asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider the advisability of at once establishing at the India Office an inquiry bureau where Indians arriving in this country for various educational and technical courses can readily be supplied with the necessary information and help to assist them as to the best steps they should take to attain their objects; and whether the lack of this official help leads many Indians to consult undesirable authorities, who often give bad advice, consequently causing considerable misgiving and discontent?

A bureau of information for Indian students, such as the hon. and gallant Member suggests, has been established in London for the last 11 years. It is in close touch with the universities and technical institutions, and every effort has been made to make its existence known in India. But, of course, no Indian student is under any obligation to seek its advice. The bureau, which is at 21, Cromwell Road, has recently been transferred to the control of the High Commissioner for India.

The point of my question is whether a branch of this office should not be at the India Office, in order that these Indians, who naturally go to the India Office, may get the necessary information.

I do not think it would be a wise course to identify this bureau too closely with the India Office. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will visit the bureau at 21, Cromwell Road, and also discuss the question with the High Commissioner.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that these Indians particularly object to being officially grand-mothered?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the provincial loan recently raised in Bombay?

The Government of Bombay anticipate that during the next five years they will require 30 crores of rupees to finance industrial housing, reclamation and development, and the operations of Bombay local bodies. With a view to inaugurating this important programme, the Government of Bombay recently issued a development loan in India. The terms of the loan were as follows: Issue price, par; rate of interest, 6½ per cent., free of Income Tax; loan to be repaid at par in 1935. No limit was announced to the amount of subscriptions that the Government would be willing to receive, and when the lists closed at the end of October the gratifying sum of 9⅓ crores had been subscribed. The issue, which is the first of its kind in India, has been a pronounced success, on which the Government and citizens of Bombay are to be warmly congratulated.

asked the Secretary of State for India for what reason the first ordinary pension in the revised scale of pensions for officers of the Indian Army is given at the completion of 18 years' service, whereas in the British service, under Army Order 324 of 1919, it is given after 15 years' service, with an increment for each completed year over 15; and if he will have the officers of the Indian Army put on the same terms as the officers of the British service in this respect?

Officers of the British service on retirement are required to join the Reserve of Officers, and by permitting retirements after short service the War Office obtain a number of comparatively young officers who are immediately available in a national emergency. An Indian Army Officer on retirement nearly always leaves India, and thereby ceases to be in touch with the Indian Army. His value as a Reserve Officer is thus considerably diminished, and for this reason it has not been thought advisable to encourage the retirement of young officers by reducing the period for retirement on pension below 18 years. But the pension which an officer of the Indian Army obtains on retirement at 18 years is £50 more than that for an officer of the British Army of equal rank and service.

As the Indian service is purely a time service, and promotion is given by years of service, is it not a fact that he is on the same level as officers in the British service?

He is not on the same level; he gets £50 a year more.

That is only an Indian element, and a very small element.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will say, considering that in the revised pension rules for British officers of the Indian Army an Indian element has been added to the rates of pension laid down for officers of the British service as recompense for service in India up to the rank of Colonel, for what reason has that Indian element not been granted to major-generals of the Indian Army for their service in India?

I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Abbey Division of Westminster (Mr. Burdett-Coutts) on the 11th August, of which I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state why the Indian element has not been granted?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my previous answer to his question—I am only quoting one; I have given several—he will see the reasons given.

May I ask whether any one of those reasons has any foundation in it whatsoever?

All that that means is that my hon. and gallant Friend is not satisfied. I am afraid that to satisfy him is a task to which I do not aspire.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Lajpat Rai, who was deported from India in 1907 for sedition, and to whom a special passport from America to India was granted by the Secretary of State for India in October, 1919, is the same Lajput Rai, the author of the book "Young India," which was seized in November, 1017, under Regulation 51; whether criminal proceedings can be taken against him now that he has returned to British territory; whether he can now state whether there is any evidence that Lajput Rai was subsidised by German agents in America; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. Lajpat Rai was given an ordinary passport back to India last year. The question of taking criminal proceedings against him is entirely for the Government of India, with whose discretion I shall not interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for India if, in view of the satisfaction which has been caused in commercial circles by the Report of the Couchman Committee on the purchase of stores for the Government in India, he can give an assurance that this Report in its main outlines will be acted upon by the Government of India?

I regret that I cannot announce any decision on the Committee's recommendations until I have had an opportunity of examining them in the light of the Government of India's views, which have not yet reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India requisitions or retains British forces in North-West Persia; and, if so, whether Indian funds are devoted to any and, if to any, to what extent to defraying the resulting charges?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Esher Report recommends that the Indian Army should come under the control of the War Office; whether the present Chief of the General Staff in India supported the recommendation that a civil member of council for supplies should be appointed; and whether, under the recommendations of the Esher Committee, the Chief of the Imperial Staff can authorise the expenditure of any money from the Indian Exchequer?

I would leave my hon. Friend to study the recommendations of the Esher Committee and form his own conclusions. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, and to the third in the negative.

Do not these answers in themselves answer most of the adverse criticisms against the Esher Report?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any active steps have yet been taken to restrain Mr. Ghandi and his associates from stirring up further sedition in India?

I will have printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the Resolution issued by the Government of India in declaration of their policy in the form in which it has reached this country. Local governments are proceeding and have proceeded, against persons who commit offences against the law. There have been in the past two months in Northern India eight cases of prosecution of persons on charges of sedition or attempting to seduce troops. Five have been convicted, and three cases are still pending. Substantial sentences have been awarded by the courts. I can let the hon. Member have details if he desires. The Seditious Meetings Act has also been applied in Delhi, and in three districts of the Punjab, and will no doubt be further extended, if necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, which is, have any active steps been taken to restrain Mr. Ghandi from stirring up further sedition in India? Is it a fact that quite recently—in October this year —Mr. Ghandi defied the Government to prosecute him? He restated the exact words of seditious utterance for which other people at the present time are undergoing trial.

The hon. Member's question referred to Mr. Ghandi and his associates. The action taken with regard to Mr. Ghandi and his associates is described by the Government of India Resolution to which I have referred, which is much too long to read in answer to a Parliamentary question, and the proceedings taken by the local Governments against certain persons. The policy which I propose to adopt—a policy I have often described to this House before—is to leave, with complete confidence, to the Government of India and the local Governments the steps that they deem it necessary to take with regard to an extremely dangerous situation.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman disputes the fact that Mr. Ghandi is the leader of this agitation at the present time? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, if he is prosecuting some of Mr. Ghandi's associates, it is incumbent upon him to see that Mr. Ghandi as the leader is prosecuted for uttering the same words for which the Government is prosecuting other people?

I accept full responsibility to the House for the procedure, which I have followed throughout, not to dictate or to suggest to the Government of India from London the action they ought to take in maintaining law and order in India.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not already dictated to the Government of India what steps they should take with regard to punishing other people?

May I ask if the prohibition of seditious meetings now put in force, is not a reversion to the form of policy which was abandoned after consultation with the India Office, and against the advice of those acquainted with local conditions?

I do not know.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say as a matter of fact whether any proceedings of any kind have been taken by any Government against Mr. Ghandi?

So far as I am aware, the only proceedings taken against Mr. Ghandi at present—at present—are to confine his activities within the limits of the Seditious Meetings Act, wherever the Seditious Meetings Act is in force.

May I ask why other people are prosecuted for using the same words that Mr. Ghandi has uttered?

I am sorry I have not brought it down with me, but if the hon. Gentleman will read the Government of India's explanation of the Resolution, he will see their own justification for the policy they have pursued.

Is not the Government of India's Resolution one long apology for non-action, and is not the pith of it that they have not proceeded against the criminals because they rely on the common sense of the non-criminals? Is that a safe thing in India?

I do not read the Resolution in that way at all. I would submit, with great respect, that India is more than 6,000 from London, and that it would be very dangerous for us to try and dictate from here the administrative action which the Government of India should take.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1), whether, on the outbreak of rebellion in Northern India in April, 1919, the Governor-General in command issued a Resolution, dated 14th April, stating his determination to use all the forces at his command to suppress disorder and assuring the officers entrusted with the novel and arduous responsibility of restoring order of the full countenance and support of the Government; whether the rebellion was suppressed within a few weeks, and before the Afghan War broke out, as a result of the prompt and rigorous measures taken by the officers of Government;

(2) Whether he will give a list of the officers, civil and military, British and Indian, concerned in the suppression of the rebellion in Northern India in the spring of 1919, who have been punished with public censure, and in other ways, for so-called undue severity or improper punishments in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Secretary of State's despatch of the 26th May, 1920; whether he will state in each case the reasons for such punishments; whether it is a fact that the Hunter Committee, which investigated the disturbances in India, made no suggestions in the Majority Report for such punishments; that the Government of India, in their despatch of 3rd May, 1920, also made no such proposal; and whether his action is based on the Minority Report of the three Indian members and on the Report of the Congress Committee presided over by Mr. Ghandi?

The hon. Member once again refers to events which occurred nineteen months ago and were exhaustively discussed in India, in published documents, and finally in Parliament. It is, as the House is aware, the avowed policy of a section in India, which the hon. Member would be the first to regard as hostile to the maintenance of order, to keep alive the memory of the events in question by continued agitation. I would appeal to the hon. Member and to the House not to allow themselves to be allied, however unintentionally, with such methods. I would remind the House that the Viceroy, acting within his powers, disallowed a resolution for the discussion of those events at a meeting of the Indian Legislative Council this summer. I would ask the hon. Members to associate themselves with that action of the Viceroy, on whom falls the main burden of estimating and guarding against possible dangers to the public peace in India. In these circumstances, I hope that the hon. Member will not press me to give an answer to these or similar questions.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that the right hon Gentleman has himself raised the question again by ordering punishment to be administered to certain officers and men in the Civil Service since last summer; and, therefore, am I not entitled to ask him whether it is on his instructions that censures and punishments have been meted out to these officers and men, and not on the recommendation of the Indian Government?

I have taken no action in regard to the Punjab since the discussion in the House of Commons, and the despatch which I sent on behalf of His Majesty's Government, which preceded it, and was under discussion at the time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say on whose authority this disciplinary action was taken with regard to these officials: who has done it?

If my hon. Friend will recollect the Debate, it centred round the despatch sent by me on behalf of the Government. In that despatch we left it to the Government of India and the local Governments to deal with these matters, and in accordance with that despatch they dealt with them.

Is it a fact that since the disciplinary action and punishment these men have been practically ruined, whilst those who took part in the agitation have been set free; on whose authority has that been done?

The despatch left it to the Government of India and to the local Governments to take their own action. Nothing has occurred from England since the Debate, or since the despatch was sent to India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any Acts or Regulations are in force in India, or any part thereof, providing for deportation; if so, what are these Acts and Regulations; and what is their nature?

Bengal Regulation III. of 1818 and corresponding Madras and Bombay Regulations give certain powers of restraint within India without judicial trial for the protection and security of the British Dominions. The Foreigners' Act of 1864 gives certain powers to deport aliens, and the European Vagrancy Act of 1874 contains powers of deporting destitute vagrants back to Europe. Apart from these, there is no provision for deportation from India except a temporary Regulation under the Defence of India Act, 1915.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has received a despatch from the Government of India reviewing the position of Indians in British Colonies and Protectorates and making suggestions thereon; and if he will be able at an early date to place before the House the substance of the recommendations contained in the despatch?

I am in constant communication with the Government of India on these subjects, but have not received from them recently any general recommendations, though general considerations, of course, arise in the discussion of the position in particular colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Sir Benjamin Robertson has recently visited the Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate in order to inquire into the position of Indians in those territories; whether any Report of the result of his inquiries has reached the Government of India; and if he is yet in possession of the view of that Government thereon?

Yes, Sir. The questions discussed are receiving the urgent attention of my noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and myself.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that self-determination is to be permitted to the Colonies in this matter?

I understand that the question refers to the Crown Colonies which are under the control of the Colonial Office; if the hon. Gentleman applies the meaning of self-determination to them, I hope he will recollect that there are Indians as well as British native inhabitants in these Colonies.

I want to know from the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends the modern doctrine of self-determination shall be accorded to these Crown Colonies in respect to the influx of Indians where they are not wanted?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I inquire whether self-determination will take into account that in Kenya Colony there are over 2,000,000 African negroes as well as 5,000 whites; and will their views be taken into consideration?

Do you think they want Indians?

There are many things perpetrated in the name of self-determination.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the delay in announcing the proposed scheme for Burmese constitutional reforms, which, delay is causing serious uneasiness in Burma?

I am in telegraphic communication with the Government of India and hope to be able to make an announcement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the rice harvest, in Burma will be gathered next month, he will instruct the Government of India that if the control of rice be continued a committee, on which the cultivators and Burmese merchants have representation, should be appointed to advise the Rice Controller; and that export licences be issued to Burmese as well as to European merchants?

The Government of India are now considering whether the coming Burma rice crop should be controlled and hope to telegraph to me their proposals towards the end of this month. In considering those proposals I shall bear in mind the suggestions of my hon. Friend, consulting, if necessary, the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the continued use of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda Hill for military purposes is offensive to the religious beliefs of the Burmese and therefore against British traditions; and whether he will see that the evacuation is expedited by the military authorities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3rd November to the hon. Member for Went-worth.

asked the Secretary of State for India what was the total estimated revenue and expenditure of Mesopotamia for the financial year 1920–21; and whether he will circulate an itemised statement of the estimated budget of Mesopotamia for the financial year 1920–21 as a Parliamentary paper?

Consideration of the provisional estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the civil administration for 1920–21 was interrupted by the recent outbreak before the budget had taken final form. The High Commissioner has been asked to submit revised estimates. I will circulate them when received.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when they are likely to be received?

I have done my best to expedite them. The matter is becoming one of urgency, and I will let my hon. Friend know when I get an answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Admiralty have recently acquired land west of the boundary of the burgh of Clydebank, and that it is reported that it is their intention to erect oil tanks on the ground so acquired; has it been brought to his notice that this portion of land is shown on the town plans of the burgh of Clydebank, the town plans of the county council of Dumbartonshire, and the joint town plant of the joint committee of Glasgow, Clydebank, and the counties of Dumbarton and Renfrew as being set apart for dwelling-houses, and that the use of it for any other purpose is a violation of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act?

The provision of this oil fuel in- stallation is an urgent national necessity, and the Board of Admiralty, after prolonged consideration and investigation of local sites for oil fuel tanks, decided upon the area referred to, this being the site to which there were the fewest objections. At the time when this site was decided upon it was not known that it was intended to include it in a town planning area, and immediately knowledge of this fact came to the Admiralty, the matter was taken up with the Scottish Board of Health, i.e., in May last, and is now being considered by them. To give effect to the scheme as laid out only means a slight modification in the alignment of two proposed roads. The scheme is only in draft and not yet in operation; it is, therefore, hardly correct to suggest that the Town Planning Act has been violated by the Admiralty who, although legally not subject to the Act, are always anxious to meet its intentions in every possible way.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these joint plans have been in existence since 1913, and have been "held up" by the Scottish Board of Health and by the old Local Government Board, so that a complete plan could be got for the Clyde Valley; and if he is aware that if the Admiralty go on with this scheme against the town planning that has been put forward it will have a very prejudicial effect on town planning in Scotland?

Well, Sir, I am personally familiar with the details of this particular case and everything possible is being done to secure a site which will cause the least possible friction in this neighbourhood, but there are great difficulties in the way. The hon. Member knows that we are not contravening in any way the town planning scheme that has been promulgated by the districts. But I am having further inquiry made to see if some slight alteration of the plans cannot be make.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government are in possession of photographs of the damage to German ships inflicted during the Battle of Jut-land; and, if so, whether they can be included in the OFFICIAL REPORT or, failing that, the official naval history of the War?

These photographs are not considered to be of sufficient interest to the public to warrant the expense involved by publication.

Will these photographs be available to the public, if not in the official history of the War by means of the Imperial War Museum?

I will have that inquired into: it is quite possible.

Will they be available if the public are ready to pay for them?

All these matters are really a question of finance.

Will they be available to the public if some outside person wishes to see them?

I see the point. I understand that will be so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the official German account of the battle of Jutland has yet been published; and, if not, can steps be taken to include it in the publication of the OFFICIAL REPORT, provided that delay in publication is not thereby caused?

No official German account of the battle of Jutland has yet been published, either in this country or, so far as is known, in Germany. The account of the battle submitted by Admiral Scheer to the ex-Kaiser, which has come into the possession of the Admiralty, is included amongst the documents that will be published in the promised Parliamentary Paper.

Is this to be considered as being the German official account or not?

It must be taken for what it is.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether consideration has been given to the cases of officers called up for the War from the emergency list, and who, in consequence, have lost positions of emolument; and whether it would be possible now to award to such officers pensions in accordance, at least, with the rank which they held when they left the Service.

I regret that I cannot hold out any hope that officers called up from the Emergency List will be granted pensions on the ground that they have lost positions of emolument. These officers received a bonus of 25 per cent, on their full pay in lieu of counting their War service for pension. While it is regrettable that some of these officers have lost positions of emolument in consequence of being called up, their case is not harder than that of many officers of the Reserves and officers who joined for temporary service during the War, and have lost their appointments in civil life.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider it just that an officer who holds rank at sea during the War, after being called up, should not get the pension attachable to that rank?

Yes, I think it is quite just, because the arrangement made, as I stated in my answer, is that these officers receive 25 per cent, of their full pay in lieu of counting their War service for pension.

asked the-First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the case that a chief engine-room artificer serving in a submarine, and who has a wife and two children, can reach a maximum rate of pay of 25s. 2d. a day, while an artificer engineer, a warrant officer, of nine years' seniority, and who might also have a wife and two children, can only reach a maximum of 23s.; whether similar anomalies exist as between, gunners or boatswains, warrant officers, and chief petty officers of the seaman class; and whether this can be rectified by granting a marriage allowance to officers as well as to ratings?

I am aware of the anomalies to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. A scheme of special pay for warrant officers, which will have the effect of preventing loss on promotion in all but exceptional cases, has recently been proposed, and is about to be promulgated to the Fleet. The question of granting a marriage allowance to officers as well as ratings is at present under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the very difficult position financially of lieutenants promoted from mate in the Royal Navy; whether he is aware that there are cases where lieutenants are married and have reached the age of 36 or 37 and are receiving the same pay as young men of 21 and 22 who came into the Navy by cadet entry; whether he is aware that these officers have no marriage allowance; that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to maintain their wives and children in a position befitting the rank of the husband and father; that it is practically impossible to put money aside to pay their children's education; and will he consider the advisability of reconsidering the position of this class of officer with a view to placing their pay more on an equality with that of lieutenants entering the Navy as cadets.

The facts mentioned by my hon. Friend have already been brought to the notice of the Admiralty and are engaging the attention of the Board. I regret that I cannot make any further statement at present.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the class of officers to which I refer is a very small one, and will he, therefore, expedite the consideration of this question as far as possible so that this very small class can receive some assistance?

Yes, certainly. Every expedition has been exercised, and I am taking the matter up myself personally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what Order in Council or rule The lower deck pensioners received pay plus pension during the War, and that all lower deck men who reached pensionable age during the same period were given pay plus pension?

The authority is Article 1952, Clause 1, of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, which is based on Article 16 and 17, Viet., cap. 73, Clause 16. Men who completed time for pension during the War were regarded as "pensioners called upon to serve" as from the date of such completion.

Was this before or after the War?

I will look into that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any foundation for the report that it is the intention of the Government to erect a monument at Portsmouth in memory of the officers and men of the Royal Navy who lost their lives in the great War; and, if this is their intention, will he consider the possibility of suggesting the erection of a similar memorial on Mount Wise, Devonport?

The Imperial War Graves Commission is desirous of erecting memorials to commemorate the names of the officers and men of the Naval Forces who were lost or buried at sea. An Admiralty Committee appointed to enable the Admiralty to make recommendations to the War Graves Commission on this subject has recently considered sites at the three naval ports, with a view to erection of a memorial at each; but the Report of the Committee has not yet been considered by the Admiralty.

Will the members of The Royal Naval Air Service be included?

I am afraid that I shall require notice of that question. I am not sure whether they come under this, scheme or under another scheme.

Why only the three naval ports? Does he include the Scottish port of Rosyth?

The matter is still under consideration, and it has been decided that the three naval ports shall be taken. I am not sure about other ports.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of G. L. Rowe, who was employed by the Admiralty as an engine fitter at Devonport and Invergordon and was transferred in 1920 to Malta; whether he is aware that this man contracted dysentery and died; that his widow in this country has been charged by the Admiralty authorities in Malta with £12 16s. 5d. for making and transporting the coffin and £3 2s. 8d. for digging the grave and burying the remains; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case with a view to refunding this money?

This matter is being carefully investigated. If the hon. Member will repeat the question on this day week I hope to have full particulars.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a British warship has been offered to General Wrangel to bring him to this country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a blockade of the Russian shores of the Black Sea has been established; whether it is intended to hamper or harass peaceable merchant shipping proceeding to and from Russian ports; whether arms could be prevented from reaching the army of Mustapha Kemal Pasha by sea by a blockade of the northern coast of Turkey-in-Asia; and whether, in any case, there is direct communication already between Moscow and the adherents of Mastapha Kemal Pasha by way of Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. Doubtless arms could be prevented from reaching Mustapha Kemal Pasha by means of a blockade. As regards the last part of the question, it is very possible that there is direct communication between Moscow and the adherents of Mustapha Kemal Pasha by way of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Does that mean that the statement appearing in all the newspapers that a blockade has been established for the purpose of preventing traffic in arms are incorrect and that we are not taking any steps to stop arms going to Mustapha Kemel?

I have not had time to consider this question lately, and I am not in a position to give him the informa- tion that he requires. If he wishes to have any further information I shall be glad to obtain it for him.

May I have an answer to that part of my question as to whether the northern coast of Turkey-in-Asia is being blockaded in order to prevent arms getting to Mustapha Kemel? Is peaceful shipping in the Black Sea being interfered with?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must understand that I place so much importance to his questions that I wish to be most punctilious in my answers. I do not think it would be fair to reply to delicate questions of that kind in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will inform the House for how many months he has been in negotiation with the trade unions concerned with the building trade in order to secure dilution, whereby 50,000 unemployed men, mostly ex-service men, may obtain immediate employment; whether there are, approximately, this number fewer men employed in the build-trade than before the War; and whether, having regard to the urgency of the problem of unemployment at the present time, he will see that the negotiations are completed without further delay?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given on the 8th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley. The number of skilled men now employed in the building trade is, approximately, 60,000 less than before the War.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these negotiations have been going on for nearly a year, and that Members of this House are daily receiving deputations from their constituents with regard to the unemployment of ex-service men? Does he not think that the time has now arrived when these 50,000 men for whom employment is available in the building trade should be employed without further delay?

I entirely agree.

Having regard to the fact that there was a shortage of 60,000 men in the skilled building trades, and the amount of work now required to be done is nearly five times as much as it was before the War, what possible excuse has the Government got for not enforcing what is undoubtedly the opinion of the vast majority of the people of this country, instead of being browbeaten by the trade unions?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Cambridge bricklayers are walking the streets looking for work?

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to make some definite statement on this question?

We shall submit our scheme to the trade unions concerned early next week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is able to make any comparisons between the progress of house-building in this country and in the United Stales, and also between this country and other European countries; and, if so, will he make a statement?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of an issue of "Housing" in which the particulars then in the possession of the Ministry are summarised. If he desires further information on any specific point I will endeavour to obtain it, but I may say that such information as is at my disposal goes to show that more rapid progress is being made in housebuilding in this country than in any of the other countries referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is setting up a Committee to consider the present high cost of building; and how many such bodies he has already appointed in connection with any aspects of the housing movement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part of the question, I appointed a Committee to report on the question of Regional planning in South Wales. Apart from this, the only Gommittees which I have appointed are Sub-committees of my Housing Advisory Council which have been set up to investigate highly technical questions such as model forms of contract, new methods of construction, model specifications, and so forth.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has yet appointed the Committee referred to?

No, Sir, the personnel has not yet been settled.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of the amount of money spent for land acquisition purposes at the same time?

I think I may say as much as that. We have obtained our land at an extraordinarily low cost, considering the circumstances—in fact, most of it at a lower cost than land obtained in 1913.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Westminster City Council have not prepared a scheme for the erection of houses for the working classes as required by the Housing, Town Planning, &c, Act, 1919, but have only submitted a survey; whether it is a fact that he has acquiesced in the decision of the Westminster City Council not to prepare and carry out a housing scheme; if so, whether the reason for this acquiescence is that the price for land in Westminster is prohibitive; whether this, in effect, means that there will be no housing scheme for Westminster at any time, as the price of land in Westminster will always remain high; whether he is aware that the lack of a housing scheme in Westminster will result in the working classes in the district migrating to other boroughs which are carrying out schemes; that, in consequence, these other boroughs will be compelled to bear expense which ought to be borne by Westminster; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will approach the Westminster City Council as to the necessity for a housing scheme being prepared and carried out?

I have carefully considered the position of the Westminster City Council in relation to the execution of a housing scheme, and am satisfied that in their case, as in that of some other authorities in the already crowded areas of the Metropolis, the erection of houses within their area would be so expensive that the proper course is for the need to be met by the provision of houses outside the area. The expenditure on such a scheme will form part of the county council's assisted scheme, and any loss will fall equally on all the Metropolis as a whole, and will be limited, for all housing schemes, to a 1d. rate.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the percentage of unemployment in the ten years prior to 1914; the percentage in July, 1914; in August, 1919; in August, 1920; and in November, 1920, including in all the post-war figures the ex-service men who may be out of work?

The percentage of unemployment among the members of certain trade unions (mainly skilled workpeople) making returns to the Ministry at the dates named was:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of unemployed men and women now registered in the borough of Southwark; can he state how many of the men are ex-service men; and whether his Department has any record of unemployed registered at the local town halls?

There were on 16th November about 4,950 men and 2,000 women registered at the Employment Exchange as unemployed in the borough of Southwark. Of the men, about 4,000 were ex-service men. As regards the last part of the question, I have no copy of the local town hall lists.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county of Norfolk there are 1,200 men unemployed; that the county council have prepared a scheme for widening and improving the present roads; whether he has received any communication from the county council on this matter; and whether it is proposed to grant the council financial assistance to enable it to put the scheme into operation and find employment?

I have received communications respecting unemployment in the county of Norfolk. Arrangements have already been made between the Ministry of Transport and the Norwich City Council for the construction of a road in the area of that council, and I am informed that 200 men are already engaged in this work. I have also called the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the case of Great Yarmouth, with a view to consideration being given in connection with the arterial road scheme.

When will the Emergency Order issued during the coal strike be withdrawn?

It will be brought to a close at the end of this week— Saturday.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received an application from the Norfolk County Council to see a deputation on this question?

My hon. Friend himself sent me a communication on the 8th November containing a request to me to receive a deputation, and I shall be obliged if he will inform the Council that I will see them if they wish.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Norwich and Yarmouth are distinct boroughs outside the County Council which is involved in this question?

Yes, I am aware of that. But my hon. Friend will know that in the county there are 700 parishes outside these two boroughs in which also there is a measure of unemployment. I do not wish to minimise it, but I do not think it is so acute as it is in the immediate vicinity of these two towns, and that is why I put them first.

Is it not the fact that the 1,200 unemployed referred to in the question are in the villages and not in the boroughs?

I cannot say, but if the hon. Member asserts it is so of course I accept his statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute between the General Accident, Fire, and Life Assurance Company and its employés on the question of the right of the employés to combine in a union; whether he is aware that prior to the dispute the union or guild strongly advocated the setting up of a Whitley Council for the insurance profession, thereby demonstrating their wish to pursue their work by conciliatory means; whether any steps were taken by his Department to promote the establishment of a Whitley Council; whether he has ascertained if any Government property is insured with the Corporation; and whether he is taking any steps to secure a settlement of the dispute?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the strike of insurance officials on the ground that the General Accident, Fire, and Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, have refused to employ members of the Guild of Insurance Officials; and, if so, whether he can see his way to use his good offices for the purpose of settling the dispute?

I am aware of this dispute. I am at present in communication with the Corporation, and with my hon. Friends' permission I would prefer not to make a statement on the matter at this moment. On the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for West Nottingham, the Department has had informal discussions with representatives of insurance companies on the subject of Whitley Councils, but such councils can only be set up with the consent of the interested parties, and hitherto the com panics have not seen their way to agree. I have no information on the point as to whether any Government property is insured with this particular Corporation.

Has any communication been received by the Prime Minister from the men involved in this dispute seeking leave by deputation to lay their case before him?

I cannot say. If any communication has been received by my right hon. Friend I have had no notice of it.

In view of the keen disappointment felt, not only by men in the ranks of the Guild of Insurance Officials, but by the Rank Officers' Guild and similar associations, at the non-setting-up of the Whitley Councils, will the Labour Minister be prepared to receive a deputation in order that this subject may be thoroughly gone into before the discontent becomes acute?

As to the dispute itself I am in communication with the Corporation in the hope of bringing the parties together, and therefore I should prefer not to make any further statement at present. With regard to the general question of the establishment of Whitley Councils, I have no authority to compel it; it is a matter for the parties concerned. I am willing to receive a deputation from either side or both sides on the question.

Can we say it is the set purpose of the Labour Ministry to encourage the establishment of Whitley Councils, and will they use whatever moral suasion they possess to get employers to see more reason than they now evidently show?

It is the policy of the Government to develop the spirit of "Whitleyism," the application of which has already been attended with happy results.

This is the tyranny of the bosses and not of the trade unions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the many protests by local authorities against schemes being settled by Government Departments which involve heavy additional charges upon the ratepayers without any consultation with local authorities; will he arrange for such schemes to be first placed before the local authorities and to give them an effective voice in determining the needs of localities over which they have jurisdiction; and will he have particular regard to schemes such as the police bonus, housing, and education, as many authorities consider that at least equal efficiency can be obtained with much less expenditure of rates and taxes?

The very wide considerations raised by my hon. Friend could not be dealt with in answer to a question.

Have the Government any idea of decentralising some of the legislative powers of this House, having regard to the amount of legislation which this House has to deal with?

That is a rather wide subject and very far from this question, if it means a scheme of devolution.

asked the Prime Minister whether and, if so, why it is necessary to keep in force the Juries Act, 1918; and when it is proposed to repeal that statute?

I am asked to reply to this question. The Statute referred to has effect until a period of six months has elapsed after the termination of the War. The reasons of public time and convenience which caused it to be enacted still continue. It is, however, intended as soon as may be to deal with the matter by legislation, and a Bill for the purpose is at present being considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the official statement that in January. 1919, £1,583,000 was paid to the ex-Kaiser as King of Prussia; in August, 1919, £802,600; in October, 1919, £701,600; and since that date, £1,150,000; whether, in view of his statement that he intended to search the pockets of Germany, these large sums, which ought to be devoted to reparation in the devastated countries, have been overlooked in the process of searching: and whether, now that his attention has been called to the matter, some steps can be taken to secure for the victims of the ex-Kaiser's policy some assistance from his vast private funds?

I have no information as to what sums may have been remitted to the ex-Kaiser from Germany, but our Ambassador in Berlin is being asked to ascertain the facts.

Can we have information what income was allowed to Napoleon at St. Helena, so that we may have some comparison to judge by?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when the trial of the ex-Kaiser is to take place in London, and when he is to be hanged?

asked the Prime Minister whether the international law which prevents the Allies from securing from Holland the ex-Kaiser of Germany was in operation in August, 1914?

I have been asked to reply to this question. So far as I am aware, there has not been, since August, 1914, any change in the international law relating to matters of the kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his suggestion that Members of Parliament could give material assistance by stimulating the efforts of local authorities in their constituencies in the direction of the land settlement of ex-service men, he is aware that the quotas allotted to the various counties are being exhausted, although, as in Oxfordshire, where the percentage of men settled is only 23, the progress is deplorably slow; and how he suggests that Members' aid should be more fully employed?

It is true that in some counties The equipment of the land already acquired will absorb the unexpended balance of the original quota allotted by the Ministry of Agriculture in its circular of 31st July last. In other counties, there is a substantial margin unallocated to acquisition of land or its equipment; for example, in Oxfordshire, where approval has been given to schemes involving an expenditure estimated by the county council to amount to £160,836 out of a quota of £212,000. In addition, however, to the original quota, a further sum of £4,000,000 has been placed at the disposal of The councils of England and Wales to be employed in equipping land acquired by lease, for county annuities and for cash raised locally by councils, on terms set out in the Ministry's circular of 6th November last. I am sure that Members of Parliament can give valuable help by taking a personal interest in the subject in their constituencies, for example, in urging landowners to place at the disposal of county councils land suitable for the settlement of ex-service men, the sale to be in consideration of county annuities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps have been taken to employ ex-service men in the cement industry; and whether more ex-service men could be employed in this industry with a view to increasing the output of cement?

So far as I am aware, the shortage of cement is not due, to any serious extent at any rate, to shortage of labour in cement works, but I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in order to ascertain whether there are any openings for ex-service men in this direction.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the firms holding the Royal Warrant are now on the King's National Roll?

The number of firms holding the Royal Warrant in Great Britain is 1,143, of whom 290 are now on the King's National Roll. I should mention that some of the Royal Warrant holders are specialised firms having very few employés. But I am at present engaged on a careful examination of the list of Royal Warrant holders not on the roll, with a view to deciding what further action can be taken.

asked the Minister of Health whether he. can supply the House with any figures showing the number of ex-service men who have been admitted to the casual wards of the workhouses of the country in each month of the present year; and whether any instructions have been issued to boards of guardians to treat these men as sympathetically as possible?

I am afraid I have not this information. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the circular letters issued in this connection.

Will the right hon. Gentleman forthwith issue instructions to all boards of guardians that every ex-service man who is so unfortunate as to be compelled to ask for temporary help from Poor Law authorities shall receive the most sympathetic and generous treatment?

May I ask whether, in the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman, workhouses, with a pauper taint attached, are fit places for heroes to live in?

It is very lamentable if there are any cases of that kind. I think that the circulars to which I have referred will answer the question of my hon. Friend (Mr. Clough).

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Pensions whether a civilian with no war service has been appointed Secretary to the Manchester War Pensons Committee, though a most competent man with distinguished war service was available?

No new appointment has as yet been made to the post of Secretary to the Manchester Local War Pensions Committee, and none can be made without my approval. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that, when the names of the selected candidates are submitted to me for final approval, it is not my intention to overlook the claims of those who have served in the Forces.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that, simultaneously with the Imperial Conference of June next an accessory Conference of Ministers of the Empire shall be held to deal with matters of imperial defence; and whether it is intended that this accessory Conference shall proceed on the lines of the Imperial Defence Conference of 1909 which sanctioned the policy of Dominion fleet units?

As there appears to have been some misunderstanding of the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Huntingdonshire on 11th November, I should like to explain that the meeting of Prime Ministers summoned for June, 1921, will be a meeting on the lines of the Imperial War Cabinet meetings which took place in 1917 and 1918, to deal with the many urgent problems of common interest which call for the coordination of policy and action by the different Governments of the Empire. It will not be the special Constitutional Conference contemplated by Resolution IX. of the Imperial War Conference, 1917. The Agenda will, of course, be a matter for subsequent settlement with the Dominion Ministers. There is general agreement that Imperial defence matters will require joint examination in the near future, but I am not yet in a position to say precisely what arrangements will be made for their discussion.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the very important question of the readjustment of the constitutional relations between different parts of the Empire will be debarred from being discussed at the forthcoming Conference?

No, Sir. We have been in negotiation with the Dominions on this matter. There has been a good deal of interest in regard to it, and there is a general feeling that it would not be right to press it at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether there have been disturbances in Egypt owing to the breaking off of negotiations between Lord Milner and the Egyptian Delegation; and whether those disturbances have resulted in injury to members, of the Egyptian population or of the British Army?

I am not aware that there has been any break off of negotiations between Lord Milner and the Egyptian delegation. Some demonstrations have taken place in Cairo, and on 13th November a British officer was shot at and wounded in that city for a reason which remains unknown. But there is no reason to connect these incidents with the departure from England of Zaghloul Pasha and his associates.

May I ask whether there have been any reprisals in Cairo?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the Milner Commission has been presented to the Cabinet; if not, whether it will be presented; and whether the House will be given an opportunity for its discussion?

asked the Prime Minister when the papers concerning the Milner Mission to Egypt will be published; and whether the views of those members of the Mission who are in favour of the abolition of the protectorate will be published in a Minority Report?

Lord Milner's Report has not yet been published, but I understand that it will shortly be completed. If any members of the Mission desire to present a Minority Report, they will naturally be at liberty to do so.

Has the right hon. Gentleman nothing to say with regard to the latter part of my question, as to the discussion of the Report when it has been submitted to the Cabinet, and whether an opportunity for discussion is likely to be given during this Autumn Session?

I have given a promise more than once that no action will be taken until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of discussing it. As to whether it will be taken this Session, I would not like to give a definite pledge. We have not yet received the Report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that there will be no long-drawn-out negotiations, if it can possibly be avoided, in view of the necessity of some sort of settlement as soon as possible?

My hon. and gallant Friend may be sure that we realise the value of whatever expedition is possible, but, as the Report has not yet been published, it is premature to discuss it.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the many changes that have taken place recently in the membership of the Leeds and Bradford city councils, he will refer the extension schemes of those cities back for reconsideration in order that the new members of those councils may have an opportunity of dissociating themselves from the proposals of their predecessors?

I do not think I could properly adopt the course suggested, but if, as a result of the recent changes in the constitution of either town council, the proposals of the town councils are varied, they can at any time withdraw the application.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large body of opinion in both Leeds and Bradford which is strongly opposed to these extension schemes, and will he, before consenting to an inquiry, require the promoters of these schemes to show some evidence that they are supported by at least a substantial proportion of the ratepayers of these two cities?

It is quite impracticable for me to promote an analysis of the opinions prevailing in different bodies; I can only proceed according to the form which the law requires. I may say, however, that I am having a conference with the various authorities concerned tomorrow afternoon, which, I hope, will facilitate matters.

In view of the strong body of opinion in these two cities, will the right hon. Gentleman, when he meets the conference to-morrow, bring this matter strongly before them, so as to avoid this extravagant waste of ratepayers' money?

The very purpose of the conference to-morrow is to discuss how we can avoid any waste of money.

Abandon the inquiry.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mrs. Ellen Quinn was shot by uniformed men who were passing her house at Kiltartan, near Gort, County Galway, in a motor lorry on 1st November last; whether she died two hours afterwards; whether she had a baby in her arms when struck by the bullet; whether any inquest or court of inquiry has been held; and whether any record is kept of motor-lorry patrols by armed police or military in Ireland?

A military court of inquiry into this very sad and regrettable occurrence was held on the 4th instant, and gave the following verdict. The court having considered the evidence, and the medical evidence, are of opinion that Mrs. Eileen Quinn, of Corker, Gort, in the County of Galway, mot her death, due to shock and hæmorrhage, caused by a bullet wound in the groin fired by some occupant of a police car proceeding along the Gort and Ardrahan road on The 1st November, 1920. They are of opinion that the shot was one of the shots fired as a precautionary measure, and, in view of the facts, record a verdict "Death by Misadventure." Mrs. Quinn had a baby in her arms when struck by the bullet. The last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question raises a point with which I dealt very fully in replying to a supplementary question put to me by him on the 4th instant.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, firstly, whether he is aware that the country round the scene of this death was quite open, and, secondly, whether he knows that Mrs. Quinn was sitting on the wall bounding the road, and in full view of the road, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon?

I believe that Mrs. Quinn was so seated, but I cannot consider that any road in a disturbed area—and this was a disturbed area—is a road on which the troops or the police are not justified in taking every precaution for their own safety.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has atisfied himself that this sad case has been sifted to the bottom—