asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what amount of prize money has been distributed up to date; and when it is expected that the remainder will be paid.

Up to the 30th September, the sum of £3,000,000 has been authorised to be paid in respect of prize shares. It is anticipated that the present issue will be practically completed early in 1921.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of granting an addition by way of bonus to the pay of officers and men in the Royal Navy in order to meet the increased cost of living, as has been done in the case of salaries and wages in civil life?

The question of the adequacy of the emoluments of officers and men in the Royal Navy is one that will not be lost sight of.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has decided to reinstate to Section B, Army Reserve, such reservists as were discharged therefrom as disabled but have since ceased to be pensionable on being assessed at a nil degree of disablement; and whether he will grant the application for reinstatement of ex-Bombadier G. Tart, No. 64289, Royal Field Artillery, submitted to the War Office on 23rd September by the Officer Commanding Royal Field Artillery Records, Woolwich Dockyard?

This question is under consideration and I regret I cannot make any announcement on the subject at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether ex-Private C. P. Curtis, No. 2632, Army Ordnance Corps, discharged medically unfit, blind, in 1898, Pension No. C442, whose pension has hitherto been received from Regimental Paymaster H.S.L., Army Service Corps, Woolwich Common, is entitled under the new order to an increase of pension; and, if so, to what amount?

This ex-soldier's pension has been increased from 2s. a day to 3s. a day.

askd the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the pre-War Pensions Act grants certain allowances, on the income limit of £200, to pensioners with one or more children; and can he state if the word "child" covers an orphan grandson, aged nine years, living with and wholly dependent on a pre-War pensioned grandfather?

The effect of the Pensions (Increase) Act is not quite as stated in the question. Pensioners who are widowers or widows and have one or more children under 16 years of age dependent on them are treated as married persons for the purpose of assessing the increases for which they may be eligible under the Act. A widower whose sole dependant is a grandson under 16 years of age cannot be regarded as a married person within the meaning of the Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions the reason for the prolonged delay in awarding a pension to Thomas Henry Cooke, No. 134625, Royal Air Force?

I have caused enquiry to be made into the facts of this case, but have not yet received the information. As soon as I am in a position to do so I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of British expenditure upon reconstruction and relief in nil parts of the world since the date of the Armistice?

Under Sub-head "B" of the Vote for Loans to Dominions and Allies, 1919–20, the sum of £12,500,000 was provided for relief and reconstruction in war devastated areas. From the Vote of Credit, 1918–19, and Sub-head "A" of the Vote for Loans to Dominions and Allies, 1919–20, sums amounting to £15,283,000 were advanced after the Armistice to the Belgian Government for relief and reconstruction, including a special reconstruction credit of £9,000,000. Part of the sums thus allocated which were undrawn on 31st March, 1920, were re-voted under Sub-head "B" of the Loans to Allies, etc., 1920–21. This Subhead also contains a provision of £10,000,000 for relief to Austria and Poland in fulfilment of the undertaking given by His Majesty's Government to provide the equivalent of half of any sums provided by the United States Government for urgent relief requirements up to a maximum of £10,000,000. Up to the present nearly halt of this sum has been expended under the supervision of the British Delegate on the International Relief Credits Committee which is sitting in Paris, and the programme to be covered by the balance of the grant is at Present under consideration.Under the Vote for Export Credits, 1920–21, the sum of £2,000,000 was provided for advances to British exporters of the United Kingdom on goods shipped to certain countries in Europe and bordering on the Black Sea.The Overseas Trade (Credit and Insurance) Act, 1920, authorises the Board of Trade to grant credits and undertake insurance for the purpose of re-establishing trade between the United King- dom and the countries concerned within the limit that the aggregate amount outstanding in respect of credits shall not at any time exceed the sum of £26,000,000.In addition to these general schemes, His Majesty's Government have incurred expenditure upon relief in various parts of the world. For example, we have undertaken to share equally with the United States of America the cost of repatriating Czecho-Slovaks and other friendly troops from Siberia. The estimated expenditure on this service under Sub-heads "G" and "H" of the Ministry of Shipping Vote and Sub-head "F" of the Supplementary Estimate for Miscellaneaus War Services amounts to about £1,400,000. On the withdrawal of General Denikin to the Crimea large numbers of Russian refugees took refuge in Cyprus, Egypt, and Lemnos, etc. In order to save these refugees from starvation, considerable expenditure was incurred by His Majesty's Government, the sum of £400,000 being provided under Sub-head "C" of the Miscellaneous War Services Estimate. During the presence of British troops in Archangel and Murmansk food was imported for the civilian population which was entirely cut off from the outer world during the winter months. The sum of £2,190,000 was voted for this expenditure under the Miscellaneous War Services Supplementary Estimate, 1919–20. Heavy expenditure has been incurred on the maintenance of Assyrian and Armenian refugees who fled before the Turkish troops into occupied territory in Mesopotamia in August, 1918. This expenditure has been met from a Vote of Credit and Army Votes to a total (up to 30th September) of approximately £3,940,000. Similarly expenditure was incurred after the occupation of Syria and Palestine upon the relief of refugees and destitute persons (including Armenians concentrated at Port Said) to a total of about £575,000. Finally, His Majesty's Government have informed the League of Nations that they will ask Parliament for authority to contribute not more than £50,000 towards the first £250,000 immediately required by the League for combating typhus in Poland provided that four other nations are willing to subscribe an equal amount, and they will also propose to Parliament a reasonable contribution to the further £1,750,000 required by the League provided that other nations are willing to take the same course.These various contributions may be summarised as follow:

	£
1. Grants and Loans to Belgium for Relief and Reconstruction	15,283,000
2. First Relief Credit	12,500,000
3. Second Relief Credit	10,000,000
4. Repatriation of Czecho Slovak Troops from Siberia	1,400,000
5. Maintenance of Russian Refugees	400,000
6. Supply of foodstuffs for North Russia	2,190,000
7. Export Credits	2,000,000
8. Relief of Assyrian and Armenian Refugees in Mesopotamia	3,940,000
9. Relief of Refugees and destitute persons in Syria and Palestine	575,000
10. Grant to League of Nations for relief of typhus in Poland	50,000
	£48,338,000

It is very difficult to make a comprehensive statement of this kind absolutely complete, but the above may be taken as including all the most important items of relief expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is able now to supply the House with further information regarding the heavy casualties in July last to the Manchester Regiment in Mesopotamia?

asked the Secretary of State for War what information he can give regarding the fate of the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment reported missing in Mesopotamia in July last; whether there is any hope of their being alive; if so, where they are and how they are being treated; and if he has any information as to Lance-sergeant E. Fryer, No. 79581, and Private T. Howard, No. 88725, of the same unit, both reported missing?

On 30th July, the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, reported that a small column had been heavily attacked near Hillah on the 24th, and that a total of 205 British other ranks were "missing." The majority of these were understood to belong to the Manchester Regiment. On the 9th August, 78 non-commissioned officers and men of this regiment were reported as known to be prisoners in Arab hands. Subsequent reports as to the treatment of British prisoners have been to the effect that they were well treated by the Arabs. A report received on the morning of the 20th inst. stated that 79 British prisoners were brought in by the Arabs on 19th October and handed over to the 55th Brigade Column. No reports as to their condition have yet been received. The fate of the remainder of the missing men is unknown, and I regret that no further information has been received in the War Office concerning the two soldiers mentioned in the last part of the question by the hon. and gallant Member for Moss Side.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of British and Indian troops at present employed in or under orders for Mesopotamia; whether he is aware of the public feeling both in India and this country against the continuance of the military occupation of Mesopotamia; and when it is proposed to affect the withdrawal of these large forces from that country?

The first part of this Question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War. As regards the second part, the Secretary of State for India is aware of the existence of feeling in India as to the prolonged employment of Indian troops in Mesopotamia, and will give it due consideration. The remainder raises a large question of policy which is still under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has already been taken upon the Report of the Esher Committee; and what further action is contemplated?

The main and fundamental recommendations of the Esher Committee are being considered by the Secretary of State for India in Council, and will in due course come before His Majesty's Government. The report also contains many recommendations of a minor character unconnected with questions of general policy or principle. Action is being and will be taken on these recommendations individually by the authorities in India after consultation, when necessary, with the Secretary of State in Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any distinction is made in paying pensions out of the Bengal Civil Fund to the various annuitants; whether some are paid at sterling rate while others benefit from the rise in value of the rupee; and, if so, why?

Bengal Civil Fund annuitants who are resident in India receive the fixed rupee rates of pension laid down in the rules, and those resident in England receive the fixed sterling rates laid down in the rules. These rates are independent of the rise or fall in the value of the rupee, and are guaranteed by 45 and 46 Vict., cap. 45.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether pensioners of the Indian finance uncovenanted service have benefited by the rise in the value of the rupee; and, if so, on what grounds this benefit is refused to annuitants who are receiving pensions from the Bengal civil fund?

The former pensioners receive pensions granted in rupees which are payable at a minimum rate of 1s. 9d. the rupee in the case of pensioners residing out of India. So far as the value of the rupee has exceeded that rate, the pensioners have benefited. Bengal civil fund annuitants receive pensions under the rules of the fund at fixed sterling rates if residing in England, and at fixed rupee rates if residing in India.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of his staff in the Whitehall office, stating the numbers of male and female employés; the total weekly cost; and the lowest and highest salary paid?

The total staff employed at the War Office headquarters (including outlying branches), on 1st October was 6,025: this total is made up of the following:—

Civilian
Male	…	…	…	3,806
Female*	…	…	…	1,537
				5,343

Military
officers	…	…	523
Other ranks	…	…	159
			682
			6,025
* This figure includes a large number of shorthand-typists, typists and charwomen.

The approximate weekly cost is: Civilian, £31,400; military, £8,500. Total, £39,900.The lowest salary is £52 10s. a year (boy messenger), and the highest salary is £5,000 a year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on the second floor of the Liver Building, Liverpool, the Admiralty are still renting large office space for a department known as the War Vessels Production Department; how many war vessels have been produced in Liverpool during the past 12 months; and whether he is aware that his Department are threaten- ing to commandeer additional offices to extend?

In July, 1917, the Admiralty commandeered an area of floor space on the second floor of the Royal Liver Building to provide office accommodation for the Director of Warship Production. In April, 1919, some of this space was surrendered. To meet the wishes of the owners, the Royal Liver Friendly Society, the Admiralty recently arranged to give up a further 110 square yards. When this is effected, the area of space then held in the Liver Building, Liverpool, will be about 116 square yards, and proposals are under consideration for hiring separate accommodation which, when obtained, and the necessary work of alteration is executed, will enable that occupied by the Director of Warship Production in the Royal Liver Building to be surrendered. There is no intention to commandeer additional offices; in fact, the Admiralty ceased to commandeer any property soon after the Armistice. While no war vessels have been delivered from the Liverpool yards, yet some have been delivered from Barrow and other yards in the district. The occupation of offices is, however, necessitated by the great volume of work involved in settling up the remainder of the ship constructive and material questions left by the various departments—now disbanded—set up by the Controller of the Navy during the War to provide the enormous fleet required.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many employés are engaged in the London offices of his Department; the total weekly cost; and the lowest and highest salary per year?

With regard to the first part of the question, the number of employés engaged in the London offices of the Admiralty on the 1st October, 1920, was 6,315. With regard to the second and last parts of the question, the total weekly cost is £38,575, while the lowest and higher salaries are £48 5s. 1d. and £5,000 per annum respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many are engaged in the London offices of his Department; the total weekly cost; and the lowest and highest salary per year?

The total staff employed at the Ministry headquarters numbered 2,474 on the 16th October, 1920. The weekly cost is approximately £16,900, the highest and lowest salaries being £3,500 and £60 respectively (including war bonus).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he has been able to continue the policy of reducing the staff of his Department; and whether he can afford the House any idea of the staff which it will be necessary for him to keep at the Ministry as a normal staff?

The policy of reducing the Ministry staff has been continuously and progressively applied, and the number of staff in every Department is kept under constant revision. As stated in a reply given in this House yesterday, the present Headquarter's staff numbers 3,261 as against 4,585 on the 1st July last and 25,144 on the date of the Armistice. In view of the fact that the demobilisation of the staff will be continued pari passu with the contraction of the work of liquidation and of the disposal of surplus Government property, none of the staff will be retained as a normal staff.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish figures showing how the Ministry of Transport is only costing the nation a quarter of a farthing in the Income Tax?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The estimated yield of Income Tax (including Super-tax) for 1920–21 at a standard rate of 6s. is £385,000,000, as shown in Table XII of the Financial Statement, 1920–21 (House of Commons Paper 70). On this basis, one-sixteenth of a penny would represent £334,890. The Ministry of Transport estimates covering the whole provision for administrative expenses is £323,642, including the cost of performing the duties transferred from the Board of Trade and other permanent Departments.

asked the Minister of Health on what grounds his Department have refused to sanction the conversion of a military hut into a dwelling for the district nurse at Polegate after they had requested the Disposal Board to release it for this purpose, and after a letter had been sent to the hon. Member for Eastbourne from his Department stating that the Ministry of Health would be prepared to sanction the acquisition of Army huts for conversion into houses under the Housing Acts?

I have already seen my hon. Friend on this matter and have made an arrangement which I hope will overcome the difficulty which has arisen.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the export of cement from this country is causing a shortage of that material on building jobs at present proceeding; and whether he is prepared to place an embargo on the export of cement at the present time?

I have been in communication with the manufacturers and I hope that the arrangements made will be adequate to secure a suffieient supply of cement for housing schemes and thus obviate the necessity for restricting export.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons who have committed suicide since the termination of the War and the percentage of ex-service men included therein?

The number of persons who have committed suicide in Great Britain during the period from the last quarter of 1918 to the first quarter of 1920, both inclusive, is 5,219. No statistics are available as to what number or percentage of those persons were ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate total sum to be raised throughout England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, by means of local rates during the six months September, 1920, to March, 1921; what the amount was for the period September, 1913, to March, 1914; and what sums out of those totals are in respect to expenditure that comes under the separate headings of housing and education?

As regards Scotland, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland. As regards England and Wales, the information asked for in the first part of the question will not be available until I have received the annual returns from the Local Authorities in respect of the current year. In some places the rates have not yet been made. I may say that for some time past I have been making detailed inquiry into this matter and I propose at an early date to lay before the House a paper showing the total amount raised by rates in recent years in England and Wales, the amounts in the pound of the rates in certain places for the year ending in March next, and the two previous years, together with information as to the causes of the increases in rates. With regard to housing, as the hon. Member no doubt is aware, the local burden is limited to the proceeds of a penny rate.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large increase of salaries and bonuses paid by Poor Law unions to their officials, he will take steps to increase the contribution made to Poor Law authorities under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1888?

I am aware of the increase in salaries and war bonuses paid to poor law officers, but the grant could not be increased without legislation, and it would not be practicable to deal with the particular point referred to at the Present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the large increase in salaries and bonuses now paid to officers and officials of poor law unions, the present contribution received through county councils under the Local Government Act, 1888, is totally inadequate; and if he can make arrangements forthwith for the full amount paid in salaries and bonuses to be refunded?

May I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. T. Wilson), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish the Report, or at any rate the main recommendations, of the Consultative Committee to whom he recently referred the question of the cost to local authorities of appearing before local inquiries in the matter of county borough extensions?

Since the receipt of the Report referred to, I have issued revised instructions, of which I will send the hon. Member copies, with a view to simplifying and cheapening the procedure. In these circumstances I scarcely think it is necessary to publish the Report.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the great and wasteful expense to local authorities of presenting and opposing schemes of county borough extension before a local inquiry, and in view of the overwhelming opposition shown by the local authorities in the area included in the proposed extensions of Leeds and Bradford to such inclusion, he will postpone the granting of any inquiry into these proposals until some indication has reached him of the desire of the ratepayers in the areas affected to accept the proposed change?

The provisions of Section 54 of the Local Government Act, 1888, under which applications are made for the extension of county boroughs, require me to cause a local inquiry to be held unless for special reasons I consider that the application ought not to be entertained. This case does not appear to present any special features and I have no power to adopt the course suggested.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of wheat, sugar, and butter held by the Government at the last ascertainable date; and are the prices bought at higher than to-day's, and if so, by how much?

I regret that it is impossible for me, as has been more than once stated in reply to similar questions, to publish figures of stocks of commodities of which the Government is still a buyer. I can, however, give the House the assurance that the stocks of wheat and sugar are adequate; and that, as regards butter, while this is notoriously in short supply, the Ministry holds considerable stocks. It is expected that throughout the winter the present rate of distribution will be maintained and may possibly be increased.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Blackpool bakers are charging Is. 6d. and Bournemouth bakers are charging Is. 5d. per loaf; and whether he proposes to allow these charges to be made?

In the first few days following a change of policy, there are bound to be considerable variations in the price of bread in different localities. At Blackpool the price has always been higher than in Lancashire generally. I understand that in Bournemouth the price varies from 1s. 4d. to Is. 5d., and, if this is so, it is probable that the lower price will ultimately prevail. The Food Controller is watching these local prices very closely, and should the protection afforded by the Profiteering Act prove to be inadequate, he will consider the advisability of fixing local or national maximum prices,

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated human consumption of wheat for the United Kingdom in quarters for the cereal year 1920–21; what is the estimated weekly consumption; how many weeks will the home product supply; and what will be the balance required from abroad?

The estimated weekly consumption of wheat for the United Kingdom is 630,000 quarters. It is still premature to furnish estimates as to the home production of wheat, and the percentage of total consumption which home-grown grain will provide. It is, therefore, impossible at the present juncture to state what will be our requirements of imported wheat during the cereal year 1920–21.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping the number of railway wagons owned or controlled by his Department; what reasons, if any, he can advance why they are more usefully employed under the control of his Department than they would be if controlled by the Minister of Transport; if he will give particulars as to the time railway wagons owned by his Department were under-load, empty, and in transit, for the four weeks ended 20th June, 1920, the four weeks ended 18th July, and for the past four weeks, respectively; and what number of wagons have been lying idle in the Chepstow district within recent months?

There are about 160 wagons at the National Shipyards, on loan from H.M. Office of Works used on transport of goods and material over railway company's lines and internally. It would be impossible without the expenditure of a very great amount of time to give particulars of the time during which each wagon was under load, or empty and in transit during the periods mentioned, but during the four weeks to the 20th June, to the 18th July and the last four weeks, 151, 87, and 46 wagons were in use loaded and in transit, and 79, 59, and 66 empty and in transit respectively. These particulars refer only to railway company's lines. The wagons were used also for internal work. In addition to the 160 wagons on loan from the Office of Works, there are also 96 wagons, not passed by the company for main line use. These wagons have not been used for several weeks, and their ownership is being investigated; those belonging to private owners will be returned, and others will be declared surplus and handed over to the Disposals Board.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the factory workers in the textile industry in the Dunfermline, West Fife, and Kinross districts are being heavily hit by the increases on workmen's fares; that these increases vary from 75 per cent. to 133⅓ per cent.; and whether, especially in view of the fact that work in the industry is slack and the workers are unable to earn higher wages to meet the high cost of living, consideration will be given to the possibility of altering these increases to a uniform 75 per cent. above pre-war rates?

The fares now being charged for workmen's tickets are in accordance with the new scale recommended by the Rates Advisory Committee after careful enquiry, and subject to the stipulation they recommended that no increase should exceed 200 per cent. and the further important limitation made by the Cabinet that no increase should exceed 2s. per week. The scale, subject to these limitations, is in operation throughout the country and the hon. Member will, I am sure, realise that it would be impracticable and unfair to make any exception in favour of any particular district.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the last train which used to leave Waterloo, on the London and South Western Railway, at. 11 o'clock, and more recently at 10.35, with Portsmouth as its destination, has been taken off altogether; that such train was largely used and much appreciated; that it is now only possible to leave London at 10 p.m. by a roundabout journey to reach Portsmouth at 2.14 a.m.; that this affects professional and business men who have late appointments in London, and cuts off Portsmouth from the North of England, as trains arriving later than 7.30 have no reasonable communication now, and for a town of the importance and size of Portsmouth it puts the inhabitants to great inconvenience; that it also affects service men seriously; and whether, subject to any temporary existing difficulties, the former service can be restored?

On enquiry of the railway company I find that they discontinued the 11 o'clock p.m. train from Waterloo to Portsmouth in consequence of the small number of passengers who travelled by that train, and have since withdrawn the substituted service by the 10.34 p.m. train from Waterloo for the same reason. It was considered that the comparatively small volume of the traffic offering could be met by the 10 p.m. service from Waterloo via Eastleigh. In regard to service men returning to Portsmouth, it is stated that special arrangements are usually made for their accommodation, and that this practice will be continued. Pressure to run services which are unremunerative is inconsistent with the general policy of economy demanded by the public interest. If the rates and charges on railways are not to be raised in keeping with the far greater increase in wages and materials, economies such as this must be made, and the Minister trusts he will have support in resisting pressure to run unnecessary services.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to introduce legislation for dealing with trusts?

I have been asked to answer this question. I regret that in the state of Parliamentary business it would not be possible to introduce any such measure in the present Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken, or is contemplated, upon the Report on motor fuel prepared by a select committee appointed by the Standing Committee on the Investigation of Prices which was received by the Government as long ago as last February?

Detailed inquiries are being pursued by an officer attached to the Fuel Research Board as to the possibility of fostering the production of power alcohol and an interim report by the Fuel Research Board on the subject has been published recently. Provisions with the same object have been included in Section 11 of the Finance Act, 1920. As I explained in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Newbold), on the 19th July, the Government did not see their way to take any action in the direction of fixing prices in view of our almost complete dependence on foreign sources of supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what answer has been returned to the letter of the Leicester Chamber of Commerce regarding the dumping of German goods, such as underwear, fine-cotton hosiery, and fabric gloves, in Nottingham, Leicester, and neighbouring centres at prices with which British manufacturers, owing to heavy taxation, high wages, excessive establishment charges, rates, and demands for ever-increasing social reforms, cannot compete?

The letter of 4th September from the Chamber, to which the hon. Member no doubt refers, asked the Board of Trade to give effect, in regard to these German goods, to the recommendations of the Merchandise Marks Committee, with a view to their bearing an indication of origin, or to restrict their importation. In reply, the Chamber were informed that it was hoped to introduce a Till to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee shortly after the recess, but that the Board had no power at present to restrict these imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the hardships brought about in the Paul-ton (Somerset) and other centres of the boot and shoe industry by short time and unemployment; and what steps the Government can take to hasten the reopening of foreign markets for this British product?

I am aware that the boot and shoe industry has been passing through a period of depression. Every effort is being made to promote the expansion of the export trade in boots and shoes. The overseas officers of the Department of Overseas Trade have been informed on several occasions recently of the position of the industry, and any openings for exports which may be reported to that Department will at once be brought to the attention of firms concerned. Advantage can, of course, also be taken of the export credits scheme in regard to the countries to which it applies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Bulgarian statesmen and representatives of commerce are about to visit this country with a view to making purchases of British products; and, if so, if le will say, for the guidance of British traders as to the state of Bulgarian credit whether the interest is being paid on Bulgarian Government loans held by British subjects?

The Bulgarian Prime Minister, accompanied by technical advisers, is at present in this country, and is making inquiries in regard to certain commodities required by Bulgarian Government Departments, such as railway materials and agricultural machinery. As far as I am aware, no arrangements have been made up to the present for the payment in London of interest on Bulgarian Government loans held by British subjects. I should add that the Board of Trade have decided to include Bulgaria in the list of countries to which the Export Credit Scheme is applicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Hastings Borough Council have submitted for confirmation A bye-law to permit the employment of children before school hours, as provided for in the Education Act, 1918; whether he is aware that the Hastings Education Committee, after holding conferences with a number of organisations representing various sections of public opinion in Hastings, recommended that no such bye-law should be made; and whether, before confirming the bye-law, he will give full consideration to the views expressed in opposition to it?

A bye-law has been submitted by the council to allow employment for one hour in the morning in the sale or delivery of milk and newspapers. A number of objections to the bye-law have been received, and these will be fully considered before the bye-law is con- firmed. I understand the education committee of the council made a recommendation as stated.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the advantage taken of processions in London by aliens and hooligans for the purpose of disorder, and having regard to the inconvenience and expense caused by the employment of a large body of police and by the obstruction of traffic, he will see his way to prohibit processions other than the usual military or civic processions in London during this winter, and to afford some other means to the public of bringing grievances to the notice of the authorities?

The question whether special measures will be necessary to maintain peace and good order in London during the coming winter will receive the most careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the number of men who have been settled upon the land under the Land Settlement Act, the number of applications which have been received, the number of acres purchased, the amount expended on land purchase, and the amount advanced to settlers?

The number of men actually settled and in possession of their holdings under the Land Settlement Acts is 8,314, of whom 7,610 have been settled by county councils and 704 on the Ministry's farm settlements. In addition sufficient land has already been acquired to settle a further 8,866 men as soon as it can be equipped and made available. The total number of applications received is 43,175, of whom 24,474 have been approved. The total number of acres acquired is 257,859. I cannot give complete figures of expenditure on land purchased, but as regards 219,604 acres, of which I have returns, the cost was £9,315,000, or £42 per acre. I have no information at the present moment of the advances made by county councils, but 25 advances have been made by the Ministry totalling £3,640.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any persons who were conscientious objectors during the War are employed in his Department's establishment at Kew; and, if so, whether any of these persons are doing remunerated work which might be allotted to ex-Service men?

There is at present employed in the Finance Department of the Ministry of Labour at Kew, I officer—a permanent Civil Servant—who was a conscientious objector. I am having enquiries made into the man's case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend by letter as soon as I have secured further information.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Liverpool employers of labour were on the roll of honour on the 1st August last, and how many have had their names placed on that roll during the months of August and September?

I am having these figures extracted from the National Roll, and will communicate them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement concerning the serious state of unemployment in this country?

My right hon. Friend hopes to deal with the matter later in the day.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a rural auxiliary postman doing over five hours' delivery duties daily is insurable by the Post Office under the Unemployment Insurance Act; and, if so, whether such an employed person is automatically insured or must himself bake any steps to secure insurance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. AS regards the second part I may say that the insured person is required to make application for an unemployment book. The application may be made at any Employment Exchange or Branch Employment Office. The book when obtained must be handed to the employer.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed persons in Liverpool last week; how many of them were ex-service men; how many disabled ex-service men; the main causes of unemployment in the port; and if the Government has in view any steps to reduce this unemployment or to mitigate the suffering caused by it?

The number of persons on the live registers of the Employment Exchanges in Liverpool on October 15th, was 14,888. This includes 6,699 ex-service men, of whom 252 were disabled. To these figures a margin must be added to represent men who are unemployed but have not registered at the Exchanges. Slackness of work in the port is attributed to various causes, which include a general depression of trade in the area and the effect of the shipwright's dispute. The local authorities have already started schemes for public works and further proposals to provide employment for larger numbers of men are under consideration. With regard to the general measures proposed by the Government to provide employment I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on the 19th October.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent private lands have been acquired to enable the proposed new arterial roads to be commenced within two or three weeks' time, as announced in the House on Tuesday; what arterial roads are to be commenced within the period referred to and to what extent they will relieve the present necessities of unemployed ex-service men; and whether the Government will be prepared to introduce a Bill giving the Ministry of Transport powers to take immediate possession of all necessary lands so as not to delay the execution of the new road undertakings?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In certain districts, private lands along the line of these new arterial roads have already been acquired by local authorities as a part of housing and improvement schemes, and with this land work can be started promptly. The loads selected to form the first instalment are the East Ham and Barking By-pass Road, the Eastern Avenue and its branches, the North Circular Road and the New Cambridge Road, all of which adjoin districts in which unemployment is especially prevalent. An Emergency Bill is being drafted, and the House will be asked to confer powers on Government Departments or local authorities concerned of the character referred to in the final paragraph of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in the civil service of Kenya (late East Africa) Colony, there are about 1,000 Goanese, all Portuguese subjects; and whether, in view of the excellent climate, suitable work, and, in most cases, adequate salary, most of these posts can be offered to unemployed ex-service men?

I cannot at abort notice cheek my hon. Friend's information as to the number of Goanese employés. Many of these men have rendered long and meritorious service, of whom a few have thereby earned salaries which would, from the point of view of a European, be regarded as adequate as an initial salary. These it would obviously be unjust to replace. Generally speaking, however, the salaries of the non-European employés are very much lower than those of the lowest paid European employés, apart from the extra cost of passages, leave and pensions, and I am afraid the general substitution of non-European by European employés would be impracticable on the ground of expense.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will give preferential employment during the Christmas rush to unemployed ex-service men?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office how many men of the Regular Army are employed at the Royal Army Ordnance depot at Chilwell; and whether he has received a protest from the Nottingham employment committee against the employment of these men while there are 2,000 ex-service men in the Nottingham area unable to obtain employment?

There are 62 men of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps employed at the Ordnance depot, Chilwell. These men form part of the military establishment of the depot. A copy of a resolution from the Nottingham employment committee has been received, but I regret that it is impracticable to take the action suggested.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British representative on the Council of the League of Nations has been instructed to bring before the Council the necessity for the immediate registration with the League of the Franco-Belgian understanding?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has come to any decision as to the method in which the proceedings of the Council and Assembly of the League of Nations can most conveniently be placed at the disposal of Members of the House?

I shall be glad if the hon. and gallant Member will raise this question again at some date after the return of the Lord President of the Council from the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations which he is now attending at Brussels.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is still proposed that the whole question of German reparations should be examined by a Conference at Geneva, German as well as the Allied Governments being represented?

The answer is in the affirmative. Discussions are proceeding between the Allied Governments as to the character and functions of the preliminary conference of experts which it will be necessary to hold.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has come to a decision as to the issue of a Blue Book giving all documents which have passed between this country and Poland with reference to the latter's relations with Russia?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that Peace Preliminaries have - been signed between Poland and Soviet Russia, and it is the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that the conclusion of a definite peace treaty will not be long delayed. The publication of papers at this juncture would be only too likely to revive controversies and so militate against the full re-establishment of peace in Central Europe, without adding anything material to the knowledge which the House already possesses.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether in districts where assassinations of members of the police or military forces stationed in Ireland have occurred the policy of promiscuous reprisals upon the inhabitants of such areas commands the support of His Majesty's Government;(2) whether he will constitute a commission with power to take evidence on oath for the purpose of inquiry into the alleged reprisals upon the civilian population of Ireland by the police and military forces stationed in that country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Debate which took place yesterday, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to the limitation imposed on the 1919 general strike of miners in the United States of America by legal enactments which are not imposed in this country?

I understand that the Federal Court at Indianapolis issued an order on the 8th November, 1919, enjoining the miners' leaders to cancel the strike on the ground that it was illegal under an Act passed in 1917, called the "Food and Fuel Control Act." The leaders complied, but the men did not; and the strike continued for a month.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the North Staffordshire miners are complaining that the cause of small production is the shortage of trucks; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any complaints of this sort that have been brought to his notice I shall be glad to have them investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether it is still necessary for hop farmers to apply for permission to replant hops?

No, Sir, it is no longer necessary to obtain permission in order to plant or replant hops.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the rates of pay and hours of work for salesmen and others engaged in shop work in the employ of the Army and Navy Stores, the Civil Service Supply Association, and the Co-operative Wholesale Society, respectively?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Minimum rates of pay for various classes of employés of the Army and Navy Co-operative Society were established by a decision of the Industrial Court, dated 31st December, 1919, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The minimum rates fixed for salesmen ranged from 24s. a week at 16 years to 65s. a week at 26 years and over, and those for saleswomen ranged from 20s. at 16 years to 48s. at 24 years and over. The maximum weekly hours, exclusive of meal times, were fixed at 48. The minimum rates and the hours specified were subsequently adopted by the Civil Service Supply Association, and some slight variations have since been made. I am not in possession of information showing what proportion of the employés of these two societies are paid at rates above the minima specified. I am also sending my hon. Friend a statement showing the rates of pay for salesmen and others employed by the Co-operative Wholesale Society. For salesmen, these rates ranged from 20s. at 14 years of age to 80s. at 22 years of age; for saleswomen they range from 16s. at 14 years to 66s. at 22 years. The weekly working hours are 41. It should be borne in mind that the rates in the first two cases are for the retail trade, while in the third case the wholesale trade is concerned.