asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can furnish the name of the sick transport officer in charge at Malta during the summer of 1915; whether or no this gallant officer is alive; and, if so, is he still serving in His Majesty's forces?

The officer referred to would appear to be Fleet Surgeon John Martin, now serving as Surgeon Commander at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar. This officer served as Hospital Transport Officer at Malta from 16th July to 9th December, 1915. In addition, Surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir James Porter, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.A., M.D., LL.D., K.H.P., served as Principal Hospital Transport Officer for the Mediterranean Station from 7th July to 30th November, 1915. Sir James Porter reverted to the Retired List on the 4th September, 1917.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the conditions under which widows of soldiers who die after the termination of their service with the Colours is now under consideration; and, if so, will he be able to report the decision to this House at an early date?

If, as I presume, my hon. Friend is referring to the conditions of entitlement to widows' pension under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant, I am glad to be able to inform him that a decision has now been reached which satisfactorily covers the points at issue, and an amended version of the Article in question will be issued very shortly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the cause of many cases of delay in the payment of pensions awarded by regional directors is due to the present system of centralised issue administrations; and whether he will abolish the central issue office and allow regional directors who authorise the pensions to pay the pension, thereby avoiding delay, correspondence, and saving the cost of the central staff of the issue office?

The existing arrangements for the issue of pension have for some time past been receiving the close attention of my right hon. Friend, and, as he has already announced, it is his intention to effect some measure of de-centralisation at an early date. The matter as a whole, however, is one that involves substantial difficulties towards the solution of which my right hon. Friend intends to ask the assistance of the Departmental Committee which he is now appointing.

asked the Attorney-General whether the pensions appeal tribunal, which sits at the House of Lords, hears evidence against the claimants in private, and thus prevents the claimant from questioning the witness or even from knowing on what grounds his case has been decided?

No evidence is taken by the tribunals in the absence of the appellant, except in cases where the appellant sends a written request that the case shall be heard in his absence. In eases involving difficult medical or surgical questions the tribunals have power, with the consent of the appellant, to send him to be examined by a specialist, who reports the result of such examination to the tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for War what wages are paid to unskilled labourers employed at the ordnance depot at Shorcham-by-Sea; and how many of these are ex-service men?

The existing rate for unskilled labourers at the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Depôt, Shoreham, Sussex, is 49s. 6d., and is at present under review. Twenty-four unskilled labourers, all ex-service men, are employed at this depôt.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the building trade operatives employed at the national projectile factory, Lancaster, are not being paid the rate of wage paid at similar works and by the employers in the building trades in the district; and whether he will give instructions that the rate of wage current in the district be paid to the men employed at this factory?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private W. Garton, No. 4,335,983, of the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment, at present stationed at Mullingar, has been refused discharge by purchase; if he is aware that this man's mother is an invalid and the widow of a soldier killed during the late war, and is dependent upon her son; and that Mrs. Garton raised the amount of money necessary to purchase her son's discharge with great difficulty?

This case is already under investigation, and an early-report is expected from the military authorities in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Second-Lieutenant John Hollicks, Royal Air Force, was reported missing on 18th May, 1918, and presumed to be dead on 30th April, 1919, and the Graves Commission reported no trace of him on 20th April, 1920; whether, on 17th May, 1920, his cheque book was sent per War Office in a German envelope to his father, J. D. Hollicks, Little Gaynes, Upminster, Essex, having been returned through diplomatic channels; that there was no indication in said cheque book showing ownership, indicating that the Germans must be aware of the circumstances of either the death, capture, or disappearance of the said Lieutenant Hollicks; and will he cause inquiries to be immediately made through the sources whence the cheque book and 10s. 10d. cash, also forwarded by the Germans, came, in order to satisfy the legitimate desire for information as to their son on the part of his parents?

Exhaustive enquiries have been made, and will be pursued. I will inform my hon. Friend as soon as any definite information has been obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any firm can now tender for Government contracts if it is not in the King's Roll; and how many contracts have been given through the Ministry of Labour during the past three months ending 30th September?

The present position is that any firm invited to tender for a Government contract may do so without being on the King's National Roll, but in the allocation of contracts preference is given to firms on the Roll. The recommendation made by the Select Committee on Pensions and by the Committee on Re-employment of Ex-service men to the effect that, after a date to be fixed, Government contracts should be limited to firms whose names are on the Roll is now receiving the consideration of the Government. (The contracts placed by the Ministry of Labour are very few in number and insignificant in amount, consisting mainly of local purchases for the training establishments. The more important contracts are placed by the Office of Works.)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the composition of the court of inquiry which investigated the death of Patrick Doyle, of Ballygar, near French Park, county Roscommon, stated to have been dragged from his bed and shot by uniformed men who arrived at his house in motor lorries on the night of 18th October; whether he has read the minutes of evidence; and whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House of Commons?

The court of inquiry in this case was composed of three military officers of the rank of major, captain and lieutenant respectively. The minutes of evidence have not yet reached me. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the expenditure on the police force in Ireland in each of the years from 1913 to 1920, inclusive?

The figures for which I am asked by the hon. Member are as follow:—

—	Dublin Metropolitan Police.	Royal Irish Constabulary.
	£	£
1913–14	97,608	1,372,526
1914–15	109,798	1,375,770
1915–10	100,452	1,384,769
1916–17	112,417	1,473,106
1917–18	129,756	1,618,724
1918–19	165,599	1,899,635

The exact figures for the last financial year are not yet ready for publication, but the expenditure will be covered by the £306,044 and £3,034,552 voted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what has been the total expenditure on the Black-and-Tans from the inauguration of that force till the present time; and what was the date of its inauguration?

As I stated on the 25th October in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle East (Major Barnes), the so-called "Black-and-Tans" are not a separate force, but are recruits to the permanent establishment of the Royal Irish Constabulary. It is impossible to apportion the expenditure from the Royal Irish Constabulary Vote between these recruits and the rest of the force.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Assistant Under-Secretary, at a meeting at Dublin Castle on the 17th August last, promised the Irish prison officers representative council that the new assimilation scheme of pay and bonus would be promulgated by the end of September; whether he is aware that the officers concerned greatly resent the treatment they are receiving, having regard to the conditions under which they are now living; if the president of the Irish prison officers' council has repeatedly pleaded for an early promulgation of the scheme; whether he is aware that anything less than full assimilation with the pay, bonus and general conditions of service obtaining in English prisons will be rejected by the Irish prison service; and when it is intended to promulgate the scheme as agreed to on the 17th August last?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by me to a question on this subject asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hirst) on the 26th October, 1920. It had been hoped that the matter would have been finally disposed of at an earlier date, but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is being made to effect a settlement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government are in negotiation with Georgia for a lease of the Black Sea port of Batoum; and, if so, what is the line which these negotiations are taking?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary how many controls were in operation in the metropolitan police area for the detection of infringements of the Motor Car Act between a.m. 6th November and p.m. 8th November; how many police officers were employed; how many cases of exceeding the speed limit and driving to the common danger were reported; and how many cases of driving to the common danger were reported by the police on ordinary point duty?

During the week-end a.m. 6th November to p.m. 8th November 15 controls were in operation to detect infringements of the Motor Car Act and 11 officers were employed. Four cases of exceeding the speed limit were detected and no cases of dangerous driving were reported by police either on controls or on traffic and fixed point duty.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the impossibility of making a halt on the Great Western Railway in Duncane Road and the suffering and inconvenience caused to many disabled men, he will arrange for a frequent service of motor omnibuses from the present termini of No. 7 route at Wormwood Scrubs and No. 11 and No. 49, etc., at Shepherds Bush Green, respectively, to the Special Surgical Hospital in Duncane Road?

I beg to remind the hon. Member that the medical superintendent of the Ducane, Road hospital stated in a letter to the "Times" on the 5th November that he had concluded arrangements for the provision of additional motor transport to carry patients to and from the end of Ducane Road, where trams and omnibuses stop, and, if necessary, to Shepherd's Bush Green, and, he added, that these arrangements will completely fill the needs of the hospital.

asked the Home Secretary whether at all hours on the morning of 11th November it will be possible for Members of Parliament to reach the House of Commons, or whether the Regulations on this matter will not be in force?

Instructions have been issued to police on duty on the 11th November to admit Members of Parliament, who announce themselves as such, to the enclosed area at Storey's Gate, King Charles Street Steps, or New Scotland Yard. The subway by Westminster Pier will also be available for Members.

asked the First Commissioner of Works for what special reasons the arrangements for the unveiling of the Cenotaph on Armistice Day were relegated by the appointed committee to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

The Secretary of State for Foreign affairs was asked by the Cabinet to assume charge of the ceremonies on 11th November because on three previous occasions, notably the Peace celebrations in August, 1919, he had presided over a Cabinet Committee for a similar purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether, when it is considered necessary to use mounted police and to institute a charge of mounted police upon a crowd for the purpose of maintaining law and order, it is the practice of the officer in command to give any unmistakable warning; and, if not, will he consider the use of bugles in such a case if not already provided for?

I am afraid the suggestion as to the use of bugles is impracticable. An officer in command of a detachment must be free to take action as circumstances arise. A charge would never be made until all other means of dispersing a disorderly crowd have proved ineffective, or until an attack has been made on persons or property and immediate action has become necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the names of the four medical supervisors that have been recently appointed; and will he give the names of their respective districts and the amount of salary that is paid to each of them?

The four Divisional Medical Officers appointed in connection with the new medical insurance service are as follow:—

Name.	Division.	Set Inclusive Salary.
Dr. A. Fulton, M.B.	North Western Division.	£1,600 a year.
Dr. C.H. Milburn, O.B.E., M.D.	North Eastern Division.	£1,000 a year
Dr. H. J. Neilson, C.B.E., M. D.	Southern Division.	£1,600 a year
Dr. R. E. Crosse, M.R.C.S.	Metropolitan and Eastern Division.	£1,600 a year

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Draper, late Relieving Officer to the Newbury Board of Guardians, who was forced to retire after 50 years' service; that the Guardians asked him on what terms he would submit his resignation; that he stated compensation for £200 and his superannuation, for which he had contributed, such sum of £200 to be included as an emolument for superannuation purposes, and was given to understand that these terms would be agreed to, and on this understanding relinquished his post; and that, subsequently, the Guardians refused to carry out their part of the agreement; and whether, in view of this fact, he will have inquiries made into the matter?

I have been in communication with the Board of Guardians in regard to this case, and they have informed me that it was not contemplated by them that the award of £200 which they made to Mr. Draper on his retirement should be included as an emolument for the purpose of calculating the amount of his superannuation allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the liquidation of the Deutsche Bank; and what is proposed to be done with its securities, deposited and otherwise?

I have been asked to reply. The realisations in the liquidation of the London Agency of the Deutsche Bank up to date, after discharging claims of British, allied, and neutral creditors, are represented by a sum in hand of £1,001,212. It will not be possible to complete the liquidation for a considerable time, on account of the difficulty of realising assets in foreign countries, including Russia. There are further claims of British, allied, and neutral creditors amounting approximately to £220,000, which cannot be dealt with until a decision of the High Court has been obtained on an application for directions which is now pending. The securities received from the head office of the bank in Berlin have been vested in the Public Trustee and lodged at the Bank of England on his account. So far as such securities belong to the Deutsche Bank, Berlin, or to German nationals, they will be held subject to the charge under the Treaty of Peace with Germany. In certain cases securities have been claimed as belonging to persons of British, allied, or neutral nationality, and on production of the necessary evidence of nationality and pre-War ownership the Board of Trade have authorised the release in cases where the applicants were not indebted to the bank.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the liquidation of the pre-War position of the London branch of the Deutsche Bank is now completed; whether he will publish the statement of the liquidator and a list of the securities deposited by him in the Bank of England; whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to return these securities without consideration to the proprietors of the Deutsche Bank, Berlin; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government have decided what to do with the proceeds when the securities shall have been sold?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks). I would only add that there does not seem to be any necessity to publish a list of the securities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a person paying Income Tax quarterly is not entitled until the end of the first quarter of the next financial year to an allowance in respect of a child born in June this year; and, if so, whether he can take any steps to remove this anomaly?

The deduction from assessable income in respect of children is granted by Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1920, which applies to all taxpayers, including weekly wage-earners charged by way of quarterly assessment. The Section provides, inter alia, that the deduction is claimable only in respect of children who are in fact living at the commencement of the year of assessment. In the case of a child born in June of this year, the deduction can therefore be first claimed for the year 1921–22, commencing the 6th April, 1921.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can see his way to admit applications for the post of public auditor from members of the London Association of Accountants?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 28th ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that British capital is being largely used on sugar, cotton, and wheat production in foreign countries; and whether there is any intention to take immediate steps to consider reconstruction from the point of view of the development of British territories?

I am aware that a good deal of British capital is being used in developing foreign countries which, from the point of view of the public interest, might be more advantageously employed in the development of British territories. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Secretary of State is fully alive to the desirability of attracting British capital in order to develop the resources of the British territories under his control and to the bearing of such development upon the problem of reconstruction at home.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to reorganise the Colonial Department; and what is the nature of that reorganisation?

No such re-organisation has been decided on.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the matter of the payment of salaries to the teaching profession in the elementary schools, the principle of equal pay for equal work is adhered to?

If the hon. Member's question is whether the scales of salary adopted by local Education Authorities for teachers in public elementary schools are identical for men and for women, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Kreemy Works in Maidstone have found from their checking system that they are being overcharged for trunk calls; whether he is aware that Canterbury has refused to supply details for the month of September unless the firm in question pay 6s. 7d., and states that it is the departmental practice to make an annual charge of £1 if they supply details of destination of trunk calls and telegrams to cover 125 items a month in sending in their bills; and whether he will inquire into the matter and the reasonableness of demanding a charge for furnishing particulars when there is reason to believe from the checking system that the service charged for has never been rendered?

The records have been examined so far back as the 1st January, 1918, and only one case of an apparent overcharge to this firm can be traced; but instructions have been given for detailed particulars for the month of September to be furnished without charge. Details of trunk calls could not be supplied regularly to all subscribers without considerably increasing the cost of clerical work. The majority of subscribers do not require the information.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will secure that a considerable period, say six months, elapses between the First and Second Readings of the Bill which will deal with the alteration of the present Poor Law system, so as to enable all those affected and interested thoroughly to discuss the Bill?

It would certainly be right that there should be a considerable interval between the introduction and the Second Reading of such a Bill.