asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for 11 months of this year the value of the dyes imported into this country and the value of the exports of textile goods which require dyes in their manufacture?

The particulars for November are not yet available, but I will have a statement covering the trade of the first 10 months of the year printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may add that, in a number of cases, goods in the making of which dyes have been used and others which may involve no use of dyes are included under a single heading, so that the statement necessarily covers some goods which do not fall within the description set forth in the question.

Will the hon Gentleman in making the return distinguish between German dyes sent to this country by way of reparation and those imported in the ordinary way of business?

I do not think I can do that in the return I am getting out for the convenience of the House for to-morrow's Debate. But if my hon. Friend wants any particular information and will put down a question I will see if I can get it.

Will the information be out to-morrow morning?

Yes; it will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May we have the amount received by the Government by way of reparation imported into this country and in stock here now?

As a matter of fact, if my hon. Friend will read the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see I have given that figure before. If he wants the figure for any particular day, perhaps he will put down a question.

Have we yet received any goods from Germany by way of reparation, and, if so, what quantity?

We have received a large number of dye-stuffs from Germany under the Reparation Clause The hon. Gentleman cannot expect me to carry in my head the precise amount,

Will the hon. Gentleman see that this information is at the disposal of the House before we begin to debate the new Bill to-morrow?

If my hon. Friend will consult the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will find that I have already given the, total amount received from Germany, and he knows that if he wants any particular figure he has only to put down a question to get it.

The following is the statement referred to:

Value of dyes, dye-stuffs and extracts for dyeing registered as having been imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during the first 10 months of 1920:

Exports from the United Kingdom of textile goods, in the manufacture of which dyes have been or may have been used, for first 10 months, 1920.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the increase in the cost of production of dyestuffs since 1913 in respect of labour, materials, and overhead charges, respectively?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can say, in respect of the principal dyestuffs, what has been the increase in price since 1913?

The dye-making industry is one of great complexity and its products embrace a wide range of classes of dyes and many different individual dyes within each class. The conditions of manufacture and the nature of the intermediates and other materials required are very diverse and the costs of production and prices vary accordingly. An all-over percentage figure showing the movement of prices and costs would have little significance, but I will communicate to both hon. Members a statement showing the movement of the prices of some representative

The following are the statistics mentioned: A STATEMENT showing the Imports into the United Kingdom of the undermentioned Intermediates and Finished Dyestuffs, distinguishing the countries whence consigned, registered during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1920. — Intermediate coal tar products used in the manufacture of dyes(including aniline oil and salt and phenylglycine). Finished Dyestuffs obtained from Coal Tar. Alizarine. Indigo-synthetic. Other Sorts. Cwts. £ Cwts. £ Cwts. £ Cwts. £ Sweden … — — — — — — 402 5,562 Norway … 3 45 — — — — — — Denmark … 6 222 — — — — 8 276 Germany … 950 23,805 3,146 126,469 2,940 55,573 24,451 1,1193,180 Netherlands … 410 7,628 1,373 97,102 320 19,385 18,262 897,517 Belgium … 325 549 95 1,143 — — 8,463 269,173 France … 1,222 5,533 23 2,810 103 5,500 128 2,859 Switzerland … 355 14,995 — — 33 949 45,410 1,521,639 Spain … — — — — — — 2 574 Austria-Hungary … — — — — — — 30 1,729 Egypt … — — 5 290 — — 5 435 British India … — — — — — — 80 190 Japan … — — — — — — 9 106 Canada … 3 125 — — — — 1 76 United States … 30,189 455,489 177 4,668 6 239 11,827 433,730 Argentine Republic … 4 90 — — — — — — 33,467 508,481 4,819 232,482 3,402 81,646 109,078 4,327,046 Intermediates and Dyestuffs consigned from the Netherlands and Belgium are no doubt mainly of German origin.

dyestuffs. The cost of production, even if available, would have little significance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for the 11 months of this year from what countries dyes were imported into this country and the value of the dyes so imported from each country, respectively?

I am having printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics relating to the importation of dyestuffs during the first nine months of this year. Information beyond the end of September is not yet available.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if the imports -for September amounted to nearly. 1,000 tons of the value of nearly a million pounds?

I had rather the hon. Member waited to see the table I am publishing. There is not the least doubt that the importation has been progressive, and increasing very rapidly

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no pro vision is made in the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill for any representation of the Board in the merchant interests which will chiefly be concerned in the obtaining of the necessary import licences?

I am not prepared to accept the interpretation put by the hon. Member on Sub-section (2) of Clause 2 of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill, but the matter is one which can be more conveniently discussed during the Committee stage. I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that it is impracticable to discuss by question and answer the constitution of the Committee, which will be fully considered when the Bill is under discussion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the dye- stuffs imported from Germany on account of reparation are selected dyestuffs; if so, what body makes the selection and who are the individuals composing the body; what body in this country receives and allocates the dyestuffs; and what principles govern the distribution?

The dyestuffs received from Germany on account of reparation have been selected by the Board of Trade in consultation with representatives of dye users and dye makers. The dyestuffs are received by the Central Importing Agency on behalf of the Board of Trade, and that agency allocates the supplies in accordance with instructions given by the Board of Trade from time to time, such allocation being made, so far as practicable, in accordance with the requirements of the individual consumers as notified by them to the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the Government directors of the British Dyestuffs Corporation; and what are their duties, who appoints them, and to whom are they responsible?

The present Government directors of the British Dye-stuffs Corporation, Limited, are the Right Hon. Lord Ashfield and Sir Henry Birchenough, Bart., K.C.M.G. They are appointed by the President of the Board of Trade, and have certain special powers in addition to the ordinary powers of directors. I will have printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT the relevant extracts from the Articles of Association.

Are these directors paid by the Government or by the corporation?

By the corporation, and not by the Government.

The following are the extracts referred to:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a Committee has been set up inquiring into supplies, costs, and profits in the dyestuff industry; how many meetings have been held; from whom evidence was taken; and whether he has seen the evidence in question?

A Sub-committee of the Standing Committee on Trusts has been appointed to ascertain to what extent supplies, prices, and costs of dyes and dyestuffs in this country, and profits thereon, are affected by any trade combination, and, further, to ascertain to what extent the processes of dyeing, finishing, bleaching, and printing are affected by any trade combination, and to investigate the effect of any such trade combination, if found, upon supplies, prices, costs, and profits at all stages of such processes. I am informed that this Committee have held sixteen meetings, and that evidence has been taken from dye makers, consumers, and others. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that this Committee inquired into other matters than mere profiteering, whether the ground that they covered is not the same as the ground covered by the Bill, and whether this information should not be available before the Bill is proceeded with in this House?

Until I receive the Report of the Committee, I am not able to say what scope is covered in the inquiry. I have read to the House the Committee's terms of reference, and I imagine that the inquiry will have been in accordance with those terms of reference.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that it should have been his business to find out about the proceedings of this Committee before bringing a Bill before the House?

No, Sir, I do not. I consider that it was the business of the Board of Trade to give effect to the pledges given by His Majesty's Government both before and during the last Election. The findings of this Committee will be, no doubt, as valuable after we have redeemed our pledges as before.

Has the evidence given before this Committee been printed, or will it be printed?

It is certainly not published yet.

Is it printed?

I do not think so. It may have been printed or typed for circulation to the members of the Committee. I think that the House is rather under a misapprehension as to the procedure of this Committee. The Central Committee appoints sub-committees to deal with these questions, and until a sub-committee makes its report to the Central Committee, and that report is forwarded by the Central Committee to the Board of Trade, it really does not come under our jurisdiction at all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the policy of the Government to exclude dyestuffs from America, Switzerland, and France; whether, during the War, these counties assisted materially in maintaining the supply of dyestuffs for this country; and whether this is the best method of establishing cordial trade relations with Allies and friendly neutrals?

The provisions of the Bill are general. I am fully aware of the assistance which was rendered during the War as regards the supply of dyestuffs by Switzerland and, to a much smaller degree, by the United States and France. As regards the last two countries, however, I would point out that the obligation was reciprocal, and that the British industry was able to be of very substantial assistance to consumers in those countries, whilst, as regards Switzerland, the industry was largely maintained by supplies of materials from this country. I would further point out that both France and especially the United States, in particular, are taking active measures to safeguard the development of domestic dyemaking industries either by prohibition or increased tariffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representations have been received from users of dyestuffs adverse to the principles embodied in the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill; if so, from what persons or firms they have been received; and what was their nature?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations from the Calico Printers' Association and the dyers of leather goods on the subject of the restriction of imports of dyestuffs; and, if so, what is the nature of the representations?

I have received representations from the Calico Printers' Association and Messrs. J. & J. Crombie, Limited, who are opposed to the general policy laid down in the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill, on the ground that, if carried into effect, it might place difficulties in the way of their obtaining any kind of dyestuff required by them at the lowest possible prices. Such representations as I have received from the Federation of Curriers, Light Leather Tanners and Dressers, Incorporated, related, not to the proposals contained in the Bill, but to the present general shortage of certain dyes. I ought, however, to add that the Calico Printers' Federation has passed a resolution endorsing the action taken by the Colour Users' Association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Dewsbury Chamber of Commerce, which represents the heavy woollen dye trade, the largest users of dyestuffs in the country, were consulted as to the provisions of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill, and expressed its approval?

No chambers of commerce have been consulted regarding the Bill to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but a large number of the users in the Dewsbury districts are members of the Colour Users' Association, which has been consulted throughout and which has expressed its approval of the principles of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state approximately the number of persons at present unemployed for whom work could be found if the glassware, toys, and dyestuffs, now being imported from Germany and sold at prices which undercut the British market owing to lower labour costs and the abnormal exchange, were manufactured in this country instead of being imported?

I have been asked to answer this question. Manufacture in this country would undoubtedly increase the amount of employment for persons directly engaged in the industries mentioned. But I do not think it would be possible to give any certain estimate on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

If it is admitted by the Government there would be employment found for a large number of people in this country, does the hon. Gentleman not think it is time the Government took steps to protect industries which they particularly asked manufacturers in this country to undertake—and particularly the manufacture of toys?

The question refers to glassware, toys, and dyestuffs. With regard to dyestuffs, the House will deal with a Bill on that subject to-morrow. My hon. Friend knows that a Bill dealing with other key industries is to be introduced at the beginning of next Session. I only wish a repetition of questions would increase the Parliamentary time at my disposal.

Is it not a fact that the glass, toy and dye industries are in dire distress owing to German dumping at the present moment?

No, Sir. One of the difficulties of the situation is that there is no dumping going on at the present moment, and German goods sold here are not cheaper than they are sold in Germany, but dearer.

Is it not the fact that the rates of exchange are a far worse peril than dumping? Are not these particular industries actually going to close down in the next two or three months unless something is done? Are you going to wait for that?

My hon. Friend must appreciate that it is impossible to deal with more than one par- liamentary measure at a time. It is no good introducing a Bill which cannot be passed this Session. The Government are committed to introducing a Bill early next Session dealing with dumping and key industries, and I should be misleading the House if I were to promise now to bring in a Bill which I could not hope to pass this Session.

Does that mean that the question of the German exchange—

I must really enter a protest against this customary Monday attack of "fiscalitis."

Is it not within the province of the Member to put supplementary questions on important matters at Question Time?

Some of these supplementary questions are not intended to elicit information at all, but for purposes of Debate. They are put by one section of the House to show how wrong are the views held by the other section

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government has purchased, or is under any obligation to purchase, tungsten ores from Empire or foreign sources; if so, what tonnage has been acquired from 1st January to 31st October, 1920; what price per unit has been paid for such ores; and what stocks are held by the Government either abroad or in this country?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Government made extensive purchases of tungsten ore during the War, but is no longer under any obligation to purchase such ore either from Empire or foreign sources. As a result of contracts entered into during the War, approximately 1,271 tons of tungsten ores have been received from Australia during the present year, but it is not desirable to give the prices. The unsold stocks held by the Government at present of wolfram and molybdenite do not exceed 200 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Gov- ernment is still continuing to purchase Australian zinc concentrates; if so, what tonnage has been acquired and paid for from 1st January to 31st October, 1920; what stocks are held by the Government, either in this country or Australia; and what steps are being taken by the Government to purchase the home production of zinc concentrates on as favourable terms as are being paid to the Australian Commonwealth producers?

The Government are under agreement to purchase Australian zinc concentrates for a period of ten years next following the declaration of peace, but production has been suspended at Broken Hill during the past 12 months owing to a strike, and no concentrates have been acquired since 1st January, 1920. Stocks of concentrates are held in Australia by His Majesty's Government amounting to 503,000 tons. As regards the last part of the question, I am not prepared to recommend any extension of the buying operations of His Majesty's Government.

May I ask, in view of the serious condition of the spelter trade, whether the zinc concentrates from Australia are likely to be imported for use in this country, or have all the stocks accumulated on the other side?

We shall certainly make use of them as we can get them. As I have explained, the production is being suspended owing to the strike there, but we shall certainly make the best possible use of any of these concentrates that we are under contract to buy.

Is it not a fact that there are enormous stocks in Australia at the present time awaiting shipment, and is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the whole of the spelter trade of this country has been closed down for the last three or four months for want of raw material?

I will go into that question, but I think there are a good many other considerations affecting the spelter trade besides this precise contract in Australia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there have been brought to his notice recently any instances of the underselling of British-manufactured goods by foreign imports; whether such underselling has caused any prejudicial effect on employment in this country; and, if so, in what direction and to what extent?

I have received numerous complaints of the underselling of British-manufactured goods by foreign imports, but it is not possible in an answer to review the whole position.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the project for canalising the Rhine between Basle and Strassburg for the purpose of producing electrical power, which proposal is reported to be favoured by the French and German Governments; whether he is aware that the construction of such a canal would greatly injure, if not stop, a considerable traffic in merchandise between Switzerland and this country which now comes by the Rhine, and that the project is strongly objected to in Switzerland from this point of view; whether Great Britain has any representation in the control of the Rhine; and whether, having regard to the importance to British trade of the preservation of the free navigation of this important river, he will state if any steps are being taken by the Government in order to safeguard British trade interests in the event of this canal being constructed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second, I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to Article 358 of the Treaty of Peace with Germany, which, while giving France the right to take water from the Rhine, provides that the exercise of this right shall not interfere with navigation and that all proposed hydro-technical schemes shall be laid for approval before the Central Commission of the Rhine. The Central Commission includes representatives of Great Britain, whose attention has been directed to the considerations mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the November monthly report to the Board of Trade from Somerset glove manufacturers, showing that, owing to German competition on a basis of prices far below the British cost of production, branches employing home-workers in the villages have been closed, while short time and unemployment in the factories of Frome and other towns are increasing; whether this Frome industry was created at great expense during the War upon Government encouragement as a permanent means of employment; and what action does the Government propose to take to obviate even greater loss and unemployment during the present winter?

I have not seen the particular report to which my hon. Friend refers (which I understand has not been made to the Board of Trade), but the position of the fabric glove industry has been constantly receiving the attention of the Government. I regret that I can add nothing to the statements already made in this House as to the legislation proposed to be introduced early next Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the second part of my question? Does he not think that during the present winter some special obligation does arise to safeguard employment in this industry, seeing that it was created as a War-time industry, at the instigation of the Government, for national purposes?

We have only a little over two weeks before Christmas, and we cannot in the course of that time carry legislation of this character.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that some widows of fishermen whose husbands lost their lives during the War through enemy action are now only receiving 5s. or 6s. a week, owing to the insurance money being exhausted; and will he consider bringing the pensions of fishermen's dependants in line with those of the Mercantile Marine as regards pensions?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to replies which I gave to similar questions on the 22nd November last.

May I ask whether these men were not encouraged to pursue their calling, in spite of the danger, during the War, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it just that the widows of those men who were killed should receive the same treatment as in the case of the Mercantile Marine?

If my hon. and gallant Friend would look at the answer given on the previous occasion— of which I will send him a copy—he will see that that point was dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed terms of the mandates to be assumed by the British Empire will be submitted to this House; and, if so, whether the terms will be submitted to this House before being laid before the Council of the League of Nations or afterwards?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject on Thursday last.

If it is intended to lay the mandates before this House after approval by the Council of the League of Nations, will it not mean that we shall be unable in any way to modify those mandates, and will not the whole thing be really a farce, unless the mandates are laid before this House before going to the Council of the League? Otherwise, why waste our time?

asked the Prime Minister if he intends to carry out the recommendation made by the general conference of the International Labour Organisation of the League of Nations concerning the limitation of hours of work in the fishing industry; and, if so, at what date?

asked the Prime Minister whether the International Labour Organisation of the League of Nations has proposed limitations of the hours of work in the fishing industry; and whether the Government will abstain from accepting any recommendation dealing with an industry carried on under widely differing conditions in the seven seas and well able to look after itself in all of them?

I have been asked to answer this question. The recommendation referred to is under the consideration of the Government, and I am not in a position to make any statement at the present moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether the representatives of this country at the meetings of the League of Nations are given instructions by the Government as to the way in which they are to vote; and whether the proposal of one of such representatives, made recently at Geneva, to admit Germany into the League was made with the approval of the Government?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question on Thursday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the dearth of women delegates at the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva; and whether, seeing how many of the questions under discussion at the assembly especially affect women, His Majesty's Government will select a fully representative British woman to be one of the British delegates at the next assembly?

As the date of the next meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations has not yet been considered, it would, I think, be premature to consider the composition of the delegation.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give instructions to all State Departments to order only British goods so long as there is unemployment in this country?

General instructions are already in force to give preference in contracts by British Government Departments to products of the Empire. It would not be possible to lay down a universal rule framed in the terms of the question, as certain foreign products have to be imported; but the Government are in full sympathy with its general tenor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice has not been followed in the Post Office, but that, whereas British pencils were used during the latter part of the War period, they are once more buying from the United States?

Will the right hon. Gentleman call for a report from all his Departments, and lay it on the Table of this House, - as to what, if any, foreign goods they are purchasing which could be purchased in this country?

I will consider that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the British taxpayer too?

I think we should be considering the British taxpayer by seeing that they get employment instead of unemployment benefit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the President of the Board of Trade to see that foreign imports from recent enemy countries are marked so that people shall not be disappointed when they buy something which they think is English, but which is really foreign?

asked the Prime Minister whether the operations of the forces in Ireland have received, or are receiving, the attention of the Imperial General Staff?

(the Financial Secretary, War Office): My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. At the present time actual military operations in the true sense of the term are not in progress, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief merely providing such assistance to the police as he is called upon to supply from time to time by the Irish Government. In these circumstances the functions of the Imperial General Staff arc limited to the consideration of the various requirements in personnel and material which the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief may demand.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the violent Sinn Fein propaganda in this country, in the United States, and other countries, and of the many false and misleading reports that appear in a section of the Press, gravely reflecting on the action of the military and police in Ireland and on the Irish Government, he will arrange that an official weekly précis of the outrages on soldiers and police during the previous week, and of the general situation in Ireland, be issued and made available for publication in the home and foreign Press?

My hon. and learned Friend will be glad to learn that this is already being done.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement with regard to his negotiations with the Sinn Fein leaders?

I have no statement to make on the subject beyond repeating the willingness of the Government to explore every avenue which might lead to a real and lasting settlement with Ireland.

Is there anything hopeful in what is reported in the Press with regard to negotiations with a view to a settlement? Can the right hon. Gentleman say that without committing himself to details?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received and replied to the telegram from Father O'Flanagan, who is at present the only spokesman of Sinn Fein who is not in prison?

Before replying to that question will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has seen a statement from the Sinn Fein Council this morning, which declares that any person purporting to enter into negotiations with the British Government will be regarded by the Council as a traitor, and dealt with accordingly?

Neither has the hon. Member. He saw it on the tape.

I have no doubt that if anything of the kind has been issued it would be brought to my notice, but I should regret it very much. With regard to the telegram referred to by my hon. Friend, I received it only about an hour ago, and I should consider the reply which is to be given.

In order to clear up misapprehensions, may I ask whether the Government have or have not any alternative with regard to Irish policy apart from that already sanctioned by this House in the Government of Ireland Bill?

Docs the right hon. Gentleman consider Father O'Flanagan as a Sinn Feiner on the bridge, able to speak for the Sinn Fein party? Has the right hon. Gentleman not declared that it will be his policy to negotiate with any representative Sinn Feiner?

That is what we want to find out. If I may very respectfully suggest it to the House, I do not think it will be very helpful if there be too many conflicting questions on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is hopeful with regard to negotiations being kept open?

I cannot say anything beyond what I have said repeatedly in this House and outside—that the Government are willing to discuss with anybody who is authorised to speak on behalf of Irish opinion any question which will bring peace to Ireland.

May I press the right hon. Gentleman for an answer to my question, namely, whether the Government have or have not a different policy, with regard to Ireland, from that already sanctioned by this House?

I have repeatedly stated in this House the policy of the Government in reference to the Bill and in reference to negotiations, and I do not think it would be possible for me to say more in the course of an answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence have been held since the Armistice, and how many meetings of the same body have been held this year; and whether the forthcoming Naval, Military, and Air Force Estimates will be submitted to the Committee for consideration before being laid before Parliament?

The answer to the first and second part of the question is one meeting, though perhaps I should remind the hon. Member that, as the House has been informed on several occasions, by far the greater part of the work of the Committee of Imperial Defence is performed by Sub-committees and conferences of that Committee; as regards the last part of the question, I am not, at the present time, in a position to specify the method by which the Estimates in question will be considered by the Cabinet.

Would it not facilitate the work of defence if the three staffs of the fighting Departments were to get together?

That is one of the suggestions which has not merely been considered but agreed to.

asked the Prime Minister under what conditions the Canadian Government are placing ex-service men on the land in Canada; and will he communicate with the Canadian Government with a view to ascertaining whether ex-service men of this country may be accorded the same privileges under arrangements made by His Majesty's Government?

The Canadian Soldier Settlement Acts make provision for settling qualified Canadian ex-service men upon the land in Canada. The settlement is carried out under the supervision and guidance of the Soldier Settlement Board, and loans sufficient for the purpose of settlement are made by the Board. Qualified soldiers are required to pay 10 per cent. of the purchase price of their farm, and the total maximum loans allowed may not exceed $7,500. The privileges conferred by the Act are extended to approved ex-service men from the United Kingdom, but all such men are required to deposit £200 as a guarantee, i.e., approximately the equivalent of 20 per cent, of the purchase price of their land, stock and equipment. Applications by ex-service men from the United Kingdom can in future only be made in Canada at one of the offices of the Soldier Settlement Board. The possibility of making arrangements with the Canadian Government and the Governments of other Dominions for a wider extension to British ex-service men of the privileges given to their own ex-service men, is certainly worthy of consideration, but involves questions of cost which would have to be carefully gone into.

Will my hon. Friend give an undertaking, if he can, that his Department or some Department of the Government will take this matter up with the various Dominion Governments with a view to seeing how many, if any, and on what terms unemployed ex-service men in this country can be placed on the land in the Empire, and thus provide work for these men instead of paying them unemployment doles here?

The Overseas Settlement Office has already been in continuous communication with the Dominion Governments in order to secure that the fullest advantage of their ex-service settlement schemes should be given to British ex-service men. As the House knows, free passages are given to men who have been accepted, and their ' families. A further extension would involve some of the overseas Governments in considerable expenditure which they may not be able to bear alone, and the question of sharing the expenditure with them is certainly worthy of the most sympathetic consideration by this House, which has already done so much for ex-service men.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Canadian Government with a view to overcoming the £200 limit, which they have put on, not against ex-service men, but to protect themselves against people going to that country and becoming chargeable to their unemployment funds?

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to his own Government to provide money in order to settle a great number of ex-service men on the land, especially in Scotland, where they have been waiting so long, without their going overseas?

asked the Prime Minister what are the results of his inquiries regarding the reported failure of the Russian Soviet Government to fulfil their obligations under their recent Swedish trade agreement, by the terms of which the Russian Soviet Government were to ship certain goods to Sweden within a specified period in exchange for commodities supplied to them from Sweden; and whether, as a result, certain of the Swedish firms in question have refused to supply any further goods until they are repaid either in gold or in kind?

I have not been able to obtain sufficient information to enable me to state to what extent the agreement made in May last between certain Swedish traders and the Centrosojus is being carried out.

If I put a question next week, will the right hon. Gentleman reply?

We have communicated, and have been quite unable to find out. If I get any further information on the subject, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Soviet Government can be relied upon to carry out any obligation?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can yet make any statement with regard to the prospects of trade with Russia and Siberia during the coming year for the information of British merchants and manufacturers; and whether the French Government has raised no objection in principle to trade between French business houses and subjects of the Russian Soviet Government?

Pending the conclusion of the negotiations with the Russian Trade Delegation and the receipt of further information respecting the economic condition in Russia and Siberia, it is not possible to me to form an estimate as to the prospects of British trade with those countries during the coming year. With regard to the last part of the question, the French Prime Minister recently announced in the Chamber that French business men may trade with Russia at their own risk.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the article in the "Sunday Express" yesterday by the Secretary of State for War that we should not trade in any circumstances with Soviet Russia? Does that represent the views of the Cabinet?

My right hon. Friend never did anything of the sort.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister for War stated that the greatest possible mistake was to bolster up a cancer? Is that the view of the Cabinet?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Russian 1,000 rouble note, which is the chief currency of the Soviet Government, and is of the present value of 9d., contains on the face of the note in nine different languages, including the English language, the words, Workers of the world unite; whether it is proposed that, in the event of establishing trade relations with the Soviet Government, the 1,000 rouble note is to be continued as recognised currency; and whether, if so, His Majesty's Government proposes to lend itself to this form of Bolshevik propaganda?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but in any event I cannot imagine any business being transacted with this country on the basis of payment in rouble notes.

asked the Prime Minister whether the conditions of the Alliance concluded between the Russian Soviet Government and the Khemalists are to guarantee the integrity of Turkey and to re-establish Turkish administration over all the territory inhabited by Turks, giving to Turkey the right of control over the new States set up in Arabia, to facilitate the work of the Soviet delegates for developing communism in Turkey, Russia and Turkey binding themselves to liberate the Mussulman countries, such as India, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunis from foreign control and to guarantee their independence?

His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of the conclusion of any Alliance between the Turks and Bolsheviks.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that the terms of the Treaty have been published in the French papers?

Yes: but I think if my hon. Friend will watch a little more closely the course of events he will find that it is not quite an alliance, but rather the opposite, at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether the University Grants Committee has yet reported; and, if not, can he give an approximate date at which their Report may be expected?

informed that the Committee are now considering their Report and hope to submit it to the Treasury early in the new year.

asked the Prime Minister, in reference to Command Paper 1032, just issued, why the staffs of the Ministry of Pensions and of the Inland Revenue Department have increased, respectively, to 195 and 312 since 1st September; and what were the additional duties that have necessitated these increases?

As regards the Ministry of Pensions, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to reply given on the 1st December to a similar question asked by the hon. and learned Member for Ealing. The increase in staff of the Inland Revenue consists almost entirely of ex-service, men temporarily recruited, and is due to new work arising under the Finance Act, 1920.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to appoint a Select Committee to make full inquiry into the staffing of Government Departments, both in London and the provinces, having regard to the allegations that many of these staffs are unduly swollen, and that many fresh appointments are being made unnecessarily and new officials sent into Departments that do not desire them?

Great efforts have been made in this matter by the Government, through the examination of the staffs in each Department, both by committees and in other ways, but I shall consider with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Cabinet Finance Committee the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the advisability of introducing two budgets, one for national expenditure and one for capital account, particularly in view of the fact that the taxpayer is desirous of knowing what part of the taxes with which he is assessed is used for expenditure, and what part is credited to capital account in the reduction of the War debt?

The provision made for the reduction of debt is already clearly shown in the existing financial statements. It is, however, the case that these statements, which are prepared so as to follow the system of finance contemplated by the Exchequer and Audit Act, do not always distinguish between capital and recurring expenditure in ordinary times, and are still less adapted to show clearly in the conditions of the present day what part of the year's expenditure is due to current obligations within the present control of Parliament and the Government, and what part is directly due to charges of the same nature as those represented by the War Debt. The Government are considering whether any other form of statement will assist Parliament to a clearer comprehension of the position. We had this very question before us last week at the Cabinet Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the precedent of 29th October, 1919, the Government propose to put down a resolution on economy for the Debate on Thursday?

No, Sir. The Government do not contemplate putting down any Motion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not put down a Motion on the lines of the speech he delivered a day or two since?

On this occasion, as on many previous occasions, will the Government make the Debate a question of a vote of confidence in the Government? Will they take off the Whips, so that we may have a clear issue on the present Government's financial policy?

If the policy of the Government is challenged on a vital matter, it is, of course, a vote of confidence.

had given notice of the following question:—

43. To ask the Prime Minister whether he will state why the Treasury are insisting on local authorities taking up the total amount of their housing loan forthwith, seeing that this money bears interest at the rate of 6 per cent., and that, owing to the backward- ness of municipal building schemes, they are unable to make present use of this money and therefore are re-investing it in Treasury Bonds bearing interest at the rate of 6½ per cent.?

Since raising this question as a matter of urgency, last Thursday, I find that the Treasury have made arrangements to protect the taxpayer by raising the rate of interest to 6j per cent. Therefore I do not propose to ask the question.

of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain): I do not follow the explanation of the hon. Member, but there is no foundation for his original allegation.

Is it not a fact that on the evening of the day on the morning of which I put down the question, the Order was issued informing all municipalities that for the future the interest would be raised from 6 to 6½ per cent., so that they could not make a profit by shuffling with the Treasury?

No. That was not the question. The question was why the Treasury are insisting on local authorities taking up the total amount of the housing loan forthwith, and, as I have said, the allegation was without foundation.

The question was

seeing that this money bears interest at the rate of 6 per cent. and that, owing to the backwardness of municipal building schemes, they are unable to make present use of this money, and therefore are reinvesting it in Treasury Bonds bearing interest at the rate of 6½ per cent. Since that question has been put down, the Treasury have put up the interest at the rate of 6½ per cent., and, therefore, everything is all right.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the distress and poverty existing in the families of persons who have been disabled through injuries received while following their employment and who have to meet the present high cost of living out of the amounts provided by the Workmen's Compensation Act; and if it is the inten- tion of the Government to immediately introduce an improved Workmen's Compensation Act on the lines recommended by the Committee appointed to deal with the matter in their Report?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Thursday last to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for the Ogmore Division.

asked the Prim-Minister whether it is proposed to take early action to carry out the economies in the working of the Employment Exchanges recommended by the Committee of Inquiry who have just reported; and if, in view of his recent declaration in favour of immediate and relentless economy, steps will be taken to secure a reduction in the expenditure on the Exchanges during the current financial year?

to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow): I have been asked to reply. Immediate action will be taken to deal with the recommendations of this Committee and to effect economies which I hope may prove to be possible and on the lines laid down by the Committee. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend, however, that at the moment a very heavy burden falls upon the Exchanges on account of the great and increasing amount of unemployment, also that the new Unemployment Insurance Act increases the number of insured persons from about 4,000,000 to about 12,000,000; and, for the great part, unemployment insurance benefit is paid by the local Employment Exchanges.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a lot of this unemployment might be done away with if the Government would take the necessary steps to protect many industries in this country, such as toys and baskets?

The hon. Member is resuming a Debate which I have already said is not in order.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state when it is proposed to give legislative enactment to the maternity proposals of the Washington Conference?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 25th November to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. Adamson).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Government does not take action in this matter prior to 22nd January it will be unable to comply with the provisions of the Peace Treaty in respect to this question?

I believe that that is wrong.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the occupation of public buildings by small bodies of unemployed; and whether, in the interest of order and the conservation to the public of the proper use of these structures, he will instruct the authorities to see that these premises are at once vacated when so invaded?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The matter is not one in which the Government has any power to instruct local authorities; but I have no doubt local authorities will be careful to protect public rights while doing their best to deal gently with men who are suffering from the present increase of unemployment.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to be in a position to make any statement with reference to the Channel Tunnel?

I regret that I am not in a position to name a date.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered this question from the point of view of solving the problem of unemployment?

Yes, we have done that for some time in any event, but there are conditions of a more permanent concern which we have to consider very carefully before we commit ourselves.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision was come to at his recent conferences with the French Prime Minister and the Italian Foreign Minister regarding a rearrangement in favour of Turkey or Bulgaria of areas in Asia Minor and Thrace allotted by the Peace Conference to the late Greek Government; whether any discussion took place at the same conference regarding the steps to be taken by the Allies to deal with Mustapha Kemal and his army, or about Cilicia, or the Syria-Palestine boundary question?

I have nothing to add to the official communiqués which have already been published on these subjects.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a full statement on this matter and give the House the opportunity of discussing it?

I will consider that, but I think that it would be unwise to have a discussion just yet, until there are further developments.

Later on?

Yes.

Are we to understand from the communiqués referred to that there is no present intention of altering the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

That certainly has not been decided on.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give both Houses of Parliament opportunities of discussing the proposal made by Lord Derby for a special military alliance between this country and France before the Government is committed to such a policy; and whether he will postpone the consideration of such an alliance until the Dominions of the Empire and India have been fully consulted and their commitments under such an alliance clearly defined?

The question of entering into a special military alliance with France is not under discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Emir Feisal has recently arrived in this country; what steps are being taken by the Government to secure the continued friendship of an Arab leader to whom this country is deeply indebted for the action he took in the War on our behalf; and whether the French Government refused to allow the Emir Feisal to travel to this country through France?

The Emir Feisal arrived in this country on Thursday, and was received in audience by His Majesty the King on Saturday. No better indication could be given of the desire of His Majesty's Government for the Emir's continued friendship. The French Ambassador at Rome appears to have refused to grant a visa, for the Emir's journey through France, for lack of instructions from the French Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Article 202 of the Peace Treaty with regard to the surrender by Germany of military and naval aeronautical material has yet been carried out; if not, will he say when it is expected that the delivery of such material will be completed; and whether, in the meantime, the manufacture or importation of aeronautical material by Germany has been entirely stopped?

The terms of the Article referred to have not been completed entirely, but satisfactory progress has been made and every effort is being made by the Inter- Allied Commission to secure its complete fulfilment. The answer to the third part of the qeustion is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, so far from pumping the Parys mine being an expensive matter, it would actually be profitable, seeing that from the water so pumped and treated in 1912, copper, etc., precipitated to a total value of £9,000?

The copper precipitate obtained at this mine is understood to be derived from water flowing by' gravitation from the mine augmented by the leaching of the old waste heaps. To pump out the water from below adit level and reopen the mine would be a much more difficult and expensive operation.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the great importance of the issue, both commercially and from the point of view of employment, he will order an independent expert examination of the mine possibilities, especially in view of the enormous enhancement of the price of copper and the scientific improvements now available for dealing with the difficulties?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to a similar question on the 17th November, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state what were the figures of output, wages, costs, and balance for the Somerset mines alone in column (f), area 5, of the Statistical Summary [Cmd. 949]?

The quarterly statistical summary is published by virtue of the proviso to Sub-section 1 of Section 4 of Part II of the Second Schedule to the Coal Mines Emergency Act. In view of the main provisions of that Subsection I do not think it is open to me to supplement the summary with more detailed information.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures exist or not, and whether, in their absence, it is possible to form any conclusion concerning this district area of Somerset mining?

I am not sure whether the figures exist or not, but I do not think it would be permissible for me to give detailed information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can see his way to instruct the several railway companies to prepare the financial statement of accounts and statistical returns in accordance with the Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911, as far as it is practicable, to enable their proprietors to see for themselves the present cost of working the several departments as shown in Abstracts A, B, C, D, E, and Statistical Returns X., XL?

The division of expenditure in detail between railway companies ceased to be necessary when the Government guaranteed to the companies their aggregate net receipts of the year 1913, and it was accordingly suspended to save labour and expense. It is therefore not practicable for individual companies to publish detailed particulars of the present cost of working of their several departments.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to group railway companies on lines of economy by natural selection, subject to proper safeguards to traders and the public, or what system he intends to apply for grouping purposes?

The grouping proposed is shown in the White Paper Cmd. 787, and was built up on consideration of operating economic administrative efficiency. I have now received alternative proposals supported by a large majority of the railway companies which I am considering.