asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is responsible for the total loss of five ricks of hay of the value of £350 at Bythan farm, near Marlborough, which were purchased by the Forage Committee in 1919, which were allowed to rot, and in respect of which he has had to pay compensation to the owner of the land; and the names of the officials or persons who are responsible for this waste of Government property?

The hay referred to was not bought for the War Department, but for the Civil Supplies Department. I am informed that approximately 17 tons were purchased, the total value being £110 18s. 6d., and not £350 as stated in the question. According to the custom of the Civil Supplies Department the hay was allotted to a forage merchant who subsequently cut it, but for some reason did not cart it away. A dispute arose between the farmer and the Civil Supplies Department, and it was referred to the Farm Produce County Committee for Wiltshire in accordance with the arbitration clause of the purchase note. The recommendations of the County Committee have to be approved by the Forage Committee before they can be made binding, and I understand that the matter will come before the latter committee to-morrow for decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to add to the accommodation at Chilwell by acquiring more land; how many ex-service men have been dismissed to make room for service men; and how many persons have been prosecuted for theft from the Chilwell dump during the last two months?

A further 44 acres of land are being acquired at Chilwell for the purpose of erecting quarters for military and civil personnel. No ex-service men have been dismissed to make room for service men at the depot. As regards the last part of the question, 12 men have been prosecuted for theft.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Lieutenant Clendining, 3rd Royal Irish Rifles, who was diagnosed by a medical board on 20th October, 1917, at Allahabad, was removed from that station under escort to Bombay, and there placed in a wired cage with a German spy under an armed guard, and later handed over to Major Dunn, senior medical officer, hospital ship "Takado," as an alleged dangerous lunatic, although he had been allowed to retain a razor and a sporting rifle; and if he is aware that this officer, after personal examination, immediately released him, and that neurasthenia was caused by the treatment he had received?

I have no information as to the alleged treatment of this officer referred to in the first two parts of the question. The Medical Board in India stated that Lieutenant Clendining was suffering from "neurasthenia," and recommended his transfer to England in a hospital ship as an invalid under surveillance. As regards the allegation contained in the last part of the question, Lieutenant Clendining himself completed a Statement as to Disability (Army Form Z.22) in July, 1919, in which he stated that he was suffering from "Neurasthenia started in India, March, 1917, probably caused by climate."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether, when a serving soldier has deserted his wife and an Order is made upon him by a court of summary jurisdiction to pay her 23s. a week and a stoppage of 10s. 6d. a week is made from his pay in pursuance of Section 145 of the Army Act in part discharge of his obligation to pay 23s. a week, it is possible, under paragraph 45 of Army Order 357 of 1920 or otherwise, to make a compulsory allotment to be deducted from the soldier's pay in further dis- charge in whole or in part of such obligation; and, if not, whether he will cause a suitable Amendment to be made in Army Order 357 of 1920 so as to provide for the due enforcement of the wife's rights?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, it is not possible to amend the Order so as to provide for stoppages in excess of the maximum amounts authorised by Section 145 of the Army Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the land on which the camp at Westbere stands is valuable for agricultural purposes, and that unless it is quickly restored to its owner it will be impossible to prepare the land and sow it for a crop next year; what rate of compensation will be paid to the owner if he is prevented from cropping the land in 1921; and in view of the pressure being put on farmers by the Government to cultivate the land to its full capacity in order to increase the Home-grown food supply, whether it is a good example, and in the interests of public economy, to retain this valuable agricultural land in military occupation for the sake of a few sheds to house lorries?

All the sheds and vehicles remaining at Westbere are now surplus to Army requirements and the necessary arrangements are being made for handing them over to the Disposal Board. Rent up to Christmas, 1920, has been paid by the Department. I am informed that in its present state the land has no value for cropping in 1921 and that the estimated compensation in lieu of reinstatement of the land is £200.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the Army Council intimated an award of compensation to W. M. Platt, interpreter, No. 556, G.S.I., I.W.F., R.E., under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1914, in September last, he will order immediate settlement thereof to be made, the case having been before the authorities for considerably more than a year and great delay having taken place in arranging payment?

I understand that Mr. Platt has received payment and medical treatment from the Ministry of Pensions till 24th November last. His case should strictly have been dealt with by the War Office and some adjustment will be necessary. The sum of £10 has just been sent to him on account and any arrears due to him under the Scheme framed under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1914 (Session 2), will be sent to him as soon as the amount of the awards he has received from the Ministry of Pensions has been determined and adjusted. The weekly allowance to be paid to Mr. Platt under the Scheme will depend on his medical condition and a medical board is being ordered for an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that majors of the Royal Army Medical Corps who, before the issue of the Royal Warrant of September, 1919, were drawing the retired pay of 20 years' service, namely, £365 per annum, are now being unequally treated on reassessment, majors who qualified for service on the West Coast of Africa not being granted the increase given to similar officers who had no service in that climate; and if he will take steps to ensure that this inequality shall be redressed and that all majors of the Royal Army Medical Corps who are entitled to the retired pay of 20 years' service shall be restored to the equality to which they were entitled under the old Warrant and be granted the same increase on reassessment?

Officers who served on the West Coast benefit considerably by counting time there as double in calculating their total service for assessment of retired pay as well as in fixing the period when they can retire on retired pay. In so far as the period of service in a particular rank enters into the assessment, however, service on the West Coast is not allowed to count double, and I regret that the rule cannot be modified in the case of the officers in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position as regards the issue of corps pay to Royal Army Service Corps officers referred to in Army Order 324 of 30th September, 1919 and if there is any reason why there should be any change in the issue of corps pay to Royal Army Service Corps officers other than that prevailing before the publication of Army Order 324?

The conditions governing the issue of corps pay to officers of the Royal Army Service Corps are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British troops in Persia are now engaged in fighting; if so, whom are they fighting; and for what purpose?

The only fighting in Persia which has engaged the British Force has been patrol encounters with the Russo-Persian Bolshevists based on Enzeli. As regards the retention of this force in Persia, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 19th October last in answer to a questioin by the hon. Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) and to the more recent statement made in another place on the 16th November by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the attempts that are being made by emissaries of Republican and revolutionary organisations in this country to undermine the spirit of discipline in the Navy and what steps he is taking to put a stop to these attempts?

The Admiralty are quite aware of these attempts, but it would not be in the public interest to give a detailed reply to the second part of the question. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that these advances are deeply resented by the men generally, and that the trust of the Empire in the devotion and loyalty of the Navy was never more fully justified than to-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number employed by the Admiralty in outport establishments; the numbers engaged at the Admiralty itself in July, 1914, and the latest available date, respectively; the wage bill for each class for each period; and the personnel of the Navy in July, 1914, and the latest available date?

The number of persons employed by the Admiralty in outport establishments in July, 1914, was 58,077, the present corresponding number is 77,210: the number engaged at the Admiralty in July, 1914, was 9,072; and on the 1st November, 1920, was 6,198. The bill for salaries and wages for the outport establishments in July, 1914, was at the rate of £5,094,400 per annum; and at present the corresponding expenditure is at the rate of £16,428,148 per annum; the bill for salaries and wages for persons employed at the Admiralty in July, 1914, was at the rate of £514,356 per annum; the corresponding expenditure on the 1st November, 1920, was at the rate of £1,944,336 per annum; the personnel of the Navy in July 1914, numbered 146,047; and on the 15th October, 1920, approximately 123,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boys at Greenwich Hospital School who are the sons of warrant officers, commissioned officers, and lieutenants from warrant rank, both on the active and retired lists, who according to the rules are ineligible for entry; and whether instructions are to be issued that the fathers of these boys should be called upon to withdraw their sons in order to make room for the boys who lost their fathers in the late War whilst serving with the naval or marine forces, and who are now awaiting-vacancies in Greenwich Hospital School?

Under the Regulations the sons of warrant officers are eligible for admission to the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, and there are five such boys in the school. The sons of officers of commissioned rank are not eligible, and applications for their admission are not entertained. It may, of course, happen on rare occasions that a father may be promoted to commissioned rank after the boy's admission to the school.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boys at Greenwich Hospital School on the 1st November, 1920, and the number who are total orphans, fatherless only, and motherless only?

On the 1st November, 1920, the number of boys in the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, was 902. Of this number: 26 were total orphans. 289 were fatherless only. 89 were motherless only.

A batch of boys was discharged to the Navy shortly before 1st November, and the fresh batch who had been ordered for admission had not arrived by that date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that the rules for entry in Greenwich Hospital School will be strictly adhered to so as not to allow of their elastic use?

The regulations for the admission of boys to the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, are already, and will continue to be, strictly adhered to.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boys whose fathers lost their lives in the late War whilst serving in the naval or marine forces that are awaiting vacancies in Greenwich Hospital School?

Twenty-two boys whose fathers lost their lives in the late War are awaiting admission to the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich. Of this number 18 have been selected and will be admitted, if physically and educationally fit under the regulations, when boys can next be taken. The remaining four are boys for whom application has only been received since the last meeting of the Committee of Selection was held. Their cases will be considered at the next meeting.

asked the Minister of Health the number of discharged ex-service men now in the lunatic asylums of the country and the number in Poor Law institutions suffering from temporary loss of memory; and whether he can reconsider the suggestion of using some private institution in some part of the country specially for the care and treatment of these men, and thus relieve them from the stigma of the Poor Law?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Paper) last Wednesday, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet been able to set up in his Department Substitution Committees as recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee to ensure the continued employment of ex-service men in the Civil Service, and to state the constitution of the Committees already set up?

A Substitution Committee was set up and has already investigated the cases of the substitutable staff in all the branches of the War Office with the exception of 7—out of a total of 110. The Committee's recommendations have been submitted to the head of the Department and are being dealt with with all possible despatch. The constitution of the Committee is in accordance with the recommendation contained in paragraph 8 of the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, and is as follows: Mr. W. H. Schlich, Establishment Branch, Chairman. Mr. H. Sutton, Directorate of Movements and Quartering, representing the ex-service men. Miss G. Millichip, Department of the Finance Member of the Army Council, representing the women temporarily employed. Mr. E. P. Kerr, Department of the Finance Member of the Army Council, Secretary.

asked the Minister of Pensions the procedure of paying arrears of pensions; whether in some cases a lump sum is paid and in others a weekly instalment is added to the current pension; how this differentiation is arrived at; and is he aware that the latter course is sometimes detrimental to men in lodgings or out of work?

Formerly arrears of pension were paid by instalments, and in a few cases presenting exceptional features this course is still occasionally followed. As a general rule, however, arrears have for some months past been paid in a lump sum.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the ever-increasing cost of living, he will immediately consider the question of raising the pensions of disabled men, widows, and dependants, and, in order that the increase be adequate, that the Government do forthwith set up a tribunal to deal with this important matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Paddington (Mr. Perring) on the 1st November, in reply to a similar question, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) why, in view of the fact that there is no light limb as yet available from Government sources, the Ministry refuse to avail themselves of the proved use and efficacy of the light Desoutter limb and forbid the issue of the same to those disabled soldiers for whom the Roehampton limb has proved to be quite unsuitable and even dangerous;

(2) whether he is aware that the Roehampton limb supplied to disabled soldiers has in numerous cases proved an impediment rather than a help, in that its weight and form prevents many of those disabled from performing the duties of their employment; that in many cases the limb has broken after a brief use; and will the Longmate-Elmsley new light limb be available for distribution?

I am glad to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the first supply of the light metal limb provided by this Ministry is now available, and is being distributed. It has, so far, fully justified the high opinion of its merits formed by our experts. The supplies at Roehampton embrace over 12 different makes of artificial leg, which have, on the whole, proved successful for different types of amputation, and from the information in my possession they do not in any way merit the description of them given by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the continuance of the Excess Profits Duty after the end of this year?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport on the 25th November, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government is now prepared with a Scheme for reducing or funding the floating debt; and, if so, what is the scheme in question?

The Budget was framed with the intention of providing a sum of £70,000,000 available for reduction of the floating debt in addition to the sum required by Statute to be devoted to the redemption of long term debt and to the sums estimated to be required to cancel the obligations tendered in payment of taxes. The proceeds of the late and present issue of Treasury Bonds, are, of course, wholly devoted to repayment of debt. I have no further proposals to make at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now give an estimate of the surplus which will be available at the end of the financial year for the reduction of the floating debt?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the hardship involved by the refusal to allow a widower without children any allowance in respect of the employment of a housekeeper; and whether he will consider an alteration in the law to remedy this state of affairs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 29th ultimo in reply to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer). I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total loss sustained by investors in British Government obligations issued since 4th August, 1914, represented by the difference between the issue and the present market price?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on the 24th June to the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Kenyon), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether there is any connection between the manufacture of dyes and the manufacture of explosives and poison gas; if so, what is the connection; and whether it has influenced the Government to introduce the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Bill?

I have been asked to answer this question. The policy of His Majesty's Government is based on the importance of the dye-making industry both in peace and in war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the share capital in Messrs. Levinstein and British Dyes, Limited, at the date on which the British Dyes Corporation was formed; on what basis was the share capital in each company exchanged for share capital in the corporation; and what are the prices quoted for the shares of the British Dyes Corporation at the latest available date?

I have been asked to answer this question. The share capital of Levinstein, Limited, at the date in question was £90,000, divided into 3,000 preference shares of £10 each, and 6,000 ordinary shares of £10 each. The share capital of British Dyes, Limited, was £969,574 in shares of £1 each. The preference shares in Levinstein, Limited, were exchanged for preference shares in the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, on a par basis. The ordinary shares in Levinstein, Limited, and British Dyes, Limited, were exchanged for preference and preferred ordinary shares in the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, on the basis of a valuation of tangible assets in excess of liabilities and deferred ordinary shares issued to an agreed amount in respect of goodwill, patents, and other rights. On the 6th December the preference and ordinary shares were quoted at 12s. 6d. each.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the programme of the Keren Hayesod, the provincial conference of which is about to be held at Manchester under the presidency of His Majesty's Chief Commissioner of Works; that among the objects of this organisation are the raising of large sums, to which Germany has contributed seven and a half millions, to promote the Jewish settlement of Palestine and the substantiation of a claim to secure in perpetuity the power of nominating the High Commissioner for Palestine; whether the fact that these proposals are supported by a Member of the Government are an indication of the Cabinet's approval of the purposes aimed at; and whether the Government have decided on any settled policy with regard to the government of Palestine so far as this affects the interests of the predominant Arab population?

I understand that the object of the Keren Hayesod is to obtain funds from Jews throughout the world with a view to assist in the economic development of Palestine in connection with the establishment of a national home for the Jews in that country. This object is in accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government as set forth in the declaration of 2nd November, 1917. I am informed that no such claim as that referred to in the second part of the question forms part of the programme of the organisation. With regard to the fourth part of the question, the interests of all sections of the population of Palestine are safeguarded by the terms of the above-mentioned declaration, and by the policy of His Majesty's Government which it embodies, and it seems obvious that the introduction of capital for development must be to the advantage of all the inhabitants of the country. The conference at Manchester is not held under the auspices of the Government, but is being attended by my right hon. Friend, who is naturally interested in the success of the Association.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the policy of the Entente with regard to the new situation created in Greece by the pro-Constantine movement?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply returned by the Prime Minister yesterday to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the original demands of the Allies in respect of the insult to British and French officers at Cuxhaven have yet been met by the German Government; and, if not, whether these demands will be pressed until complied with?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the. negative. Pending the completion of the inquiry which the German Government has ordered into this incident, I can make no further statement.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider the possibility of issuing instructions that all packages of foodstuffs shall be branded or otherwise-marked with the date when put in store, and insist upon a register of entries and withdrawals of such food being kept by the Food Control Departments?

Regular returns of foodstuffs in cold stores and other warehouses are received by the Ministry of Food, and stocks of perishable foodstuffs held by the Ministry are periodically examined to ensure that they are not allowed to deteriorate. It is not proposed to add to the present arrangements any compulsory scheme for the marking of packages of foodstuffs with the date of entry into store.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of the wheat crop at present growing in Australia which has been purchased by the Imperial Government, and the f.o.b. price paid for same?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 1st instant to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that many stone quarries in Scotland are closed at present, thus aggravating the difficulty of securing rock of a quality well suited for the building of urgently needed dwellings; whether he will consider the advisability of empowering local authorities to equip and work closed quarries which they consider would produce stone in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices, thus liberating the present supply of bricks for districts in which no stone is available?

I am aware that a number of stone quarries in Scotland are closed at present. At the same time some quarries which have been closed down have been re-opened. If any pro- posals of the nature mentioned by my hon. Friend are submitted to the Scottish Board of Health they will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an unoccupied hutment camp at Hazeley Down, near Twyford, is being dismantled although it has the water laid on, a perfect drainage system, expensive new roads, and many garden plots laid out, and would therefore provide housing accommodation at a cost very much below that required to build cottages which are proposed;. whether, in the interests of housing or of public economy, this demolition will not be proceeded with while labourers in the neighbourhood are anxious to occupy these huts, which could be converted into bungalows at a cost not exceeding £150; and whether he is aware that this demolition has been authorised for the purpose of finding employment for certain unemployed men?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member on this matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is in contemplation to issue a statement showing the total cost of operating the Scottish Local Veto Act at the recent pollings; and whether this obligation falls upon imperial or local taxation?

It is in contemplation to issue a statement showing the results of polls, and, if there is any general desire that the statement should include information as to the cost falling upon local authorities, I should be prepared to give favourable consideration to the suggestion. As I have indicated, the cost of operating the Act falls upon local rates.

asked the Minister of Transport what action, if any, he proposes to take to remove the anomalies in the present railway fares between Brentford and Charing Cross as compared with those between Boston Manor, Chiswick Park, and Charing Cross?

Brentford station is situated on the London and South Western Company's system, and I am not aware that there are any through fares in operation by railway from that station to Charing Cross. The fare from Brentford to Waterloo is 7½d The present fare from Boston Manor or Chiswick Park to Charing Cross on the District Railway is 7d.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the neglect on the part of many local authorities, notably on the part of the Keighley District Council, to perform their duties with regard to fire escapes; and, in view of the danger to life involved, what steps the Home Office has taken to act under Sections 4 and 5 of the Factory and Work shops Act?.

This matter is the subject of constant attention on the part of the Factory Inspectors concerned. As regards Keighley, I am informed that the District Inspector has been successfully pressing the Borough Council to carry out the provisions of the Act, and that joint inspection of works where the existing arrangements are unsatisfactory are now being made by the Inspector and the Council's Engineer, and instructions are being issued in every case. In one instance the Council is taking proceedings against an occupier for failure to comply with its requirements. In view of the attitude of the local authority, no question, I am glad to say, any longer arises as to the Home Office taking action in default.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the disastrous fire which occurred recently in Newcastle-on-Tyne owing to the storage of cinematograph films in unsuitable premises, and in which a great number of lives were lost, he will exercise his powers under Article 35 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations and issue an Order on similar lines to those at present in force in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, and other places, so as to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of a similar lamentable and preventive tragedy?

I do not think this is a matter which should be dealt with under the special powers given by the Defence of the Realm Regulations, but my right hon. Friend is considering the question of introducing general legislation to deal with it at an early opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he, personally, or any official of the Home Office to his knowledge has received a memorandum purporting to comprise five several resolutions passed by the Metropolitan police magistrates at a meeting held at Bow Street on 23rd July last on the subject of the Juvenile Courts (Metropolis) Bill; from whom was this received; and, if so, does he still say that the Metropolitan police magistrates are in favour of the Bill as it was then framed, having then left another place?

I received the memorandum referred to in the question. I gave it in full in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Nottingham East (Sir J. D. Rees), and it will be found in the OFFICIAL REPOET. of the 29th November, column 962. The memorandum was sent to me by the Chief Magistrate on the 24th July before the Bill had been amended in another place. I have never said that the magistrates -were in favour of the Bill as then framed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is considering action calculated to bring to an end the quarry men's strike at Penmon, Anglesey, where the men have been out for about four months owing to the refusal of their employers to advance wages to the rate obtaining for similar work in the same quarry where another company is employed?

The Ministry has been in touch with the parties since the dispute arose last August. One of the two firms originally concerned consented in October to refer the difference to arbitration, and the parties on appearance before the Industrial Court arrived at an agreement which was approved by the Court. I understand that the other firm offered the men an advance of wages which they would not accept, and work was stopped. The firm state that the financial position of the quarry makes it impossible for them to concede any further advance of wages, and that the question of arbitration, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Chairman of the Publication and Debates Reports Committee whether he is aware that the staff of typists employed in the Official Reporters' room are selected for their special capacity for the work and are precluded from taking any outside work whatever, but are nevertheless paid at rates which are considerably less than the total paid to a new typist entrant into the Civil Service at the age of 21, despite the fact that when the House is not sitting they are detailed for work in the Foreign Office; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

I am informed by the Editor of the OFFICIAL REPORT that the salaries of the typists are as follow:—

Superintendent, total (with honorarium), £2 15s. per week. Four clerks (each) (with honorarium), £2 12s. 6d. per week. They are entitled to two weeks' holiday a year, and, in addition, are allowed half the recess at Easter and Whitsuntide. They work a maximum of 28 hours per week. Civil Service typists work 42 to 44 hours per week, and their salaries, including War bonus, vary from £2 16s. Id. to a maximum of £4 10s. lid. per week. The rate per hour is, therefore, nearly the same. The matter will be brought before the Publications and Debates Reports Committee.