asked the Home Secretary why Irish prisoners are brought to London and interned in prisons in the Metropolitan Police area; whether in the case of a recent prisoner so detained it meant the assembling of large crowds of people, sometimes disorderly, in the immediate vicinity of the prison, and the maintaining of large forces of police to preserve order; and whether in the future his Department will consider that such prisoners should not be detained in crowded populated districts of the Metropolis?

The disturbed state of Ireland has made it necessary to bring certain Irish prisoners to this country. They are not interned, but imprisoned for criminal offences. I am aware that in one special case large crowds assembled outside Brixton Prison, but when they became disorderly they were broken up by the police and not allowed to collect again. The Irish prisoners are distributed to prisons in different parts of the country, but it is necessary to retain some of them in London.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a threat has been posted by armed forces of the Crown in Tralee, County Cork, to carry out reprisals of a nature not yet heard of in Ireland?

I am informed that no such notices were posted by the forces of the Crown, but that typed notices containing threats of reprisals were posted by some persons unknown, and were removed by the police.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland for how many days all shops in Tralee have been closed by order of the police; and whether this forcible closing of shops is depriving the inhabitants of the town, without distinction of party, of the necessaries of life?

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my replies to the hon. Member for Scotland Division, Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week concerning Tralee, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether local rating authorities in Ireland who refuse to have their accounts audited by the Local Government Board are competent to levy and collect rates and to give valid receipts to ratepayers which will exonerate such ratepayers from liability to pay their rates to any other authority?

I am advised that the refusal of a local authority to submit its accounts for audit in accordance with law would not in itself necessarily invalidate a rate otherwise lawful. Certain local authorities have, however, acted illegally in directing their collectors to lodge the rates with persons other than the Banking Company duly approved as Treasurer and the Local Government Board are by my directions issuing instructions warning collectors of the illegality of this procedure and that any collectors guilty of it are liable to dismissal.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the reasons which make it undesirable to publish the evidence given at the inquiries held into alleged reprisals in Ireland?

The reasons which have been given fully in Debate in this House and accepted by this House against holding a general public inquiry apply equally to the publication of evidence obtained in the course of the official investigations made under direction of the Government in particular cases.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any part of the evidence given at the trial of Kevin Barry was ordered not to be published by the president of the Court; and, if so, for what reason?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any circulars marked private and confidential have been sent out in Ireland in connection with the recruiting campaign for the new Special Constabulary of well-disposed persons; and, if so, whether such circulars will be published forthwith?

I have no knowledge of any such circular, and none has been issued with my authority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many men in Ulster have offered their services to date as officers in the new special constabulary of well-disposed persons; and how many of the number were formerly members of the Ulster volunteer force?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his somewhat similar question asked on this subject to-day.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Committee will be appointed to inquire into the assassination of Messrs. Gaynor, McFadden, and Traynor, by armed forces of the Crown, in Belfast, on Sunday, 26th September?

I informed the hon. Member on the 4th instant of the findings of the Court of Inquiry into the death of these three persons, and I am not at present in possession of any evidence which would justify further proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of Press correspondents who are receiving protection in consequence of threats of violence to which they have been subjected by soldiers or police in Ireland?

I am satisfied that no press correspondent is in need of special protection on the grounds indicated in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a claim from the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society for the return of £160 alleged to have been stolen from the Newport Creamery by soldiers or police at the time it was destroyed; if so, whether he has made any inquiry into this alleged robbery; and what reply he has sent to the society?

No, Sir. I have not received a claim from the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society for the return of £160 alleged to have been stolen from the Newport Creamery. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many members of the police and military forces stationed in Ireland were murdered between the dates 1st August and 1st November, inclusive; how many persons have been arrested and charged with these murders; and how many convicted and how many executed?

The number of policemen murdered between the 1st August, 1920, and the 1st November, 1920, both dates inclusive, is 65, and the number of military 23. Seventeen arrests have been made of persons suspected to have been engaged in attacks in which policemen or soldiers were killed during this period. It is not possible at the moment to state in how many of these cases a charge of murder will be made. Conviction for murder was obtained in one case, and sentence of death was passed and duly executed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many attacks upon the lives or property of people unconvicted of any crime, as distinct from combats with armed assailants, have been perpetrated by the police and military forces stationed in Ireland between the dates 1st August and 1st November, inclusive?

I am not prepared at the moment to add to the statement made in reply to a similar question put to me by the hon. Member on the 21st ultimo.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an ex-major in the Army named Ewen Bruce was prosecuted at Kilkenny over a week ago for the larceny of £75 from the Kells Creamery; whether the intelligence officer at Kilkenny Barracks telephoned to the local newspapers after the trial warning them against publishing the evidence in the case; and under what Statute, by what authority, and with what object was this warning issued to the newspapers?

An ex-officer named Evan Bruce, together with three other persons now in custody, two of whom are soldiers, is awaiting trial by court-martial for larceny from Kells Creamery. I am informed that Bruce was recently brought before a resident magistrate and committed for trial, and that, as this procedure was considered irregular, the local military authorities requested the Press not to publish an account of the proceedings pending the trial by court-martial. All four accused will be tried by court-martial shortly, and the trial will, of course, as usual be open to the public.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Littleton police barracks was surprised and captured on 31st October by Irishraiders; whether the police captured were injured, maltreated, or insulted in any way; whether so-called reprisals were subsequently perpetrated on the town of Littleton by armed forces of the Crown; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Littleton police barracks was, as stated, surprised and captured by a band of about 100 armed men on the 31st ultimo. Five policemen who were in the building at the time were made prisoners, and detained for about two hours, but were not maltreated in any way. The barrack was completely destroyed by fire, together with its contents, including the personal property of the police garrison. The Co-operative Creamery, which is situated about 20 yards from the barrack, was destroyed by fire later on the same day, and inquiries into the origin of this fire are still proceeding.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the statements of Mr. Hugh Martin, special correspondent of a London daily newspaper, in the issue of that newspaper of 2nd November last, to the effect that the damaging to the extent of £2,000 and the attempted burning of the Cooperative Creamery at Abbeydorney, on 18th October, was carried out by police in uniform; whether he is aware that Mr. T. O'Donovan, manager of the creamery, has made a sworn affidavit to the effect that the damage was done by police in uniform, who drove up in three motor lorries, and that he himself was assaulted by one of the police; whether Mr. O'Donovan states that these police looted cheese and butter from the creamery; what steps he is taking in the matter; and whether he is taking steps to protect Mr. O'Donovan from further intimidation and assault?

My attention has been drawn to the allegations in question, but pending the result of inquiries which are still proceeding I am not in a position to make a statement on the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an attack was made on the Athlone Printing Works on 18th October last, which was the subject of a complaint by Mr. W. Chapman, brother of the proprietor, to General Tudor; whether Mr. Chapman received an assurance from General Tudor's secretary that protection would be afforded to the works, and subsequently a letter from the same officer to the effect that the damage done was not the work of the police; and whether these printing works were burned down in spite of this assurance by armed forces of the Crown on 3rd November last?

I am informed that complaint was made and an assurance given as stated. Inquiries are still proceeding with a veiw to discover the authors of these outrages, but no evidence has so far been forthcoming to connect any members of the Crown Forces with the damage committed on either of the dates mentioned in the hon. Member's question. Unfortunately, inquiries of this kind are rendered extremely difficult by the unwillingness of the local people to assist the police in their investigations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of printing-trade workers in Athlone have been thrown out of employment owing to the burning down of the printing works; what steps he proposes to take to see that adequate maintenance is provided for these workers; and whether it is proposd to make provision for all workers in Ireland who are thrown out of employment by reason of national disturbance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Barnard Castle Division (Mr. Swan), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any of the provisions of the Ministry of Health (Miscellaneous Powers) Bill affect Ireland?

The Bill as introduced applies to Ireland, but in Committee it is proposed to insert provisions containing the adaptations and additions required for Irish purposes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many cases of coroners' inquests upon the deaths of civilians in Ireland in the years 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1920, respectively, were verdicts of murder, homicide, or unjustifiable killing, returned against the military and police, respectively, or against individual members of either class; and in how many cases were prosecutions instituted and with what result?

Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat this question, of which I only received notice yesterday, on Thursday of next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether the measures taken for the stoppage of Irish railways, the widespread destruction of creameries, the refusal by police to allow farmers to take their milk to creameries, the burning and bombing of factories, farms, and warehouses, are intended to stop the economic life of Southern and Western Ireland; and whether such a policy will involve great suffering upon many innocent people, including women and children, who are not engaged in a murderous conspiracy?

The methods referred to by the hon. and gallant Member are not those which are being taken by His Majesty's Government in their present endeavours to restore normal conditions of civilian life and the authority of the law in Ireland. The stoppage of Irish railways is due to the refusal of the railwaymen to perform their duty in regard to the carriage of police, military and munitions traffic. It is regretted that inconvenience and suffering to many innocent people must inevitably result from efforts of disaffected persons to promote disorder.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet approved the policy of closing down the Irish railways' in consequence of the munitions strike; the railways upon which the services are either totally or partially suspended; whether the Government undertook any financial liability to the Irish railway companies when the orders at present in force were issued to the companies; and, if so, what is the extent of the liability?

I have been asked to answer this question. I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the interference with traffic on Irish railways occasioned by the refusal of some members of the staffs to deal with Government traffic. In this connection the only direction which has been issued to the companies is that they must fulfil their statutory duty to provide equal facilities for all classes of traffic, and this policy has the approval of the Cabinet. No special financial obligation arises from the giving of this direction. I am informed that the present situation is as follows:—

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the revolver ammunition issued to His Majesty's Forces in Ireland contains a soft-nosed leaden bullet without a covering of nickel plate to prevent it from expanding; and, if so, what amount of such ammunition has been captured by Sinn Fein from the Forces of the Crown?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The standard pattern of revolver ammunition used by the troops in Ireland is of the all-lead type which was used throughout the War, and is substantially the same as that used with the Martini-Henry rifle and all other types of service rifles prior to the introduction of the present nickel-coated types used with high velocity rifles. I have no information readily available as to the amount of revolver ammunition captured by the rebels.

asked the Prime Minister whether the war in Ireland may now be referred to the League of Nations under Articles 11 and 17 of the Covenant?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the issue by the Ministry of Health of a statement showing the increase in rates per £ of assessable value in England and Wales since 1904, a similar statement regarding Scottish conditions will be prepared and issued by the Scottish Board of Health?

A statement on similar lines is being prepared for Scotland, which will be issued as soon as it is completed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, in view of the provisions of the Blind Persons Act granting an allowance of 10s. weekly to blind persons over 50 years of age, Scottish Poor Law authorities are now withdrawing the relief they havs hitherto given to necessitous blind persons; and whether, in view of the fact that assistance has been given to old age pensioners and the grants to the blind are under the same regulations, he will give instructions for the continuance of such allowances in order that blind persons in Scotland may receive the financial advantage that was intended by the recent Act?

I understand that Parish Councils are, in certain cases, reducing the amount of poor relief granted to blind persons who are now in receipt of pensions under the Blind Persons Act. In fixing the amount of poor relief, Parish Councils are bound to take into consideration the fact that a blind person is in receipt of a pension. A similar rule applies in the case of an old age pensioner. I have no power to issue an instruction in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he call exercise any supervision over the Socialist Sunday schools of Glasgow and the industrial districts of the Clyde, the teachings of which are of an undisguisedly revolutionary character?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative, the matter referred to being outside the jurisdiction of the Scottish Education Department.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the names of electors who signed the requisi- tion forms under the Local Veto (Scotland) Act at Ayr and Kilmarnock are being exhibited in public houses and, in some cases, on the outside of public houses; and whether he will take steps to prevent such action in future?

I was not awareof the fact stated by my hon. Friend. I fear that I have no power to preventaction of the nature referred to.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, although an application was made by the Scottish prisons service, following a ballot of the service, in favour, on 22nd July last, of the establishment of a Whitley Council for the Scottish prison service, no reply has been received; and what action has been taken in the matter?

The establishment of a Representative Board for the Scottish prisons service, on the lines of the Representative Board for the English prisons service, was approved by me in June last, but a committee elected to represent the warders intimated on the 22nd July last that they desired the establishment of a Whitley Council in lieu of a Representative Board. I consider the latter body to be more suitable in the case of a service such as the prisons service, and I am still prepared to establish such a Board.

asked the Secretary of State for India why, considering that the pensions of Lieutenant-Colonels of the British Service have been raised from £400 to £600, and those of Commanders in the Royal Navy from £400 to £600, and of Lieutenant-Colonels in the Royal Marines from £450 to £750, the increase granted to lieutenant-colonels of the Indian Army in the new scale of pensions is limited to £100, namely, from £700 to £800; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this differentiation of treatment?

The unrevised Indian Army rates of pension were very much more liberal than the corresponding rates of retired pay for the British Service, and when the pensions were revised it was not considered necessary that the increase to the Indian pensions should be the same as in the British Army. The principle adopted was to take the new rate of British retired pay as a basis and to add thereto an Indian element varying according to the amount of Indian service up to a maximum of £200. Thus, while the maximum rate of retired pay for a lieutenant-colonel of the British Army was fixed at £600, the maximum for an officer of the same rank in the Indian Army was fixed at £800.

asked the Secretary of State for India, considering that the Secretary of State for War has decided that officers of the British Service and Royal Air Force interned during the War are entitled to draw field allowances that they were in receipt of at the time of internment, and has deprived the officers of the Indian Army taken prisoners in the defence of Kut of half their allowances after the first two months of captivity, he will have these officers paid the money due to them out of Indian revenues?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question of 21st July last, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether customs duties are charged by the Persian Government on articles brought into Persia for the use of our troops operating in Persia and their families; whether one firm has the monopoly of clearing these articles; whether there is any British control over the charges made by this firm; and whether he will make representations to the Persian Government for securing exemption from Persian customs duties for our troops who are engaged in assisting that Government and such of the families of our troops as still remain in Persia?

I have been asked to reply. I am in communication with the General Officer Commanding Mesopotamia, regarding the matter raised in this question, and I will let the hon. and learned Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if the Westbere Camp, Staines Hill, Sturry, Kent, which was the only permanent camp in the district during the War, and was supplied with gas, water, and drainage, has not yet been dismantled and restored to the owners of the land; whether for some time past this camp has been used for no purpose except to give the appearance of employment for a number of useless officials; and whether he will now give instructions that this camp shall be notified forthwith to the Disposal Board,as available for sale, and take steps to realise the assets and restore the land to its owners?

I have been asked to reply, but I regret that in the time available it has not been possible for me to investigate the statements contained in the hon. Member's question. I will communicate with him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there were on 1st October, 1920 (exclusive of those employed by the Government of India and other Government Departments), 6,000 retired, special Reserve, Territorial, and temporary officers still serving and that the numbers of regular officers at present serving are less than the number required to carry nut the present duties, it is possible to replace some of the 6,000 above-mentioned officers by granting regular commissions to some of the temporary officers who have applied?

The number of non-regular officers to whom regular commissions can be given depends upon the future permanent peace establishment of the regular army. Until the establishments of the various arms of service are definitely settled, I regret that it is impossible to state whether it will be practicable to increase the number of regular commissions already granted to non-regular officers. As the hon. Member is aware, some 300 regular commissions have been granted in the cavalry and infantry.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long the 2nd battalion Northumberland Fusiliers have been at Mosul; whether it has been under canvas since its arrival there; and whether, seeing that it has recently received an intimation that it is to remain for another year at Mosul, where the climatic conditions are very trying to young soliders, arrangements can be made for alleviating the conditions by providing permanent shelter as well as amusements for the troops, neither of which exist at present?

The 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, arrived at Mosul in November, 1919. The accommodation available for the troops in Mesopotamia depends largely upon the military situation, and it may be found necessary to accommodate the Battalion under canvas. As regards amusements and recreation for the troops, I am sure the local military authorities are doing all that is possible in the prevailing circumstances. I might add that the Battalion is under orders to leave Mesopotamia as soon as the situation permits.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has completed his investigations regarding a postal draft issued in connection with the estate of the late Sergeant H. Stevenson, No. 14175, 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment; and if he can say how soon the War Office will be notified of the result?

The investigations have just been completed and their result has been communicated to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether parents of soldiers who have fallen in the War are entitled to receive the War medals earned by their sons, including the Mons Star?

Medals of soldiers who have fallen in the War are issued to their legatees if a Will exists. If no Will exists, they are issued to the next-of-kin in the order of precedence laid down in Army Order 256 of 1917.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Corporal F. Bryson, No. 21,339, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who had 16 years in the service, re-enlisted at Glasgow in 1915, and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 14th July, 1919; whether he was awarded a life pension; whether this man has since died; if he has received application on several occasions for a pension for his wife and child; whether she was asked to send on her marriage certificate and the birth certificate of the child; whether this has been done and no further word sent to the widow; and whether, in view of the time that has expired since the death of this soldier, he can do anything to expedite payment of this pension with arrears to this woman?

It has been necessary to ask for further information in this case in order to determine whether connection between the soldier's death and his service can be admitted. It is, however, expected that the necessary particulars will shortly be available when the claim will be decided without delay. I may add that the marriage and birth certificates were not called for by the Ministry, but were forwarded by the local Committee from whom, no doubt, Mrs. Bryson received an acknowledgment.

asked the Minister of Pensions the principles under which hospital stoppages are deducted from treatment allowances; and why it is that at the same hospital some men are stopped 9s. per week and others 19s.?

The revised Pensions Warrant of last year, under which, as my hon. and gallant Friend will remem- ber, a substantial increase of pension was given to meet the increased cost of living, provided that a pensioner in hospital (who is not on pension, but on special rates of. allowance) should in all cases personally receive, or be credited with, a cash allowance of 21s. each week, and further that, if he were married, his wife should receive an increased allowance of 20s. a week. The apparent anomalies referred to are simply due to the fact that while the unmarried pensioner receives, or is credited with, not more than his 21s. a week (which is 19s. less than the maximum rate of pension), the aggregate amount received by the married pensioner and his wife is 41s. a week, or 9s. less than the maximum rate of pension. The explanation is, as my hon. and gallant Friend will have perceived, that the allowance to the wife, who has to meet the expenses of the home and the higher cost of living while the man is in hospital, is double the rate of the allowance payable to a wife who is living at home with her husband on pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether certain town councils have passed resolutions urging that, where men who on enlistment were passed fit for service have been discharged and are still suffering from some disability caused or aggravated by active service, they should continue to receive a pension and not have to apply for poor law assistance, but that their claims to pensions when disputed should be dealt with by local war pensions appeal tribunals and that, with a view to alleviating causes of hardship, there should be closer co-operation be tween local insurance committees and local war pensions committees, local war pensions committees should be allowed increased discretionary powers in dealing with border-line cases, and a town's fund established for the relief of cases which would otherwise go to the guardians; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the directions indicated?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Burslem (Mr. Finney) on the 5th November, in reply to a similar question, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the hardship imposed upon many Members of Parliament by the high cost of living and train fares; whether he is aware that many Members are not wealthy; and if he will consider the sum of £400 a year, less Income Tax, which is paid to Members when Ministers' salaries are being considered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by the Leader of the House to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Fife (Mr. Adamson).

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement has been reached as to the conditions of re-opening trade with Russia; and, if so, whether he can state when the agreement will be ratified by the respective Governments?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on this subject on the 26th October and the 8th November.

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement has been reached between the British and French Governments as to the procedure to be followed in the matter of German reparations; and, if so, what are the principal heads of the agreement?

I hope that complete agreement will be reached on this subject in the next few days, and I shall be obliged if the hon. and gallant Member will repeat his question in a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now received the first five millions of the receipts from Germany on account of reparation; and whether, if this is the case, ex gratia payments are now being made to those individual sufferers through uninsured aircraft damage whose claims are approved by a special commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My hon. Friend will remember that there are prior charges upon receipts from Germany for the repayment of the advances made under the Spa Coal Protocol and of the cost of the Armies of Occupation.

asked the Under-Secrctary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the strength of the present armed forces in Hungary; and what is the number allowed under the Peace Treaty?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 2nd November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the German Government is delaying agreement of sequestrated businesses in Germany belonging to British nationals on the technical grounds of rate of exchange for conversion into sterling; is he aware that there is no time limit by when the German Government must agree figures; and whether the British Government is prepared in such cases to make payments to British nationals through the clearing office system without such consent from the German Government?

The details in connection with the liquidation of British businesses in Germany are very voluminous and have been the subject of discussion between the British Clearing Office and the German Ministry for some little time past. It is hoped that the figures will be agreed and the claims paid in the course of the current month, and until agreement has been arrived at, or the amount determined by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, it would not be safe to pay these claims.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the carrying out by both parties of the terms of the armistice between Soviet Russia and Poland?

The preliminary agreement between Soviet Russia and Poland has now been ratified, and I understand that negotiations will be opened at an early date to conclude a final Treaty of Peace between these two countries.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, in or about November last, handed over the province of Cilicia to the French authorities; whether previously the British authorities had made themselves responsible for and did, in fact, maintain the security of life and property in that country; whether the French, in taking over the country, were asked to accept and did accept any responsibility for the safety of the population; and whether the French now repudiate such responsibility?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. But in order to give a fair and complete answer to the implications contained in the question, it is necessary to add that it was only after the French took over from the British that the Turkish Nationalist Movement spread, that military operations were undertaken by the Nationalists against the forces in occupation of Cilicia and that conditions in that country became unsettled. My hon. Friend may not be aware that in their endeavours to fulfil their undertaking to protect the Christian populations of Northern Syria and Cilicia the French have sacrificed the lives of several thousands of their soldiers and have spent very large sums of money.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Government of the United States, whereby crews of British ships, when visiting American ports, are given by United States law the right to quit, which has resulted in the wholesale desertion of British crews, in contraven- tion of the articles of agreement drawn up under the supervision of an official of the British Government; and, if so, what steps have been taken to secure the rights of British shipmasters from the results of infringement of contracts entered into between themselves and seamen, which in the case of United States ships visiting ports in the British Empire are rigidly respected and enforced?

The attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the provisions of the United States law to which the hon. Member refers, but it is not possible to say to what extent desertion, which has always been prevalent at United States ports, has been increased by this measure. The British law relating to desertion remains unaltered.

asked the Minister of Food whether the average price realised for cut imported mutton wholesale on Smithfield has risen 1s. per stone during the last fortnight; and whether such rise is duo to the large sales to Messrs. Vestey Brothers for export?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Food whether his chief adviser with regard to the sale of imported meat is the Director of Meat Supplies; and whether this gentleman is connected with Messrs. Vestey Brothers or with their subsidiary companies?

I rely for advice in connection with sales of meat upon a committeee appointed for that purpose, of which the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry is the chairman. The Director of Meat Supplies joined the Ministry at the end of 1917. It is correct that Messrs. Vestey Brothers acquired in 1919 a controlling interest in one of the companies with which he is connected. The facts were fully disclosed at the time by the Director of Meat Fupplies, who formally tendered his resignation, but after full consideration of the circumstances, this was not accepted

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the price paid by the Government or other importers for imported beef and mutton either from our Colonies or from foreign countries?

I have been asked to reply. The contracts made by the Board of Trade on behalf of the British Government for the purchase of beef and mutton both from the Colonies and from foreign countries have all expired, with the exception of the contract with the State of Queensland which expires on the 30th instant. With regard to the prices paid for mutton I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich on the 3rd of March, in which it was stated that the f.o.b. prices paid in New Zealand and Australia ranged from 4⅝d. to 5⅜d. per lb. according to quality. Corresponding prices paid for beef were 4¼d. to 5d. per lb. Information regarding the prices which are paid by private importers is not available.

asked the Minister of Food if it is proposed to establish free imports of bacon, ham, butter, cheese, lard, aid such like foods; whether time limits are to be fixed for the storage of food generally, with monthly statements of goods in cold and dry stores; and whether all old stores are being disposed of?

The general policy of the Ministry is to accelerate, as far as possible, the date at which all restrictions on imports of foodstuffs may be removed without considerable risk to supplies or prices. All restrictions on the importation of cheese were removed last spring. With regard to the second part of the question, I am not clear precisely what is in the mind of the hon. Member, but I may say that regular returns of foodstuffs in cold stores and other warehouses have been received by my Department throughout its existence. With regard to the last part of the question, stocks of perishable foodstuffs held by the Ministry are periodically examined by experts to ensure that any stocks which would otherwise be likely to deteriorate are promptly distributed.

asked the Minister of Food if flour mill salesmen or travellers have been granted increase of pay amounting to only 120 per cent, while flour mill operatives have had their pay increased by 250 per cent.; and will he take steps to increase the pay of travellers to correspond with that of other workers and the higher cost of living?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The salaries payable to flour mill salesmen or travellers are left to the individual discretion of the controlled millers concerned—subject only to approval by the Flour Mills Control.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of Danish and Swedish bacon imported in the four months ending 30th September, 1920; what proportion was allocated to Scotland; and on what basis such allocation was made?

The quantity of Danish and Swedish bacon imported in the four months ending 30th September, 1920, was 17,678 tons, of which Scotland received approximately 340 tons. The proportion of these supplies now going to Scotland is double that taken by Scotland in normal times, the basis of allocation being traders' registered requirements.

asked the Minister of Food the number of hams imported in the nine months ending 30th September, 1920, and the proportion allocated to Scotland; and how far such proportion fell short of the requirements of Scotland?

As any trader in Great Britain is free to buy imported hams wherever they may arrive, it is not possible for the Ministry to state what proportion of imported hams has gone to Scotland in the ordinary way of trade. But over and above any such quantity to meet what is recognised as the exceptional demand for this particular cut in Scotland, a special allocation amounting to 17 per cent, of all the hams imported during the nine months 1st January to 30th September, 1920, was made to that country, although in normal times Scotland consumes only 8 per cent, of im- ported North American bacon and hams. There are no records which would show how far the purchases of hams by Scottish traders have fallen short of the requirements of that country, but it is a fact that both in England and Scotland hams have been in short supply throughout this summer, because the Ministry decided that the extremely high prices ruling in America for hams as compared with bacon, and the adverse exchange, made it undesirable to purchase all the hams that might normally be consumed. I may add that the proportion of direct shipments to Scottish ports has for some months past been comparatively low, because refrigerated space in ships serving these ports has not been available, and in these circumstances it was considered more in the public interest to bring hams in good condition into Liverpool whence they could be railed, rather than to risk bringing them in bad condition into Scottish ports. The proportion of direct shipments will increase from now onwards, since the risk of shipments in ordinary space is reduced by colder weather, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that ample supplies of hams will be available in Scotland in time for the Christmas trade.

asked the Minister of Food whether the manager under the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) of the Solway Hotel, Silloth, was fined £5 and costs for selling bottled beer at 9d. instead of 8½d., with the result that the Board made a profit of £41, which the chairman of the bench described as an unholy profit; and whether the Central Control Board is itself under any, and, if so, under what control?

I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question. As regard the latter part, separate estimates for the Liquor Control Board are presented to Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary the number of British subjects deported from France during the last month, and the reason for their expulsion?

I have no information on either of the points mentioned in this question.

asked the Home Secretary how many local courts there are in England having jurisdiction concurrent with or nearly concurrent with the county courts; what is the number of the staff employed by these courts; and what is the total cost of these courts to the nation?

There are at present six local courts having concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts in which a substantial amount of business iB done. I do not know the number of the staff employed, but it would appear that the gross revenue from them exceeds the expenditure. Particulars are given in the Annual Judicial Statistics, to which I refer the hon. Member for further information.

asked the Home Secretary whether, upon reconsideration by the Hastings borough council of the proposed bye-law to permit the employment of children before school hours, a resolution was moved that no child attending school should be employed on any day when the school he or she attended was open or on Sunday; that 18 voted for this resolution and 18 against; that the mayor gave his casting vote against, with the result that the council officially still press for the bye-law; and whether, in view of the strong local opinion against the proposed bye-law, he will withhold his sanction to it?

No, Sir; I had not heard of the resolution referred to, and I am advised that a bye-law prohibiting all employment on school days and Sundays would be ultra vires. The local education authority have submitted to me for confirmation a bye-law allowing employment before school in the delivery of milk or newspapers. Objections have been made to this bye-law and they will be fully considered before the bye-law is confirmed.

asked the Home Secretary whether the position of borough coroners is at present very unsatisfactory, and that while other officials engaged in work of a somewhat similar character have had their salaries increased to meet the greater cost of living borough coroners are still paid by fees which, in the circumstances, are inadequate; and whether he proposes to bring in a Bill to carry into effect the recommendation of a Home Office Committee which reported in favour of borough coroners being paid by salary over 10 years ago?

I hope to introduce a Bill dealing with this point and others affecting coroners, but it will not be possible to do so this Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether the services rendered by the Wood Green fire brigade at a fire of a highly dangerous character that took place some time ago at an Edmonton munitions factory have been passed over, while the services of other fire brigades on the occasion have been recognised; and what steps he is taking to mark the gallantry of the Wood Green brigade?

The services rendered by the brigade were very carefully considered, but I regret that I did not feel justified in recommending any award.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of recent robberies where the thieves have used motor cars in order to escape, he will say if any provision has been made that the metropolitan police force are provided either with motor cars or motor bicycles in order to enable them to pursue such persons; and, if not, will he ask his Department to forthwith consider the necessity of providing the police force with proper equipment to deal with such criminals?

A certain number of ears and motor-cycles with side-car attach- ment are now in possession of the Metropolitan Police. The result has been extremely satisfactory, and it is hoped that in the future further use will be made of this means of quick transport.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to abolish the 20 miles per hour limit for motor cars, which nobody pays the smallest attention to?

I have been asked to answer this question. The question of speed limits is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport does not propose to take any action until he is in a position to deal comprehensively with the whole question of speed limits as applied to different types of road vehicles. It may be pointed out that the maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour is imposed by statute, and cannot be abolished without fresh legislation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the work of carrying out the various electricity schemes prepared under the Electricity Supply Act, 1919, could be put in hand at once in order to assist in providing immediate work for the unemployed and also to provide the much-needed electric power for new industries which will also provide increased employment in the future?

The Electricity Commissioners have provisionally determined electricity districts for the more important industrial parts of England and Wales, but, except in the case of the Lower Severn district,^* no scheme has yet been submitted to them, the time fixed for that purpose (save in the case of the Mid-Lancashire district†) not having yet expired. Arrangements are now being made to hold the necessary inquiry in the case of the Lower Severn district, and similar arrangements will be made in other cases as soon as schemes are submitted. Meanwhile a large number of loans for electricity works has been sanctioned by the Commissioners, and these works are being actively prosecuted in different parts of the country. The Commissioners are fully alive to the important considerations referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to state definitely when the promised Bill for establishing the traffic authority in London is to be introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer (of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy) given to a question asked by the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on Monday last. I have nothing further to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that, whilst other grades at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have received an increase in their basic rate of wages, the basic rate of the labourers is now the same as before the War; and that its basic rate is several shillings below the rate paid to the labourers in the Royal parks; and whether he will consider the possibility of raising the labourers at Kew to the same level?

The reply to the first two parts of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. In reply to the last part, the question of securing an increase in the basic rate of wages of the labourers at Kew, is at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to abolish the post of Chief Inspector of Education for Wales rendered vacant by the death of Sir Owen Edwards; and, if not, when a new appointment to the office may be expected?

No, Sir; I have no such intention, but I came to the conclusion that it was not expedient to fill the post left vacant by the lamented death of Sir Owen Edwards until I had had time to consider the recently published report of the Departmental Committee on Secondary Education in Wales with the care which its far-reaching proposals require. In the meanwhile, as an emergency arrangement, I ask the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Department to undertake temporarily the duties of Chief Inspector with the assistance of two of His Majesty's inspectors now serving in Wales, to act in a supervisory capacity under the Permanent Secretary's direction.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is causing investigations to be made with a view to ascertaining whether any schools maintained at the cost of the public are being used for the propagation of Bolshevist doctrines amongst children; and, if so, whether he will at the same time ascertain whether political views of a character in harmony with those of the present Government are taught to children under the guise of instruction in history and religious knowledge?

While I should, of course, make inquiry in any specific instance brought to my notice where teachers in grant-aided schools abused their position, I have received no information which would justify me in undertaking any such general investigation as the hon. Member's question suggests. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many cases the proposed modification of the application of the Education Act of 1918 will involve the postponement of schemes for continuation classes and higher education already approved by his Department; and whether he can give an assurance that such schemes will be postponed only, and not permanently dropped?

asked the President of the Board of Education, (1) what is the estimated saving which will result from the proposed modified application of the Education Act, 1918;(2) the precise steps to be taken in order to give effect to the proposed modification of the application of the Education Act, 1918?

The Government have not proposed to modify the application of the Education Act; everyone, however, must recognise that economic conditions will prevent the local Education Authorities from giving full effect as soon as they would like to the schemes for development which the Act directs them to prepare; and the Board of Education are fully alive to the necessity of husbanding the available resources. It is impossible to estimate the difference in cost between what the local authorities would like to do and what they will be able to do under present conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether between 20 and 30 children, whose ages range from nine years upwards, from Gomshall and Peaslake, in Surrey, who have to attend the schools in Guildford, are obliged to hang about Guildford for some hour and a half in the evening waiting for the 5.30 p.m. train, and that in the case Of those living at Peaslake this means a walk home of 2½ miles after 6 p.m.; whether there is a train leaving Guildford at 4.18 p.m., which would be available for them if it could be stopped at Gomshall; and whether, in view of the approaching winter and the danger to the children's health, he will make representations to the railway company to grant the facilities asked for?

The hon. Member has forwarded to me a petition relating to this case; and I am communicating with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, on the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to commence working the Atlantic cable acquired by the Government; whether it is proposed to take over the staff at present employed; and whether adequate compensation or pensions will be paid to those members of the staff who are not retained?

This cable has hitherto been worked by the Western Union Company under lease from the Direct United States Company. I have agreed to continue the lease temporarily for six months, and thereafter subject to five months' notice, pending other arrangements. The staff are employes of the Western Union Company, and I understand the pension funds of the Direct United States and Western Union Companies provide for any staff retiring on pension.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a large amount of overtime is being worked in the various branches of the service; and, if so, in view of the large numbers of ex-service and other men still seeking employment, he will consider the possibility of absorbing a larger number of them in the Post Office service?

The overtime worked in the various branches of the service is, in the aggregate, considerable; but it is, of course, spread over a large number of offices, and is caused to a large extent by fluctuation of work, which cannot otherwise be provided for. Where the work justifies the employment of additional force this course is followed, and as many ex-service men as possible are being engaged.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has been any diminution in the number of letters transmitted through the post since the rate for inland postage was raised to 2d.?

In answer to a question by the hon. Member for the Acton Division (Sir H. Brittain) on the 30th June, I stated that according to the information then available there had been a small diminution—probably something less than 5 per cent. I still anticipate that the diminution will approximate to that figure, but returns of traffic which were taken recently have not yet been analysed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Irish Government have yet decided to extend the provisions of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, to rural areas in order to encourage individual effort in the erection of houses?

The answer is in the negative. Having regard to the provisions contained in the Labourers Act and to the full powers already possessed by local authorities and public utility societies in relation to housing in rural areas, there does not appear to be any sufficient reason for extending the provisions of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average weekly cost per patient in the London hospitals, in respect of maintenance and in respect of medicine and medical attendance?

No figures are available for the present year, but, according to the Statistical Report of the King Edward's Fund, the average annual cost per occupied bed in 1919 worked out at £168 13s. 6d., or approximately £3 5s. per week, for the hospitals having medical schools (with the exception of St. Bartholomew's) and at £140 10s. 3d., or approximately £2 14s. per week, for the larger general hospitals without medical schools.

asked the Minister of Health whether or not he has fixed the date upon which he will meet the representatives of the local authorities concerned in the Leeds and Bradford proposed extension schemes; and whether he will be prepared to hear from the deputation that there are special reasons why he should not allow the proposed inquiries to take place?

I have offered to receive a deputation of representatives of the local authorities opposing the extension schemes on Thursday, the 18th November, provided that arrangements can be made for the attendance of representatives of the town councils of Leeds and Bradford. The purpose of the interview is, as I have informed the parties, to discuss the question of reducing the expense of the local inquiries to the narrowest limits possible. I do not think it would be possible to enlarge the scope of the discussion in the sense suggested, having regard to the character of the deputation which I am receiving.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the average increase in the percentage of those on the voters' list who went to the poll at the recent borough council elections as compared with a year ago?

The information, for which I am asking for a special return from each municipal borough council, is not yet available. I will furnish the figures as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Minister of Health if he is yet in a position to make a statement of Government policy in regard to the Washington convention re maternity; and, if not, can he give a time within which he will do so, having regard to the lapse of time since the Washington Conference and the anxiety felt by many health and women's associations?

I can only refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on the 9th instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the bye-law made by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, and approved by the Privy Council in February, 1920, in pursuance of Section 4 (6) of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, deprives all persons holding the assistant's certificate of the Society of Apothecaries who have served with His Majesty's Forces during the late War from being registered as chemists and druggists and restricts registration to persons who have been continuously employed in a strictly limited number of institutions and so deprives many fully-qualified persons from registration, contrary to the express intentions of the 1908 Act; and whether he will request the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society to amend their bye-law so as to provide for the registration as chemists and druggists of all the assistants of the Society of Apothecaries who held certificates at the time of the passing of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, provided that they have been engaged in dispensing for a reasonable period, not necessarily continuous, since 1908, so as to admit of the registration of ex-service men?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The bye-law in question aims at meeting an old complaint of the Certified Assistants to Apothecaries against the Pharmaceutical Society, and was accepted as a fair compromise by the Society and the Association of Certified Assistants. There is no power to induce the Society to go further on the road of concession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of gallons of home-made spirits on which duty was paid for home consumption during the six months ended 31st October, 1920, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the like figures for the six months ended 30th April, 1920?

The number of gallons of home-made spirits on which duty was paid for home consumption during each period of the six months jnded 30th April and 31st October, 1920, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, were:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to a large number of practising accountants by an Order of the Treasury in March last that only chartered accountants or incorporated accountants would in future be eligible for appointment as public auditors under the Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies Acts; and whether the Order will be reconsidered with a view to the inclusion of accountants belonging to other recognised associations?

I have nothing to add to my reply on the 28th ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether complaints have been made that confidential letters addressed by the secretary of the Norwich Launderers' Association to the secretary of the Laundry Trade Board have been communicated to certain persons who had no concern with their contents, with the result that avoidable friction has been caused in trade circles; and whether he will cause these complaints to be investigated?

I have made enquiry into the matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. On the 21st Juno the secretary to the Norwich Launderers' Association wrote to the secretary to the Laundry Trade Board stating that a trade union official had informed one of the members of the association that he had seen the letters conceraing certain physically defective workers addressed by the employer to the Trade Board, and that he had also been furnished with copies. The secretary to the association, on the inference that the letters had been communicated by the secretary of the Trade Board, asked for an explanation of his action. On 24th June the latter replied it was not his practice to make such communications, and that he would be glad to have particulars of the case. The reply stated also that Permits of Exemption were dealt with by the Trade Board, to which applications must be communicated by the secretary. As no reply had been received to the above letter the secretary wrote again on 26th July asking that the particulars required might be supplied, and on 27th July the secretary to the Norwich Launderers' Association replied, indicating that the information might have been obtained from a source other than the secretary of the Trade Board, and that, in the circumstances, he did not consider that the matter could be pursued any further. For my hon. and gallant Friend's information, the Laundry Trade Board has delegated to a committee, under the pro- visions of the Trade Boards Acts, its powers and duties with regard to Permits of Exemption for payment of the minimum rates. All the information supplied relevant to an application for a Permit of Exemption is furnished to the members of this committee, who make personal inquiries into the cases. I am able to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no such information has been communicated by the secretary to other persons. I propose, however, to bring my hon. and gallant Friend's statement to the attention of the Trade Board in order that they may take the matter into consideration.