asked the President of the Board of Trade whether blank forms such as Z 8, issued during the War, are still being sent to employers asking for information as to the number of employés, idle plant, etc.; whether a number of employers now fail to return the forms; and what is the cost of the printing, issue, and examination of such forms?

I have been asked to take this question. The return referred to has been transferred from the Board of Trade to the Ministry of Labour, and a certain amount of duplication will be thereby avoided and considerable economy effected. The return is now issued to employers in a much less elaborate form than during the War, and the question of making the inquiry at less frequent intervals is under consideration. Most of the employers to whom it is issued furnish the information asked for. The cost of printing and of staff is estimated at about £6,400 per annum, which will be materially decreased if the inquiry is made at less frequent intervals.

Can the hon. Gentleman say exactly what purpose this return serves?

It was found of great use during the War, and it is still of great utility.

Are these returns only partly completed, and what value are they statistically?

I have said that most of the employers make the returns, and we find them of great utility.

If I put down a question, will the hon. Gentleman give the actual percentage of the returns completed?

If the hon. Gentleman puts a question down, I will do my best to get the information.

May I ask whether the continuance of this form and similar forms is not a reason and a pretext for increasing and continuing the present large number of officials?

I do not think there is any justification for that, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fact that the majority of the hosiery machinery installed during the War is now standing and much unemployment exists in consequence of the enormous import of foreign goods of similar make; and what steps he proposes to take to rectify this state of things?

I know that unfortunately employment in the hosiery trade is not satisfactory, and that there have been considerable imports of certain descriptions of hosiery in recent months. In so far as these imports are sent here at dumped prices, the matter will be dealt with in the Anti-Dumping Bill which the Government has undertaken to introduce.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to introduce that Bill at an early date?

We propose to introduce the Bill at as early a date as we can.

Will it be this week or next week?

It is not possible to give more definite information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make any statement as to dealing with the question of the rate of exchange in connection with this problem?

That also forms part of the matters which are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Government proposes to take action to protect the hosiery, lace, and fabric glove trades from the dumping of foreign-made goods of the like character, made under more favourable circumstances at prices with which British manufacturers cannot compete?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the answers given by the Prime Minister on the 28th October to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. G. Terrell).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the exportation of foreign matches during August, 1920, grosses of standard 1 size boxes, and for the month of September, 1920?

May I say that the word "exportation" in the question should be "importation"? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to answer the question in the amended form?

No, I am afraid I have an answer in the form of exportation.

Then I will put it down for another day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the rapid increase in the imports of dye-stuffs into this country during the last few months; whether they come in great part from Germany; and whether, having regard to the experience of the War and the importance of establishing a largely independent British industry of dyes and allied substances on grounds both of trade and national defence, His Majesty's Government will take further steps to safeguard its growth?

I am aware that the imports of dye-stuffs and intermediates into this country have increased very substantially during the last few months, and that a large proportion of these imports have been from Germany, though I must point out that these include a considerable quantity received from that country under the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Royton on the 20th July last, to the effect that in the opinion of the Government, the existence of a strong synthetic dye making industry is essential to the defence and security of the United Kingdom, and that in pursuance of the pledges given on several occasions, proposals to protect the industry for a time, so as to enable it to be placed on a secure foundation, will be embodied in a Bill relating to key industries, which will be introduced and proceeded with as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no reduction in the cost of living despite all these importations?

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the progress of British Dyes, in which undertaking the British Government have a large interest?

I think it is too large a question to ask in a general form whether I am satisfied with the progress. One ought never to be satisfied with any stage of progress.

When will a Bill for the preservation of key industries be introduced?

As soon as possible.

The following question stood on the Paper in the name ofMr. DOYLE.—

12. To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the position of the British Dyes Corporation owing to the increasing and unrestricted importation of German dyes; what amount of Government and public funds, respectively, are invested in the undertaking; whether a guarantee was given that this key industry would be protected; and whether an agreed Bill will be introduced forthwith to safeguard this national asset?

On a point of Order. Ought not this question to be addressed to the Prime Minister as it involves a question of policy I May I ask if the President of the Board of Trade is prepared to reply?

I am prepared to reply to the question. I am informed that the subscribed capital of the British Dye Stuffs Corporation is £4,119,003 in preference shares of £1 each, £4,089,811 in preferred ordinary shares of £1 each, and £993,270 in deferred ordinary shares of £1 each. Of this, £850,001 preference shares and £850,000 preferred ordinary shares have been subscribed for by His Majesty's Government. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer my Hon. Friend to the answer which I have given earlier to my right hon. Friend the member for Aston (Mr. E. Cecil).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the 15th May, 1918, the President of the Board of Trade stated that the importation of all foreign dye-stuffs should be controlled by a system of licence for a period of not less than ten years after the War? That declaration was repeated by the President of the Board of Trade on 25th July, 1918, only more emphatically, and again on the 26th February; and, in view of that fact—

The hon. Member ought to give the Minister some opportunity of verifying those quotations.

Are these licenses, as promised, in force at the present time?

Not yet.

In view of the serious condition of this national asset, the British dyes industry, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to introduce a Bill dealing specially with it?

I think it would be a great mistake to deal with only one industry. There are many others, also key industries, to be dealt with. I should prefer, and I am sure the House will find it more convenient, to deal with them altogether.

Are the other key industries to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, in as serious a condition, owing to the competition of foreign countries to which I refer?

Some of them more serious.

That is very serious indeed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the House information of industries in this country which are being adversely affected so as to cause unemployment through the importation of foreign manufactured goods; and what course he proposes to take in regard to the matter?

I have received representations from various trades as to the competition of imported goods, but it is quite impossible to attribute the present unsatisfactory position in these trades to any one cause. As regards the second part of the question, if my hon. Friend has in mind the introduction of legislation to deal with dumping and key industries, I can only refer him to the Prime Minister's statement on the subject in this House on the 28th October.

Can my right hon. Friend give some definite information of the industries which are affected by importation, and some definite information as to the unemployment caused by if?

I have no doubt I could give definite information if I were asked a definite question.

Can my right hon. Friend give some definite information concerning the particular industries about which he states that representations have been made to him?

These are of a very wide character. Misrepresentations prevail in respect to these matters. Many people seem to regard dumping as selling at a price lower than the home price; that is quite an erroneous idea. Many people in the representations I have received, suggest anti-dumping legislation for causes which an anti-dumping Bill would not give relief at all.

Can you give a definition of dumping?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the highly-protected tariff countries unemployment is as deeply rooted as it is here?

I do not think it is necessary to reply to that question.

Would not a blockade be the best way to keep out all these things?

Is it not a fact that a very large number of ex-service men are likely to lose their employment in these industries in the near future unless action is taken, and could not the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Prime Minister the desirability of a Saturday sitting in order to pass a measure to deal with anti-dumping?

May I put one simple question: Has the right hon. Gentleman traced in his own experience any unemployment in this country directly due to dumping? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yes."]

There is undoubtedly unemployment in the country at the present time, but I cannot say what are its particular dimensions. There is unemployment due to the fact that there are foreign similar goods being sold at less prices than the home manufacturers can sell them. But you have to take a very close survey of the situation in order to design a measure which will deal with it, and the House must really have patience in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give particulars of the manufactured goods which have been imported from Germany and Austria during the present year; whether, having regard to the state of the German exchange, such goods are imported at prices against which British labour cannot compete, with the consequent result of unemployment; and what course he proposes to take in regard to the matter?

As far as relates to imports from Germany, I will have a statement showing the principal classes of manufactured articles imported during the first nine months of the current year printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Particulars of imports from Austria as defined in the Treaty of Peace are, I regret to say, not available for the period in question. The bearing of the state of the exchange on the competition of German goods in the British market and the question of taking action in consequence is engaging my attention.

The statement referred to above is as follows:—

REGISTERED IMPORTS OF GOODS, WHOLLY OR MAINLY MANUFACTURED, INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM, CONSIGNED FROM GERMANY, DURING THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1920.
Import List Description.							Unit of Quantity.	Quantity.	Value.
									£
Glassware, domestic and fancy				…	…	…	Cwt.	69,983	386,139
" bottles and jars				…	…	…	"	158,844	235,136
Iron wire	…	…	…	…	…	…	Ton	6,375	273,001
Hollowware of iron and steel, enamelled					…	…	"	1,860	182,682
Clocks, complete		…	…	…	…	…	Number	1,177,003	383,865
Wool tops	…	…	…	…	…	…	Centals of 100 lbs.	12.006	501,040
Woollen and worsted yarns				…	…	…	Lb.	536,047	306,207
Silk ribbons	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	139,403
Silk broadstuffs (mixed)			…	…	…	…	Yard	2,504,213	599,373
Hosiery of cotton		…	…	…	…	…	—	—	214,211
Coal-tar dye-stuffs		…	…	…	…	…	Cwt.	31,487	1,399,027
Leather, dressed: box and willow calf					…	…	"	2,394	311,087
Paper, printing, not coated				…	…	…	"	97,190	274,626
" packing and wrapping				…	…	…	"	168,828	517,919
Motor cars, commercial			…	…	…	…	Number	5,389	1,545,407
Fancy goods	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	284,581
Furs and skins, dressed			…	…	…	…	Number	1,183,758	294,699
Musical instruments, complete				…	…	…	"	874,914	316,805
Toys and games, not of rubber or leather						…	—	—	934,830
Other goods	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	8,090,755
Total imports of manufactured articles						…	—	—	17,190,793

Is it not the fact that the Germans themselves have a very heavy export duty on their own manufactured goods in order to help to correct high prices elsewhere?

In some cases the Germans do attempt to compel the sale of goods in foreign countries at a level similar to that in the home country, the country of origin—that is undoubtedly so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that while he is giving this matter his consideration a number of concerns are actually discharging workmen at the present time owing to this question of the rate of exchange?

Yes, but the point is why are these workmen being discharged? Why is it that these goods are not able to compete with foreign goods? You cannot deal with a matter like that without thought and careful consideration, otherwise you would be doing far more harm than good.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reports have been made by Sub-committees of the Central Profiteering Committee which have not been published; on what dates they were made; and when they will be published?

The following Reports have not been published: Costings in Government Departments Report, received on 4th February, 1920; Fixed Retail Prices (Second Report), received on the 10th June, 1920, and Uniform Clothing Report, received on the 6th October, 1920. The Reports on Costings in Government Departments and the Second Report on Fixed Retail Prices were not of sufficient urgency to be published now. The Report of Uniform Clothing is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an approximate date as to when the Pro- fiteering Committee's Report on Building Materials will be completed; and, if the complete Report is not likely to be ready during the present year, is he prepared to consider the desirability of appointing further sub-committees in view of the urgent necessity of some immediate action being taken to ensure an adequate supply of building commodities at reasonable prices?

As I informed the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire on the 20th October, Reports on Timber and Bricks have been published and presented to Parliament, and the Sectional Committee investigating Cement and Mortar hope to make their report shortly. While I am unable to give any approximate date when the Committees investigating Light Castings, Stone and Clay Ware will be in a position to report, I am satisfied, in view of the stage these investigations have reached, that the issue of these Reports would not be expedited by the appointment of other sub-committees.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that, at all events during the current year, these committees will issue their reports; this committee has been sitting for something like nine months?

My hon. Friend will recollect that two important reports have already been made. In regard to the others, they are working hard upon them. He will also, I hope, bear in mind that these committees are composed of people who voluntarily give their services to the State in this matter, and while I can urge them to give their reports within a near period, I can do nothing to compel them.

If these gentlemen cannot see their way to issue their report in the current year, could not some assistance be given them, in view of the urgency of the problem they are considering?

It will never expedite matters by setting up entirely new committees for them to begin de novo.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint a departmental or other committee to inquire into and report on the method employed in arriving at the index figures of the cost of living?

I have been asked to reply. The methods employed in arriving at the index numbers relating to the cost of living which are prepared in the Ministry of Labour were fully explained in the "Labour Gazette" for March last, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend an extract from that issue of the Gazette, containing the desired information. As regards the suggestion that a committee should be appointed to inquire into the methods employed, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that a committee on the cost of living, under the chairmanship of Lord Sumner, made such an inquiry in 1918, and if he wishes I will have a copy of the report sent him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage of the 34,000 claims lodged with the German clearing house by the British clearing house prior to 15th May last that were undisputed by the German clearing house on expiry of the time limit fixed by the Treaty of Peace at 15th August, 1920; whether these undisputed claims have yet been paid by the British clearing house; and, if not, what authority have the British clearing house for withholding the money due to British claimants or for varying the terms of the Peace Treaty, which provides that claims cannot be disputed by the Germans after the expiry of the time limit on 15th August for the claims lodged before 15th May last?

Of the 34,000 claims referred to, 40 per cent. had been admitted by the 15th August and have been paid. The remaining 60 per cent. were either contested by the German clearing office, or the time for dealing with them was extended under the provisions of the Treaty. As to the third part of the question, I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply which I am giving to-day to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Skipton (Lieut.-Colonel Roundell).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Treaty of Peace provides that British claims lodged by the British clearing house with the German clearing house on or before 15th May, 1920, can only be disputed by the German clearing house not later than 15th August, 1920; whether a large number of claims were lodged by the British authorities on or before 15th May, 1920; whether such of them as have not been disputed by the German authorities on or before 15th August, 1920, have been paid by the British authorities to the British claimants; and, if not, what legal right, under the Treaty of Peace or the British Common Law, has the British clearing house to withhold payment till now of claims undisputed by the German clearing house within the time limit?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the minimum period of three months, prescribed by paragraph 7 of the Annexe to Article 296 of the Treaty of Peace, has been departed from by the British Clearing House for enemy debts; if so, by what Parliamentary sanction; and, whether he is aware that in that case funds belonging to British creditors are being retained by the British Clearing House in contravention of the terms of the Treaty of Peace?

Owing to the magnitude and complexity of the task imposed upon both the British and German Clearing Offices, it has been necessary to extend the minimum period referred to in the case of both offices in accordance with the discretion accorded by paragraph 7 of the Annexe to Article 296. The Parliamentary sanction for this action on the part of the British Office is the Treaty of Peace Act, 1919. In reply to the third part of the question, no funds are applicable for payment to British creditors of their debts until these have been admitted or found due in accordance with the terms of the Treaty.

Has any date been fixed limiting the period within which the Germans may pay?

I am not sure I follow the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but the date has been extended by reason of the difficulties found by both offices in making the necessary arrangements. Both offices are endeavouring to clear up all these matters as rapidly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government have recently informed the German Government that they do not intend to exercise their rights, under the Treaty of Versailles, to seize the property of German nationals in this country in the case of voluntary default by Germany; and will he state the reasons which have induced the Government to grant this concession to Germany, especially having regard to the wilful and malicious destruction by Germans of ships and airships assigned to the Allies, including Great Britain, under the said Treaty?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject on Thursday last to the right hon. Member for Camborne.

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision of the Government affecting the liability of German property in the United Kingdom to seizure under the Peace Treaty was announced in the Board of Trade Journal of 21st October or seven days prior to its announcement to the House of Commons; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that the first announcement of important decisions of policy affecting our relations with other powers shall be made in Parliament and not in departmental journals?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I endeavour, as far as possible, to give the House the first information of decisions of importance, but when the House is in recess this cannot always be done. I may add that in the particular decision to which the question refers, no important question of policy was involved.

Might not some part at least of the misapprehension arising in France on this question have been obviated, if the first announcement had been made in this House in the full form in which it was made by the right hon. Gentleman last Thursday?

No, Sir, but I think much misapprehension would have been obviated if our message to the French Government, to the Council of Ambassadors, and to the Reparation Committee had got through as rapidly as it should have done. I am very sorry for the delay, and inquiry is being made of the Department in which it arose.

Is it not the fact that the French Government have done precisely the same thing with regard to Bulgarian property in France as we have done in respect of the German property here?

That is not precisely the same thing, I should not care to justify action which is justifiable on its merits by comparisons with action taken by another power with regard to Bulgaria.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the suggested settlement in the coal dispute will mean any increase to the private consumer in the price of the article; and, if so, to what extent and on what method of assessment?

The terms of the suggested coal settlement provide that, pending the submission to the Government of a scheme for the regulation of wages in the industry, the proposed increases in miners' wages shall be regulated by, and met out of the proceeds of export coal, and not by an increase in the pithead price of coal for inland consumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is able to give the assurance that for the full period that any man shall deliberately abstain from work during the present strike in the coal industry no part of the wages that he has forfeited or may forfeit shall be directly or indirectly made up to him from any public funds?

I am not quite sure if I fully apprehend the purport of the question put by my hon. and gallant Friend, but, as far as the Mines Department is concerned, no wages will be paid to men for the period during which they have been on strike.

asked the Prime Minister what Department is responsible for the display of posters now displayed throughout the country containing appeals from Lord Haig and himself concerning the miners' question; what cost was involved in publishing these statements; whether the money was provided from public funds?

In putting the question, I would like to point out that the words "ex parte appeals calculated to prejudice the miners' case" have been struck out of the question, and other words substituted.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Workington on the 25th October. I accept full responsibility for the publication of the Prime Minister's message to the nation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends issuing an Order compelling all commercial motor vehicles and chars-à-banc to carry mechanical hand signals at the rear of the vehicle; whether the Ministry have received representations concerning the desirability of such signals in the interests of safety; and whether practical designs for such signals submitted by Mr. P. Watson Phillips are under consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (North) on the 19th of last month. Any designs submitted will receive the attention they merit, but I do not propose that the Ministry should adopt or recommend any particular design or invention.

asked the Minister of Transport the names of the representatives of the various British railway companies who negotiated and signed the Railway Agreement of 1914?

The Railway Agreement of 1914 was negotiated between the Government and the railway executive committee, composed of the general managers of eleven of the principal railway companies. The agreement was then accepted by each separate company of which control had been taken.

Did the then manager of the North Eastern Railway have any part in the negotiations?

Not after the outbreak of War.

May we have the names of the railway companies concerned?

Those who entered into the agreement?

Yes.

All the controlled companies entered into the agreement.

Who signed the agreement on behalf of the Government?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a great saving of rolling stock as well as of time and money would result if the railway stations in agricultural districts were connected with the public telephone; and whether he can bring pressure on the railway companies to instal this necessary convenience?

I have made further inquiries since the answer which was given to the hon. Member on this subject on the 10th December last. The view of the companies is that the expense which would be incurred by the installation of telephones cannot generally be justified. I am sending to the, hon. Member a copy of a letter which was written on the 5th August to the Holland County branch of the National Farmers' Union on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Disposal Board have for sale in France about 80 miles of 4 feet 8½ inches gauge track, 75 lbs. per lineal yard rails, with sleepers and fastenings complete in excellent condition, very suitable for agricultural light railways; whether this material can be delivered in England at 40 per cent. less than it can be purchased here; and whether, in view of the Government's promise to construct agricultural light railways, this material can be secured for that purpose?

The Ministry of Munitions are at present in communication with the Director-General of Liquidation of British War Stocks in France on the subject of the materials referred to. As soon as the information is available I will communicate further with the hon. Member.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport why he has completely suspended the steam packets service from Southampton to Cowes and back; if he is aware that these boats bring most of the meat and foodstuffs to the island, and also have a large stock of coal; if he is also aware that the suspension of these steamboats will necessitate the closing of a large number of works in the Isle of Wight; if he is also aware that the steamboat service between Lymington and Yarmouth and back has been entirely suspended, and that this unfortunate island, with a population approximating 100,000 inhabitants, is almost entirely cut off from the mainland; and if he can see his way to reconsider his decision to suspend the Cowes-Southampton service as well as the Lymington-Yarmouth service so as to bring the present means of communication to the Isle of Wight more on a par with other towns in Great Britain where the railway service has only been slightly curtailed.

I have been asked to reply. The Southampton-Cowes and Lymington-Yarmouth services have been temporarily suspended after consultation with the Ministry of Transport and the Food Ministry. It has been necessary to restrict all cross-Channel and island services in view of the urgent necessity in the present crisis of conserving supplies of bunker coal. I am informed by the Food Ministry that the Portsmouth-Ryde twice daily sailings fully cover the re- quirements of that Ministry. I regret I am not in a position to make any alteration at present.

May I ask why the Isle of Wight is more harshly treated than any ordinary station on the main line where the service is only curtailed slightly, and why the only entrance to the island is the port of Ryde?

The Isle of Wight is not more harshly treated than any other island or any other part of the Kingdom; it has two sailings daily and all the essential services of the island are being maintained.

Why should the people who live in the far western part of the island, the people at Yarmouth, for instance, who wish to get to the mainland, have to come to Ryde? Why should the service to the Isle of Wight be curtailed in this way when the service is only partially curtailed in the case of any station in Great Britain?

With respect to the communication from Yarmouth to the mainland, via Ryde, no doubt it is inconvenient to the people residing at Yarmouth, but the inconvenience they are suffering is no greater, in fact it is less, than other people have been suffering elsewhere

Is it not a fact that the most harshly treated island is the Island of Lewis, where the service is three times a week, compared with six times a week for the last 40 years? This is the new-world that you have given to the Island of Lewis.

asked the Prime Minister if he can inform the House when it will be possible to declare the end of the War period, having in mind the insecurity and uncertainty resulting from the present state of affairs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Lord Privy Seal on Wednesday last to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Kincardine and Western.

asked the Prime Minister what are the functions of the Joint Substitution Board recently set up by the Treasury; and what steps are taken by the Board to obtain employment for ex-service men who have been employed in a Government Department, and whose services have had to be dispensed with owing to reduction of staff?

As recommended in the Interim Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, which is considering the appointment of ex-service men to posts in the Civil Service, the functions of the Joint Substitution Board are to watch over the work of Departmental substitution committees in placing ex-service men, and to place qualified ex-service men reported redundant by Departments. All departments of the Civil Service are required, when giving warning notice to any temporary ex-service member of their staff, to notify the Joint Substitution Board of the fact and of the man's qualifications; and the Board thereupon endeavour to-allot to all qualified men, so notified, another temporary post in the Civil Service.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the moneys voted by Parliament for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Land Settlement Act are about to be exhausted; that many county councils have already expended the sums allotted to them; that this means that it has cost £20,000,000 to put about 9,000 men on the land; whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to ask Parliament to vote further sums for this purpose; and, if so, whether he can give any guarantee that such sums will be more economically expended?

It is not correct to say that the moneys voted by Parliament for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Land Settlement Act are about to be exhausted, or that it has cost £20,000,000 to put about 9,000 men on the land. The land already acquired, namely, 259,489 acres, will have cost, when fully equipped, about £15,000,000 for purchase, buildings, roads, water supply, etc., and some 17,200 men will be settled on this area. The present position of Land Settlement in England and Wales has recently been thoroughly investigated by a Cabinet Committee, and a letter is about to be addressed by the Ministry to each county council embodying the decisions which have been reached, and inter alia, stating that additional funds will be provided by the Treasury for Land Settlement purposes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that terrible wounds are daily being inflicted on soldiers and police in many parts of Ireland by expanding flat-nosed bullets, contrary to the usages of all civilised warfare and the Geneva Convention, but that the appropriate penalty of death cannot be inflicted on persons found in possession of such illegal instruments of warfare owing to the fact that martial law has not been formally proclaimed; and whether he will take immediate steps to have martial law proclaimed in all districts where such illegal warfare is being carried on, so that persons found in possession of these foul instruments may be shot and our gallant soldiers and police protected from mutilation and agonising death?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Southport on Monday last.

Did the Chief Secretary not state that the reason why the men found in possession of explosive bullets could not be apprehended was that martial law had not been proclaimed?

No, I do not think so. I do not think that can be done without special legislation.

In view of the appalling wounds caused by these expanding bullets, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the whole question afresh? Surely some special course must be taken against these horrible and ghastly atrocities.

I quite agree that this adds to the atrocious character of the outrages which have been perpetrated, and, if it were possible within the power of the law to mark our resentment of such conduct and do more than we are doing to repress it, the House may depend upon it that the authorities there will exercise all the powers they possess, but our information is that it cannot be done without fresh legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether a proclamation of martial law would not enable the authorities in a given district to apprehend persons found in possession of expanding bullets?

They could be apprehended now and punished, but that is not quite the point. The question is whether punishment of death can be inflicted. Severe punishment can be inflicted if they are discovered, but the penalty of death cannot be inflicted without some special legislation. I may tell my hon. Friend that that is one of the things we are considering, and we may have to take certain action and ask the House to pass the necessary legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received the Report of the Court of Inquiry into the deaths of Frank d'Dwyer and Edward O'Dwyer, sons of William O'Dwyer, farmer, of Ballydavid, near Bansha, who were dragged from their father's house by uniformed men on the night of the 18th October and shot dead; whether he is aware that shots were fired into the bedroom where the aged father and mother were lying; whether he has received information as to the identity of the uniformed men who arrived in motor lorries at the house of Patrick Doyle, of Ballygar, near French Park, county Roscommon, dragged him out, and shot him dead on the same night; and what steps does he propose to take to prevent a repetition of these deeds?

I have not yet seen the Report of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry into the circumstances attending the deaths of the brothers O'Dwyer, and I understand that the Court has not yet given its finding. As regards the case of Patrick Doyle I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar question put to me by the hon. and gallant Member on the 27th ultimo.

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct the Court of Inquiry into the O'Dwyer case to call before that Court the special correspondents of English newspapers who have sent special accounts about this, and take their evidence, seeing that otherwise only people who are under police intimidation come before that Court?

If the hon. Member can give me the names of any actual eye-witnesses of these events I shall be very pleased to see that they are called.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Mr. Hugh Martin, the experienced correspondent of the "Daily News," who states that he has seen the bodies and the damage done, and any other persons—Englishmen or otherwise—not under police intimidation by his Department are called?

I repeat, if my hon. and gallant Friend can give me the names of any man or woman, actual eyewitnesses of this crime, I will see that they are cited before the proper tribunal.

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can make a statement with regard to the horrible events that took place at Templemore, County Tipperary, on Friday night; whether it is a fact that the town was shattered from end to end by a series of explosions, shops burned, a hundred buildings destroyed, and a third of the population compelled to fly from the town; and can he say what action he proposes to take to deal with this latest outrage?

It is not a fact that the town was "shattered from end to end by a series of explosions," that "hundreds of buildings were destroyed," or that "one-third of the population was compelled to fly from the town." The plain facts are that the local police, assisted by the townspeople, succeeded in confining the flames to two houses, and the local police were thanked by the Temple-more District Council, which is a Sinn Fein body, for their efforts. I am making the fullest inquiry into the whole question, but I wish to say that the hon. Member must have received his statements in this question from a source on which I would advise advise him never in future to depend.

I am profoundly grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his advice, but I shall just take my information from whatever source I like. May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that these statements have been made in English newspapers?

Does that make them true?

Will the right hon. Gentleman have full information at the time of the adjournment of the House as to what precisely has taken place in Templemore in order that the House may have the real facts before it when I raise this matter on the adjournment to-night, because I do not believe the information which the right hon. Gentleman has read.

I have given the hon. Member all the information that T have to hand at the moment.

Well, you will have some more to-night at 11 o'clock.

As soon as I received this question, I wired to send the fullest possible information, so that I could give it to the House at the earliest possible moment.

To whom did the right hon. Gentleman wire? From whom did the right hon. Gentleman get his information. Did he get it from the Imperial League?

Where did you get your information?

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any information in reference to the burning of Irish creameries in Co. Kerry, narrated in the "Manchester Guardian" of 30th October; the alleged attacks on' John and Tom McElligott and on their sisters; the alleged attack on John Lovat, and the cutting of the hair of Mary Lovat; the alleged cutting of the hair of Miss Brady; whether in all these cases the correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian" pledges his own personal word to having examined into the facts; whether in the case of Mr. Burke, killed by the military in the town of Athlone, the evidence of the inquest did not show that the only shooting was that by the military themselves, and whether Mr. Burke was not known to be a perfectly peaceful and law-abiding citizen who had never belonged to any political organisation except that of the Constitutional party?

With regard to the statements made in the "Manchester Guardian" of 30th October, I received on Thursday last a Co-operative Deputation which made representations to me regarding the destruction of Creameries at Abbeydorney and Lixnaw, and I am having enquiries made into the destruction of these creameries and the allegations that the destruction was carried out by servants of the Crown. I have read the accounts given in the "Manchester Guardian" of attacks on the McElligots and their sisters, and on John Lovat and Mary Lovat and Miss Brady. I have not received any reports on these occurrences, but I may point out to the hon. Member that the attacks in question, as reported in the "Manchester Guardian," were carried out by men with blackened faces, and, it would appear, in civilian clothes. According to the newspaper report, these men were beaten and kicked on the suspicion that they were implicated in cutting off the hair of a girl who was friendly with the police. In the case of Mr. Burke, referred to in the last part of the question, I have already stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on the 26th instant that Mr. Burke was an absolutely innocent man. He was unfortunately shot while the police were entering Athlone after one attack, and when they were in fear of another.

When my right hon. Friend speaks of inquiries, are these inquiries made in private or in public?

Some inquiries are made in private and some in public. My own experience in Ireland is that the most effective inquiry is made in private.

From whom does the right hon. Gentleman make these inquiries?

From those officers and persons who are responsible to me for their conduct.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to state that the only inquiries which he makes are inquiries from the superior officers of the men who are charged with these crimes? Do I understand that to be the answer?

The superior officers of the men who are charged with reprisals are the officers most interested in the discipline of the respective units to which these men belong, and there have been many cases in which soldiers and policemen have been court-martialled and some policemen have been dismissed for conduct that is not in keeping with the discipline of those two great forces of the Crown.

Were they dismissed for murder? Is dismissal the punishment for murder?

There is no charge, with one exception—that of a policeman now under arrest—of which I know urged against a policeman or soldier for murder.

You make it yourself in the case of Balbriggan.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information on the representations made to him by the Co-operative organisations?

I received a deputation on the question—a very interesting deputation—but I do not know what information I can give to the right hon. Gentleman. I have no doubt that a report of the deputation's visit and my remarks will appear in the Co-operative Press.

What is the precise procedure of these courts of inquiry? What evidence is called before those courts?

What guarantee is there?

It would require a very long answer fully to explain the procedure. The natural procedure in the case of a police inquiry is that the facts alleged by the hon. Member or any hon. Member or anybody else are sent through the proper channels to the local officer, and he examines anyone whom he sees fit to examine. That is the ordinary case. There are cases where we send down one of our senior officers to hold an independent inquiry with liberty to call what evidence he likes before him.

Might I ask the Prime Minister—

I think any further questions ought to be put down.

On a point of Order. As this is really a very vital and serious matter to Ireland, I would like to put one short question to the Prime Minister. I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of what he must regard as this most unsatisfactory method of procedure in matters touching the life and death not only of soldiers and policemen but civilians, he is prepared to appoint an English impartial judicial tribunal for the purpose of inquiring into the whole matter.

We discussed this question of an inquiry at considerable length in this House some nights ago. My hon. Friend was not present, but the reasons, in the present condition of Ireland, against inquiries of the kind that he indicates, are quite obvious. In the first place, there is no such thing as independent evidence. You cannot get civilians who have actually seen murders perpetrated to come forward and give evidence. There have been several cases of murders in the presence of a whole street full of people who could have given evidence. They never come forward to give evidence. They dare not. It is really idle under those circumstances to talk about judicial inquiries. You must make such inquiries as you can by such means as are at the disposal of the Government. The Government are not responsible, for that condition of things. Until the whole sense of the community is in favour of punishing any crime or any murder, it is impossible to conduct inquiries under such circumstances as are indicated by my hon. Friend. The real remedy is a restoration of a sense of indignation against the perpetration of murder and crime.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the documents found in the possession of the present Sinn Fein leaders in 1918, which show that they were prepared to join with Germany in an attack upon us?

The matter is under consideration, and I hope to be in ii position to announce the decision shortly.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to Colonel Repington's statement that General Mahone—

The hon. and gallant Member should give notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give a decision on this matter, and is he aware that many people are under the impression that the reason for not publishing these documents is that they do not exist?

That is what I should expect.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a notice of motion has been given by a member of the Dublin Corporation to the effect that, subject to the approval of the law agent, the pictures and other paraphernalia of or from British kings and their representatives at present in the Mansion House or city hall be disposed of by public auction or by private treaty, and that the moneys so accruing be placed to the credit of the different employing committees in order to retain employés to do the necessary work of the council; and will he, in the event of it being decided to be within the legal competence of the Dublin Corporation to give effect to this motion and of it deciding so to do, acquire on behalf of the Irish National Gallery this valuable and historic collection, and thus prevent its dispersal among private owners?

My attention has been drawn to a newspaper report of the proposal to which my hon. Friend refers. I am not prepared without further consideration to take such action as he suggests.

Will the right hon. Baronet keep a watching brief in reference to this matter?

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister if he will state how many Irish prisoners are on hunger-strike in Cork Prison; how many have already died; whether he is aware that in the case of the late Michael Fitzgerald witnesses were produced to prove his innocence, but their evidence was not taken; that in the, case of Murphy, who has since died, and in the case of Hennessy, who was dying on the 29th October, evidence was produced by Mr. Philip Harold-Barry, late Sheriff of Cork, proving the innocence of both these men; and whether he will cause a strict inquiry to be held into the cases of these Cork prisoners, especially with regard to the untried men?

Sir H. Greenwood supplied the following answer to Question (132), which, under the direction of Mr. Speaker, was treated as a non-oral question:

Nine prisoners are on hunger strike in Cork Prison, and two prisoners have recently died there as a result of hunger-strike. I am aware that Mr. Barry offered to produce evidence on behalf of Fitzgerald, charged with murder, against whom a grand jury had previously found a true bill. The officer, before whom he offered to produce witnesses, stated, as was the case, that he had no authority to hear them. I am also aware that Mr. Barry produced evidence on behalf of Murphy and Hennessy, but it is not the case that this evidence proved the innocence of both these men. I do not propose to order any other inquiry into these cases than that provided by the law, namely, their trial by court-martial, an inquiry which they themselves by their abstention from food have up to the present rendered impossible.

I have received a letter from the hon. and gallant Member setting out this question as a private notice question. The same question is down on the Order Paper to-day as a starred question, No. 132. Therefore, I would ask you, Mr. Speaker, on a point which is of interest to hon. Members, whether I should answer—I am prepared to answer if you so rule—a private notice question which is also on the Order Paper?

I did not intend to raise this as a private notice question. On Friday I gave notice of my intention to ask this question of the Prime Minister, and the question appeared on the Order Paper as addressed to the Chief Secretary for Ireland. I put it to you, Sir, that in view of the urgency of the case I was entitled to ask the Prime Minister the question, having regard to the high policy concerned, and that it was not in order for my question to be altered without consulting or asking me.

The hon. Member handed me his question immediately before the House met, but he gave me no intimation that it was already upon the Paper. Although I have read the questions to-day, I confess that I did not remember the exact terms of question 132. Under the circumstances, I do not think it can now be asked as an urgent question. With regard to the alteration of the name of the Minister to whom the question is addressed, this matter is evidently one for the Irish Office. They alone have the information. Therefore, the question should be addressed to them. The hon. and gallant Member will see that by patting the question to the Prime Minister he might possibly, if it were admitted, be depriving other Members who desire to ask the Prime Minister questions on matters which are really in the Prime Minister's Department of the opportunity of getting answers.

May I put it to you that this is a matter of high policy concerning the Prime Minister and a matter of great urgency in view of the fact that one of these men is either dead or on the point of dying. In view of that fact, I put it very respectfully that this is a proper question to put to the Prime Minister. Any question on any subject addressed to the Prime Minister might under your ruling be out of order as every Department of the State has its head, apart from the Prime Minister. That is the reason why the question is put to the Prime Minister.

I do not see anything in what the hon. and gallant Member has said to lead me to alter my views.

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the number of police who have been murdered or attacked in Ireland during the week-end?

I regret to say that it is a long list, and I trust that the House will bear with me:

1. Patrol of sergeant and three constables ambushed at Killybegs, County Donegal, last night. One constable wounded.

2. District-Inspector Killegher shot dead in Kiernan's Hotel, Granard, County Longford, at 9 p.m. last night.

3. Sergeant Henry Cronin, of Tullamore, King's County, fired at and wounded, 7.30 p.m. last night. DiedS 45 a.m. this morning.

4. Police patrol fired upon at Dungannon, County Tyrone, at 10.45 p.m. last night. One constable wounded.

5. Constables Caseley and Evans, of Killorglin, County Kerry, shot dead 10 p.m. last night.

6. 9.30 p.m. last night: attempt to assassinate military officer at Killenaule, County Tipperary. Military sergeant wounded.

7. Police patrol fired on last night Ballyduff, County Tipperary. One man killed, one wounded.

8. Police patrol, Abbeydorney, County Kerry, attacked last night. Constable Madden shot dead. Another seriously wounded.

9. Police patrol in Tralee fired upon. One constable wounded.

10. Police patrol in Listowel, County Kerry, fired upon. No casualties.

11. Two constables wounded at Causeway, County Kerry, last night.

12. Naval wireless operator seriously wounded in Tralee last night.

13. Constable Doyle, of Clonark, seriously wounded at Kielty, 5 p.m. last night.

14. Two constables fired at, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, at 9.40 p.m. last night. No casualties.

15. At Castledaly, County Galway, police ambushed. One constable killed, two wounded.

Does not that point to the hopeless breakdown of your policy? Are you going to succeed?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any arrests have been made in connection with these barbarous atrocities?

I cannot give the number—these wires have just come to hand. They are very brief—but some arrests, I know, have been made.

Do you still claim—[Interruption].

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether Mrs. J. Annan Bryce was arrested at Holyhead on Friday by agents of the Government, thence deported to Dublin, and imprisoned in a Bridewell there; if so, by what authority, on whose instructions, and on what grounds was this action taken?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The lady was arrested by order of the Competent Military Authority under the powers conferred by No. 55 of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. She was suspected of having in her possession documents of a seditious character. She did have documents, out they were not considered of a sufficiently serious nature to lay a definite charge.

I addressed this question to the Prime Minister, and I would ask this supplementary question: When had the Government and how had the Government power under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act to arrest a British subject in this country? Is it not a fact that the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act applies only to Ireland? This lady, the wife of an ex-Member of this House—

The hon. Member should give notice of that supplementary question. It requires research.

On a point of Order. I did give notice of this question as early as half-past eleven to the Government. The reply is under the authority of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act. Anybody in this House knows that that Act was passed for Ireland. I am not asking for information about that. I am asking a question about this country. I want to know why in this country under an Act of Parliament applying only to Ireland a British subject can be arrested.

If the hon. Member will put his question in the ordinary way, he will get a reply.

I give notice that at the close of questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on an urgent matter of definite public importance, namely, the arrests of British subjects in this country under an Irish Act.

At the end of Questions—

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the arrest of Mrs. Annan Bryce at Holyhead, her deportation to Dublin, and imprisonment without charge under an Act of Parliament that applies only to Ireland.

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, fewer than forty Members having accordingly risen, the House proceeded to the Orders of the Day.

I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment. [HON. MEMBERS: "You cannot!"] Then I shall beg to divide.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British representative on the Council of the League of Nations will be 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.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any provisions in this understanding as to the opening of the Lower Scheldt?

Is it not a fact that the Belgian Prime Minister has stated that the Government intend to lay this agreement before the Belgian Chamber?

My attention has not been drawn to that statement, but if it is so I shall be glad.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware of the anxiety that will be produced in the Council of the League of Nations if contracting parties like France and Belgium do not let the other constituents of that Assembly know what is passing between the Imperial Chancellories?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state when he will introduce the Bill dealing with the liquor traffic, which he promised would be introduced before Christmas, 1919?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make any statement of policy in regard to the future of the licensing trade; and, if not, whether he will agree to the suggestion which has been made to appoint a Select Committee of independent Members of this House to inquire into and report on the subject?

I have been asked to answer these questions. We still hope to be able to introduce the Bill dealing with this subject during the present Session.

Is the Bill ready to be presented, has it been submitted to the Cabinet, and, if so, has it been approved?

The Bill has already been drafted.

Has it been submitted to the Cabinet and approved?

It has been considered by a Committee of the Cabinet and approved.

Has the suggestion about appointing a Committee been dropped?

The Prime Minister has appointed a small Committee to consider one particular question, that is, the question of the closing of licensed promises on Sunday.