asked the Minister of Labour if any attempt was made to have public bodies and business firms in Ireland included in the King's Roll, and, if not, will he state the reason?

The National Scheme for the Employment of Disabled Ex-Service Men is applicable to employers in Ireland as well as in the rest of the United Kingdom, and any employer in Ireland who desires to do so can apply for inclusion on the King's National Roll.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his returns show any reduction in the number of unemployed ex-service men for the last month of which he has a record?

The number of unemployed ex-service men on the Live Register of Employment Exchanges at 19th November was 246,323, compared with 190,136 at 15th October. Though the figures for 19th November were still affected by the dislocation caused by the coal strike, I am afraid the situation— apart from that—is by no means improving.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many Government trawlers of the "Strath," "Mersey," and "Castle" types, respectively, have been sold to private owners since the Armistice; on what dates did these sales take place; and what was the sum recovered in each case?

34 "Mersey," 93 "Castle," and 71 "Strath" type trawlers have been sold to private owners since the Armistice. Some 110 sales have been effected at various dates since the beginning of 1919 at the highest practicable figures consistent with market conditions prevailing at the time; it is not in the public interest to state the actual prices realised, especially as there still remain for sale some vessels of these types.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Minesweepers' Co-operative Trawling Society has paid or will pay the salaries and travelling expenses of the officials who have been engaged on propaganda work in connection with the society; what is the actual amount of the expenditure to date under these heads; if extra personnel was entertained in any of His Majesty's offices for this propaganda work; if not, who performed the duties of officers thus employed while they were engaged in the service of a private commercial enterprise; and will the Government take steps to reduce the Admiralty clerks to the numbers actually required for the service of the public?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 25th October last to the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. H. Gritten), to which there is nothing to add except that no extra personnel has been engaged, nor has such work been undertaken by Government officials.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that a recent Admiralty Order makes provision for clerks and draughtsmen to have 18 days' leave annually with pay, and that mechanical writers engaged in foremen's offices in accordance with Article 153 of Professional Officers' Instructions are excluded by the Admiralty Order; and will he take steps to have the Order so amended as to include these mechanical writers within the Order as to the provision for annual leave with pay?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The men employed in foremen's offices are not an official class but are mechanics, and, as such, their conditions of service differ from those of the clerks and draughtsmen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has yet come to any decision since July regarding the rates of pay of officers in the inspection and design branch of the Royal Navy; and why, as the officers of the above branches of the Naval Ordnance Department hold permanent appointments which are in all respects civilian, they have not had their pre-War salary increased as have other Government employés?

At the present moment the whole of this question is engaging the attention of a Special Committee, and consideration of the matter referred to must await the Report of that Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men retiring on the age limit from His Majesty's dockyards are receiving pensions that are quite inadequate with the present high cost of living, having only received an increase of 40 per cent. over pre-War; and is he prepared to request his Department to consider a further increase on their pensions as will be commensurate with the present high prices now prevailing in the cost of living?

This question is at present under consideration by the Treasury, and I have no doubt that a decision will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the pensions for retired Indian uncovenanted civil servants has not been raised for very many years; that, in view of the increased cost of living, they had become inadequate before the War and have become more so since; that the Public Services Commission, appointed by the Secretary of State for India in 1915, recommended certain increases, and that no increases have been made; and whether he can say when it is intended to increase these pensions?

My hon. Friend is evidently not aware of the measures taken by me in August, 1919, as a result of the recommendations of the Public Services Commission to which he refers. The measures are given in detail in a Resolution of the Government of India of 15th November, 1919, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the late Lieutenant Cecil Francis Leese, of the 29th Punjabis, was killed in action on the 30th May, 1919, during the retreat from Wana; that previous to the evacuation the whole of the belongings of the officers and men were burned under Government orders with a guarantee that they would be replaced at the expense of the Government; that the regimental committee of adjustments made application to the political authorities for Rs. 6,500, representing the late lieu- tenant's loss, which amount was, after considerable controversy, reduced to Rs. 4,500, this sum being paid into the civil treasury at Jhelum on the 28th July last; that Lieutenant Leese had also a balance at Grindlays of Rs. 1,213; that a sporting gun belonging to the late lieutenant was put on the rail by the military authorities, the conveyance receipt for which was forwarded to the India Office, but which has not since been heard of; and whether, having regard to the delay of 18 months which has already taken place, during which the rupee has depreciated some 25 per cent., and to the fact that the deceased officer's representative cannot get any information or satisfaction in response to his communications, he will cause urgent inquiries to be made, so that the sum of Rs. 6,086.9.0, including the value of the gun, may be paid without further delay at the rate of exchange-prevailing at the period of the award?

Two copies of the report of the proceedings of the committee of adjustment in the case of the late Lieutenant C. F. W. Leese, dated, Jhelum, 5th August, 1920, were received at the India Office on the 6th October One copy was sent to the father, Colonel W. F. Leese, on the 22nd October. The details of the estate given in the question are as furnished in that report. Search has been made for the missing gun, but it does not appear to have been received in this country. I am making inquiries at Bombay. Letters of administration of the estate were lodged at the India Office on the 23rd October, and as soon as a remittance is received from India, the amount will be paid to Colonel Leese, who is the administrator. This should be very shortly. It is usual for those who claim administration to make a declaration of responsibility for the military debts of the estate. If this declaration had been received by the committee, the remittance could have been made by them direct to the father as next-of-kin, and the delay caused by remittance through the Government of India would have been avoided. I cannot trace that there has been any failure or undue delay by the India Office in supplying information. The question of the rate of exchange will be carefully considered, and if inquiry shows that there has been undue delay in India, payment will be adjusted accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the absolute dependence of the important hosiery industry upon the latch needle industry, to save which from German competition a tariff of 25 per cent. is absolutely necessary; that the provision of such protection can in no case be postponed to the protection of the dye industry without disaster; and will he therefore undertake to deal collectively and immediately with this matter?

EXPORTS OF WEARING APPAREL of Home manufacture from the United Kingdom to Russia, registered during the year 1913. Export List Description. Unit of Quantity Quantity. Value. Apparel: £ Waterproofed by any process … … … — — 4,706 Not waterproofed: Of wool: Men's or boys' clothing … … … — — 1,864 Other sorts … … … — — 2,569 Unenumerated … … … — — 3,699 Boots and shoes: Wholly or mainly of leather … … … Dozen pairs 1,583 10,489 Wholly or mainly of rubber … … … Dozen pairs 26 70 Of other materials … … … Dozen pairs 5 9 Cotton: Gloves … … … — — — Cotton hosiery: Stockings and socks … … … Dozen pairs 734 787 Other sorts … … … — — 884 Hats and bonnets, trimmed or untrimmed: Felt … … … Dozen 1,365 3,905 Straw … … … Dozen 1,263 2,292 Other sorts … … … Dozen 138 594 Leather gloves … … … Dozen pairs 477 813 Woollen hosiery: Stockings and socks … … … Dozen pairs 2,091 1,436 Other sorts … … … — — 3,016 Woollen shawls … … … Number 7,568 897 Total Value … … … — — 38,030

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a very large number of the poorer classes in the Abingdon district have had no coal at all for three weeks, and have been obliged to use what wood could be obtained; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this deficiency?

I am aware of the importance of the hosiery latch needle industry, and can only repeat that it is intended to introduce a Measure dealing with key industries and dumping, as the first Measure next Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (on Monday, 29th November) what was the value of the goods manufactured in the clothing trades here which were exported to Russia in 1913?

The following are the particulars which Sir R. Horne then promised, as stated in the OFFICIAL REPORT (col. 897).

While there is a general shortage of coal for domestic purposes in the Abingdon district, owing to the cessation of output at the mines during the recent strike and the consequent lifting of reserve stocks, I am not aware of any such severe shortage as is indicated by the question. One hundred and fifty tons in excess of the ordinary supplies has, however, been sent to the Abingdon area this week, and the district is receiving special attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the miners' strike the system of permits for the shipping of coal was instituted; that though it was to be a merely temporary expedient it is still being continued; that ships at various ports are waiting to coal but are unable to do so owing to the absence of permits; and whether the system of permits will now be abandoned?

I am not clear to what the hon. Member refers. All the temporary restrictions instituted during the recent strike were removed as soon as the strike was ended. But it was necessary before the strike, and it is still necessary, to obtain permits to export coal abroad, and also to ship coal from the Mersey to Ireland and elsewhere. The first restriction must remain as long as control over export coal is necessary. The second was instituted in order that undue quantities of coal should not be shipped to the detriment of consumers in Lancashire and elsewhere. Until the position created by the recent strike has been remedied, I do not feel justified in altering this system, but the Mines Department is keeping the situation under careful and constant observation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how it is that, while the cost of clothing, including boots, has shown a substantial reduction, the index figure given in the "Labour Gazette" as to the cost of living, of which a contributing factor is the cost of clothing, shows a considerable rise; and whether, as this index figure is the basis for the successive Civil Service bonus schemes and also of demands for increased wages, he will cause a careful investigation to be made into the compilation of the figures forming the basis of the statement in the "Labour Gazette," and inform the House of the result of his inquiry?

I have been asked to repy to this question. The reductions in the prices of clothing and boots during October were much more than counterbalanced by increases in the prices of some of the principal articles of food. Of these, the price of bread rose, on average, by nearly 3½d. per four lbs., and that of flour by 7¼d. per seven lbs. following on the reduction of the subsidy. The prices of milk, eggs and butter also rose considerably, and there was a slight rise in the average level of rents owing to increases in local rates in some districts. I am satisfied that these increases are sufficient to account for the rise in the Ministry of Labour index number between 1st October and 1st November. I may add that my hon. Friend will find detailed particulars of the increases on page 604 of the "Labour Gazette" for November, a copy of which has been sent to him, and I am also sending him an extract from the "Labour Gazette" for March last, which contains a full explanation of the methods employed in compiling the index number.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is proposed to submit to the House legislation to give effect in Scotland to paragraph 184 of the Desborough Committee's Second Report on police pensions; and, if so, can he say when a Bill with this end in view will be introduced?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, which gives legislative effect to the principal recommendation in the paragraph referred to. I am not in a position to give any undertaking as to further legislation based upon the paragraph in question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the promised early announcement to approved societies of the result of their first valuation under the National Health Insurance Act of 1911, he will at the same time circulate for the information of the House a White Paper detailing the results achieved by the respective societies?

The valuation reports about to be issued relate only to a section of the approved societies, and some months must elapse before the valuation of all societies and branches can be completed. I think it undesirable that the results of the valuation of individual societies should be made public until all the results are available, but I understand that the Government Actuary will prepare a summary of the results of the valuations issued before the end of the present year, and if it is generally desired I shall have pleasure in laying this summary before the House in a White Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a demand for allotments at Sea View, Isle of Wight; that the applicants include ex-service men; that out of some 200 houses in the district 135 are without gardens; and whether he will take steps with a view to the applications for allotments being met?

Yes, Sir; my attention was called to the unsatisfied demand for allotments at Sea View on the 29th November, and I have instructed the Ministry's district commissioner to inquire into the matter. When I receive his report I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that people in North Havant have been applying for allotments to the local landlord and the parish council for the past 11 years; that these applications have been unsuccessful; that on 6th January, 1920, the parish council referred the whole matter to the Hamp- shire county council; that the latter council on 11th November, 1920, stated that the matter was still under consideration; whether he can account for the great delay in meeting these applications; and whether he will take action with the Hampshire county council with a view to their putting into operation their statutory powers to provide land, compulsorily if necessary, for these applicants?

Immediate inquiry will be made into the position as regards the demand for allotments at North Havant, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among allotment holders in the areas of the Cheshunt and Waltham Cross Urban District Councils in consequence of the foul state of watercourses adjoining the allotments and consequent flooding of the allotments; and whether he will take steps with a view to impressing upon these Councils and owners and occupiers of land adjoining the watercourses the necessity of having the ditches cleaned out and any other necessary steps taken?

The question of the flooding of these allotments formed the subject of a question put by my hon. Friend on the 21st May, 1919, and I am sending to him a copy of the reply I then gave. The Ministry has had no further representations on this subject since the date mentioned, but I will have inquiries made as to the present conditions and will communicate the result to him.