member would let me have details of the particular cases he has in mind, I shall be happy to have them looked into.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, although the welfare supervisors in the Issue Office are responsible for the cleanliness of the office, the cleaners, all of whom are women, are under the control of a male messenger; and whether he will consider the advisability of making a more satisfactory arrangement?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the facts. The supervisor of the cleaners at Pension Issue Office is a woman.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any of the 11 Irish prisoners have been re-arrested who were released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for III Health) Act, 1913, between the middle of April and 21st June?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the officer responsible for the death of Mr. Sheehy Skeffington is now on service under the Crown; and, if so, in what position?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to Captain Bowen-Colthurst. This officer does not hold any Army appointment, and, so far as I am aware, is not serving under the Crown.

asked the secretary for Scotland, in view of the fact that section 16, sub-sections (1) and (2), of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, can he put into operation without reference to any alterations of the age for leaving school, if he will state what is the intention of the Government with regard to naming a day for putting into operation these two Sub-sections?

The question of bringing into operation these Sub-sections has been engaging my right hon. Friend's attention, and he is now awaiting the result of investigations, which it is hoped will enable him to make an announcement on the subject at an early date.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he proposes to publish the Report of the University Grants Committee with reference to the basis on which grants should be made to the Scottish universities; and, if so, when publication may be expected?

I have been asked to take this question. I am informed that the Committee have just completed their visitations of all University Institutions in England, Scotland, and Wales, and are preparing a Report which they hope to submit to the Treasury, if possible, towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he considers the labour conditions adequately satisfactory in Indian cotton mills; and does he propose to take any steps in the matter?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 10th March to the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. J Davison), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what numbers of Armenian refugees are at present in Cyprus; what sums are being disbursed for their maintenance; and upon what Vote such sums are borne?

The total number of Armenian refugees who have so far been transported to Cyprus by permission of the Government is 700, all of whom are orphan children or persons attending them. The Lord Mayor's Fund for the Belief of Armenian Refugees has undertaken full financial responsibility for these refugees, so that no charge should fall on either Cyprus or Imperial revenues.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether M. Pierre Struve, Adviser on Foreign Affairs to General Wrangel, has been received at the Foreign Office; and, if so, was he received in any official capacity?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the claims of the Japanese Government which justify the retention of Japanese garrisons at various points in Eastern Siberia; and whether His Majesty's Government is in negotiation with the Japanese Government on this subject?

In regard to the first part of the question, I am not in a position to make a statement on Japanese policy in Siberia, which, so far as I am aware, has not been the subject of formal pronouncement of the Japanese Government. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether all the Czecho-Slovak troops have now been transhipped from Eastern Siberia; if not, how many are still there; where are they stationed; and whether they are taking part in any hostilities?

There is approximately one Czech regiment between Harbin and Vladivostock, and 7,000 troops in the latter place; the last Czech troops are due to leave Siberia early in August. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amount of Customs dues has been collected by the Government of Palestine, on behalf of the Government of Damascus, at Haifa and other ports in Palestine since the Armistice; and what amount has been remitted to Damascus on this account?

No Customs dues have been collected at Haifa and other ports in Palestine on behalf of any other government than the administration of Palestine.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. H. Wyatt, a chief examiner of Customs at Shanghai, was forced to resign by Sir Francis Aglen, the inspector-general, on the grounds that he had assisted to form a guild for the protection of the interests of the outdoor maritime staff and that he refused to divulge the names of the members; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to Mr. Wyatt's reinstatement and the recognition of the guild?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. J. Davison) from which it will be seen that the matters referred to in the present question lie outside the province of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large deficit on the railway accounts, he will take steps to enable and encourage the railway companies to reduce expenditure so that part of the large threatened increase in fares and rates may be obviated?

The effecting of economies both in working and expenditure, is receiving the constant attention of my right hon. Friend, but cannot prevent the immediate necessity for an increase in fares, rates, and charges. The proposals for the future working of the railways contained in Command Paper 787 are made with a view to progressive economies in future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider, as a preliminary step towards a restoration of adequate coastwise services, the abolition by various railway companies of the special and unremunerative rates at which port-to-port goods and merchandise are carried, and the substitution of the same scale of charges as applied to inland traffic, seeing that the result of such action would be to encourage coastwise services, thereby relieving congestion on the railways and enabling coasting vessels to provide an efficient and economical service?

In the terms of reference to the Rates Advisory Committee on the interim revision of railway charges, published in Command Paper 815, they are asked specially to advise the Minister if, having regard to the information obtained in the course of the inquiry they are at present engaged upon, they are able to do so, what increases should be made in the exceptional rates charged by the railway companies in consequence of water competition. The subject is an exceedingly difficult and complex one, as millions of rates are affected, and until the report of the Committee is received I cannot say whether it will be possible to deal with the matter in this revision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the question of increasing the amount of superannuation payable to railway ser- vants who have been retired before and during the control of the railways; whether the companies have consented to meet him; and when such meeting is likely to be held?

I am not in a position to add anything to the statements I made in Debate and to answers to questions put to the Minister on the 14th of this month and on previous occasions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he can now state that the activities of the Ministry in regulating shipping have come to an end; and, if so, when the Ministry will be wound up?

The powers which were conferred on the Shipping Controller under the Defence of the Realm Act terminate at the end of August. Though licences have still to be applied for, none are refused unless there is special reason for the refusal. All the special rates of freight laid down for Government cargoes have also been withdrawn in view of the present position of the freight market. The other functions and duties of the Shipping Controller, which are very considerable, still remain, and I can only assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is the intention and desire of the Shipping Controller to bring the Ministry to an end at the earliest date possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will state the cost, the number of persons employed, and the amount of coal dealt with for each of the years 1917, 1918, and 1919 through the Coal Control Office at Bute Docks, Cardiff;

(2) if he will state the estimated cost of the Bute Docks Coal Control Office for 1920, the number of persons now employed, and the anticipated amount of coal to be dealt with; how many inspectors are there; and what salaries they receive?

The office of the Coal Mines Department at Bute Docks, Cardiff, was not opened until 1919. In that year, during which the work was almost entirely confined to questions effecting bunkering of ships, 10 persons were employed, and the total cost was £1,702. As the hon. Member is aware, the Government recently found it necessary, in order to safeguard home supplies, and to ensure the success of the policy of de-controlling the inland distribution of coal, to place further restrictions on the export of coal, and the staff at this office has consequently had to be considerably strengthened. It is estimated that the cost of the staff, which at present numbers 28, will be £6,000 for the year 1920. Of this staff, four are in charge of branch offices, and 12 are outside inspectors. The outside inspectors are paid salaries varying from £234 to £312 per annum.

In 1919 the amount of coal dealt with was 26,109,000 tons, and it is anticipated that this year the amount to be dealt with will be 21,000,000 tons. But the amount of the export gives no indication of the proper comparison of the work involved. The policy of restriction has necessitated a system of rationing between the collieries who export coal and the countries to which the coal is exported, and it is the duty of the Coal Controller's export representative in South Wales to see that the system of rationing is properly adhered to, and that the total allocation for the area is not exceeded. There is no desire to set up an unduly elaborate organisation, but the Government must see that the policy which they have felt it necessary to adopt in this matter is properly carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that numerous small collieries in the neighbourhood of Hamsterley and North Durham are working short time, and in some instances have closed down owing to the fact that coal cannot be got away from the pithead; whether he is aware that a large number of trucks have been standing loaded for a number of weeks, and that tons of coal are lying at the pithead deteriorating for the want of trucks; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter?

I am aware that the owners of certain small collieries in North Durham have been experiencing difficulties in disposing of their output, but the matter has been taken up with the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committee concerned, and it is hoped that the arrangements made will prevent any recurrence of the difficulties.

asked the Home Secretary whether application has been made to the Home Office by a gentleman interested in the scientific study of colliery explosions to view a set of four plans which were put in at the coroner's inquest on the Woodham Colliery explosion on the 13th August, 1916; If he is aware that the applicant has been informed that the plans can be seen if the consent of the owners of the colliery has been obtained; can he say if such consent is necessary; and is it in the public interest that the Home Office should place difficulties in the way of the study of these disasters?

The answer to the first three paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. The original plans put in by the owners at the coroner's inquest are not in the possession of the Home Office. There are some tracings of plans in the Home Office, but these come within Section 20 of the Act, which directs that plans obtained by the inspector may be used for official purposes only. The Home Office has no desire to withhold any plans, but in this case it has no power to produce them to private individuals without the owner's consent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what steps, if any, have been taken to check profiteering on the part of manufacturers and wholesalers; how many cases have been brought before the Central Profiteering Committee; and in what number of cases have charges of profiteering been substantiated against manufacturers and wholesalers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him yesterday in reply to the same question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the output of commercial shipping in the chief building countries of the world in the first half of 1920, giving both the number of vessels and the gross tonnage?

I will very shortly be able to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number and total gross tonnage of the merchant vessels launched in this country during the first half of the present year. I regret that no corresponding figures relating to any other country appear to be available yet; but when they are, I will communicate them to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue as a White Paper the text of the Bill recently introduced by the Italian Government for the appropriation of all mining rights in Italy and her colonies and securing a State monopoly in the mining industry, with joint administration by the workers?

No information has up to the present been received concerning the Bill to which the hon. Member refers, but I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if His Majesty's Government are still of opinion that the development of the synthetic dye-making industry in the United Kingdom is a matter of great importance; and, if so, whether he is now able to make any statement as to the steps which he proposes to take to assist that development?

The experiences of the War made it apparent that the existence of a strong synthetic dye-making industry is a military necessity, and essential to the defence and security of the United Kingdom, and pledges have on several occasions been given that steps would be taken to protect this industry for a time, so as to enable it to be placed on a secure foundation. All the various alternative methods of fostering the industry have been considered, and the opinion of the Government is that assistance can be most effectively given by the prohibition of the importation of synthetic dyestuffs except under licence. An undertaking has already been given to this particular industry that this course will be adopted, and accordingly proposals to that effect will be embodied in a Bill relating to key industries which will be introduced and proceeded with as soon as possible. In carrying out this policy it will be the object of the Government to facilitate the working of the trade as much as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present working hours as fixed by law in each of the Allied and in each: of the late enemy countries, and at the same time compare them with those similarly fixed before the War?

I have been asked to take this question. Steps are being taken in the Labour Ministry to collate the information desired by my hon. Friend, and I hope to be in a position to supply it before long in the form of a Parliamentary Paper. In the meantime I shall be happy to place at my hon. Friend's disposal (should he desire it) copy of the Report on Item I. of the Agenda of the International Labour Conference held at Washington last year. As he is no doubt aware, that Report deals with the situation existing at the time of publication as regards the application of the principle of the eight-hour day or forty-eight-hour week in the principal countries of the world.

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated con- sumption during 1919 in the United Kingdom or, in the alternative, England and Wales, of bread, butter, margarine, tea, milk, sugar, butcher's meat, and bacon and ham, and also the estimated expenditure by the consumers thereon.

The following is the information for which the hon. Member asks:

On the available data, which, however, are no longer as complete as were those for the period of more direct control, the total consumption in the United Kingdom of the foodstuffs named for the year ended 31st December, 1919, has been estimated as follows:—

The values of these total quantities at the average retail prices prevailing were approximately as follows:—

The values quoted for bread and flour are exclusive of the Government subsidy on wheat.

These sums, of course, must not be taken as identical with the volume of actual retail sales, since an unknown proportion of the articles named entered into the production of other foodstuffs, or for other reasons did not form the subject of retail sale.

asked the Minister of Food whether Mr. Jesse Grumpier, of Longlands, North Coker, Yeovil, has yet been paid the sum of £51 due to him in respect of the cost of mechanical transport of milk to London during the railway strike last October?

As stated in my reply to the question on this subject by the hon. Member on 9th June last, the milk received by the Ministry from Mr. Crumpler during the strike was paid for on the 10th December. This payment included the cost of railway transport actually incurred. No other milk was supplied to the Ministry by Mr. Crumpler under the London milk scheme. It is understood that Mr. Crumpler sent certain milk privately to London by road transport. This was outside the Ministry scheme, and the Department cannot entertain any claim in respect of it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is receiving representations from associations of allotment holders praying for security of tenure to be afforded to the allottees; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The Ministry is continually made aware of the desire of allotment associations and allotment holders for security of tenure. Absolute security of tenure for allotment holders can only be secured by the land being purchased by the local authority or by the allotment holders themselves, but the capital value of land in the neighbourhood of a town, due to its value for building, is, as a rule, too high to enable the land to be purchased for allotments, inasmuch as the allotment holders cannot afford to pay a rent based on the cost. In such cases the only alternative is to hire the land until it is required for building, in which case it is clearly impossible to guarantee the allotment holders absolute security of tenure.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether in accordance with their regulations for the award of scholarships to pupils in secondary schools, such scholarships will be limited to pupils in receipt of grants from the Board of Education; and, if that be so, whether the offer can be extended to pupils in secondary schools upon the Board's recognised list which may not be in receipt of Government grants?

Under the regulations recently issued by the Board of Education for the award of scholarships to pupils in secondary schools, such scholarships will be limited to pupils in schools which are in receipt of grants from the Board. I am not in a position to extend the offer to pupils in secondary schools which are not in receipt of Government grants.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the total expenditure on education in Great Britain from national and local funds respectively in 1913–14; what is the estimated similar expenditure for the current year 1920–21; and what it is estimated the total annual expenditure on education will amount to when the developments provided for in the Education Act, 1918, have come fully into operation?

The total expenditure of the Board of Education in 1913–14 was £14,380,000; the expenditure of Local Education Authorities out of rates in that year was £16,395,000. The Board of Education Estimates for 1920–21 amount to £45,755,000; the Local Education Authorities' estimates of rates to be raised by them in 1920–21 amount to £31,716,000. The Local Education Authorities are now engaged in preparing schemes under the Education Act, 1918, showing the mode in which their duties and powers under the Education Acts are to be performed and exercised. This procedure will bring present and prospective expenditure under consideration and afford better material than has hitherto been available for a comprehensive review, but at the present stage I cannot anticipate the results of the deliberations of Local Education Authorities as to the needs of their areas, the educational developments which they will propose, and the time within which they will carry them out. For information with regard to Scotland, the hon. Member should address an inquiry to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the expenditure now estimated for expenditure on education in 1920–21 may be regarded as final or whether further undefined and indefinite expenditure may be expected in this behalf?

I do not anticipate any excess on the Education estimates for the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state why women doctors who were serving at home on whole-time contracts, but were told off to attend female units such as Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, have been refused the income tax concession which was granted to other persons who were doing work of a military character; and if he will take the necessary steps to see that the matter shall be adjusted?

Civilian doctors, whether men or women, detailed to attend units such as Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in this country, cannot be regarded as entitled to the Income Tax reliefs which under Section 42 of the Income Tax Act, 1919, were allowed to sailors, soldiers and other s who performed service of a naval or military character in connection with the War.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what steps have been, or will be, taken to indicate to the public which issue or issues of Treasury notes are to be called in before 1st September, and the manner in which such notes will be collected?

The terms of the Treasury Order calling in Currency Notes of the first and second issues have already appeared in the Press, and notices are being exhibited in banks and money order offices. The notes called in are all issues of Currency Notes except the present £1 note of the large George and Dragon design and the 10s. note of the Britannia design; and the called-in series may be presented at the Bank of England or Ireland or any Post Office Money Order Office.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at a conference of local authorities of the county of Monmouth on the 31st May last a resolution was carried in favour of the payment of compensation to members of local authorities for loss of remunerative time incurred by them in attending to their official duties; that it was decided to ask him to receive a deputation on the subject; that on a request for an interview being put before his Department by the Bedwellty union a reply was received that, inasmuch as he proposed to introduce a Bill for the payment of reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence allowance to members of local authorities, there would be no advantage in receiving the deputation; whether he is aware that, in view of the probability of the terms of the proposed Bill not being in harmony with the resolution of the conference, it is still felt desirable that the deputation should be received; and whether he will reconsider this matter and receive the deputation at a convenient time?

The Resolution to which my right hon. Friend refers has not been sent to me, but I now understand that the object of the proposed deputation is to press for legislation to authorise the payment of compensation to members of local authorities for the loss of remunerative time. The Government have decided, in accordance with the advice they received from the consultative council on public health administration, not to introduce legislation for this purpose, and I do not see that anything would be gained by the attendance of a deputation to discuss the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state how many aliens have been permitted to enter this country since the Armistice, specifying their country of origin?

I must refer the hon. Member to the Return of Alien Passengers to and from the United Kingdom during the first quarter of this year, which has been laid on the Table. A similar Return for the second quarter will be laid shortly. As regards the period between the Armistice and the beginning of the present year, it has not been possible to compile figures in similar form.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his Department is taking over, by permission of Lord Richard Cavendish, the ruins of Furness Abbey; and what in that case will be the Regulations for the admission of the public?

A proposal has been made by Lord Richard Cavendish that the Commissioners of Works should become guardians of Furness Abbey, and negotiations are still proceeding. No decision has been arrived at in regard to the Regulations for the admission of the public.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that, while taxi-cabs are prohibited from taking fares through Hyde Park, licensed cars owned by private motor garages are allowed to do so; and, in view of the fact that a considerable source of income is thereby lost to licensed cabs, if he will remove this restriction?

I am aware of the Regulation to which the hon. Member refers and do not consider it desirable, in the public interest, to make any alteration in the present Regulations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why Members of Parliament are denied any free copies of Acts of Parliament they are responsible for passing, except in the volume of Statutes at the end of each year, and which they are almost daily required to give information about to their constituents; and will the Government arrange for at least one free copy of every Act being supplied to Members on request?

I will arrange for copies of Acts as passed to be placed in the Vote Office, one free copy being available for any Member on request.