asked the Secretary of State for India whether any instructions or intimations of any kind have been given in India that soldiers called out in aid of the civil power are not to be supplied with ball ammunition?

Last August the Government of India informed me that no regulations existed or were contemplated to the effect that soldiers called out in aid of the civil power in India were not to be supplied with ball ammunition. I have no reason to suppose that any such instructions or any intimations to the same effect have since been issued or made.

asked the Secretary of State for India, if his attention has been called to the reported statement by Mrs. Besan, at a recent conference of the All India Political Sufferers, that the motives of the political conspirators against the Government were pure, that their motives purified their character, and that even in assassination these young men were led by the purest passion; and whether the Government of India has taken any steps to prevent Mrs. Besant thus glorifying murder and practically inviting the youth of India to adopt anarchical methods?

I have not seen the statement referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to continue the Government control of rice in Burma; if so, whether export licences will be issued to Burmese as well as to European merchants; and whether he will consider the expediency of the local government appointing a committee on which the cultivators and Burmese merchants shall have representatives for advising the Rice Controller?

No proposals have been received from, the Government of India for the control of the coming Burma rice crop. I shall, however, communicate the hon. Member's suggestions to the Government of India for consideration in the event of it being found necessary to continue control.

asked the Secretary of State for India if attempts have been made recently to tamper with the loyalty of troops in India; and what action has been taken in the matter?

One Sadhu has been prosecuted for attempting to seduce Indian troops. Otherwise I have heard of no recent specific attempts to tamper with the loyalty of troops. But the Government of India have drawn the attention of local governments to the need of action in cases of the kind.

asked the Secretary of State for India what arrangements have now been made to enable officials and European residents in India, who have hitherto been unable to secure passages home, to obtain shipping accommodation next spring; and what steps are being taken to cheapen the cost of passages to and from India to Government officials?

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have agreed in India to refuse ordinarily all applications from persons who do not reside in India for homeward passages in March, April and May next spring, thereby securing preference for officials and non-officials residing in India. It is hoped that other companies will accept a similar arrangement. The subject referred to in the latter part of the question is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the names of the members of the Indian railway committee?

The Committee will consist of the following:—Mr. W. M. Acworth, barrister-at-law, member of the Royal Commission on Canadian Railways, 1916, and of other bodies of inquiry concerned with railways

asked the Minister of Transport if an Order has been made authorising an increase in fares by the London underground railways under the Act passed recently; if so, whether the fares so authorised have been brought into force, and when; and whether the Government subsidy to the District Railway Company, which was used principally to finance the London General Omnibus Company, terminated entirely from such date?

Revised fares which, except those for short distances, are below the amounts sanctioned by Parliament in the Act mentioned, were approved by me for introduction on the 26th September, 1920, and the Government subsudy to the Metropolitan District Railway Company was brought to an end simultaneously. I also took the opportunity of obtaining the cancellation of any outstanding Government liability under the control agreements with the single exception of the agreements as to the adjustment of stores.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Ministry of Transport are represented in every inquiry into, or get details of, every accident in which motor vehicles are concerned; and, if not, will he take steps to see that the Ministry is so represented in future?

All serious accidents in which motor vehicles are concerned are reported to the Ministry of Transport, and are inquired into by officers of the Department. This is done by courtesy to the Ministry. No statutory rights or obligations exist. Our object is to see whether any defect in the road or obstruction to view is responsible. I also desire to collect information with a view to legislation, but piecemeal legislation is certainly undesirable, and the whole question is being systematically reviewed. The suitability of the vehicle at the time of licensing is a matter for the licensing authority.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the number of controls in operation in the Metropolitan police area for detecting infringements of the speed limit between a.m. on Saturdays and p.m. on Mondays for each weekend since the 14th of August; what has been the average number of controls for detecting cases of dangerous driving during the same period; how many police

Week-end.			Speed Controls.			No. of cases of dangerous driving reported by police on ordinary duty.
			No. of controls.	No. of officers employed.	No. of cases of excess speed reported.
1.			2.	3.	4.	5.
14–16 August	…	…	86	85	142	6
21–23 August	…	…	85	80	167	3
28–30 August	…	…	65	62	101	1
4–6 September		…	Nil	Nil	Nil	3
11–13 September		…	Nil	Nil	Nil	5
18–20 September		…	Nil	Nil	Nil	3
25–27 September		…	2	3	Nil	3
2–4 October	…	…	2	5	3	4
9–11 October	…	…	2	5	2	7
16–18 October	…	…	2	3	5	3
23–25 October	…	…	2	3	5	3
Total	…	…	236	246	425	41

The average number of controls for detecting offences other than excess speed was 6·9; 65 officers were employed, being an average of 6 per week, and no cases of dangerous or negligent driving were reported by them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in Ireland the cost of traders' tickets has been advanced by 800 per cent.; owing to Ireland being largely an agricultural country, trade is only kept open by the traders going from fair to fair, and that this rise therefore amounts to a strangulation of trade; and if on this consideration he would reduce the advance from 800 per cent. to 120 per cent.?

It was brought to my notice that the recent revision of rates for traders' season tickets adopted on the recommendation of the Rates Advisory Committee has, in some instances in Ireland, resulted in a very marked increase, and directions have now been issued, with retroactive effect, limiting the amount of increase to 200 per centum.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give permission to officers have been employed and with what success, respectively; what have been the maximum figures for each weekend; and how many cases of dangerous driving have been reported by police on ordinary duty?

The figures are as follows:the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to reduce the workmen's train fare from Cloughfold to Waterfoot, as the charge is now 1s. 6d. per week against 6d. formerly, and the distance is only one mile; and, as the railway company state that the charge is the minimum allowed by the Transport Ministry, will he revise his instructions to provide for a reasonable charge being made for this and similar short distances?

The question of workmen's fares was the subject of a recent public inquiry by the Rates Advisory Committee, who, after very careful consideration of the evidence placed before them, recommended a scale of charges for tickets on cheap early trains with a minimum charge for any distance not exceeding two miles of 3d. for the return journey, and the railway companies were directed to revise their fares accordingly. The fare quoted is in accordance with the recommendation, and the scale applies throughout the country. In these circumstances I regret that I cannot see my way to make any exceptional reduction in this particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport what bodies are joined to form the joint electricity authority, Group E 8; what area the authority contains; and what financial assistance the authority is receiving out of moneys voted by this House?

The Lower Severn electricity district has been provisionally determined by the Electricity Commissioners, but a joint electricity authority for the district has not yet been set up. A scheme for the formation of such an authority has been submitted by county councils, local authorities, and authorised undertakers having jurisdiction within the district as provisionally determined. The Electricity Commissioners will not finally determine the area of the district until after they have held a local inquiry. The point in the concluding sentence of the hon. and gallant Member's question does not arise.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland to what extent the services on the railways of Southern and Western Ireland have been curtailed during the past three weeks?

I have been asked to answer this question. As compared with three weeks ago the reduction in mileage run on the principal railways in South and West Ireland is approximately 30 per cent. This reduction is due to the miners' strike and to the normal return to winter services. Reductions due to refusals to carry Government stores have not been increased during the last three weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is any branch of his Department to which is attributed the duty of looking after aerial transport; how much in that case it costs annually; and what it has actually done hitherto?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport why the £36,000,000 stated to be in the hands of the railway companies as a reserve against arrears of maintenance cannot be used now to reduce the extra deficit of the railways of from £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 a week?

The sums in question have been paid to the railway companies progressively throughout the War under the railway agreements as payments on account of maintenance which it was not possible to carry out under war conditions, and is part of their invested funds. The agreements in regard to arrears of maintenance are, as the hon. Member is probably aware, now being considered in detail by Lord Colwyn's Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Committee appointed to report on the best ways and means of defining the railway agreements was set up by his Ministry, and was it set up by agreement with the railway companies; and does he hope that its findings will assist him in saving money for the taxpayer or will result in such savings as will reduce fares?

The Committee referred to was appointed by myself, and the railway companies were not consulted, nor was there any need to consult them. I hope that the investigations of the Committee will elucidate the very complicated position and that their Report will assist me to secure that the interests of the taxpayer under such agreements are still further safeguarded. The hon. Member will understand that the Committee is dealing with outstanding matters under the agreements rather than with the cost of operating the railways. As to future fares, I have replied to the hon. Member under Question 66.

asked the Minister of Transport if the fees of legal representatives of the railway companies, presenting the companies' case before the Rates Advisory Committee and in opposing the Government at the Law Courts, are paid by the Government?

As regards the cost incurred by the railway companies in presenting their case through counsel before the Rates Advisory Committee, I am advised that the amounts in question are under the Railway Agreements chargeable as a working expense debitable to the Government. Generally speaking, legal expenses are a charge to working expenses under those agreements and are borne by the Government, but each case must be dealt with on its merits, and for obvious reasons I do not wish to be committed to any general admission of State liability. No case of a charge against the Government in respect of the cost of litigation by a railway company against the Government has yet occurred.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is a demand for excursion trains to London from many small towns and country places; is he aware that such trains were run before the War generally on the early closing day of the particular districts; and will he ask the railway companies if it is possble to run some excursion trains to London from towns and holiday places in the southern and eastern counties during the autumn months?

If we are to continue to secure the economies in working already attained a necessary condition of the running of day excursion trains is that they shall attract new traffic, thus adding to earnings. For this reason it has been felt generally that the excursion trains should be run only for purely holiday traffic to holiday resorts. The hon. Member must remember that the rise in transportation charges has been far less than the rise in wages and in the cost of materials used, and unless other travellers are to pay for the loss on cheap tickets we must adhere to the principle stated above. I shall, however, be glad to consider with the hon. Member any particular instances in which he thinks that the necessary conditions can be fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the free travelling facilities which are given by the various railway companies to railway servants; does it include free tickets for the man for any distance or for any members of his family, and does it include free holiday tickets for the man and his family or, if not free, on what reduction are such tickets issued; and have pensioned railway men any facilities as regards free or cheaper railway tickets?

The practice varies considerably on various railways and between various grades of employes. Generally speaking, as regards wages grades, the custom of the companies has been that the employé is granted free travelling facilities on a limited number of occasions over the railway by which he is employed, for himself, and sometimes for certain members of his family. He can also obtain tickets at one-fourth of the ordinary fare on other occasions. This latter privilege is extended under specific conditions and with certain Imitations to pensioned railway servants. Clerical and other grades have usually more extended privileges.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the working of the Railway Advisory Board; and whether the complaints made by the workers' representatives as to its method of procedure have received any attention?

The Railway Advisory Committee to which the hon. Member refers is exactly in the same position as it was when appointed. It met last week, and will meet again shortly. I know of no complaints as to its procedure.

asked the Minister of Transport if his Ministry acts as the representative and guardian of the public purse and of the community in dealing with the railway directors; whether he is satisfied that the present check is sufficiently close to prevent any betterment of the private property at the cost of the State or the users of the railways?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Islington South (Mr. Higham) on the 25th ultimo. A very strong Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Colwyn, is now considering, among other matters, whether the additional checks which I have instituted upon railway expenditure should be still further strengthened, having regard to cost of the staff. I may add that particular care is taken by the investigators to see that betterment is not charged to revenue and such items are challenged. I am not prepared to assert that the present check is adequate. The complexity of the questions which arise and the expenditure involved, greater than the annual national expenditure before the War, renders the task one of magnitude, delicacy, and difficulty. There is ample ground for honest differences of opinion in large and small items.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps, if any, have been taken by his Department to give effect to the Resolution of the House, on 2nd March, 1920, regarding the increase of pensions to ex-railway servants; and whether he contemplates introducing legislation to deal with existing anomalies and the administration of railway provident funds?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 28th October in reply to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Lieut-Colonel Croft) and to other replies, of which I am sending the hon. Member copies. The question of introducing legislation is one for the railway companies and the funds, and not for the Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether further consideration has been given to the representations made to his Department respecting the desirability of re-opening Spa Road, Old Kent Road, Deptford, and other stations' on the South-Eastern and Chatham and the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railways, originally closed mainly on the plea of shortage of labour; and, if so, the result of such consideration?

Further representations have been received recently from the Bermondsey and Deptford Borough Councils asking that the Minister may make an Order in regard to the re-opening of certain South-Eastern and Chatham stations. This matter is under consideration, and it is hoped to reach a decision shortly. The Minister is in communication with the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company in regard to the Old Kent Road Station.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any scheme of construction of light railways has been approved in England and Wales by the Departments concerned; if so, in what counties they are situated; what is the probable contribution by the State in each case; and whether local bodies in the counties concerned have undertaken to make any contribution; and, if so, to what extent in each case?

A large number of such schemes have been considered, but none has yet been approved. I am, therefore, not in a position to give the hon. Member the particulars for which he asks. I am, however, in communication with the promoters and local interests in regard to certain of the more promising cases, with a view to ascertaining the extent of the financial support which the schemes will attract locally, as upon this factor any question of assistance from public funds must largely depend. I am not prepared to recommend State finance for lean schemes unless local interests are prepared to adequately support them themselves.

asked the Minister of Transport if the miners' strike has made any reduction in fares and freight charges during 1921 almost hopeless?

The present strike has involved a serious loss of revenue, estimated at from £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 a week, and even if work is speedily resumed the loss of traffic and dislocation of industry must continue to affect railway receipts adversely for some time to come. Other factors, such as the operation of the sliding scale for wages and the general trend of prices, must also be taken into account, and in all the circumstances, I see no prospect of any reduction in railway charges in the near future, but the whole position will be most carefully reviewed before the end of the period of possession, to see that the charges are not unduly high.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any solution has been arrived at to mitigate the excessive glare of powerful headlights carried by mechanically-propelled vehicles?

I am informed that the investigations of the Departmental Committee appointed to consider this question are proceeding satisfactorily. I hope to be in a position before long to introduce a Bill dealing with the regulation of the lighting of road vehicles generally.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the hardship suffered by War pensioners, especially those certified totally disabled, by reason of the rise in the cost of living since the date when the present pensions were fixed; and if he will consider the desirability of recommending to the House to remove this hardship by an increase of pension to cover the increased cost of living?

The Government have recently considered this question, and have decided that no increase of war pensions can be sanctioned at present. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, unable to adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the information received by the War Office endorses the statement that the present cost of living in India is comparatively higher for officers and warrant officers who are married than the cost at home; whether, in spite of recent increases in pay, many officers who have obtained their commissions from the ranks and are now serving in India find that they cannot live on their pay; and, if so, what steps he is prepared to take to meet this difficulty?

I have not the material to enable a trustworthy comparison to be made between the cost of living in India and in this country for a married officer. But I am not aware that the rates now paid in India, which are higher than those here, are insufficient to enable a married officer to live on his pay. In addition to the rates for British officers generally, allowances up to Rs. 150 a month are given to married lieutenants and second lieutenants commissioned from the ranks of the regular forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the fares of soldiers on leave from Ireland and returning to their duties are paid in full?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on the 26th October to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle).

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of War Office Order 90/Gen. No./101, that deputy-lieutenants and vice-lieutenants shall, in addition to the khaki uniform worn during the War, supply themselves with full-dress scarlet uniform, if he can give any indication of the occasions upon which it will be appropriate to wear the one and of those upon which it will be appropriate to wear the other?

The recent Committee on the dress of His Majesty's lieutenants, vice-lieutenants, and deputy-lieutenants recommended that full-dress in a modified and less expensive form should be retained for State functions and ceremonial occasions. The provision of full-dress uniform is optional, but those who are present on occasions when His Majesty is wearing naval or military full-dress uniform are expected to appear in full-dress uniform also. Service-dress uniform is retained for wear at inspections and similar duties in connection with the Territorial Force. Those in possession of full-dress and service-dress uniforms of patterns that now become obsolete may continue to wear such uniform until unserviceable, but all future provision will be of the new pattern.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the retainer of Royal Fleet Reserve (Class B) still remains at 6d. a day; and can he see his way to increase that amount to 1s. 6d. a day, in view of the cost of living compared with pre-war days and the fact that many of these men are out of employment?

I am aware that the retainer paid to members of Class B of the Royal Fleet Reserve is still 6d. a day. No increase in this amount has been considered necessary in view of the substantial advances recently made in the rates of pension and gratuity which are payable on the completion of the qualifying periods of service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if no leave has been granted to the crew of H.M.S. "Renown"; and, if so, the reason; and when it is proposed to grant leave?

In addition to leave on the authorised scale, an extra week is being given to the officers and men of H.M.S. "Renown." As many as can be spared have already been sent on leave and the remainder will proceed on leave shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether the number of officers of the mercantile marine who belong to the Royal Naval Reserve is greater or less now than before the War in proportion to the number of officers; whether there is any reason to believe that as a result of the treatment of some officers during the War and subsequent thereto service in the Royal Naval Reserve does not offer the same attractions as formerly; and whether he is prepared to inquire into the matter?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The proportion of officers of the mercantile marine serving in the Royal Naval Reserve before the War was slightly higher than the present proportion in consequence of the fact that no entries into the Royal Naval Reserve, with the exception of a small number of probationary midshipmen, have been accepted since the conclusion of hostilities.It is intended to resume entries when the regulations regarding the Royal Naval Reserve, which are now under revision, are promulgated; and there is good reason to assume that there will be no difficulty in completing the lists of Royal Naval Reserve officers to the full number required. The applications that have been received for entry into the permanent Royal Naval Reserve Force since the Armistice are numerous and lead to the conclusion that service in this force has not lost its attractions for the mercantile marine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will inquire into the reasons for the delay in granting the discharge of Private J. Edmundson, Royal Marines, H.M.S. "Vindictive," the discharge money of £48 having been paid in June, 1920, at Chatham; will he inquire why this man's parents can get no reply to letters addressed to the Admiralty on the matter; and will he see that the discharge certificate is issued immediately?

Owing to present requirements of the corps it is not possible to grant this man his discharge at the present time. It is not the fact that his parents received no reply to their letters. The reasons for not granting immediate discharge have been explained to them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give instructions to those in charge of the wireless station at Mauritius to connect up with the meteorological observatory at that place and make it a matter of routine to pass daily weather reports, free of charge, at stated hours, in order that all vessels in those seas, so subject to storms, may have the advantage of that information; and whether vessels within wireless range of Mauritius will be instructed to pass weather reports of their surroundings for the information of the observatory?

Two periods a day are set aside by the Admiralty for the transmission of weather bulletins by Mauritius Wireless Station. The question of ships passing weather data messages to shore stations is at present occupying the attention of the Meteorological Office.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the wireless stations forming the Imperial W/T chain of communication are all under the control of the Admiralty; whether it is possible to ensure passing a message by wireless from Bombay to England without at some point having to relay it on to a cable; and whether the station at Aden as at present designed is capable of dealing with the traffic passed to it without causing the commercial work of vessels to suffer?

With regard to the first part of the question, the stations at present under the control of the Admiralty were not designed to form what is usually understood by the term "Imperial Chain." No such chain at present exists. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the third part of the question, this is covered by my reply to Question No. 5 on the same subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, partly on account of the work that has to be undertaken, and partly on account of the existing plant of the station, the wireless telegraph installation at Aden fails to give the requisite service to mail and other steamers, especially when within the limits of the Red Sea; and whether steps can be taken to enable Lloyd's, with the aid of the Admiralty, or the Admiralty without any co-operation with Lloyd's, to re-establish the W/T stations at Berbera and Elephant's Back, Aden, to deal solely with the important commercial wireless traffic in that area to connect Berbera with Aden by cable?

The Admiralty are at present considering steps for supplementing the present wireless service at Aden. The station at Berbera is the property of Somaliland, and the Admiralty have no control over it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the negotiations between this country and the United States over the Mesopotamia oilfields?

Certain questions have been raised by the United States in regard to the general subject of concessions in mandated territories, but there have been no negotiations of the nature referred to.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the method of exploiting the oil of Mesopotamia has yet been decided upon?

No, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether there will be an opportunity before Christmas for a full discussion of the expenditure upon Mesopotamia?

A full opportunity for discussion will be afforded by the Supplementary Army Estimate.

asked the Prime Minister the date of the Armistice between the Allies and each of the late enemy States, respectively; the date of the ratification of the treaties of peace in each case in which peace has been concluded; and which of the treaties still await ratification?

The following were the dates upon which the various Armistices were concluded:—

• Austria-Hungary, 3rd November, 1918;
• Bulgaria, 27th September, 1918;
• Germany, 11th November, 1918;
• Turkey, 30th October, 1918.

The deposits of ratifications of the Austrian, Bulgarian and German Peace Treaties were made on 16th July, 1920, 9th August, 1920, and 10th January, 1920, respectively. The Hungarian and Turkish Peace Treaties have still to be ratified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is meant by verification in respect to properly lodged claims for British-owned German Government and municipal bonds and unpaid coupons that have been in continuous custody of British banks in Britain for British-born owners since before the War and until lodged with the British Clearing House; and whether a verification to that effect by the British banks concerned would fulfil all Treaty obligations in respect to verification of nationality, place of residence, and continuous ownership, and so prevent further procrastination in repayment in order to meet the convenience of the German authorities?

The German Clearing Office is entitled to contest any claim of the kind in question unless it is satisfied of the identity of the bond or coupon, as to the nationality of the creditor that he was resident in this country on the date of the coming into force of the Treaty, and that he has been owner of the bond o coupon since the outbreak of war. I am not aware whether the German Office would accept a certificate by a British bank without making any examination of its own, but the hon. Member will observe that the certificate suggested by him would not cover the first and third points mentioned above.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken to ensure that German officers charged with war crimes and now awaiting trial are not being allowed to leave Germany; and whether any instructions have been given to the British Ambassador in the matter?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. The responsibility for taking steps necessary to make the trials effective rests with the German Government and the High Court at Leipzig which has undertaken to try the cases. The British Ambassador is fully seized of the matter

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government is negotiating with the Georgian Government with a view to leasing the port of Batoum for a long period; if so, what is the object of such a lease; and whether the Government has in mind any movement with a view to securing the Baku oilfields?

The answer is in the negative. The right hon. Gentleman has presumably been misled by unfounded statements issued by the Soviet Government at Moscow, who recently circulated a wireless report to the same effect. Through the same channel of wireless telegraphy, His Majesty's Government issued an authoritative denial, which was also published in the Press on 23rd October.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any protest has been received from the Turkish Government concerning the actions of Greece in Thrace?

The Porte has complained that Moslems are forced to leave the Adrianople district owing to an influx of Greeks. Some of those are no doubt Greeks who were themselves ejected by the Turks before and during the War. The British, French, and Italian High Commissioners at Constantinople have taken the matter up with the Greek High Commissioner. Another complaint received from the Porte is to the effect that on occupying Rodosto the Greek forces took possession of the Custom House and of a small sum of Turkish money lying there. Our information is that the conduct of the Greek forces in Thrace has been excellent, vigorous action having been taken by the Greek commanders to punish such offences against the rules of civilised warfare as have been committed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many persons have met a violent death in Ireland since 20th October?

From the 20th to the 30th October 23 persons are known to have met with violent deaths in Ireland. This number includes six policemen and six soldiers who were murdered in roadside ambushes. Of the 11 civilians killed two were accidentally shot by military or police who were defending themselves from attack, one was shot by military while attempting to escape arrest, and one was killed in a street riot in Belfast. In three of the other cases the cause of death has been investigated by a court of inquiry, which has found that the deceased met his death by shooting at the hands of persons unknown. Courts of inquiry are being held in the four remaining cases, but the findings have not yet been announced. I regret to say that since the 30th October seven more policemen and two civilians have been murdered.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the estimated number of persons killed by servants of the Crown in Ireland since 1st July, 1920?

It is impossible to state exactly the number of persons who have lost their lives in conflict with the armed forces of the Crown during any specified period, but the number of such persons may be taken as approximately 120 since 1st July last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the estimated value of the property destroyed by servants of the Crown in Ireland since 1st July, 1920?

The value of the property maliciously destroyed in Ireland since the 1st July, 1920, cannot be known until the various claims for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Act have been heard and decided. In the majority of the cases in which servants of the Crown are alleged to have been concerned no award of compensation under the Act has yet been made and I have no material on which to base an estimate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any inquiry has been held into the death of Patrick O'Carroll, who was killed in Dublin on 16th October?

A military court of inquiry in lieu of inquest was held in this case on the 19th October and gave the following finding. The court having considered the evidence are of opinion that Peter O'Carroll, civilian, died on the 16th October, 1920, from shock and hemorrhage resulting from a bullet wound inflicted by a person unknown on that day. The court are of opinion that this person unknown committed wilful murder. That owing to the omission of Mrs. O'Carroll, wife of the deceased, to obey the summons of the court to appear as a witness there is no evidence forthcoming to show under what circumstances the above wound was inflicted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will publish the evidence taken in the inquiries which have been held into alleged reprisals?

I am of opinion that no good purpose would be served by the publication of this evidence.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an inquiry has been held into the circumstances of the death of Inspector Burke at Balbriggan on 20th September; whether an inquiry has been held as to the death of Lawless and Gibbons; if so, what was the result of the inquiries; and whether the evidence will be published?

A military court of inquiry has been held into the circumstances attending the death of Head Constable Burke at Balbriggan on the 20th September last and the events which followed that murder. I do not think it desirable that any part of the proceedings of this court should be published for the present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has made any inquiries as to the allegations made by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society with regard to the destruction of creameries; and whether he still asserts that there is no evidence that soldiers or police have been concerned in their destruction?

I do not think that I can usefully add to the very full statements I have already made on this subject, except to say I have recently received a deputation on this subject of members of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society and the Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish National Assurance Company, Limited, and the New Ireland Assurance Company, Ltd., have made the necessary deposit with the Board of Trade of £20,000; and whether they have furnished the required particulars to the authorities for the year 1919?

I have been asked to reply. The Irish National Assurance Company, Limited, has made a deposit of £20,000 in respect of life assurance business under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909. As the business of that company was only commenced late in the year 1919, the first returns made up to the 31st December, 1920, need not be lodged until June, 1921.No company called the New Ireland Assurance Company, Limited, has been registered, but the New Ireland Assurance Collecting Society is registered under the Friendly Societies Acts, and is therefore not required to make a deposit of £20,000. I am informed by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies that the returns for 1919 have been made by the society, and are now being examined.

asked the Home Secretary whether it was with his knowledge or consent that a rebel flag was displayed in a funeral procession through London on Thursday last; and whether it is intended to allow similar emblems of rebellion to be paraded in the streets of the Metropolis in future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second, the display of a flag is not in itself an offence, but action might have to be taken if it were used as an incitement or encouragement to riot or sedition or any other breach of the law.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of workers who are still unemployed as a result of the industrial troubles in Belfast; and how many of them are ex-service men?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot state how many persons are unemployed as a result of industrial troubles. The total number of persons on the live register of the Employment Exchanges at Belfast on 15th October was 6,226, of whom 2,831 were ex-service men.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to say what arrangements have been made for Members of the House of Commons to attend the service in Westminster Abbey on Armistice Day?

The proposed arrangements of the Armistice Day ceremonies have yet to be filially approved by His Majesty and the Cabinet, but I understand it is proposed to allot in the Abbey 200 seats in all to Members of both Houses, that is to say, 100 seats to each House, to be distributed as the respective Houses may decide. In this connection, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for Altrincham (Major Hamilton) on this subject. [See col. 47.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the present index of commodity prices, which index governs the cost of labour and consequently the cost of the commodity to the consumer for the year 1920, is compared with a pre-War period on the assumption that the same quantities and qualities of each item are consumed by certain selected classes of manual workers; whether this assumption is only true of those individuals whose wages are raised to equal the cost of living; and will he have the monthly rise or fall in cost of living ascertained on some more reliable basis?

I have been asked to reply. The index numbers relating to cost of living, which are prepared by the Ministry of Labour, show the average increase in the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of the working classes. In those cases in which earnings have not been increased in the same proportion some re-adjustment of expenditure must, of course, have been made, but I am afraid it would be impracticable to collect each month the data necessary. I may add that the British Empire Statistical Conference, which assembled in London early this year, gave careful consideration to the question of index numbers of price-changes, and unanimously decided that such index numbers should compare the cost of a selected group of commodities at one date with the cost of the same commodities, in the same quantities, at another date. This is the method employed by the Ministry of Labour.

asked the, Prime Minister if he is aware that the increased burden of local rates means ruin to many citizens throughout this country; that irresponsible persons of Bolshevik instinct have captured positions on local councils and are using their positions for political purposes; and will he therefore consider the appointment of a committee of inquiry and investigation to go into this matter at once?

I have been making inquiries in regard to the increase in rates, and as I have previously stated, I propose to lay before the House a paper containing detailed information on the subject. I am aware of certain cases where we have been able to check serious extravagances so far as our powers enable us to do so. With regard to the suggestion in the second part of the question, the most effectual remedy is that the electors should take a keen and intelligent interest in the affairs of local government, and not be satisfied, as they often have been, for local councils to be elected by the votes of only a small fraction of the electorate.

asked the Minister of Health if any representations have been made to him by assessment committees on the effect of recent legislation and administrative acts of the Government on the incidence of rating; if these representations have been brought to the notice of the Treasury; and, if not, will he inform the Treasury of their nature?

As my hon. Friend is aware, deputations from the National Conference of Assessment Committees were seen by officers of my Department and of the Ministry of Transport last July, upon questions relating to the assessment of railways and of houses, and I issued a circular to Assessment Committees on this matter on the 16th September last. The Treasury have been informed of the action that has been taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when the new regulations for admission to the consular service by competitive examination will be published; and whether these will give preferential treatment with regard to age and other conditions to demobilised officers and soldiers?

The regulations for the examination for entry into the Consular Service will be published by the Civil Service Commission very shortly. The answer to the second part of the question is Yes, Sir!

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department seeing that under £56,000 has been taken up during the past two months under the Overseas Trade (Credit and Insurance) Act, if he will now consider the advisability of adopting, in the interest of the country and to prevent further unemployment, the scheme proposed by the Chamber of Commerce, or will he state what he proposes to do to make the Act workable?

I have already given very careful consideration to the scheme in question. The Department of Overseas Trade has been in correspondence on the subject with the London Chamber of Commerce, and I am now awaiting a further communication from the Chamber upon certain points in connection therewith. As to the last part of the question, since the recent alterations were made in the scheme a large number of inquiries have been received from business firms who state that the new conditions will materially assist their trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that American motor manufacturers contemplate completing about 3,000,000 motor cars and motor lorries this year, and that it is estimated that this number alone will absorb nearly the whole of the world's output of petrol; whether he is aware that to meet this growing shortage of petrol with a growing demand for all forms of liquid fuel, consequent upon the development of the motor industry throughout the world, new plant for the production of industrial alcohol is being put down in many countries, including our Dominions and Colonies, and that, given reasonable transport, importing, and denaturing facilities, over 200,000,000 gallons of Empire-produced alcohol could be imported into this country within two years from now; and whether, having regard to the importance of an abundant supply of cheap liquid fuel in the production and distribution of cheap food, he will immediately revise the restrictions placed upon the importation of industrial alcohol for power purposes into this country?

I am unable to confirm the statements made in the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part, the Government agree with the hon. Member as to the importance of an abundance of cheap liquid fuel, and I would remind him that provision was made in the Finance Act of this year for the payment in respect of spirits (whether imported or home-made) denatured in this country as power methylated spirits, of an allowance which would have the effect of cheapening production. Further legislative proposals are under consideration which will enable the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to modify the existing restrictions on the conditions of transport and distribution of spirits intended for use in making power methylated spirits so far as this can be done with due regard to the protection of the Revenue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the total exports and selling price per ton of cement in 1913, as compared with the total exports and selling price per ton in 1919; if the export of cement is increasing or decreasing at the present time; and, if the former, what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate supply for works of public utility in this country?

The total exports from the United Kingdom of cement for building and engineering purposes during the years 1913 and 1919, and for each completed quarter of the present year, together with the total value and the average value per ton for each of the periods, are shown in the statement given below. The exports for 1919 and for the first three quarters of the present year show a steady increase. I am informed, however, that there is at the same time a very substantial increase in output, and that the whole position, and particularly the relation between output and exports, is being carefully watched:

STATEMENT.
EXPORTS OF CEMENT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Period.	Quantity.	Value f.o.b.	Average-declared value per ton.
	Tons.	£	s.	d.
1913	747,736	1,273,080	34	6
1919	385,526	2,050,336	106	4
1920—
1st Quarter	130,771	713,370	109	1
2nd "	149,770	848,547	113	4
3rd "	174,055	1,078,847	124	0

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the price of cotton has fallen; and, if so, whether the price of the cotton reel will be reduced at an early date?

There has been an appreciable fall in the price of cotton during the past eight months. As regards the second part of the question, I am unable to say whether the price of sewing cotton will be reduced at an early date. The present price of sewing cotton, as compared with the reduced price of cotton, had already come under the notice of the Central Committee appointed under the Profiteering Acts, and is now being investigated by the Standing Committee on Trusts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. S. Clothier, 7, Gwynne-road, Dovercourt, who was employed as master in the Trinity Service; whether he is aware that Mr. Clothier joined the corporation's pilot service in 1907 as mate of one of the sailing cutters stationed at Harwich, and was subsequently promoted to master and served in that capacity for over 13 years; whether he can explain the reason for this man's discharge after such long service; and whether he will consider the possibility of reinstating him?

I am informed by the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House that Mr. Clothier joined their pilotage service in 1907 as mate of one of their sailing pilot cutters and was subsequently promoted to master. He served in the latter capacity until December, 1919, when, owing to the fact that four pilot steamers, acquired for special service during the War, were no longer needed, it unfortunately became necessary to dispense with the services of a certain number of officers and men, of whom Mr. Clothier was one. The Elder Brethren state that in coming to their decision they had due regard to the records, reports, and qualifications of the various officers concerned, and they express regret that they are unable to offer Mr. Clothier any suitable employment. The matter is not one in regard to which the Board of Trade have any jurisdiction.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether certain structural alterations are being carried out in the buildings occupied by the Ministry of Pensions at Burton's Court; whether these alterations have involved the use of reinforced concrete or material of an equally durable character; and whether, if the facts are as suggested, in view of the fact that the evacuation of these buildings have been guaranteed at a relatively early date, the use of cheaper and less durable materials would have been preferable in the interests of public economy?

Several of the larger rooms at Burton's Court are being divided by partitions. These alterations have not involved the use of the materials named, but the partitions are being constructed either of breeze blocks covered with plaster or of timber studding and asbestos sheets. I am not aware that there are any cheaper materials which can be used.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the temporary buildings in all the Embankment gardens will be removed; is he aware that these gardens are largely used by the London public; and can he undertake that they shall be cleared in time so that they can be enjoyed for the spring and summer months by the ratepayers of London, who are now rated for their upkeep and maintenance?

In view of the fact that certain requisitioned business premises are still occupied by Government Departments, which I am endeavouring to release as rapidly as possible, and as alternative accommodation is only to be obtained at a very great expenditure of public money, I regret that I am unable to give the undertaking asked for. I am, however, fully alive to the importance of removing the temporary buildings on the Embankment gardens at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Government Departments are being supplied by His Majesty's Stationery Office with pencils of poor quality made in Japan; and whether he will give instructions that in future purchases shall be made from British manufacturers?

Supplies of lead pencils made in Japan were, as a War measure, purchased by the Stationery Office at a time when the general supply of pencils in England was quite inadequate to meet the exceptional demands of Government Departments. Surplus stocks of these Japanese lead pencils are still being utilised. No pencils, other than those of British manufacture, have been purchased since the cessation of hostilities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions when he will be able to make a definite statement as to the winding up of his Department?

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is in contemplation to close the local employment exchange at Herne Bay; whether he has received any protest against such a step being taken from a responsible body at Herne Bay pointing out that in view of expected unemployment in the town and neighbourhood during the winter the closing of the exchange would make it more difficult to deal with the problem and inflict unnecessary hardship on those out of employment; and whether, under these circumstances, he will abandon any intention that may have been formed to close the exchange at Herne Bay?

The closing of the branch employment office at Herne Bay is not in contemplation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been directed to the state of under-employment existing in the upper-leather producing industries in Leeds and elsewhere; and if he will order an inquiry to be made into the causes of such under-employment with a view to remedying the position and to provide fuller employment for the trained men involved?

I am aware of the under-employment prevailing in the upper-leather producing industries in Leeds and elsewhere. Many of the larger firms in the Leeds district are understood to be working short time, whilst some have recently closed their works. The state of the trade is attributed to a variety of causes, including the instability of prices of raw material, the effect of adverse rates of foreign exchange, and other factors which are causing depression in this and other industries. I do not think a special inquiry into the circumstances of this trade at the present time would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received complaints as to the grouping of millinery and dressmaking trades under one trade board; and whether the trades affected would be more satisfactorily dealt with if the millinery trade be separated from the hat and cap trade, with which it is at present grouped, and one board formed to deal with drapery, millinery, and dressmaking employés, as distinct from factory employés?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. There are separate trade boards for the hat, cap, and millinery trade and for the dressmaking and women's light clothing trade. The question whether separate boards should be established for the wholesale section and the retail bespoke section of the dressmaking and women's light clothing trade was carefully considered in consultation with persons affected at the time when the existing board was set up, and I am informed that there was general agreement at that time that it was impossible to separate the two sections of the trade. If, when the trade boards concerned have had further experience of the present arrangement, they are satisfied that it gives rise to considerable difficulties, I shall be glad to consider again in consultation with the boards whether it is possible to make a clear line of demarcation between the two sections.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to secure proper representation of all trades affected on all Trade Boards?

The regulations constituting a trade board provide that the members of the board (apart from the apponited members) shall be representatives of employers in the trade and of workers in the trade in equal numbers. In making appointments to the board, all associations of employers and employed are, so far as possible, consulted, and great care is taken to give adequate representation to various branches of the trade and to the various districts in which the trade is carried on.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the

—						1914.		1920.
						Tons.	£	Tons.	£
Germany		…	…	…	…	10,805	107,672	—	—
Belgium		…	…	…	…	1,862	15,317	—	—
France	…	…	…	…	…	16,705	139,168	—	—
Austria-Hungary			…	…	…	2,753	43,404	—	—
United States of America				…	…	179,360	1,914,572	249,150	9,191,243
Argentine Republic			…	…	…	2,890	20,613	9,216	228,783
Australia		…	…	…	…	12,175	127,549	63,015	2,010,808
Canada	…	…	…	…	…	128,055	1,379,313	66,345	2,546,850
Other Countries			…	…	…	9,754	80,372	30,255	959,618
						364,359	3,827,980	417,981	14,937,302

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Lord Morris, late Premier of Newfoundland, has stated that the Newfoundland fishermen can supply the people of this country with an unlimited quantity of caplin, which he describes as a delicious and appetising fish, at the low rate of 2s. 6d. per barrel of about 350 lbs.; if he is aware that the only reason why the British public are deprived of an abundant supply of this cheap fish food throughout the year is because of the lack of adequate cold storage accommodation for fish and other perishable foodstuffs in nearly every important town and city throughout the United Kingdom; and what action, if any, is being taken by the Government, or by private enterprise, or by public authorities to provide this urgent requirement so that good and cheap food now being wasted may be saved and preserved for the use of the public?

In reply to the first part of the question, I am Ministry of Agriculture whether he can give figures showing the amount and value of imported flour in 1920 as compared with 1914; and the countries of origin?

I have been asked to reply. The following Table gives the quantities and values of wheat meal and flour imported into the United Kingdom from January to September inclusive in the years 1914 and 1920 (as given in the monthly accounts relating to the trade and navigation of the United Kingdom).informed that the price mentioned represents approximately the prime cost of the fish. This, however, is a very small part of the price to the consumer in this-country, to arrive at which the costs of barrels, freezing, labour, freight and distribution have to be added. It is understood that consignments of this fish have already been imported into this country and placed in cold store at Liverpool, and that further importation has been checked not by the lack of adequate cold storage accommodation, of which there is at present sufficient throughout the country, but by the small demand for this form of food.

asked the Minister of Food (1) if it has been brought to his notice that no further useful purpose can be served by continuing the control of sugar to the community; will he advise the immediate decontrol of this article so that it may be sold at its economic value;(2) what are the estimated stocks of sugar held by the Sugar Commission; is he aware of the stagnation caused to manufacturers by the holding up of these stocks at a price much higher than the market value; and will he direct the Commission to bring their prices to the level of the world's Value?

With regard to the stocks of sugar held by the Sugar Commission, and the prices charged by the Commission in relation to world prices, I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham on the 21st ultimo, and that given to the hon. Member for Spen Valley on the 27th ultimo, respectively. The hon. Member may have noticed that, in accordance with the policy there described, wholesale prices of sugar were reduced this morning. The whole question of the continuance of operations by the Sugar Commission has been under consideration for some time, and I am not able to make any further statement at present.

asked the Minister of Food whether, seeing that the public believes that certain staple articles of food, such as tea, can only be purchased, if good quality is desired, at the maximum prices, in view of the fact that there is plenty of cheap and good tea on the market, he can call attention to the fact, and thus help to reduce the cost of living?

There has been no maximum price for tea since May, 1919. It is a fact that there is at present plenty of cheap and good tea on the market, and this has been reflected in retail prices. This fact has been conveyed to the public by extensive advertisements of retailers of tea, and the Food Controller doubts whether he could use fully add anything to the publicity thereby given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how much land has gone out of arable cultivation since the Armistice?

Information as to the acreage of arable land in the whole of the United Kingdom in 1920 is not yet available, but the acreage of land under arable cultivation in England and Wales on 4th June, 1920, was 12,020,000 acres, 289,000 acres less than a year earlier, and 379,000 acres less than on 4th June, 1918. I may add that the acreage of land under arable cultivation at 4th June, 1920, is 1,022,000 greater than at 4th June, 1914, when the total was 10,998,000 acres.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he can give figures showing the number of freeholders and Government and county council tenants in England and Wales in 1920 as compared with 1914?

Complete figures for 1920 are not yet available, but the number of Government and council tenants under the Small Holdings Acts at the present time is 23,928 as compared with 14,331 at the 31st December, 1914. The number of persons who had purchased their holdings from councils at 31st December, 1919, was 68 as compared, with 50 at the end of 1914.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a circular, purporting to have been written by an employé of the Agricultural Wholesale Society, has been circulated by the Agricultural Organisation Society containing serious allegations against a body which is not in receipt of Government subsidies and also against certain members of that body; whether his attention has been-called to a complaint made to the Development Commission regarding the matter and to the fact that the employé in question has denied having written this circular, and has stated that it was compiled without his authority in the offices of the Agricultural Organisation Society and published by them without his sanction; that the employé has since admitted that statements contained in that circular are without foundation; whether the Agricultural Organisation Society is still subsidised by grants from the Development Commission; whether the issue by the Agricultural Organisation Society of such communications designed to injure a self-supporting body is sanctioned by the Development Commission; and what action he proposes to take in the matter to prevent such misuse of taxpayers' money?

I am informed that the attention of the Development Commissioners has been drawn to a document which appears to be a confidential memorandum issued by the Agricultural Organisation Society to its officials. The Commissioners were informed by the complainants that the alleged writer of the memorandum has made the statements mentioned in the question. They have referred the matter to the Ministry of Agriculture, through whom and under whose supervision the grant of £28,000 made to the society from the Development Fund is paid, for any further inquiry which may be thought necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the special allotments grant to the Agricultural Organisation Society has been stopped; if so, for what reason the Treasury has so decided; what is the total amount of grants the Agricultural Organisation Society may receive this year; upon what basis are grants given to the society; whether the society is still in receipt of any grants for allotments and, if so, what is the amount; whether any of the grants go to allotment societies or go entirely to the Agricultural Organisation Society's central office; whether last year, of the total grants of £45,000 to the Agricultural Society, at least £35,000 was spent in salaries and expenses of officials; what means are taken to supervise the expenditure of public money by this society; and whether he will take steps with a view to the immediate stoppage of all Government grants to the society, directly or indirectly, in respect of allotments, seeing that work for allotment holders is being done by a body which has never asked for and is not in receipt of Government funds?

No special grant has been made to the Agricultural Organisation Society for allotments work for 1920–21, as the Development Commissioners did not consider the continuance of the special grant authorised during the War to be justified in present circumstances. As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary informed the hon. Member for Newton on the 8th July last, a grant of £28,000 will be made to the society in aid of its general agricultural work this year. I am sending the hon. Member a statement of the conditions attached to the grant. In addition a grant of £4,000 is being made from the Small Holdings Account of the Ministry of Agriculture in aid of the society's work among smallholders in 1920–21. These grants are, I understand, intended to meet the salaries and expenses of officials engaged in the work of organisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what was the estimated total production of wheat in the United Kingdom this year; and what is the average annual quantity reserved for sowing?

The returns of the production of wheat this year are not yet available for the whole of the United Kingdom, but the estimated production in England and Wales is 6,677,000 quarters. The average annual quantity used for seed in the past 10 years is estimated at about 750,000 quarters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to articles appearing in the Press on the subject of the sale of worn-out horses to the Continent; what steps are taken by his Department in the matter; and what is the lowest price at which these horses are sold and the cost of shipment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These statements appear generally to be made under a misapprehension as to the facts. The Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, and the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, prohibits the shipment of worn-out horses without a written guarantee from a veterinary inspector of the Ministry to the effect that the horses are capable of being conveyed and worked without suffering. The Ministry insist on a strict interpretation of the standard of fitness. The average price of the exported horses is, I understand, £28, and the cost of shipment varies between £4 and £6. I have no reason to believe that any horses are being shipped which fail to reach the requisite standard.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many new allotments have been created since the beginning of the year; and how many have reverted to other uses?

I regret that I am not in a position to supply the statistics asked for. A return will be obtained after the end of the year from each Allotment Authority in England and Wales showing the acreage acquired for allotments and the number of allotment holders provided for under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, and the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, and it is proposed to embody in the Ministry's Annual Report to Parliament under Section 59 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act,]908, a summary of the information thus obtained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction caused among ex-service men by the instruction recently issued that foreign-service men should have preference over home-service men in the allotment of small holdings; that this dissatisfaction is caused by the fact that many home-service men have already received holdings, so that the distinction is now most invidious; and whether he can see his way to authorise the withdrawal of this instruction?

I am not aware that grave dissatisfaction exists among ex-service men by reason of the decision referred to, and the Minister does not propose to take any steps to withdraw the instruction. It is not the Governmen's intention that home-service men should not be provided with holdings in future, but that in the allocation of holdings preference should be given by Councils to men who have served overseas over men who have served only at home.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what is the number of ex-officers settled at the Bosbury Land Settlement, and the number six months ago; what are the Ministry's intentions with regard to the settlement; whether officers of the Ministry visited the settlement in July last; and if he can make their Report public, or any other recent Report on the subject?

The number of ex-officers settled on small holdings at the Bosbury Farm Settlement is 8, and the number has not increased during the last six months. It is proposed to divide the whole estate into small holdings as the remainder of the land comes in hand. Ultimately there will be 16 small holdings, all of which, it is expected, will be let to ex-officers. Officers of the Ministry frequently visit the settlement: no special visit was made in July, nor have any reports been made other than those normally required for administrative purposes. A report on this and other farm settlements will shortly be submitted to Parliament in accordance with Section 10 of the Small Holdings Colonies Act, 1916.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that the sum of £7,000, the quota of the land settlement fund allocated to the county of Westmorland, is being found quite inadequate to satisfy the demands of ex-service men in the county; and whether, in view of the promise made that land would be provided for approved ex-service applicants, he can hold out any hope that the quota will be increased?

I am not prepared to admit that the sum of £7,000, the quota of the land settlement fund allocated to the county of Westmorland, will prove inadequate to satisfy the demands of ex-service men in the county. During the period of two years, in which the scheme has been in operation, the County Council has acquired 108¾ acres only, the total capital outlay, including equipment, being £1,912. If the Council acquire the further land required to satisfy the outstanding demand from approved ex-service men, either by purchasing for county annuities or by taking it on lease, the balance available, namely, £5,088, should prove ample to adapt and equip the property for small-holding; purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can now define the decision of the Government with regard to the claim of women civil servants for equal opportunities as regards pay, status, and promotion?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on this subject which was made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 17th June last. The gist of this statement was that His Majesty's Government had carefully reviewed the recommendations of the Reorganisation Committee of the National Whitley Council and did not feel justified in varying them; that in the nature of things, those recommendations would only be tentative and that the Government would be prepared to review the situation afresh within a reasonable period of time, which in no case would exceed five years, and might be considerably less. The Prime Minister's statement was made in reply to a question on the subject of equal pay for men and women in the Civil Service, but applies equally to the provision of separate establishment lists for the promotion of men and women. As regards status, His Majesty's Government have adopted the recommendation of the Reorganisation Committee that within each class women should be given a status and authority identical with that accorded to men.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with regard to the one-twenty-sixth cost of living arrangement in connection with the pay of Civil Servants, he can see his way to waive the Income Tax on this amount, seeing that it is not salary but an allowance for money paid out by reason of the high cost of living, and if a 3s. tax per £ is assessed upon it the recipient receives practically no benefit?

An employé is liable to assessment to Income Tax in respect of all bonuses, commissions or other amounts paid by his employer in respect of the performance of duties. I cannot except Government employés from this general rule.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the following recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service with regard to the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Corps have been carried into effect, namely, the abolition of the property qualification for admission to the Diplomatic Corps, the reconstruction on a broader basis of the board of selection, removal of the requirement that applicants for the diplomatic establishment of the Foreign Office and for the Diplomatic Corps should obtain the permission of the Secretary of State to appear before the board of selection, combination of the entrance examination for the foreign service with the general Civil Service examination, amalgamation of the Diplomatic Corps and Foreign Office staff, adjustments of the salaries and allowances of members of the foreign service abroad so as to make it possible for them to live upon their official emoluments, and creation of a committee with the duty of advising the Secretary of State with regard to promotions; in the event of this committee being appointed, how it is constituted; and, if the recommendation as to reconstruction of the board of selection has been carried out, how it is now constituted?

As I stated in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts) on the 25th instant, effect has been given to the recommendations of the Royal Commission to the fullest extent so far as it has been found in practice possible to do so. The recommendations mentioned in points (1), (2), (3), and (7) of the hon. Member's question have been carried out in their entirety. As regards the other points the position is as follows:—Point (4): The entrance examination will be the same as that for the general Civil Service as soon as examinations under the present temporary reconstruction regulations cease at the end of 1921.Point (5): There is complete amalgamation with one seniority list up to a certain rank, after which members of the two services, though they are on separate seniority lists, are liable to serve either at home or abroad according to the re- quirements of the public service, determined with reference to each case by the Secretary of State.Point (6): While adjustments have been made with the object mentioned in the hon. Member's question it is impossible in present conditions to ensure that the official emoluments shall in every case cover expenses.Point (8): The members of the Committee are: The Permanent Under-Secretary of State, one of the Assistant Under-Secretaries of State, one Diplomatic official of high rank, the Chief Clerk, and the Diplomatic Secretary to the Secretary of State.Point (9): The Board of Selection set up for the period of reconstruction consists of: The First Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (as Chairman), two Members of Parliament, one officer nominated by the War Office, one non-official person, two representatives of the Foreign Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings' Bank; whether these deposits are on the increase; and whether he has considered the advisability of raising the rate of interest allowed by the Post Office Savings' Bank and of reconsidering the conditions of deposit?

The deposits in the Post Office Savings' Bank are now approximately £261,000,000, as compared with £186,000,000 in July, 1914, and £234,000,000 at the end of 1918, a note-worthy increase, in view of the many other attractive forms of investment for small investors devised during the War. As I have stated on many occasions, I am not prepared to introduce legislation to raise the rate of interest payable to depositors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of deposits in the Trustee Savings' Bank?

The amount standing to the credit of depositors in Trustees' Savings Banks at the end of September was £73,093,216.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the effect of the Excess Profits Duty is to drive firms with a low pre-War standard to provide for the duty, in addition to a fair profit, in the price of their goods and thereby, to free from competition firms with a good pre-War standard and to enable them to take from the public for similar goods profit enhanced by an amount corresponding to the duty without any benefit to the Exchequer?

The ultimate incidence and effect of any particular tax is a complex subject upon which opinion is often divided. As regards Excess Profits Duty, my own opinion, for what it is worth, is that no general statement as to the ultimate incidence of the tax is universally true, and that its incidence varies with the conditions of particular trades and even of particular traders.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of houses now under construction by direct labour or building guilds; how many have been completed; and what is the average cost of those completed?

On the 1st October 227 houses had been completed by direct labour and a further 2,000 houses were under construction. Work had also commenced on eight contracts comprising 1,003 houses to be erected by building guilds, but none of these houses were completed on the date in question. The cost of the houses in these schemes is being carefully watched, but until some of them are further advanced and the whole of the overhead charges can be properly apportioned, it would be misleading to give the figures which are available relating to a portion of the cost only.

asked the Minister of Health if, before the Second Reading of the Ministry of Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, he will circulate a statement showing the number of houses built by the local authorities and actually occupied and the number of houses built by private individuals and actually occupied under the Housing Acts recently passed, respectively; the estimated number of both classes to the end of 1920, and the money actually raised in Housing Bonds?

I will circulate a statement giving the latest information available.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is intended that Section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1916 (6 and 7 Geo. V., c. 12, Provisions as to notification of diseases), is to remain permanently in force, reducing the fee for notification of infectious cases from 2s. 6d. to 1s.; and, if so, whether the Government is aware that the said section is materially interfering with the notification of infectious diseases throughout the United Kingdom and is consequently exercising or is likely to exercise an unfavourable influence on the public health?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I informed local authorities in December of last year that the Section referred to would lapse on the date of the termination of the War as fixed by Order in Council, and that after that date the fee to be paid for the notification of a case of infectious disease would revert to 2s. 6d. The date in question is the earliest on which the change can be made, in consequence of the provisions of Section 24 (2) of the Act. In view of the above explanation the second part does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sir Basil Thompson has confiscated documents, photographs, etc., belonging to Mr. William McLaine, of the Communist party, who recently returned to this country from Russia; and what was his reason for retaining a copy of the Communiste Internationale in view of the fact that hundreds are in circulation in this country?

A great mass of photographs and documents containing Bolshevik propaganda were taken from McLaine on landing, and have been examined by Sir Basil Thomson. The examination has taken some time, as many of the documents were in Russian. The photographs and most of the papers have been returned to McLaine, but those which definitely contravene the law by advocating the use of violence for political purposes have been retained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action has yet been taken upon the preliminary Report, dated 15th August, 1919, by Mr. Stafford X. Comber, upon the possible development of hydro-electric power in British Guiana?

The Report was referred for advice to the Conjoint Board of Scientific Studies, who endorsed Mr. Comber's recommendation that in the first instance the collection of further data was essential. The Governor has already been asked to report what progress has been made in this direction.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that school children in Battersea have been dressed in red caps of liberty and red sashes of freedom, and that they are taught to sing an anthem known as "God save the People" in lieu of the National Anthem; and, if so, who is responsible and what steps he intends to take?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press, which ascribes the incident to a Sunday school. The matter appears to be outside the province of the Board of Education.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping by whom he was advised on the value of the properties disposed of to Messrs. Sperling and Company, the Hull Joint Dock Company, and the Joint Electricity Authority, Group E 8?

In dealing with the properties disposed of to Messrs. Sperling and Company and the Hull Joint Dock Company the Shipping Controller was assisted by expert advisers attached to the Ministry of Shipping and Office of Works. No property has yet been sold to the Joint Electricity Authority, Group E 8.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, when on the complaint of the miners that there was a shortage of tubs the manager of a certain colliery applied to the Ministry for a licence to purchase tubs, the Ministry sent an official to investigate; that that official reported in favour of the granting of the licence, but that three or more months have elapsed without that licence being granted; and what steps does he propose to take in order to expedite the supply of material essential to the much needed increase of coal output?

I think the hon. Member must have been misinformed. No licence is required to purchase tubs; colliery owners are quite free to purchase any materials they require. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have inquiry made to see whether delivery of the tubs can be expedited.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the experi- ence gained in connection with the Land Registry for the county of London, he will consider the desirability of extending a similar scheme to the whole country?

The Government have kept the Land Registry for the county of London under observation for many years, and in view of its great practical success they are, I understand, persuaded of the desirability of extending compulsory registration of title to the whole of England and Wales at the earliest possible moment. They are now prepared, if called on by county councils, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by the existing Land Transfer Acts, and subject to necessary administrative arrangements, to make orders establishing compulsory registration of title in any county or number of counties applying for it; and the Lord Chancellor's Real Property Bill contains provisions for accelerating such extension by dispensing with the necessity of applications by county councils and substituting a more systematic mode of procedure.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Ministry of Health Bill?

We propose to take the Second Reading of this Bill on Thursday.