asked the Minister of Pensions whether the proposed Committee to inquire into the local administration and the machinery of the Ministry has been set up; and, if so, can he state the personnel of the Committee, the terms of reference, and when the Committee propose to start their deliberations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.The personnel of the Committee is as follows:—Major G. C. Tryon, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, Chairman.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the great dissatisfaction that prevails in the minds of discharged and demobilised soldiers and sailors; and if he is prepared to at once set up an impartial tribunal to investigate every report they demand for an increase of the flat rates of the disabled pensioners?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Paddington on the 1st November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take steps to remove all discharged men suffering from temporary loss of memory attributable to the War from the lunatic asylums and Poor Law institutions in which they are now detained and place them in houses suitable for heroes?

I would refer my Noble and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on the 15th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the wives of soldiers who fell in other wars will be made eligible for the same pension as the wives of the soldiers who fell in the great War?

Pensions awarded to widows of men who fell in former wars have been increased to the rates provided for the great War.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the ease of Mrs. Olive Henry, widow of the late Private James William Henry, No. 21103, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, of 50, Millers Lane, Norwich, who enlisted in September, 1916 and was discharged in February, 1919, as medically unfit with optic atrophy: whether on 3rd April, 1919, the Ministry of Pensions notified the local committee that this disability was attributable to his service and had been assessed at 100 per cent.; whether Private Henry died on 20th May, 1920, of general paralysis, and the local committee assessed and paid his widow's pension at the appropriate rate in view of his death having been attributable to his disability; whether that rate has now been reduced; and, if so, on what grounds, in view of the decisions of the Ministry and of the committee above referred to?

After full consideration of this case the Medical Advisors of the Ministry found that the disease, tuberculous meningitis, which caused this soldier's death, commenced after discharge and was not connected with the optic atrophy for which he was pensioned. The widow was accordingly granted pension at the rate of 13s. 9d. a week under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant, and was informed, on the 9th October last, of her right to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against the refusal of pension under Article 11 of the Warrant. No appeal has yet been received.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of local regional administrative officers in the country; how many are permanent civil servants; how many have served in the late War; how many are non-service men; and how many ex-soldiers and sailors are on their staff acting as assistants or clerks?

The number of regional local administrative officers is 11, of whom two are established Civil Servants, and nine are temporary officers. The two Civil Servants and three of the temporary officers served in the late War. The subordinate staff consists of 66 salaried officers, of whom two are Civil Servants, and 34 male clerks. Of the former 61 are ex-service men, including the two Civil Servants. I regret that it is not possible without further inquiry to state the exact number of the clerks who are ex-service men; but, having regard to the fact that 92 per cent, of the total male staff of the Ministry are ex-service men, it may be safely assumed that the great majority answer to that description.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the claim of Mrs. E. Moffett, of 28, Gore Street, Greenheys, Manchester, to a pension in respect of the death of her son, T. Moffett, deceased, No. M.Z. 4664, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, was advanced by the local pensions committee on 16th January, 1920 (D.P. 3/40,799 and P. 1,400); that many reminders have since been given by the committee without success; and whether he will see that this lady's claim is considered during her lifetime?

Consideration of this case was necessarily deferred pending a decision on a general question of entitlement. This difficulty has now been removed, and a decision on Mrs. Moffett's claim to pension will be given this week.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that on the 5th December, 1919, a medical referee reported that ex-Private John Dunn, No. 63010, Northumberland Fusiliers, of 42, Derby Street, Moss Side, Manchester, had lost his left eye through war service; that a claim for pension, founded on this report was forwarded by the local pensions committee on 3rd January, 1920; that the committee sent a further claim on 11th August, 1920, and a reminder on 14th October last (3/M.D./l,115); that this claim is still neglected; that the man's incapacity has increased; and whether he will direct expedition in this case?

I regret I have not been able to collect all the facts in the short time available, but I am making urgent inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is a fact that all soldiers who served in the South African war are entitled to a pension on their attaining the age of 65; if so, will he inquire into the case of Henry Harris, of Rossnowlagh, Ballyshannon, county Donegal, formerly No. 1177, 59th Foot, who, although at present almost 75 years of age, has been getting a pension at the rate of 7s. only since 26th February last; and will he order the arrears to be paid to this old veteran (Pension Certificate S.B.L., 7,505)?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Special Campaign Pensions may be given to sol- diers who served in the South African and other wars, provided they fulfil certain conditions laid down by Royal Warrant. Payment in this case was made from the date on which the pension was actually granted after the necessary enquiries had been made; but I am giving instructions that arrears should be now paid from the date of application.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the strength of the forces stationed in Ireland in the year 1913–14; what was the cost; and what was the strength and cost in each of the six succeeding years?

The strength in 1913–14 was approximately 24,000 all ranks, and the cost £2,225,000 per annum, equal at present prices to nearly £6,000,000. The strength in December, 1919, was 43,000 all ranks, costing £10,225,000 per annum. For the inter vening war years the information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the allowance made to the wife of Provost-Sergeant McNamara, No. 615,378, D.O.E.R.E., Kantana, Egypt, has been reduced from 36s. 6d. per week to 17s. 6d. per week for herself and three children; that this man served in the Army during the War, was discharged on a pension, and re-enlisted on 19th August, 1919; and that his wife received an allowance of 36s. 6d. per week until September, 1920, when it was reduced to 17s. 6d. per week; and whether he will take steps to have this woman's full allowance continued and arrears paid at an early date?

Marriage allowance is issuable only when the soldier's family is either living with him or is separated by the exigencies of the Service. Sergeant McNamara left his family before re-enlistment, and marriage allowance is not issuable. He has, however, been placed under stoppages for the support of his family at the maximum rate permissible under the Army Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a large number of Yeomanry regiments and other units of the Territorial Force, who were mobilised and who volunteered for foreign service immediately at the outbreak of the War, were sent to guard the East Coast of England, and were not sent overseas until early in 1916, and are therefore not entitled to the 1914–15 Star through no fault of their own, and have nothing to distinguish them from the conscripts; and if he proposes to give these Territorials some distinctive recognition for their invaluable service on the East Coast of England during the first eighteen months of the War?

The men referred to will receive the Territorial Force War Medal provided they were serving with the Territorial Force on 4th August, 1914, or had completed not less than four years' service with the Territorial Force before 4th August, 1914, and rejoined the Force on or before 30th September, 1914, and provided they undertook before 30th September, 1914, to serve overseas and were passed physically fit and accepted for such service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a promise was given by his predecessor that some scheme would be devised so that the relatives, at least one or two of the family, of a deceased soldier should lie enabled to visit the graves of fallen soldiers in France, Belgium, and other battlefields where possible; will he consider some scheme to assist and advise the relatives to do this; and, if so, is it possible to include Salonika?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to my reply to the hon. Member on 23rd June last. The matter has given rise to a number of difficulties, but it is hoped that a conclusion may be reached shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office what is the quantity of hay now stored at Grange Court, Gloucestershire; how long it has been there; the approximate value of same at present market price; and how much longer it is intended to Hold it?

The quantity of War Department hay now at Grange Court is about 2,300 tons, which has all been baled and put into the dump from outlying stacks since April, 1919. The value of this hay at the present price of about £11 10s. per ton is £26,450. This dump is being drawn upon constantly for Army requirements, and it is anticipated the whole stock will be cleared within the next four or five months.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Thomas Holland, No. 3,437,027, Lancashire Fusiliers, Wellington Barracks, Bury, Lancashire, who enlisted on 4th November, 1920, is only 17 years of age, being born on 7th August, 1903; and whether, in view of the poor circumstances of his parents, five persons having to be provided for out of the earnings of the father, and his mother approaching confinement and in a very delicate state of health, he will authorise his discharge, his employer having already written to the Commanding Officer at Bury asking for his discharge and promising him his own employment on release?

Particulars of this case have been forwarded to the General Officer Commanding concerned for his consideration. I will let the hon. Member know the decision reached as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the application of Mr. H. J. Gardiner, of Kilnbeach, Auchtermuchty, has been refused assistance from the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department, although it is understood that the inspector who visited him recommended the case, this man having been in a good business as bookseller and stationer before the War, and been obliged to close his business when called up under the Military Service Act; and whether he will reconsider this case so as to give this man a restart in civil life?

Mr. Henry John Gardiner, of the Temperance Hotel, Auchtermuchty, Fifeshire, made an application to the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department for assistance towards purchasing two billiard tables and a motor car for hire purposes. The applicant carried on the business of a newsagent and stationer before enlistment, but now applies for a grant to purchase billiard tables to put into the hotel which he is running, together with his wife. As there is no medical evidence to show that he is unable to return to his pre-enlistment business, the application was refused.My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that the investigating officer of this Department recommended the case. On the contrary, he gave several reasons why he could not recommend a grant for the purpose specified. The case has recently been referred back to the Commissioner on the question of re-starting the applicant in his pre-enlistment business.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that last August there were more than 4,300 women and only 17 men employed in the Regent's Park huts; and if he can state whether any ex-service men have been taken into employment there in place of women; and, if so, how many?

Pension Issue Office, which is partly accommodated at Regent's Park, has always been regarded as a woman's branch; but the question of substituting the women employed there by ex-service men will be further considered when the recommendation of the Lytton Committee on the subject has been received. The total number of ex-service men employed on clerical duties in Pension Issue Office is now 24. It should, however, be explained that 44 per cent, of the total temporary staff employed by the Ministry are ex-service men.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that considerable unrest exists at the Royal Naval Colleges at Dartmouth and Greenwich in consequence of the Admiralty not paying to the workpeople employed there the increase of wages awarded by the industrial court on 28th September, 1920, which award entitles the workpeople to retrospective increases of 2s. 6d. per week on and from 1st June, 1920, and a further 3s. per week as from the date of the award; is he aware that, notwithstanding repeated applications, the advance in wages has not been paid; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to carry out the award of the industrial court?

I am glad to be able to say that orders are now being issued to give effect to the award.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a committee under Captain Harper, Royal Navy, or any committee appointed by the Board of Admiralty, has drawn up any Report in connection with the Battle of Jutland; and, if so, whether he will lay this or these Reports upon the Table of the House, together with the other papers promised on this question?

Captain Harper, assisted by other officers, drew up, from the British official evidence only, a record of the proceedings on the British side during the action and a set of track charts. I prefer not to use the term "report" for this record, as it seems to imply a narrative accompanied by comment or criticism, which this record was not. The reasons why it has been decided to publish the whole of the original documents available, rather than this summary based on British official evidence only, have already been explained in reply to previous questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any offer or any payment of compensation has been made to A. J. Byrne in respect of damage done to the Weekly Observer Printing Works, Newcastle West, by police and military on the 28th June last; and can he state why the Irish military authorities refuse to answer Mr. Bryne's letters dealing with the question?

I am informed that the military authorities have answered several communications from Mr. Bryne, and at his request are now in communication with his solicitors. I understand that no offer of compensation has yet been made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a deputation representative of the British and Irish co-operative movements waited upon him on the 28th of October and requested an open and impartial inquiry into the destruction of the property of co-operative societies in Ireland by the forces of the Crown, compensation by the Crown for such destruction where proven, and protection from similar attacks in future; whether he promised to issue an instruction to the police, and to request Sir Neville Macready to issue an instruction to the troops, ordering the police and military respectively to protect the buildings and property of the co-operative societies; whether such instructions have in fact been issued, and, if so, when; whether since the date of the interview further attacks on co-operative property have taken place in Ballintrillick, Ballymote, Nenagh, and Littleton, resulting in the destruction of the co-operative creameries in those places; what efforts are being made to obtain full and impartial investigation, in addition to the official reports, into the facts; and what steps the Government is now taking, or proposes to take, to put an end to the wanton destruction of these valuable wealth-producing agencies, the property of Irish farmers, of whose participation in violence there is neither evidence nor reasonable presumption?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I promised the deputation that I would consider the question of issuing instructions to the police regarding the protection of co-operative institutions, and that I would ask the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to issue similar instructions to the troops. I immediately called the attention of the police and military authorities to the representations made by the deputation with a view to every possible protection being given to these institutions. I must remind the hon. Member that the military and police are charged with the protection of property of every description and of life in Ireland, and it is impossible to interfere with the disposition of their forces so as to provide special detachments of police or military for the special protection of any particular class of property. Inquiries into the four cases mentioned of alleged attacks on co-operative property are not yet complete. As the Government has already stated in the House, and as I informed the deputation, the Government is not prepared to set up an independent tribunal to hold an inquiry into these incidents.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of death sentences passed by courts-martial in Ireland during the last three months, and how many sentences have been executed?

The answer to both parts of the question is, one.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Weekly Summary, circulated to the Royal Irish Constabulary, is paid for wholly or partly out of public funds; what is the amount paid out of public funds for this purpose; who is the editor; by whom was he appointed; and, if the cost of the "Weekly Summary" is not wholly defrayed from public funds, what is the organisation that makes up the balance?

The "Weekly Summary" is wholly paid for from public funds. Its cost is approximately £16 10s. weekly, which figure includes postage to all barracks in Ireland. The "Weekly Summary" is edited from the Office of Police Adviser in Dublin, but it is not considered advisable to mention the name of the official for obvious reasons.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether in the "Weekly Summary" circulated officially to the Royal Irish Constabulary the number dated Friday, 29th October, 1920, contained a statement that uniformed Sinn Feiners had shot Lynch; whether in a statement on 22nd September Dublin Castle admitted that Lynch had been shot by men in the forces of the Crown on the alleged ground that he resisted arrest; and whether the British Government has approved of this action or whether it is taken on the sole responsibility of the Irish Executive?

In the "Weekly Summary" of 29th October, 1920, a quotation from the "Church Times" appeared in which a writer stated that "uniformed Sinn Feiners" were responsible for the shooting of Lynch. An official statement was issued from Dublin Castle stating that Lynch was shot while resisting arrest. In view of the fact that the Irish Press had given wide publicity to the latter, the letter in the "Church Times" was republished without alteration as it contained other matters of general interest to the police. The responsibility for the publication of the "Weekly Summary" lies with the office of the Police Adviser.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the official weekly statements isued to the Press by Dublin Castle with regard to what is repeatedly described in these statements as the guerilla warfare in Ireland; whether he is aware that these weekly statements are incomplete, and misleading to the public, in that they report only one side of this guerilla warfare, namely, the attacks on and casualties suffered by forces of the Crown and the destruction of or raids upon Crown property such as barracks and mails, together with raids for arms by persons unnamed; and whether he will cause these weekly statements to be supplemented by reports and statistics of the destruction of civilian property in the shape of houses, shops, creameries, farm-buildings, farm produce, factories, etc., by forces of the Crown, and of the casualties suffered by the Irish Republican Army and other civilians, whether in combat with forces of the Crown or otherwise, and of raids on private houses by forces of the Crown?

I am unable to agree with the hon. Member that any of the official statements issued to the Press from Dublin Castle are either incomplete or misleading to the public, and I do not propose, therefore, to take steps to have them modified in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state 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?

The number of such verdicts recorded against the police individually or collectively were as follow:—

For the year 1916	Nil
For the year 1917	1
For the year 1918	Nil
For the year 1919	2
For the year 1920	10

A prosecution was instituted in one of these, cases, and the accused was found guilty of wife murder, but insane. With two exceptions, in which the men are at present awaiting trial, no prosecutions have been instituted in the remaining cases, for the reason that the verdicts were clearly and notoriously the outcome of political motive and not

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received any communication from the executive council of the Typographical Association protesting against two Irish members of the association being arrested by the authorities in Galway; whether he is aware that these two men were detained in custody for some days and then released without any charge being made against them; and whether he is prepared to grant compensation to these men for their apparently unwarranted arrest?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. These men were arrested with two others in the printing office of the "Galway Express," where some highly seditious matter was at the time being printed. I cannot admit that the arrest was unwarrantable, or that the persons concerned have any claim to compensation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what increased facilities for the Press have been provided since the discontinuance of the daily official Summaries of Outrages in September last; whether coroners' inquests, which are open to the Press, were suppressed by proclamation on 3rd September in 10 counties, and had frequently been specifically forbidden in other counties; whether military inquiries have been substituted, from most of which the Press and public have been excluded under the powers given by the Restoration of Order Act; whether the Press or the public are admitted to any of the inquiries alleged to have been instituted into the sackings, burnings, lootings, and other outrages carried out by the forces of the Crown; and whether the official police reports of such outrages, irrespective of who perpetrated them, are open for the inspection of Press representatives or are officially communicated to the Press in the same manner that official reports of outrages alleged to have been committed against the servants of the Crown are communicated?

The increased facilities in question have been provided by the appointment of a Press officer of long experience whose duty it is to communicate to the Press officially authenticated information with regard to events of public interest in Ireland in fuller detail than was previously given in the daily summaries of outrages to which the hon. Member refers. The answers to the second, third and fourth parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, it is obviously impossible to afford Press correspondents free access to all official Reports, many of which are of a confidential character.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to provide relief for the workpeople thrown out of employment by the burning of factories at Balbriggan and Bandon by forces of the Crown and the printing works at Athlone by persons unknown to the Government?

I have been asked to reply. I am inquiring into the posi- tion in these districts, but I am unable to hold out any hope that any special measures of relief will be instituted beyond the provision already made by the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme and the Unemployment Insurance Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the amount and value of goods manufactured in the engineering trade in this country and exported to Russia in 1913; whether he is aware that Russia is in need of locomotives and other engineering products, and that the opening up of this trade with Russia would help to lessen unemployment in the engineering trade; and whether he is prepared to take any steps in this direction?

The exports from this country to Russia in 1913 under the heading of "Machinery" amounted to 71,500 tons in quantity and £3,946,547 in value. I am aware of Russia's need for locomotives and other engineering products and that employment would be afforded to British workmen to the extent to which Russia placed orders here on terms acceptable to British manufacturers. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Leader of the House on 16th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the amount of wheat imported from Russia in 1913; whether he has any information as to the amount of wheat in Russia now available for export; whether he has received any requests for permission to import wheat from Russia; and whether there is any prospect of helping to reduce the price of bread here by encouraging the supplies of wheat from that country?

5,011,100 cwts. of wheat valued at £1,984,964 were imported from Russia in 1913. I have no information as to the amount of wheat now available for export from Russia and I am unable to say what effect the resumption of trade with that country would have upon the price of bread in the United Kingdom. It must be kept in mind that the diffi- culty of transport in Russia will for some time prevent the export of any stocks of wheat that exist there. The importation of wheat from Russia is not prohibited, HO that the question of permission for such imports does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantity of eggs imported from Russia in 1913; whether he has any reason to believe that with the resumption of trade relations with Russia these imports would be resumed; and whether, in view of the high price of eggs in this country, he will take steps to end the present embargo on imports from Russia?

Eggs imported from Russia in 1913 amounted to 11,453,277 great hundreds valued at £4,745,229. In view of such information as is available in regard to the state of transport and economic conditions generally in Russia, 1 doubt whether the resumption of trade relations would result in the near future in any large importation of eggs from that country. There is no prohibition on the importation of eggs from Russia.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that it is the practice of many of the manufacturers and business firms of the United Kingdom to transact their Canadian business through New York or other American agents insetad of appointing Canadian agents for British-Canadian business; if he is aware that this is resented in Canada and is leading to loss of orders that would otherwise come to the United Kingdom; and whether he will take steps to bring before British business firms the importance, both from the Imperial point of view and for their own benefit, of utilising the services of Canadian agents?

This matter has been engaging my attention for some time past. The Department's representatives in Canada have been asked to call attention to cases where trade is lost to this country as a result of the employment by British firms of United States agents for the purposes of trade with Canada. Representations have been made to some of these firms, and as a result they have substituted Canadian agents. Every opportunity is being taken of bringing to the notice of manufacturers and merchants concerned the advantage of transacting Canadian business through Canadian agents.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of the German Government to regulate the prices of manufactures for export sale; if he is aware that, after taking into consideration the difference of exchange, the German Government fix prices for export sale at between 50 per cent, and 350 per cent. above domestic wholesale prices; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the German Government from exploiting exchange anomalies to the benefit of the German as against the British working man?

I am aware that it is a common practice in Germany to fix higher prices for the export than for the home trade, and that this is done with the approval of the German Government. I do not think that we can take exception to this practice, nor do I think that it would be in the interest of the employment of British working men to press for the introduction of German goods at cheaper prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state when legislation will be introduced to prevent foreign goods coming into this country unmarked; and what goods have to be marked according to the Merchandise Marks Act?

I am afraid that I cannot yet give a date for the introduction of the legislation to amend the Merchandise Marks Acts. I am sending to my hon. Friend a printed memorandum by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise respecting marks on goods imported for home use, which will, I hope, give him the information he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Portuguese Government have imposed a tax approximating Vs. 6d. per ton on the export of pitwood, also a tax approximating £5 10s. per ton on railway sleepers; if he is aware that strong representations were made by the Portuguese Government against an imposition on the import of Portuguese wines into this country; and whether he will take steps to recall to the Portuguese Government the fact that having had preference in coal exports for some years past, they should not seek to penalise the British people by the imposition of this export tax?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. No preference, either in respect of supplies or prices, is accorded at present to Portugal in regard to the export of coal from this country. I do not consider that representations

STATEMENT showing the Average Declared Import Value per Unit of Quantity of each of the undermentioned Articles (the importation of which has notably increased) for the first Nine Months of 1913 and 1920, respectively, and the Percentage Increases in the Average Declared Values of 1920 over those of 1913.

Article.

Unit of Quantity.

Nine Months ended September, 1913. Average Declared Value per Unit.

Nine Months ended September, 1920. Average Declared Value per Unit.

Percentage Increases in Average Declared Values in 1920 over those of 1913.

£

£

Electric ware (including insulators) and door fittings of earthenware.

Cwts.

1·68

6·69

298·2

Cement, calcareous, for building and engineering purposes

Tons

1·32

7·41

461·4

Granite, manufactures of

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

0·628

3·35

433·4

Pig iron:

Forge and foundry

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

4·47

14·5

224·4

Acid

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

4·80

21·8

354·2

Steel blooms, billets, slabs, other than of special steel

…

Tons

5·21

19·0

264·7

Bars, rods, angles, shapes and sections other than of special steel:

Iron

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

6·76

24·5

262·4

Steel: Sheet bars and tinplate bars

…

…

…

Tons

5·10

19·9

290·2

Steel: Wire rods

…

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

6·83

24·4

257·2

Castings in the rough:

Iron

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

14·5

42·1

190·3

Iron and steel plates and sheets

…

…

…

…

Tons

7·54

28·0

271·4

Steel rails, new:

Railway (including conductor rails for electric traction)

Tons

6·34

20·2

218·6

Iron and steel wire:

Wire nails (including staples)

…

…

…

…

Tons

10·0

41·3

313·0

Iron and steel manufactures:

Other sorts*

…

…

…

…

…

…

Tons

24·9

114·0

357·8

* Classes of iron and steel manufactures not separately distinguished in the Monthly Accounts of Trade and Navigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the average price in the first nine months of 1913 and 1920, respectively, of the articles the importation of which has notably increased?

The information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is given in the following table, which may be studied in connection with the statement which I circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 4th November in answer to an earlier question from him. This present table unavoidably omits a few of the articles which were included in the former statement:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Imported Timber Disposal Section, before selling timber to Messrs. Hillas on the basis of open unsecured credit to the extent of £600,000, offered the timber by tender or public auction on a cash basis; whether the same procedure was adopted in the case of the flooring boards sold at £31 per standard; and, if not, why such grave financial risks have been run without taking every precaution to make cash sales?

The answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question it was not practicable at the time to effect large sales on a cash basis and in the case of Messrs. Hillas approximately 90 per cent. of their account has been liquidated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state that he will be able to attend the meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva?

No, Sir, not yet.

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 the German reparation; and, if so, what are the principal heads of the agreement?

Yes, Sir. The text of the agreement reached is as follows:"1. There will be a meeting at Brussels of Allied technical experts sitting with German experts The experts will make their reports to their Governments, and the

asked the Prime Minister which Government Department has the authority to consider the Report of the Army in India Committee and make recommendations to the Cabinet; whether Part V. of that Report is altogether the concern of the Government of India; and that, if Cabinet sanction is given, these reforms can be carried out by the 1st of January, 1921?

The Committee was appointed by the Secretary of State for India and has reported to him. I understand that its Report is now under the consideration of the Secretary of State for India in Council and the Government of India. The proposals in Part V., the greater part of which relate solely to the internal economy of the Indian Army, entail expenditure which, with one reservation, would fall wholly on Indian revenues. Control of those revenues is vested by Statute, not in the Cabinet, but in the Secretary of State for India in Council, and a majority vote of the Council of India is required for expenditure from them. The reservation is that any improvements in pay, etc., ganted to the Indian Army would apply in the case of officers of that Army serving out of India in areas where the War Office is responsible for their maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for India for what reason departmental and warrant officers of the Indian unattached list are limited, under Army Instruction (India) No. 738, of 1920, to a maximum pension of £360 per annum, whereas under the Royal Warrant Army Order 324, of 1919, officers of a similar class in the British service are eligible to retire on a maximum pension of £435; and whether he will now place the departmental and warrant officers of the unattached list on the same footing as officers of the same class in the British service and grant them in addition the Indian element due to them for continued service in India?

The revised rates of pensions for departmental officers and warrant officers of the Indian service were decided on after very careful consideration by the Government of India and at Home, and the rates represent an advance of about 60 per cent, over the pre-war rates. The conditions of service, rules of promotion and retirement in the Indian service differ so greatly from the rules applicable to quartermasters and warrant officers in the British service that any comparison is apt to be misleading, and although it may be possible in certain exceptional oases for a quartermaster in the British service to attain a higher rate of retired pay than a departmental officer in the Indian service, the average pension attainable by the Indian departmental officer or warrant officer under the revised rules is substantially higher than the average in the British service for corresponding classes. In these circumstances I do not propose to take the action suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the radical change in the system under which accounts of the pay of officers and men of the Indian Army are prepared, which is referred to on page 27 of the Report of Lord Esher's Committee (Cd. 943), has yet been introduced; and, if not, how soon will this change be brought into operation?

This is a matter within the competence of the Government of India to decide, but I have asked for the information which my hon. and learned Friend seeks and will let him know when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for India why officers of the Royal Indian Marine, transferred to the Army in the interests of the State and who qualified for gratuity as officers of the Royal Engineers (Inland Water Transport), have been refused the gratuity due to them under a ruling of the Government of India that the gratuity is to be determined by the rank held by the officer in the Royal Indian Marine previous to his transfer and not by the Army rank that he rose to in the War; and whether that ruling will now be cancelled?

Instructions were issued to the Government of India on the 14th October to amend the ruling so far as it concerned regular officers. In the case of temporary officers gratuity at Royal Indian Marine rates is usually better than Army gratuity, but the Government of India have now been told that the officers may have the better of the two.

asked the Prime Minister when the Sugar Commission will be wound up?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Tuesday to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Mr. Doyle).

asked the Secretary of State for India what war allowances are at present granted to civil officers at the India Office whose ordinary pre-War salaries are £700 per annum or over and to retired civil officers of the India Office who have retired since the outbreak of the War and whose pensions on the pre-War scale are £700 per annum or over?

The bonus scheme and the provisions for retiring allowances are the same for Civil officers of the India Office as for the rest of the permanent Civil Service. Details wore given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the OFFICIAL REPORT for the 25th October, 1920, in reply to a question in this House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any further information regarding the situation in Northern Persia; and whether this has been adversely affected by recent events in the Crimea?

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would venture to refer him to the full statement made by the Secretary of State in another place on Tuesday last. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the fact that, ontwithstanding the denial by the representatives of the Soviet Government in London of any responsibility for the Republic of Azerbaijan, the 11th Soviet Army Corps, which seized Baku on 27th April, was still in control of that city on 7th October, and was engaged in shipping to the interior of Russia oil and oil products stolen from British and other companies at Baku?

There are still Russian troops in Baku, but it is not known what troops, how many, or to what extent they control the city. Oil has been sent from Baku to Astrakhan, but no information is available as to its former or preesnt ownership or as to the transactions involved in its shipment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Acts or Regulations are in force in Egypt regulating the holding of public meetings; if so, what are these Acts and Regulations; and what is their nature?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether any Acts or Regulations are in force in Egypt providing for imprisonment without trial; if so, what are these Acts and regulations; what is their nature;(2) whether any Acts or Regulations are in force in Egypt providing for deportation; if so, what are these Acts and regulations; and what is their nature?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Acts or regulations are in force in Egypt affecting printing and publishing; if so, what are these Acts and regulations; and what is their nature?

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any Acts or regulations are in force in Egypt giving powers of search; if so, what are these Acts and regulations; and what is their nature?

In so far as the powers referred to therein are not derived from the ordinary law of Egypt the Commander in Chief of H.M. Forces in Egypt, as entrusted with the application of martial law which was proclaimed on 2nd November, 1314, has authority to take such measures as may be necessary to secure the protection of Egypt and the maintenance of public peace and good order. For instance, law No. 10, of 18th October, 1914, forbids assemblages of more than five persons if likely to create a disturbance of public order, and the Proclamation of 22nd November, 1919, forbids publications in the Press or the dissemination of printed matter of a nature to endanger public order and public security.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an agreement has yet been reached between the British and French Governments with regard to the boundaries of Palestine?

I have nothing to add to my answer to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Raper) on 10th November.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what procedure exists for German subjects to obtain passports in order to visit Great Britain; whether such passports are issued by the German Government; whether they have to obtain the consent or visa of the British Embassy or a British Consul; and whether, in the event of a German subject being a person who is not admissible to this country, he will state who decides this, if it is done on the application for a passport or a visa, or whether it is left to the police in this country to object to such a person on landing here?

A German wishing to visit the United Kingdom must have a passport issued to him by the German authorities, and this passport must be visa by a British Consul authorised to grant visas or by a Passport Control Officer. The issue of the passport itself is a matter which concerns the German Government, and has nothing to do with the British authorities. The admisison of Germans, as of other former enemy aliens, to the United Kingdom is governed by Section 10 of the Aliens' Restriction Amendment Act, 1919, under which instructions have been issued to Passport Control Officers and Consuls giving them discretion within certain closely defined limits to grant visas to certain categories of Germans, without reference to the Secretary of State. It is the duty of the Immigration authorities at British ports to decide whether an alien shall be allowed to land or not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is contemplated by the signatories to the Act of Algeciras to make any alteration in the demarcation of the zones dealt with by that Act which would change its provisions in any way whatever?

The present boundaries of the French, Spanish and Tangier zones in Morocco were laid down in the Franco-Spanish Convention of November, 1912. I know of no proposed for altering the boundaries then fixed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there are any discussions taking place, or about to take place, between any of the existing signatories of the Act of Algceiras; and, if so, what is the nature of the same?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister what were the functions of the Development Commissioners appointed under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909; which of these have been transferred, and to what Departments; what is the present amount of the Development and Roads Improvement Fund; to what purposes is it intended to devote it; and when the Report of the Commissioners for the year 1919–20 will be published?

The functions of the Development Commissioners are as stated in the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, the chief function being to report to the Treasury on applications for advances from the Develop- ment Fund for the purposes specified in Section 1 of the Act. The power of making advances for certain of these purposes has been transferred as follows:—As regards forestry, to the Forestry Commission, under the Forestry Act, 1919, Section 3 (4), and as regards the general improvement of rural transport, the construction and improvement of harbours, except fishery harbours, and the construction and improvement of inland navigations, to the Ministry of Transport, under the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, Section 17 (i).The present amount of the Development Fund is £1,249,733, to which will fall to be added the sum of £1,000,000 voted by Parliament this year under Class VI, Vote 8. The Development Commissioners have never been concerned with the funds for road improvement, for which the Minister of Transport is now responsible. It is intended to devote the Development Fund to the purposes specified in the Development Act, 1909, as altered by the last two mentioned Acts. The Report of the Commissioners for 1919–20 is in the press, and will be published shortly.

asked the Minister of Health which local authorities have availed themselves of the powers under the Housing Act to carry out essential repairs in suitable cases if the owner fails to do so; and in how many cases these powers have been used by the local authorities respectively?

I am not in a position to give the hon. Member the information for which he asks. I may refer him, however, to the answer I gave on the 10th instant to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is probable that the country will be faced with an insufficient supply of bricks in the near future, thus leading to an increase in the demand for Portland cement; whether the supplies of the latter material are becoming inadequate; and, if so, will he ensure that the supplies are sufficient to guarantee the necessary progress in the construction of houses?

I have no information on which to estimate the supply of bricks and cement which will be required for works other than housing, and, in the absence of such information, it is difficult to say whether the ultimate demands for housing schemes can be met without interference with normal trade conditions. I am closely watching the position both with regard to future output and with regard to the future demands for housing under the headings of the several classes of materials which will be required.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report that the London Hospital may have to close some of its wards owing to lack of funds; if in the absence of hospital service, supported mainly by voluntary contributions, the charge on the National Exchequer for medical and surgical attendance, under the National Health Insurance Act, would be greatly increased; and if the Government have under consideration any proposal to give financial support to the London and other voluntary hospitals?

I am aware of the statement referred to, and I hope that the National Relief Fund will have regard to the special difficulties of the London Hospital in distributing their grant of £700,000 towards defraying the War deficits of the voluntary hospitals of the United Kingdom. I am most anxious to preserve the voluntary system, and the proposals of the Government as contained in Clause 11 of the Ministry of Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill are put forward with a view of assisting the present urgent necessity.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make any statement on the epidemic of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and influenza in London, giving the statistics for the last three months; whether he can furnish any explanation of the seriousness of the two first-named epidemics; and what steps he and his advisers are taking to cope with them?

Scarlet fever and diphtheria have been exceptionally prevalent in London this autumn, but both diseases are of an extremely mild type and the death rate in each case is far below that experienced in previous epidemics. I will send my hon. Friend a statement showing the number of notifications and deaths from these diseases in London during the past three months, and also the number of deaths from influenza registered during the same period. There is no evidence of the existence of epidemic influenza in this country at the present time. The origin of these waves of zymotic disease is obscure. Similar, although more fatal, outbreaks occurred in 1892 and 1893. I am glad to say that the existing machinery and the available hospital accommodation have proved equal to the task of coping with the present outbreaks.

asked the Minister of Food whether, with regard to the differential rate in the milk prices during the summer of 1919, the test case which was pending some months ago as to the amount due to the Ministry of Food in respect of milk exported from the southwestern area during this period has now been settled; and whether he can give any information as to the allocation of this fund?

The case has been put down for hearing but has not yet come on. In the circumstances, that part of the money which has been received has not been allocated for any purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any communication with reference to the proposal of the Brentford Board of Guardians to engage the services of a nurse-teacher, who shall impart some approved form of elementary instruction to the large number of children who are inmates of the Board's hospital at Isleworth, often for periods of considerable length, suffering from various forms of tubercular affections of the limbs and from other maladies, who are wholly without elementary education, and not a few of whom are unable to read or write; and whether he can see his way to make a grant to the guardians for the purpose of this appointment being made, seeing that the Ministry of Health are unable to certify the institution, so as to enable them to make the necessary provision?

A communication with regard to this proposal was received by the Board in June last, and referred to the Ministry of Health as the Government Department concerned. The Board have no power to make grants to an institution for defective children which is not certified by them under the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Acts, 1899 to 1914.

asked the President of the Board of Education who now discharges the functions of Chief Inspector of Education for Wales?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Hinds), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether teachers who are appointed inspectors of schools become thereby excluded from the benefits of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918; and, if so, would he, in view of the fact that these appointments are really promotions in the teaching profession, consider the advisability of extending the Act so as to include them?

The answer to the first part of the question is generally that a teacher who has rendered at least 10 years' recognised service before his appointment to be an inspector is pensionable under the Act as a teacher on that service. Service as an inspector is not pensionable under the Act, though it counts as qualifying service in order to make up the aggregate of 30 years' recognised or qualifying service which is a condition of benefit under the Act. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education to the hon. Member for Sutton (Viscountess Astor) on 28th October.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his intention to adopt the recommendations of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Scholarships and Free Places in Secondary Schools [Cmd. 968], whereby it is proposed to abolish the fees now paid by the parents of pupils attending such schools, estimated at 2,000,000 sterling annually, which will have to be made good by the taxpayers; whether, having regard to the heavy burdens placed on the ratepayers and taxpayers, it is the intention of the Board of Education to adopt the Committee's recommendations for increasing the provision of secondary schools for at least 20 school places for each thousand of the population, which would mean providing accommodation for at least 720,000 pupils in England and Wales and giving maintenance grants, where necessary, to pupils from the age of 14; and whether he has considered the dissenting note, added by Sir Mark Collett, baronet, a member of the Committee, in which it is computed that the loss to the taxpayers which would be incurred by increasing the number of pupils and remitting their fees to the extent advised in the Report would be hardly less than £7,600,000?

The recommendations of the Report are still under consideration, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject. On the financial aspect of the matter I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Bennett) on 28th October.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give instructions that in future editions of the official Telephone Guide the index letters at the head of each page shall be placed at the top of each outside column, where they are readily seen, instead of close to the binding, as is the case in the latest edition?

The index letters and the page numbers were transposed by the printers in error. Steps have already been taken to ensure that the index letters shall appear in the top outside corner of each page in future issues.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is a fact that an increase of pay was granted to the temporary staff of the Post Office to date from the 1st March last; and, if so, can he state when this increase will be paid?

I understand that an agreement has been arrived at between the official and the staff sides of a Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council, under which the temporary manipulative staff of the Post Office will be granted increases as from the 1st March last. The increases will be paid as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a serious and increasing number of letters, some of them containing cheques, are lost in the post; and what steps he intends to take to restore the former regularity and reliability of the delivery of letters?

I have no reason to think that losses in the post are on the increase, and I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will supply me with any evidence upon which he has arrived at a contrary conclusion.

asked the Minister of Transport why the limited mail trains between Belfast and Dublin have been discontinued; if he is aware that their ceasing to run is causing inconvenience; and whether he will have them reinstated at once?

As I informed the hon. Member by letter yesterday, the detailed reduction of train services in consequence of the miners' strike was left in the hands of individual railway companies in Ireland as well as in England. The reductions were not all put into force on the first day of the strike, but gradually, as seemed fit to the individual companies. No reinstatement of services at all took place until 8th November. The particular train referred to by the hon. Member was reinstated on the 15th of this month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any estimate and, if so, what has been formed of the addition to the sum payable under the guarantee to the Irish railways in consequence of their stoppage owing to the orders given by the Government in connection with the munitions' strike?

I am unable to say what the effect on the guarantee to the Irish railways will be in consequence of the stoppage or reduction of service on certain railways. As a result of the generally disturbed condition of Ireland the financial equilibrium anticipated from the increase in rates and fares will not be secured, and there will be a liability in respect of the Irish railways. The Ministry is endeavouring to frame an estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the shops and plant of the Port of London Authority has become the property of Messrs. Harland and Wolff; and, if so, what are the conditions under which they have been transferred?

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Port of London Authority to lease their engineering shops and plant to a private firm; and, if so, if this has been done with his sanction?

I understand that negotiations are proceeding between the Port of London Authority and Messrs. Harland and Wolff, with a view to the lease to the latter of certain sites and shops in the dock area for the execution of ship repairing and engineering work. The sanction of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to such a lease is not required, and it has not been sought.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to open out railways from Middleton-in-Teesdale and Wearhead to Alston, so as to make it possible to bring into cultivation land of that area and to exploit the mineral resources of the dales, thereby supplying our industrial needs and in the meantime give employment to large numbers of men that are at present out of work?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Proposals for new railways in the area referred to are now under consideration by the Ministry of Transport in consultation with the other Government Departments concerned, but the information which has been obtained as to the probable agricultural and industrial traffic does not compare favourably with many other schemes of a similar nature in other parts of the county, and it appears there is only one small area in the neighbourhood of Middleton-in-Teesdale where there would be any considerable traffic to a light railway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the case that the Associated Supply Company is a motor and wagon building company, the beneficial interest wherein is in the same parties as those who hold the control of the London Traffic Combine; that the former supplies the latter with its omnibuses and rolling stock at such prices as may be agreed between the two of them; whether he has any control over these prices; and can he prevent the supply company from charging such prices as are liable to cause the combine to show losses which they can maintain justify his consenting to increases of fares which could not be justified if they made their purchases from concerns other than the one wherein they are beneficially interested and over which he has no control?

I presume the company referred to is the Associated Equipment Company, Limited, the capital of which is, I understand, held by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, Limited, and the London General Omnibus Company, Limited. My right hon. Friend has no control over the fares charged by the latter company or over the financial arrangements between it and the Equipment Company.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the increased fares on the London tubes, railways, and omnibuses are calculated and have been sanctioned by him as a fair return not upon the capital expended by the combine in acquiring those systems, but upon the capital expended by those who sold their interest to the combine, which had largely been written off by the market as lost capital; and will he state, what rate of return he expects these fares to yield on the combine's own actual expenditure?

The London General Omnibus Company is not a statutory company and does not require the approval of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to increase its fares. Before approving increased fares on the Metropolitan District Railway and Tube Railways he referred the matter in accordance with Section 6 of the London Electric Railway (Fares) Act of last Session to the Rates Advisory Committee. That Committee were not concerned with the capital of the omnibus company or the Underground Electric Railway Company. They advised that the fares proposed, though considerably lower than the level which Parliament had considered sufficient to yield a reasonable return on capital, were fair and reasonable and such as might properly be approved. The hon. Member will recollect that under Sub-section 3 of Section 6 the Minister has power to require the company after reference to the Rates Advisory Committee to modify their fares if he considers that the fares charged by any company are higher than are justified by the circumstances. The present increases yield an amount which, after allowing for interest and depreciation on new capital expenditure which is required immediately, and for arrears of renewals, is so small that a meticulous examination of the points raised in the question is unnecessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping how many ships the Ministry is directly running for a profit; how many ships it is running for a profit through private firms; what is the profit earned in the last 12 months; and what management charges have to be paid against such profit?

All steamers running for account of the Ministry of Shipping are in the hands of commercial managers. Steamers are used wherever required for Government services. Where not so required, they are chartered commercially, and any profit resulting from their employment accrues to the Government. The same steamer may be used partly on Government service and partly commercially. The number of steamers during 12 months has varied considerably. The number at present is about 300, practically all ex-enemy tonnage. The remuneration of managers of cargo steamers varies from £300 to £1,000 per annum, according to whether steamers are run mostly for Government services, where no freight is earned, or commercially. The remuneration for passenger steamers is 2½ per cent, on the Blue Book estimated hire, together with 2½ per cent, on homeward freight and passage money secured by the operating line.Owing to the mixed nature of the vessels' employment it is not possible to estimate the profit on an ordinary commercial basis, but for the year 1919–20 the excess of receipts over expenditure in the case of Government-owned prize and detained vessels and other ex-enemy vessels was, in round figures, 2¾ millions. This figure, on the one hand, does not include any allowances for depreciation or interest on capital values, and, on the other, it takes no credit for a very large amount of Government work which was done at Blue Book rates, and which if done at market rates would probably have doubled the above figure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a resolution passed by 600 delegates of trading, industrial, ratepayers and municipal organisations throughout the country, protesting against the adoption or continuance of any policy which will, or may, add to the already heavy rates and taxes, which hamper trade and development and injuriously affect individual and corporate enterprise in all directions; and, if so, what action will be taken on such resolution?

I have received this resolution, and in conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health and Education, I had the honour of discussing it with a very representative deputation last week. As far as the resolution relates to affording information to Parliament, both as to past and current expenditure of local authorities, and also as to the estimated burden upon the rates involved in new legislative proposals, we will gladly do what is possible to adopt the proposals that have been put before us, and I am sure that the proposition that progress in educational and health reform should be adapted to the state of the national and local finances will be readily endorsed by my right hon. Friends. The procedure of this House in regard to measures imposing fresh charges upon the rates is, however, essentially a matter for the decision of the House itself, and, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on Monday last, the Government propose to invite the House to appoint a Select Committee to consider it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the reason for introducing a new six per cent, commutation table for officers' pensions, seeing that in 1913 it was admitted that on a quarter of the total commutations effected the State had made a profit of £200,000; whether he had figures before him before he sanctioned the new table showing what the total loss or gain had been up to July last; and, if so, will he state what these figures are?

The reason for adopting the new rate is that it costs the Government considerably more than the old rate of 5 per cent, to borrow the money with which to pay commutations. Had I looked only to the circumstances of the present time it would have been necessary to adopt a higher rate than 6 per cent., but it is desirable to avoid frequent changes in the rate. The mortality rates used, which date from September, 1913, are undoubtedly very favourable to present applicants, and no detailed investigation into profit and loss was necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any estimate has yet been made for taking the Census in 1921; and what steps the Treasury propose to take with a view to an economical administration of this work?

My right hon. Friend Has asked me to reply to this question. An approximate estimate for Great Britain of £500,000 was given in the memorandum (of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member), presented to Parliament in August last The actual administrative arrangements, upon which any more precise estimate would depend, are now being worked out in close consultation with the Treasury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to allegation in the Press of the serious financial position in which ex-service men who went out as emigrants under the land settlement scheme to Kenya Colony now find them selves, and whether, under the circumstances, he will instruct the Government to see what steps can be taken to enable them to weather the time of stress in which they temporarily find themselves?

Yes, Sir. A letter written from East Africa was brought to the notice of the Colonial Office in July, and immediately referred to the Governor of Kenya for his report. The Governor stated that the allegation made in the letter that a number of the allottees of farms bad returned to England disappointed and ruined was much exaggerated, and that in very few cases was it true that these new settlers had found themselves in serious difficulties. It was true that some of them had spent their available capital unwisely on their first arrival, and no doubt certain allottees wore personally unsuited to life in East Africa. The Governor has already taken steps to assist the service settlers by an all-round reduction of the purchase price by one-third with a re-valuation of individual farms which may result in a further reduction. Mortgaging of the farms will be permitted, and the Governor will have a discretionary power to make exemptions in special cases from the limitations imposed under the scheme. In addition, he has taken steps to cope with the high prices of food and other commodities by appointing a Commission on Profiteering.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of natives in the Kenya Colony requisitioned for labour under the 1920 Ordinance; the number who claimed exemption on the ground that they were fully occupied in cultivation for themselves; and the number granted exemption?

I have no in formation on the subject, but the Governor will be asked to give the figures required when the arrangements made under the Ordinance have been in operation for 12 months.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken to endeavour to obtain the services of a British engineer to draw up the preliminary report upon the possible development of hydro-electric power in British Guiana?

The Governor has not reported whether he took any steps to obtain a substitute for Mr. Comber, whose services he informs me were available at the time when the information given by the report was required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of the detective force in the Metropolitan Police area; whether it is organised as a distinct force from the ordinary police force; whether any special qualifications are required for joining the same; if so, will he state generally what they are; will he state if the rate of pay is the same as for the police force; and, if not, what extra allowances are made to officers and men in the Detective Department?

The authorised strength of the Detective Branch is 769. It is not organised as a distinct force from the uniform police. To enter the Detective Branch a constable must show special aptitude for detective work and pass a qualifying examination. The pensionable pay is at the same rate as for the uniform police, but detectives receive in addition non-pensionable allowances, which, including the plain clothes allowance, amount to 12s. weekly for Constables, 14s. 6d. for Sergeants, 18s. 6d. for Inspectors, and 21s. for Chief Inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the fact that St. Simon's Church Institute, Bethnal Green, was used by several thousands of people at a time during the air raids in London, and that the premises were used for other urgent public purposes connected with the War; and whether, in view of the damage done to these premises, and the heavy cost falling upon the owners, he is prepared to consider making a grant towards the necessary repairs?

I understand that the Institute authorities allowed members of the public to make use of the premises as an air-raid shelter, and that considerable numbers availed themselves of it. I know of no public fund from which compensation can be given for damage done by persons using the premises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that owing to the state in which the premises and machinery were handed over to the Ailsa Craig Motor Company, Chiswick, the firm are only able to engage a few of their employés on short time; and whether, in view of the amount of unemployment in the district, he will consider the possibility of reopening this question with a view to helping this firm to rehabilitate its business?

I regret that I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member on the 21st July last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Association of Approved Societies has not agreed to work the Unemployment Insurance Act; and what, in that case, is the number of societies which are represented in that organisation?

Provisional approval has been given, subject to the prescribed conditions, to an arrangement under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, with the National Association for Unemployment Insurance, which has been constituted by a combination of the National Conference of Friendly Societies, the Association of Approved Societies, and the Joint Committee of Approved Societies. Information in regard to the constituent societies which have decided to undertake the administration of the Act through the National Association for Unemployment Insurance has not vet been received.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the large number of families whose only free time is on Sundays, he will consider whether the Imperial War Museum can be open after 12 noon each Sunday, and the extra staff required be drawn from ex-service men, the cost being met by a slightly increased entrance charge?

The possibility of opening the Imperial War Museum on Sundays has been considered, but I regret that it would not be possible, under the terms on which the premises are occupied, to make any arrangements on the lines indicated in the question.