asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is able to inform the House as to the number of warships, in addition to those which he recently announced had been scrapped, which are at the present moment out of use, and are available either for sale or to be broken up?

It is assumed that the hon. Member refers to vessels of all descriptions, the property of the Admiralty, used by the Admiralty in the War for warlike purposes. On this assumption the total number of vessels, including trawlers, at the present moment out of use and available for sale is 543.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of Members of the British Naval Commission to Poland, their total emoluments, and the number of ships possessed by the Polish Government?

The members consist of one Commander, as head of the Mission, two other officers, and seven ratings. The cost is about £7,800 a year. The Polish Government possesses four small monitors, two of which are completed, and two arte approaching completion; also some small armed river craft and six ex-German torpedo boats for police purposes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number and class of ships sold to the Roumanian Government, the total price paid, and the total cost of these ships when first commissioned?

Negotiations are still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Special Reserve officers of long service and excellent record who are eligible for a regular commission under paragraph 114, Special Reserve Regulations, are being refused their permanent commission whilst temporary officers of little service and only War experience are obtaining theirs; and if he will see that this injustice is remedied?

Officers of the Special Reserve are being considered for appointment to permanent commissions in accordance with the scheme outlined in the statement which I made in this House on the 10th August last. Para graph 114, Special Reserve Regulations, is at present suspended and it is not feasible to bring this paragraph into operation again until the Special Reserve is definitely reconstituted.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men are at present receiving out-of-work donation in Scotland; and what proportion this figure is of the total male registrations at Employment Exchanges throughout Scotland?

On 15th October, the latest date for which statistics are available, 9,778 men were in receipt of out-of-work donation in Scotland. This figure is 50·1 per cent, of the total number of men and boys, or 54·4 per cent, of the total number of men over the age of 18 on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland at that date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in certain circumstances, immediate financial help can be given to ex-service men with special qualifications instead of a long and costly training for a trade for which they have no special qualification, seeing that such a policy would be more immediately beneficial to the men themselves and more economical from the taxpayer's point of view?

I have been asked to reply. I am not clear as to my hon. Friend's meaning when he uses the phrase "men with special qualifications," but he is no doubt aware that no ex-service man is eligible for industrial training unless it is proved that his disability precludes him from returning to his pre-War occupation, and that as far as possible such men are allowed to choose from among the types of training which are considered most suitable for them. In framing their original policy of industrial training for disabled ex-service men, full consideration was given by the Government to proposals such as that put forward by my hon. Friend, but it was not possible, to adopt them. I might add that the scheme of grants made by the Civil Liabilities Department of the Ministry of Labour goes some way to meet my hon. Friend's wishes. Under this scheme, among other provisions lump sum grants are made, to enable applicants to purchase stock and fittings to re-start their old business. In certain exceptional cases, these grants are also made to officers and men whose disablement is such as to make it impossible for them to resume their pre-War occupations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any knowledge of the source of origin of a printed sheet entitled the "Weekly Summary"; whether it was circulated in the months of August and September to many police barracks throughout Ireland; whether its publication has now ceased; and is there any intention of reviving either this sheet or any other similar publication?

The "Weekly Summary" is issued weekly from police headquarters in Ireland to all police barracks for the information of the forces. The first issue was that of 13th August, 1920, and its publication has continued since.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether a number of men employed by Mr. R. M. Saunders, Ballimacourty, Aherlow, County Tipperary, have been on strike since the 28th August in order to enforce the terms of an award issued by the Ministry of Labour, Dublin, in March of this year, establishing rates of wages for all Irish saw-mill workers; why Saunders has been assisted in his efforts to defeat the men by soldiers and police;(2) the farm workers employed by Mr. Saunders, Ballimacourty, Aherlow, County Tipperary, have been on strike since 28th August in order to obtain the same rates of wages as have been paid by all other farmers in the district; if Saunders has refused; if soldiers of the Lincolnshire Regiment have been assisting Saunders to get his farm work done; whether these troops have been provided for this purpose with the knowledge and consent of the authorities; and whether it is the policy of the Irish Government to interfere in trade disputes in this manner?

The incidents to which the hon. Member refers have already been brought to my notice. The labourers employed on Ballimacourty estate lire not on strike but have been intimidated by threats of violence, into leaving their employment, as part of an organised attempt to boycott Mr. Saunders and his family. The boycott having so far failed, attempts have been made to assassinate both Mr. Saunders and his wife, happily without success. A company of the auxiliary division of the Royal Irish Constabulary was sent to Ballimacourty for purposes of protection only, and was subsequently replaced by a company of the Lincolnshire Regiment. These troops and police have not been employed on other but their proper duties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Ath lone printing works were burned and completely destroyed by the armed forces of the Crown at 3 a.m. on Wednesday the 3rd instant; that close on 300 hands were given employment by the firm; and that these as well as a number of outdoor workers are left idle; and whether he will immediately provide adequate measures of relief for these workers who are disemployed through no fault of their own?

I have no information with regard to the first part of the question, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply given on Monday by my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, to questions by my hon. Friend and the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts). I will make inquiry with regard to the state of unemployment in the district, but I cannot undertake that any special measures of relief will be instituted, beyond the provision already made by the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme and the Unemployment Insurance Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any complaints have been received by himself or by the Government of India from Indian civil servants that they are unable to obtain leave, and desire that taking leave periodically shall be made compulsory in the case of the Indian Civil Service alone of services?

I am, of course, aware of the effects of the restriction on leave due to the present abnormal circumstances, and steps are being taken to remedy it. I was not aware of any desire for the particular remedy mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of executions for political offences that have taken place in Mesopotamia since the armistice with Turkey, including executions for alleged rebellion and sedition; how many persons are at present in prison for political offences; and what is the estimate of the casualties suffered by the native population in fighting against our troops since the armistice with Turkey?

The only executions of which I am aware in Mesopotamia since the armistice other than those carried out in the ordinary course of justice, resulted from proceedings in a military court which was established in August last to try offences against public order. Under the order of this court 18 persons in all have been executed for such offences as murdering political officers and firing on sentries and Arab police while in the execution of their duty. With regard to the second part of the question, I am addressing an inquiry to the High Commissioner. The last part of the question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether large quantities of industrial material which have other uses than those of the manufacture of munitions of war are being destroyed under the terms of the peace treaty with Germany; of what the industrial material mainly consists that is being destroyed; whether among such material important optical instruments of educational value are included; and whether much of the industrial materials could be used for or utilised to advantage in the manufacture of peace products?

The Inter-Allied Military, Naval and Aeronautical Commissions of Control have full discretionary powers to decide what material (including plant and machinery) must be destroyed under Articles 160, 192, and 202 of the Treaty of Versailles. Generally speaking, it may be said that material, whose use is not purely military, is not being destroyed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Reparation Commission have been able to return to the International Sleeping Car Company a large number of its cars that were used by the Germans during the War; and whether the consequent shortage of this rolling stock is causing serious curtailment of through-route traffic in parts of Europe outside Germany and Austria?

The Reparation Commission and the Committee for the Division of German rolling stock are actively engaged in giving effect to the relevant Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, but I have no information concerning the cars of the Sleeping Car Company as distinct from other rolling stock. I am informed that the Sleeping Car Company has not failed to supply cars required for through traffic outside Germany and Austria.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in future all communications and information regarding the League of Nations must be obtained by application to Geneva; and whether no centre will be available in London for official or other information regarding the activities of the League?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the comprehensive reply given by the Lord President of the Council on Thursday last to several questions. As he is aware, the Secretariat of the League of Nations has moved to Geneva, and I have no information whether the League have decided to set up branch officers in London or any other capital.

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimate of the margin of exportable wheat from wheat-producing countries for the forthcoming cereal year; and what is the anticipated date of a reduction in British bread prices?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the detailed reply given on this subject to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson) on the 8th instant, a copy of which I am sending him. With regard to the second part of the question, I can assure him that the Food Controller is anxious that the price of bread should be reduced at the earliest possible moment. In fact, however, it must be clearly understood that even at yesterday's American spot prices the replacement cost of wheat delivered to the miller in the United Kingdom is higher than the price at which wheat is now being issued to millers. A reduction in the price would, therefore, simply mean a further increase in the subsidy on the loaf. I may add, as an illustration of the uncertainty of the position, that whereas at the beginning of this month the adverse rate of the American exchange accounted for 30s. per quarter in the replacement cost of wheat in landed terms, the further break of the exchange in the first week of the month has represented a further. 3s. per quarter, or approximately another farthing on the cost of the 4 1b. loaf.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the price of bread in Bournemouth; and whether that price, taking all circumstances into consideration, is approved by his Department as a fair one?

The price of bread at Bournemouth has been the subject of an investigation by the Costings Department of the Ministry. The detailed Report is not yet available, but from a preliminary Report which has been made, it appears that the price at Bournemouth, as stated in reply to the hon. Member for Thornbury on 21st October, varies from 1s. 4d. to 1s. 5d. Where the higher price is charged, cost of delivery to the consumer's house is included. I understand that at Bournemouth the delivery charges are very high owing to the scattered nature of the residential district. When the final Report is received, the Food Controller will be in a position to judge whether further action on his part is called for.

asked the Minister of Health the total sums of money raised by local authorities for housing purposes; whether the interest on this money will be met out of the rents; and, if not, what will be the annual charge on the Exchequer?

The amount of capital raised to date by local authorities for housing purposes by issue of stock, Housing Bonds and mortgage of rates is approximately £51,000,000, in addition to loans obtained by smaller authorities from the Public Works Loan Commissioners. The interest on these loans will be derived from the revenues of the housing scheme, consisting of the rents of the houses, the Exchequer subsidy, and the penny rate. The amount of the annual Exchequer subsidy will depend on the cost of building, the number of houses built, and the rents which can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, has been put into operation; in how many of these cases agreement was reached between the local authority and the owner of the house; in how many cases this Section of the Act has been carried out without the consent of the owners; and whether local authorities are refraining from putting this Section into force because of the power possessed by the owner of closing the house for human habitation?

No statistics are at present available as to the operations of local authorities under the Section. A number of cases have been submitted to my Department for decision under the Section in which it was claimed that the house could not be made fit without re construction, and in a considerable proportion the decision has been against the claim. It has to be borne in mind that the working of the provision in question depends not only on action taken directly under it, but also on the knowledge of owners that the local authority have this power if there is failure to carry out essential repairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any action will be taken to stop the at present unrestricted importation of German latch needles which is ruining the British industry built up during, the war for the purpose of providing the Navy and Army with warm knitted underclothing, and now giving employment to large numbers of our own people; and whether he is aware that the British manufacturers cannot produce this article at the price quoted in Germany, owing to the heavy rates, taxes, charges, and strikes with which he is afflicted?

I am aware that importers are offering German hosiery latch needles at prices considerably lower than those quoted by British manufacturers, and that though the actual quantities imported have not been large, the development of the manufacture in this country is being adversely affected. As I have previously stated, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce at the earliest possible date legislation dealing with dumping and key industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imported foreign manufactured goods in each month of this year; and whether he can at the same time quote the number of unemployed, on the last day of each month?

The value of the goods classed as wholly or mainly manufactured which were registered as imported into the United Kingdom in each month since 1st January, 1920, is stated in the following table. The figures given include imports from other parts of the British Empire as well as from foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to publish trading accounts showing the loss to the State in each year of Mr. Montague Meyer's trading in timber on behalf of the Government?

It is proposed to publish trading accounts relating to the operations of Mr. Montague L. Meyer, who acted as the Government timber buyer, but it is not anticipated that they will show a loss to the State.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of flooring boards were sold in January last by the Imported Timber Disposal Section at £31 per standard or less; and what are the names of the buyers?

The number of standards of flooring boards sold by the Imported Timber Disposal Section of the Board of Trade in January last at £31 per standard or less is 1,168. Five of the six firms in question were also purchasers in January of flooring boards at over £31 per standard. It would be contrary to the usual practice and would not be in the public interest to give the names of individual purchasers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the 470 standards sold by the Imported Timber Disposal Section to Messrs. Hillas at £31 per standard were readily saleable at £39 per standard; and whether he has made inquiries as to the profit made by Messrs. Hillas on the re-sale?

I am not aware that the 470 standards of timber referred to were readily saleable at £39 per standard, and would refer to my answer given to the hon. Member on 3rd November, in which I stated that this parcel included timber which had been lying in the yards for over two years. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many business firms regard as excessive the remuneration allowed to accountants by the Government for checking the unemployment books of the firms; and whether he can indicate to the House the principle that was adopted in arriving at the rate of remuneration?

There is, I am assured, no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question, but representations have been received from certain accountants in Scotland that the scale is inadequate. The scale was framed for a period of emergency and for a scheme of an unusual character. It was settled with due regard to the widely varying circumstances in which it had to operate, and so as to afford no more than reasonable remuneration for the services rendered. On the average the fee will be less than one-half per cent, of the expenditure examined. The scale, applies to all parts of the United Kingdom, to businesses large and small, and is inclusive of all out-of-pocket expenses, such as travelling expenses to the firm's office to conduct the audit. The scheme requires that the accounts shall be certified each week, as a basis of further imprests.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department states in one circular dealing with the Unemployment Insurance Act that unemployment benefit is obtainable in two ways, through an Employment Exchange or through an association or society which pays unemployment benefit; whether another circular states that the unemployment benefit must be paid by the recent employer of an unemployed person to his former employé, the employer to apply for refund to an Employment Exchange; and whether, in view of the fact that these methods involve different book-keeping for business firms, he will state which one should be followed?

The normal procedure for the payment of unemployment benefit is that it may be claimed either at an Employment Exchange or through an association of which the claimant is a member, and no accounts are required to be kept by an employer. During the emergency arising out of the coal strike, special arrangements were made under which employers who were willing to enter into an arrangement paid unemployment benefit and out-of-work donation on behalf of the Ministry to their employés. Such arrangements were quite voluntary on the part of employers and will not form part of the normal procedure for payment of unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what replies have been received to date from the various Crown Colonies and Protectorates to the invitation to consider the practicability of introducing a scheme of Colonial Preference in their tariffs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Jesson) on the 4th of November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether naval and military authorities are considering, or have come to any decision, upon the proposal recently made by the Governors' Council of Hong Kong to remove the naval and military establishments from the centre of the town to a more suitable site; whether it is proposed to utilise a portion of Mirs Bay for this purpose; or have the Departments concerned any other point on the mainland in view?

Certain proposals were made by the Governor arising out of a discussion in the Legislative Council with regard to the resumption by the Colonial Government of various areas occupied by the military authorities. These were referred to the War Office, and the General Officer Commanding was instructed to discuss the matter with the Governor and to submit his recommendations in due course. I have no information as to the progress of the discussion or the sites which it may be contemplated to allot to the military authorities in substitution for any which may be surrendered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his Department has received the promised report from the Governor of Hong Kong upon the pro- posed scheme for the reform of the constitution of the colony so as to secure a wider expression of British opinion upon such question as child slavery, better housing, and similar cognate subjects over which local British sentiment is at present powerless to exert its influence?

The Secretary of State has received and is at present considering a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the representation of the community in the Legislative Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the demands put forward by the native workers' organisation at Port Elizabeth; whether Mesabalaba, the president of the organisation, was arrested; if so, on what charges he was arrested; and what were the casualties in the attempt to set him free?

I have no information on the subject beyond what has appeared in the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the preliminary report upon the possible development of hydro-electric power in British Guiana was referred to the conjoint board of scientific studies?

On the 2nd October, 1919.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the annual cost of the Press Departments attached to the various Ministries during or since the War; whether they are now necessary; and whether it is proposed to abolish them as unnecessary in the near future, considering the large number of officials in these offices of these Ministries who are capable of performing the work now done?

I will communicate with the Departments concerned and inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether American and other foreign commercial motor cars are being imported into this country in large numbers although some of the English makers have been obliged to close down for lack of orders; whether such English manufacturers were not in the same position during the War as the manufacturers of light cars; and why the latter type should have a protection of 33 per cent, and the heavy vehicles none?

The duty on motor cars was imposed in 1915 and has since been continued unchanged. The then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. McKenna, at first intended to include all cars in the scope of the duty, but in deference to views expressed in this House he exempted commercial cars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that 4,593 commercial motor cars and 17,528 passenger cars were imported from the United States of America in the year ending June last of the approximate value of 27,000,000 dollars; and whether, with a view of helping the exchange rate, he can take steps to mitigate such importation?

I understand that the figures given in the question are quoted from United States official statistics, and are substantially confirmed by our own figure of imports. I have no power to prohibit or restrict importation, but it may be some satisfaction to my hon. Friend to know that the importation, though adverse to the Exchange, has been most favourable to the Revenue.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that a promise was given that the recommendations of the committee that considered the question of night baking should be given effect to, he can now state when it is proposed to proceed with the Factories and Workshops (Bakehouses) Bill?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on Wednesday last.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is proposed to restore to the village of Kelston, near Bath, the post office which was removed during the War, in view of the inconvenience caused to the 150 inhabitants by the fact that the nearest post office is now two miles away at Weston?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of the consideration by him of the recommendation submitted by the Wood Green Council on 20th October, 1919, in favour of an award to certain members of the Wood Green Fire Brigade in recognition of the courage and efficiency displayed by them on the occasion of the explosion and fire at the Edmonton munition factory on 11th October, 1918; and, if so, will the Council be informed of the result by his Department at an early date?

The list of awards to firemen was published in a Supplement to the "London Gazette," dated the 7th July. The case of the Wood Green Brigade was very carefully considered along with the other recommendations submitted, but I regret that I did not feel justified in recommending the award of medals in their case.