asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fall in the values of practically all commodities since Government decontrol and of the prices ruling in this country for wool, sugar, and wheat, he will arrange for de-controlling these prime factors in the cost of living not later than 1st October of this year?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The hon. and gallant Member is incorrect in assuming that the removal of control, wherever attempted, has resulted in an immediate fall in prices. As regards the first commodity mentioned in the question, the immediate effect of the de-control of wool in the early part of last year was a rapid and substantial rise in prices, which did not commence to decline until April, 1920. Prices are still considerably above the last controlled prices. As regards the next commodity, sugar, there is still a world shortage of supplies of 3½ million tons, compared with pre-war production, and I am satisfied that the immediate removal of the present system of control, which economises consumption and restricts competition among purchasers, would not be to the interest of the British consumer. As regards wheat, as far as the British farmer is concerned he will obtain a free market for next year's harvest, but the complete de-control of wheat is not practicable so long as the bread subsidy is continued. The merits or demerits of de-control as regards any commodity depend essentially upon the question of supplies. The policy of the Ministry of Food is to de-control as soon as we are satisfied that supplies at reasonable prices are assured for our own people. Where these conditions are realised absence of control and freedom of competition tends to lower prices. Where there is a shortage of supplies, increased freedom of competition among purchasers has the opposite effect. In some cases the fall in price anticipated at the time of de-control has been realised as the result of better supplies. In other cases prices have risen. As regards home products the necessity of encouraging home production is a factor which receives the fullest consideration at our hands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the findings of the Profiteering Committee appointed to inquire into the price of soap?

The Sub-Committee appointed by the Central Committee under the Profiteering Acts to ascertain whether any combine exists in the soap industry is still taking evidence, and I am at present unable to say when the Committee will be in a position to make its Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to publish the Report of the Central Profiteering Committee on sewing cotton; if not, whether it will be issued before the Recess; and whether it will be issued in its original form or as modified in consequence of the representations made by Messrs. J. and P. Coats?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for West Leyton, Whitechapel, and Consett on the 19th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to publish the Report of the Central Profiteering Committee on building materials; and, if not, whether it will be issued before the Recess?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say whether the results of the inquiry into the profiteering in building materials will be published before the Adjournment?

As I informed the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on 19th July, the Sectional Committees investigating building materials have found it impossible to complete their Reports until more detailed statements of costings have been received from the accountants, and while everything possible is being done to expedite the issue of the reports, I am unable to make any definite statement as to the date of their publication.

Can the hon. Gentleman say definitely will it be issued before the Recess?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Report of the Sub-committee of the Central Profiteering Committee was published in a form other than that in which it emerged from the Sub-committee in question?

If the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of the Sub-committee and Report to which his question relates I will cause inquiries to be made, and will communicate the result of the inquiries to him.

asked what precedent exists for the publication of a Report in a form other than that in which it finally left the hands of the body which drew it up?

If the hon. Member refers to Reports issued by the various Sub-committees of the Central Committee under the Profiteering Act, I would remind him that in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the Profiteering (Amendment) Act, 1920, the decision whether a report or any part of a report shall be published rests with the Board of Trade. In no instance, however, has any alteration, other than a merely verbal alteration, been made in any report without the Committee which made the report being first consulted; and in all cases in which any alteration of substance has been made, the Committee which made the report has agreed to the alteration.

Has any alteration been made in the Report of the Sub-committee on Sewing Cotton?

I cannot give any further answer, but I will make further inquiries if the hon. Gentleman has any doubt as the accuracy of the reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what punishment was inflicted in each of the cases in which convictions for profiteering have been obtained;

(2) whether the penalty of imprisonment has been inflicted in any one of the cases in which convictions have been obtained for profiteering?

On the 30th June last convictions had been obtained and fines imposed in 128 prosecutions under the Profiteering Acts. The following are the particulars of the fines imposed:—In three cases fines of £100; in seven cases fines of £50; in one case a fine of 25 guineas; in 12 cases fines of £25; in one case a fine of £22; in seven cases fines of £20; in one case a fine of £18; in five cases fines of £15; in one case a fine of £12; in 15 cases fines of £10; in one case a fine of £8; in three cases fines of £7; in 35 cases fines of £5; in three cases fines of £4; in five cases fines of £3; in one case a fine of £2 10s.; in thirteen cases fines of £2; in 12 cases fines of £1; and in two cases fines of 10s. In no case has a sentence of imprisonment been imposed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to remove all control of price in respect of the 1920 flax crop in Ireland and to permit complete freedom of export?

His Majesty's Government do not propose to extend the control they have exercised over the price of flax in Ireland to the 1920 crop, and I hope it may prove possible to remove the present prohibition on export.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the situation in Ireland, he will take an early oppor- tunity of stating what is the Government's last word with respect to its policy in that country, more especially in the direction of ascertaining whether there is any chance of compromise with the more moderately minded men in the island?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Leader of the House on Monday last to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil (Mr. A. Herbert) and to the statement made by the Chief Secretary on Thursday last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered opening negotiations with the heads of the Sinn Fein movement in Ireland, with a view to an armistice and an eventual settlement?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state to the House the nature and effect of the communication which he is stated to have made to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby on the Irish question?

I can add nothing to the statement which I made on Thursday last to a deputation introduced by the right hon. Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas), a full report of which has been published in the Press. May I just say here that I very much regret that, in my absence, the right hon. Gentleman made a reference to something which had passed at the deputation, it having been agreed that an official report would be published. It may be impossible to receive these deputations unless the understanding which has been always honourably adhered to up to the present be observed—that there should be no communication with respect to the deputation except the agreed report, which is always issued after the deputation.

May I ask whether, in fact, the Government are opening negotiations or pourparlers with any section of opinion in Ireland?

No; I made that quite clear to the right hon. Gentleman when he came to me. I said I regarded him as representing no body of opinion in Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister if the statement made by the Chief Secretary for Ireland that there is to be a determined and organised attempt to establish an Irish Republic by means of murder and intimidation, is based upon special knowledge within the knowledge of the Government; if so, whether it is the intention of the Government to place this information before the House, so that they may be in a better position to discuss the measures about to be introduced to deal with the position in Ireland, and to judge of their adequacy; and if he will state whether the Government have definitely decided not to introduce martial law, even though the present campaign of murder and outrage cannot be checked by the present policy of pacification?

I have been asked to answer this question. I cannot add anything to the statement I made in the House on Thursday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will withdraw the Bill for the Government of Ireland now under discussion by the House, and in its place introduce a Bill to set up a constituent assembly in Ireland to be elected by proportional representation, to which the duty of formulating proposals for the Government of Ireland shall be entrusted?

The answer is in the negative. The Government greatly regret that it has been found impossible to carry the Government of Ireland Bill before the Adjournment, but it is their intention to press it forward with all possible despatch when the House re-assembles.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the whole of the Catholic workers have been driven from their employment; whether these workers will be given full compensation during the time they are out of work; and whether immediate steps will be taken to reinstate them in their employment with adequate protection against further victimisation?

These and other questions have been handed in during the last hour, and I have done my best to get adequate answers. I have no information in my possession other than what has appeared in the Press as to the statement in the first part of the question, but I will make inquiry. The Government cannot assume any liability for compensation in respect of wages in the circumstances indicated, but every protection possible will be given to workers, irrespective of creed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that even in the last two days these workers have been refused reinstatement in their work and that large organised bodies are gathering and preventing them from engaging in their work? What precisely is the position of the Government in regard to these matters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the condition of affairs in the Falls Division in respect of mills in which a large number of Protestant workers are practically besieged? Moreover, is he aware that in many instances these workers have been seriously maltreated?

May I also ask if it is true that two sailors have been killed in defending a coastguard station in Ireland?

I regret to have to say that two marines were shot in defending the coastguard station. In answer to the question of the hon. Member for the Falls Division of Belfast, I am not aware that all Catholic workers have been debarred from returning to their employment in Belfast to-day. I am aware that in Belfast the most bitter sectarian trouble has been going on for days, and I shall do my best to protect all workers, irrespective of creed.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give particulars of the attempts made to fire St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church at Ballymacarret and the Convent of the Cross and Passion in Bryson Street, Belfast, and what steps he has taken to protect these places, in view of the repeated attempts to burn and destroy them, and what action is being taken to defend Catholic institutes and other buildings in Belfast from attack by these organised mobs?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information with regard to the murder of a police sergeant while at prayer in church yesterday?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two Protestant churches were attacked and seriously damaged several months ago by Sinn Feiners, who have adopted a most provocative attitude in this respect?

Nobody could be more aware than I am of the bitter sectarian trouble which, as the supplementary questions show, is reflected in this House. The authorities are doing everything in their power, assisted by well-disposed persons of all parties, to prevent public disorder. An attempt was made, at 12.45 a.m. on the 24th, to set fire to the building by use of petrol, oil, and straw which had been collected underneath the ballroom at the rear of the hotel.

You have got the wrong answer.

4.0 P.M.

Yes. I only received notice of these questions within the last hour. I cannot, I am sorry to say, give any fuller details with reference to the fire at St. Matthew's Church or at the Convent of the Cross and Passion in Bryson Street, Belfast. I am aware that these buildings were attacked and that fires were struck, but everything was done, first, to prevent the fire, and, secondly, to extinguish it. I regret that, having received these notices within only an hour, I cannot give further particulars.

Did not these occurrences take place three days ago, and should not the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give the information to the House? I would have raised these questions on Friday, but there was no Motion for the Adjournment, and I could not do so. [ Interruption. ] If you think that you can howl me down in this way you are mistaken.

Fifty-one police murdered, and not an arrest made!

The hon. Member (Mr. Devlin) has handed in to me several questions. Will he kindly put the next one?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an organised mob set fire to the Grand Hotel, Bangor, a holiday home for working women and girls; whether he is aware that the burning of these premises was the result of a deliberate conspiracy; whether warning had been given during the day that the place would be burned; whether a motor car, carrying a patrol of sixteen men arrived fifteen minutes before the fire was discovered; whether nearly 100 women and girls escaped from the burning building owing to the action of the fire brigade and a small band of military; whether the crowd tried to prevent some volunteers from helping to suppress the fire; whether, notwithstanding repeated warning to the authorities that attacks were to be made on this building, no adequate protection was given; whether any arrests had been made, and what steps are being taken now to protect this and other Catholic property in Bangor from destruction?

An attempt was made at 12.45 a.m. on the 24th July to set fire to this building. The attempt failed, as the blaze was noticed immediately and the police, fire brigade, and townspeople succeeded in extinguishing the fire. The total damage done amounted to £200. It had been rumoured that this building would be attacked, and a police patrol was in view of the place when the attack took place. As I have said, the police took part in extinguishing the fire. I have no information about the other statements in the question. Every effort has been made and will be made to give protection to everybody. No arrests have yet been made, so far as I know, for this particular attack, but nearly 200 arrests have been made in the last few days in connection with the outbreaks in the Belfast area.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not a sectarian or political institution, but simply an institution to give a holiday to the mill working women and girls of Belfast; whether the military were there until Sunday and were then taken away; whether the staff of the institution were threatened that if they remained they would be murdered, and why the military were taken away?

I have had no notice of that question. At the present time the only questions which can be properly asked are those of which notice has been given to me.

On a point of Order. Am I not entitled to ask, since the military were placed there for the protection of this building, why they have been withdrawn? I think I am entitled to ask that question.

I am not aware that the military have been withdrawn.

I am.

The damage to the building amounted to the small sum of £200, and no persons within the hostel were injured. I agree that there is nothing sectarian, so far as I know, about the building or the inmates. I regret the attack, especially as my hon. Friend is one of the trustees of this hostel, which is doing very beneficent work for the poor girls in that area, but I would remind my hon. Friend that Bangor is not the only part of Ireland where these serious occurrences have taken place, and that the forces of the Crown, both police and military, have a very difficult task to preserve order throughout Ireland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Bangor is the only place in Ireland where infamous attacks have been made upon women? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

May I, in answer to that last question of my hon. Friend, say that the most infamous attacks on women have been made in the South and West of Ireland.

And the hon. Member said nothing—not a word!

I regret attacks on women or on men, and I am glad to say that no attack was made on any of the inmates of this particular building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole place was covered with petrol, and that the women were got out of the premises shortly before the fire took place?

The hon. Member asks questions on a number of details. The Chief Secretary has already said that he has not the information.

He ought to have it.

A great many people ought to have many things which they have not got.

On a point of Order. May I, as an Irish Member representing the other side, ask a Supplementary Question?

Mr. MacVeagh.

On a point of Order. Having regard to the fact that there has been a long series of most dreadful outrages in Ireland for many months past, what is the particular urgency of these questions which enable them to be put by private notice?

Most of these questions relate to disturbances in Belfast, which, I understand, are still going on, or which, at all events, were still going on yesterday, and they seem to be urgent questions. That is why I allowed them.

Does that ruling mean that any of us will be at liberty at any time to put a question by private notice with regard to an outrage in Ireland?

We have had them almost every day.

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland who is in command of the troops in Belfast and what is the general position of Brigadier-General Hackett Pain, who is Chief of the Staff of the Carson army?

The hon. Member has asked a question of which he did not give me notice. He has added words which I should not have passed.

With all respect, I submit that I am perfectly entitled to put the question, because it can be proved, and proved by the records of this House.

The hon. Member submitted to me a question which did not contain the words in the question which he has asked. I should not have passed the question had it contained those words. Therefore, I must request the hon. Member to proceed to the next question.

Do I understand that you refuse to allow me to ask who is in charge of the forces of the Crown in Ulster at the present time?

No; I refuse to allow the hon. Member to ask a question of which he did not give me notice. The Rules of the House say that notice must be given of any question which it is proposed to ask after a Quarter to Four o'clock. The hon. Member has added words which were not in the original question which he submitted to me. I must therefore ask him to proceed to the next question.

I am quite willing to take out the words to which you take exception, and to ask the question without them.

I must ask the hon. Member to proceed to the next question.

Then I decline to put any further questions.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government are giving their sanction to the enrolment of the so-called Ulster Volunteers, whether such an intervention by a political, sectarian, and armed organisation will not be a serious usurpation of the functions of this Government, and an addition to the already numerous sources of disorder in the north of Ireland, and whether the Government will not immediately suppress any such movement?

I have no knowledge of any enrolment of the Ulster Volunteers.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman, seen the newspapers? Has he not seen in the daily newspapers in this country that the call to report has been issued to these men?

I do not accept as accurate all the reports which I see in the newspapers in Ireland.

Do you accept them if they appear in the newspapers in England?

The hon. Member for the Falls Division (Mr. Devlin) has given me notice that he desires to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House. Will he do so?

On a point of Order——

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must really allow me to conduct the business.

On a point of Order.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman rise to a definite point of Order?

Yes. Was I not entitled in the course of these last questions to put at least one Supplementary Question, having tried many times? May I put it now? Is the Chief Secretary aware, with regard to these sectarian outrages, that the great majority of the Protestant people of Ulster look upon these attacks on Roman Catholic churches and institutions with the most complete disapproval and reprobation?

Yes, that is entirely true, and I have received the greatest support from leaders of all creeds and all parties in the North to assist the authorities in putting down these disturbances.

Does not that prove that it would be better to let the Irish people manage their own affairs?

At the end of Questions.

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the grave situation which has arisen in Belfast in consequence of the attacks on the lives and property of Catholics in that city and the surroundings and of the inadequate measures taken by the Government to deal with the situation."

The pleasure of the House not having been signified, MR. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and not fewer than 40 Members having accordingly risen :—

The Motion stood over, under Standing Order No. 10, until a quarter-past Eight this evening.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons of all grades, male and female, are employed in the very large range of buildings in Stamford Street and the adjoining thoroughfares, in connection with the Enemy Debts Clearing House and Reparation Claims Department; and whether he will take steps to reduce the operations of these two Departments at the earliest moment after the expiry of the period stipulated by the Peace Treaty so that the range of offices may be vacated, and the cost of offices and staffs, whether borne by the State or by the British creditors, materially curtailed?

The total numbers of the staffs employed on the 15th instant in the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts and the Reparation Claims Department at Cornwall House are as follow:

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the expenses of this Department will be provided by Germany?

I should like notice of that question.

Is it not a fact that British creditors are paying 2½ per cent. commission towards the upkeep of the staffs of these offices?

I should not like to give an answer offhand. I would rather have the question on the paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many factories have actually closed down during the past year through labour troubles?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks cannot be given, as it is not possible to determine the extent to which labour troubles, as distinct from other considerations, have influenced decisions to close factories.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the precise words of the communication made by the Government to the synthetic dye-making industry with regard to the fostering of the industry by the prohibition of the importation of synthetic dyestuffs except under licence?

On the 15th May, 1918, the then President of the Board of Trade stated in this House:

"There is a further proposal, and that is that, in order to safeguard this particular industry against the efforts which the great German dye-making firms are certain make after the War to destroy all we have accomplished during the War and to make this industry again subservient to Germany, we will adopt a course which I believe I am right in saying was carefully considered by a Cabinet Committee of the last Government and recommended to and approved by the Government of that day, and which has since been approved by the present Government. It is that importation of all foreign dye-stuffs shall be controlled by a system of licences for a period of not less than 10 years after the War."

The announcement of policy contained in this statement was quoted in the pro- spectus of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, dated the 18th July, 1919, with the approval of the Board of Trade.

May we take it that there has been no subsequent communication on this subject, and that there is no anticipation of legislation in this House?

There was an announcement which appeared in the papers, I think, not many days ago.

I ask for the precise words of that communication. The hon. Gentleman has given me something in 1918.

I am sorry I misunderstood the question. I will try to get an answer to the question just put.

May we take that this control will not be commenced except after legislation by this House?

Does the fact that the announcement was made in the prospectus of the British Dyes Corporation mean that this is binding on the Government?

I take it as an undertaking the Government gave, and that they are bound to observe it so far as they gave it.

Will it be possible to start control without legislation here?

Is it not a fact that at the time the assurance was given it was stated that in all cases where the Government gave financial assistance to the dye industry there should be a limitation of dividends?

I cannot give an answer to that without notice. I cannot say for certain whether it was so in all cases or not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of any movement in the direction of American interests acquiring British shipping; and whether he will take all necessary steps to prevent British shipping passing from British ownership and control?

I am not aware of any such movement as is suggested by the hon. Member in the first part of the question. The transfer of British ships to foreign flags is governed by the provisions of the British Ships (Transfer Restriction) Acts, and no such transfer can take place for three years after the War, except with the consent of the Board of Trade or of the competent authority in the self-governing Dominions or India in the case of vessels over which they have jurisdiction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the imports of foreign toys for the five months, January to May, 1920, amounted in value to £880,000, of which £457,000 represents the imports from Germany and £250,000 imports from Japan; and, if so, whether he will give effect to the undertaking of the late President of the Board of Trade that, if it was evident that a considerable amount of toys was entering this country, he would consider means to check their importation?

According to the information supplied to me by His Majesty's Customs, toys and games (not of rubber or leather) to the value of £866,000 were registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the period specified, of which the consignments from Germany and Japan accounted for £460,000 and £146,000 respectively. The statement attributed in the question to the late President of the Board of Trade is not entirely accurate. The substance of what he said was that if an industry was being overwhelmed by an undue importation of goods at prices altogether below the cost of production here—owing to the collapse of exchanges—the Government would consider means to check their importation. I am watching the situation, having these considerations in view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was in answer to a specific question on the subject of toys that the late President of the Board of Trade made the statement referred to; and will the hon Gentleman consider the fact that this is a matter which seriously interferes with the employment of ex-soldiers?

I am aware of that, and my right hon. Friend is considering the question.

How are we to be paid for our own exports if we prevent imports coming into the country?

May I ask when it is proposed to introduce the Imports and Exports Bill, and if by that Bill the import of foreign materials will be controlled?

I should like notice of that question.

Has the hon. Gentleman heard of the date of the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Bill, or any whisper of it?

I have heard many whispers of it, but not the date of introduction?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that great numbers of people in this country cannot procure toys for their children at the present time owing to the expense?

All relevant considerations will be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether British-held unpaid coupons off German Government Bonds, representing interest accrued for the six months 10th July, 1919, to 10th January, 1920, are to be encashed by virtue of Article 296 of the Peace Treaty through the British Clearinghouse, while similar coupons off similar Bonds unpaid for a similar period of six months from 12th July, 1919, to 12th January, 1920, are not to be encashed; if such is the case, since the British Clearing-house is asking for the deposit of British-held coupons falling due not later than 10th January, 1920, will he consider the loss resulting; and will he discuss with the proper authorities the advisability of encashing coupons for the broken period up to 10th January, 1920, so that unpaid coupons falling due up to, say, 1st February, 1920, may not be ruled out for the five and one-third months' unpaid accrued interest?

Under the Treaty, only debts which became payable before or during the War, that is to say, prior to 10th January, 1920, can be preferred through the Clearing-office. It is regretted, therefore, that the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend cannot be adopted. Coupons of the description referred to falling due for payment after the 10th January last are payable direct to the holders by the German Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is now an embargo on the importation of Canadian cattle; and, if so, can he state the approximate date of its removal?

The Diseases of Animals Act of 1896 forbids the landing in this country of animals from any country except for slaughter at the port of landing within 10 days. No legislation to amend the above-mentioned Act is at present contemplated by the Government. The only exceptions admissible under the Act are with regard to animals intended for exhibition or other exceptional purpose. In such cases stringent quarantine is enforced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement as to the negotiations with the Miners' Federation with regard to the claims for increased wages and a reduction in the price of coal?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have given any reply to the claim of the miners in respect of the increased wages and reduced price of coal; and, if so, what are its terms?

My right hon. Friend has arranged to meet representatives of the Miners' Federation at 4.15 o'clock this afternoon, and I cannot, of course, anticipate the result of that meeting.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the local Coal Controller at Grangemouth has refused to allow the ss. "Pollie" and "Allie" to sail with waste material out with the Coal Controller's control, and that the said steamers are now under demurrage, involving heavy loss to the charterers; whether he will instruct the local controller at the said port to immediately release the said steamers and their cargo;

(2) whether he is aware that 13 ships are lying at Grangemouth on demurrage, and other 12 ships have just sailed light after waiting for cargoes of duff, much of which belongs to landowners who are not coal owners; that the said duff was originally rejected at the pits and binged because it was not coal; and whether he will immediately issue instructions that this export of a waste material, useless in this country, the sale whereof for export is of great advantage to the exchange and trade of the country, shall no longer be hindered at the instigation of the coal exporters?

As regards the first of these questions, I will have inquiries made concerning the cases of the two vessels referred to, and will let the hon. Member know the result. With regard to the second question, I regret that I cannot add anything to the answers I have recently given to the hon. Member.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a very large trade in waste material which is not used in this country, and that it is being strangled at the Scottish ports by the local Control Committees, although the material which is loaded in the ships in practically every case comes from waste deposited many years ago which does not in any way affect the coal supply?

I have told the hon. Member in answer to a question that a certain amount of this duff is allowed to be exported and the matter is in the hands of the local Coal and Coke Committees. I cannot say any more than that at present.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me why this duff, which is rejected at the pit head because it is not coal and which is left lying abandoned, is dealt with at all by the Coal Controller, and why he does not allow this vast quantity of duff, which is perfectly useless, to be exported?

The distribution is in the hands of the local committee. There were difficulties about the export before, because some people took advantage of the permission to export duff and exported what was real coal under the guise of duff. That was the reason why investigation had to be made and control had to be put on.

Why not deal with the people who break the law? This is not coal at all, but duff.

It counts as coal, and as much as possible is allowed to be exported under the direction of the local committee.

Some of it has been lying there for fifty years, and it could not be sold as coal. It is no more coal than sand is.

What is "duff?"

It is pit material rejected.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is a British Railway Mission in Roumania; if so, will he state how it is composed; what are its duties; whether any motor cars are allotted to it; and what is the monthly expenditure involved to the State in connection with it?

There is a British Railway Mission in Roumania consisting of one senior attaché, two attachés, one clerk one interpreter and one chauffeur. Its duties are to supply information to His Majesty's Government in co-operation with His Majesty's Legation at Bucharest in regard to such questions as may arise as to the execution of the clauses of the Peace Treaties dealing with freedom of communication and transit and with territorial and other problems, the transportation aspects of which are frequently of the utmost importance. One motor car is allotted to the use of this Mission. The monthly expenditure involved is £393. The question of reducing the staff and therefore the expenditure is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether any men, stores, or munitions have been sent from Batoum to the forces operating under General Baron Wrangel in South Russia and the Crimea; if so, on what dates were these sent; what shipping was used for this purpose; and what were the cricumstances under which this was done?

As I told the House on the 12th of June, with the exception of certain arms destined for the Armenians, no munitions have been despatched to the Black Sea for General Denikin, General Wrangel or any other Foreign force from this country since the 24th January last or from Egypt since the 20th February last. It appears that some of the stores forming part of the final consignment for General Denikin could not be landed at Novorossisk in March and were directed from there to Batoum and subsequently to the Crimea. This was, of course, before the assumption by General Wrangel of the offensive which he undertook contrary to our advice.

On what date were these munitions sent to Batoum?

Why did the right hon. Gentleman tell me exactly the reverse of that the other day?

No, I did not. What I said was that we had sent no munitions from this country after February. As a matter of fact, we have not sent any munitions from this country since January. We sent some from Egypt in February, but I was not aware of that when I made the statement. They were sent to Batoum, and afterwards from Batoum to the Crimea, but that is all that happened, and I am very glad to make that explanation, so that there shall be no misapprehension about it.

I did ask whether munitions had been sent from Batoum to the Crimea, and the right hon. Gentleman said "No" in the Debate.

I agree. I was not aware of that fact, but all I meant was that nothing had been sent from this country, and only machinery had been sent from this country in January that had to be sent to Batoum, and from Batoum onwards. I am very glad of the opportunity to explain this.

May we take it that no more is to be sent without the leave of this House?

It cannot be, because it was under the sanction of this House that it was sent, and that expired on the 31st March; and we certainly should not do so now.

Has the Soviet Government made particular complaint about this, and has the right hon. Gentleman explained to the Soviet Government why this happened?

I am not sure whether they have or not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet any information as to the arrest and deportation of the trades union leaders at Batum by the British military forces?

Certain Labour leaders in Batum who were engaged in Bolshevik intrigue, and were attempting to cause a general strike, were arrested and interned at Chanak, where they are being well treated as political prisoners. Arrangements are now being made for their release. The arrests were made by order of the Military Governor of Batum, who was empowered to take any action he might consider necessary to ensure the proper execution of the duty entrusted to him in the name of the Supreme Council, namely, the security of the town and its inhabitants. With the small force at his disposal, the task of maintaining order in the event of a general strike would have become practically impossible, and the safety of the troops themselves would have been gravely imperilled.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this arrest took place, and also whether the military commander there referred the matter home, and asked for an opinion before he took this drastic step?

I do not think I could answer that without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these trade union leaders will not be released until our Naval prisoners at Baku have been released?

That is a question for the Georgian Government. Now that Batum has been handed over to the Georgian Government, we are communicating with that Government as to whether they want them back or not.

asked the Prime Minister what were the reasons which induced His Majesty's Government to bring away the last of the British troops from Batum, and so abandon, to whatever fate may befall them, the Armenians in the Caucasus who maintained a fight as our Allies in those regions throughout the War?

British troops were originally retained in Batum to hold the town in trust for the Allies until a satisfactory solution as to its ultimate disposal should be found. This has now been done, and the town has been handed over to Georgia on conditions which were specially framed with a view to safeguarding Armenian interests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the retirement of the British has been immediately followed by the joining up of the Russian Soviet force with the Turkish Nationalist force in the South?

That is not our information. I doubt whether that is accurate.

asked the Prime Minister whether General Wrangel has formed a de facto Government; and, if so, whether the Supreme Council of the Allies has made any communication to General Wrangel with regard to the future recognition of that Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, to the second part in the negative.

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that statement with the one made by M. Millerand in the French Chamber, in which he said that in certain eventualities the Allies would recognise General Wrangel's Government?

I do not think he said so.

I can show the right hon. Gentleman the statement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been called to the suggestion in the Press that, in the event of Mr. Santeri Nuorteva, the Finnish subject who has been deported from the United States for seditious activities, being assisted to return to his native country, British officers now imprisoned in Russia should be made the victims of reprisals; and if, in these circumstances, he will state what action exactly has been taken by the authorities here with regard to Mr. Nuorteva?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would, however, point out that there has been no intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to send this gentleman to Finland, as he had himself requested to be despatched to Soviet Russia, via Latvia and Esthonia. This is now being done. A telegram has been sent to the Soviet Government informing them of the facts.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is able to give the House any information as to the fate of the British prisoners at Baku; whether it is a fact that 50 British subjects are confined in one room which is described as a veritable "Black Hole," full of vermin, and that they are fed twice a day with a bucket of soup and black bread, and that there is much illness amongst them, and whether, in view of their extremity, the Government will take immediate steps to secure their liberation and safe conduct out of Russia?

We have no confirmation of this report, but, although Baku is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Aserbaijan, we are again in communication with the Soviet Government on the subject.

Shall we receive the Russian representatives here before these unfortunate people are liberated?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has undertaken any liability, direct or indirect, to provide any grant or loan to the Greeks in connection with their offensive in Turkey?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether any of the Draft Mandates for any of the mandated territories will be ready in time for their submission to the Council of the League at their forthcoming meeting at San Sebastian?

It is not likely that the Mandates will be ready for submission at the San Sebastian Meeting, the reason being that in the case of the B and C Mandates it is thought desirable to submit them, not piecemeal, but en bloc, and that agreement on some important points remains to be secured; while the A Mandates are not yet in a sufficiently forward condition to admit of their being laid.

Do the great Powers submit mandates to the League of Nations? Is submission the real attitude?

The great Powers are on the League of Nations, and they are only submitting to themselves.

Are we to understand that the next holiday outing of the Allied delegates will be at San Sebastian?

I thought the question referred to the League of Nations, and the League of Nations has to meet somewhere. What does the hon. Member propose?

May I suggest Black-pool?

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to invite Germany to become a member of the League of Nations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question on the 24th of June. I cannot forecast a decision which, under the Covenant, must be made by the Assembly of the League.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative in suggesting to the Assembly of the League that they should now issue this invitation to Germany; and does he not think that if the invitation were now issued, it would greatly strengthen the hands of the German Government in carrying out the Peace Treaty, which, in his own words, they show an earnest desire to do?

The next few weeks will show whether the German Government represents Germany in the declaration it made at Spa that it intends to carry out the Treaty. If Germany shows it is really making an effort to carry out the Treaty, more particularly in regard to disarmament and coal, then I have no doubt at all the Allies will regard very favourably a proposition of that kind, but I think, first of all, Germany must give a clear indication that she is making a real effort.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table Papers in reference to the action of the Council of the League of Nations on the Aaland Islands question?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dropping of the undeveloped land tax, he will consider what other means may be found to make lands available to private persons desiring to use it; and whether, in particular, he will consider the introduction of legislation whereby a would-be user of land may be enabled to bring his claim before a court in the manner at present open to a public body?

Under the Land Acquisition Act powers are now given to local authorities to acquire land for any object which is of public importance.

Does that not mean that the prices to be paid will be higher in consequence?

On the contrary, having regard to the fact that the price of land has gone up, the prices paid under that Act have been exceedingly satisfactory.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the trouble already experienced with Arab tribes in Mesopotamia, instructions will be issued that no British or British-Indian system of government shall be introduced, but that the Arab inhabitants shall continue to enjoy their immemorial freedom on the payment of a light and easy tribute, no greater than that levied by the Turks, to the Government established by the British in the area which they have undertaken to govern?

I cannot add anything to what has already been said in regard to the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter.

Will it not be a great pity if money is spent in making ourselves unpopular and the Arabs uncomfortable.

asked the Prime Minister whether any responsible Arabs in Mesopotamia have been consulted as to the formation of an Arab State; whether any Arabs are at present associated with the British Government there; and if he will explain who is responsible for the tragic absurdity of British troops being attacked and killed by Arabs when the policy of the Government is to establish an Arab State?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 22nd July.

Did not General Sir Stanley Maude, in March, 1917, tell the Arabs that the British came there as liberators and not as conquerors, and who is responsible for all this great delay in setting up the Arab State, which has now lasted for three years?

The reason is that the Turkish Treaty has hot been signed. I have explained briefly to the House why we have been unable to bring the Turkish negotiations to an earlier termination. If they had been, I have no doubt the Arab state would have been organised a long time ago.