asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland under what Vote money for the "Weekly Summary" was provided?

The cost will fall on the Stationery Office Vote. As I have stated, the responsibility rests with the Irish Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the claims of retired workhouse teachers in Ireland for increases of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Act; whether the number of retired teachers under this class is very small, and that a very small sum would consequently be required to meet all claims; and whether he will arrange for the payment of the increases before Christmas?

The question of the application of the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, to pensioners who are in receipt of allowances granted under the Union Officers (Ireland) Superannuation Act, 1865, and other Acts, dealing with the superannuation of local officials, is at present under the consideration of the Treasury and the Irish Departments concerned, and no time will be lost dealing with the revision of workhouse teachers, amongst others.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Prison Officers' Representative Council is an officially recognised association; if so, why the claims put forward by that Council on behalf of the prisons service are allowed to remain for months without being replied to; will he see in future that such claims as are reasonable when submitted by the Council will be met with prompt consideration and early decisions given; and whether he is aware that Irish prisons officers generally are shaken in their opinion of the authorities in consequence of delays and broken promises in redressing their grievances?

The Irish Prison Officers' Representative Council is an officially recognised body, and its representations are always carefully and sympathetically considered. The complaint now made is apparently in regard to the promulgation of the terms of assimilation of the Irish to the English prison service a matter requiring full investigation from the point of view of finance and administration. I am happy to say, however, that the terms have now been settled with the Treasury and promulgated to the prison officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present cost of maintaining the Army in Ireland; and what is the cost of keeping in that country the auxiliary and the various other armed forces of the Crown?

The estimated monthly rate of expenditure on the troops in Ireland is now approximately £1,200,000, and on the Royal Air Force £37,000. As explained on the 26th October in answrer to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn), practically all the military forces in Ireland are part of the regular standing Army of the United Kingdom, and the cost of keeping them in Ireland is in most respects no greater than that of keeping them elsewhere. For expenditure on the Royal Irish Constabulary I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that men recruited to work on the railways in Mesopotamia were promised 300 rupees per month; that at the commencement they were advanced a month's pay which came to £.39 7s. 6d.; that 300 rupees now only equals £23 12s.; that the men have asked the Civil Commissioner to stabilise the 300 rupees at £30, under which arrangement the men would lose £9 7s. 6d., and the Government £5 8s.; and whether, in view of the present hardship imposed upon the men who have to maintain their families at Home, he will represent to the Civil Commissioner the advisability of acceding to the men's request?

Men have been recruited for the Mesopotamia railways at varying rates of pay, and have received advances of one or two months' pay according to their requirements. The minimum rate was originally 200 rupees a month, but this was subsequently raised to 275 rupees. The fall in exchange has of course reduced the sterling equivalent of pay expressed in rupees. I am not aware that the men have made any representation to the High Commissioner on the subject,but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will call for a Report on the progress made in the military evacuation of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda Hill?

I will ask the Govern ment of India how the matter stands.

asked the Secretary of State for India, whether there is any likelihood of the Burma reforms being settled before Parliament rises for Christmas?

I hope to make a statement on this subject before Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the statement of policy recently issued by the Government of India can, and will, be made available for information of Members of the House?

I will have the Resolution of the Government of India referred to placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received the Report of the Government in India regarding the control of the rice crop in Burma during the coming year; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of a communique issued by the Government of India from which it will be seen that the present system of control will cease at the end of the year. From the 1st January the export trade will be left to private enterprise subject to a limitation of the quantity exported by means of licences.

The following is the communique referred to: — It has already been announced that all control will be removed over the export trade in rice from Burma to India from the 1st January, 1921, but that no re-exports of Burma rice from India will be allowed. In view of the recent heavy fall in the world price of rice, it lias been decided to now modify considerably the system of control over exports of Burma rice to foreign countries during next year. Traders will be allowed as from the 1st January, 1921, to make their own arrangements for sale and export to any foreign destination subject only to the condition that such exports will be permitted only under licence granted by the Rice Commissioner within the limits of the total quantity sanctioned for export. Applicants for licences will be required to submit particulars of all transactions to the Rice Commissioner. Should the price in Burma rise above the equivalent of the present control maximum rate of Rs. 180 per hundred baskets of paddy, the Government of India reserve to themselves full power to re-impose a system of strict control similar to that in force in the present year. It is estimated at present that the total surplus rice available for export from Burma next year will amount approximately to 2,100,000 tons of white rice. The average amount of Burma rice taken by India previous to the introduction of control was some 850,000 tons, and taking into account these figures the Government of India consider that it will be sufficient at present to estimate the exports of rice to India at a maximum of 1,100,000 tons. The balance of 1,000,000 tons will therefore be allotted for export to foreign countries, but this amount may be increased later if circumstances permit. The existing prohibition on the exports of rice from India proper to foreign countries will be retained. These measures will, the Government of India believe, suffice to conserve adequate supplies for the consumer both in India and in Burma while ensuring that these supplies shall be available at reasonably cheap prices.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the fact that the food ministry of the Department have already secured sufficient surplus butter supplies for all winter requirements in Ireland, the embargo on the export of butter from Ireland will be immediately removed, as its continuance under the circumstances is unreasonable and is causing much loss to both producers and traders?

I am informed by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland that the normal production of butter in Ireland during the next three months is wholly inadequate for the needs of the Irish people. On the 13th instant the Department will commence gradually to liberate butter specially put in cold store during autumn to meet the needs of the winter period of scarcity. If control were now removed much of this butter would be exported. Control could not be removed earlier than the 31st March next.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the statement made by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture in Toronto that the embargo on Canadian cattle was a gross injustice to Canada; that 3,000,000 Canadian cattle had been slaughtered in Great Britain without a sign of disease; and that if the embargo was only maintained as a measure of protection the fact should be admitted; and can he take steps to remove this embargo?

My attention has been called to a report in "The Times" of Monday last of the statement referred to, but, for the reasons which I gave in my reply to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock) on the 25th October last, my Noble Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is unable to see his way to approve the suggestion that steps should be taken to remove the existing embargo on the importation of Canadian store cattle. The Minister of Agriculture made it clear in the statement which he made in another place on the 12th November last year that no slur is implied on the health of Canadian cattle, and that the embargo could not be justified on the ground that such cattle would, if imported, be likely to infect the herds in this country. As I pointed out in my reply to the hon. Member for Montrose Burghs, there is no embargo on the importation of Canadian cattle for slaughter at the port of landing.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the loss retailers have been subjected to because of insufficient warning when revising prices; and if he will give a longer intimation to retailers in future so as to protect them from unnecessary losses in realisation of stocks, as was experienced on stocks of flour and sugar just recently?

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that retail traders, who are often obliged to hold considerable stocks, have been put to inconvenience and loss by fluctuations in price caused by reductions in controlled prices, or the removal of control, without adequate notice to the public; whether he will arrange that when conditions permit of decontrol, or reduction of control prices, the policy to be adopted shall be discussed with the trade concerned, and if possible an agreement arrived at, before any public announcement of the proposed change is made; and whether in future, when any such change is contemplated, he will give as long notice as possible to the trade concerned?

The Ministry of Food is anxious to avoid any hardship to the retail trades to whom in the past the Ministry looked not unsuccessfully for assistance in administering various measures of control. With violent fluctuations in world prices it is impossible to adopt the suggestions of the hon. Members, but where a large reduc- tion in the retail price might cause hardship to the retailer, as in the recent reduction of wholesale flour prices, the Ministry of Food has called the attention of the public to this fact and the allowance of time for the realisation of retail stocks has received its approval. The case of sugar is peculiar owing to the remarkable rise in prices from the pre-War price of 2½d. to 1s. 2d. per 1b. during which retailers were allowed to profit upon stocks held at the dates of the various increases. It is only fair that they should now be prepared to face the risks of a falling market.

asked the Minister of Food what is the reason for restricting the number of wholesale potato dealers in any area; and whether he will revoke the order and allow free dealings, as many of the retailers consider potato prices will thereby be reduced?

Although wholesale dealers in potatoes have to be registered in accordance with the terms of the Potatoes. Order, 1919, no restrictions are placed on the number of wholesale potato dealers in any area. The question of revoking the Order is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Food whether, with reference to the sale of New Zealand new season's lambs to speculators and at a profit to the British Government, he will explain how the rate of exchange between this country and New Zealand makes it necessary for the Government to charge 13d. per 1b. for a much worse class of cut lambs whilst the best class of whole lambs can be sold wholesale in America at 9d. per 1b. and even less; and whether he will secure for the British consumers as good treatment as the Americans?

The price of New Zealand lamb in this country is fixed by the Food Controller at the lowest level to the consumer consistent with the avoidance of loss to the taxpayer. As all transactions relating to this meat are on a sterling basis, no question of any rate of exchange is involved. As has been already stated, the price at which New Zealand mutton and lamb can be sold in America obviously depends upon the relative value of the pound sterling and the dollar at the time of the purchase by American buyers. Any comparison of the wholesale prices in the United States and in this country which does not take account of this is wholly irrelevant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he is aware of the discontent engendered owing to the compensation being fixed at one year's rent when allotment holders are dispossessed of their allotments; and will he give a more reasonable compensation?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as to the provisions in the Bill relating to compensation for disturbance in the case of an allotment garden. This is not fixed at one year's rent, and may in certain cases amount to considerably more. I am not aware that the proposals in the Bill have caused any wide-spread discontent among allotment holders.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the scales of retired pay granted to officers of the Royal Artillery who were promoted from the ranks and given permanent commissions during the War, with a view to adjusting the present scale and giving an increase?

No, Sir; I am not prepared to alter the scale of retired pay for Royal Artillery officers granted commissions from the ranks during the War, which is based on combined service, in the ranks and commissioned, and is the same scale as for the Infantry and other branches of the Army in like cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of officers and men of the Imperial forces originally reported missing have since the Armistice been traced, as the result of exhumation and other searches, by the Imperial War Graves Commission?

In a very large number of cases of officers and men originally reported missing, evidence of death has been obtained as a result of the work of the Directorate of Graves Begis-tration and Enquiries. The figures asked for are not readily available, but are being prepared, and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member later.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the work of photographing graves of deceased soldiers, etc., in France and Flanders by the Imperial War Graves Commission is likely to be completed; and, seeing that many relatives are still awaiting these photographs, whether the work will be expedited?

Approximately 10,000 requests for photographs of graves remain to be completed. During the last few months the output averaged over 1,000 per week. Owing to short days and weather conditions, progress is now retarded, butj't is expected that the work will be completed by the end of April, 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give up to date the figures of the total number of killed and missing, respectively, in the British and Imperial Forces?

The casualties in the British Forces up to date are 582,497 killed in action, died from wounds and other causes; 101,333 missing, now presumed dead upon lapse of time; making a total of 683,830 dead. There are also 143 missing in recent fighting in Mesopotamia, whose deaths have not yet been presumed.

The approximate figures for the Dominion and Colonial contingents are 128,806 killed in action, etc., and 10,991 missing, presumed dead, making an approximate total of 139,797 dead.

The figures for Indian and native African troops (including Indian followers) are 61,398 killed in action, etc., and 2,560 missing (including prisoners), and there are, in addition, 44,787 African followers killed, died, etc., and 764 missing.

The figures I have given are brought up to date in accordance with the hon. and gallant Member's wish, and therefore include the fighting in Afghanistan and the North West Frontier, as well as in Mesopotamia. They do not, however, include casualties in Ireland.

In addition, the figures for the Boyal Air Force from 1st April, 1918, to the present date are 4,800 killed, etc., and 885 missing, presumed dead.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that one of his officers, Mr. Gates, attached to the Contracts Department of the Air Ministry, is negotiating to buy English ash trees unsawn at 7s. 6d. per cubic foot; for what purpose are these required; and whether he is aware that the Timber Supply Department of the Board of Trade has recently sold all the surplus aircraft ash at 5s. 6d. per cubic foot, sawn into planks?

No negotiations are in progress for the purchase suggested in the question. Arrangements are, however, being made for the transfer of a quantity of selected ash planks from the Controller of Timber Supplies to the Air Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there was recently considerable delay in appointing a British Consul at St. Vincent, Cape Vorde Island; whether, almost directly a Consul was appointed, he accepted a similar post at Galveston, United States of America, and since then there has been no British Consul at St. Vincent; whether intimation has been made to the Foreign Office that British interests are suffering as a consequence: and will a British Consul be appointed without further delay?

The delay which has occurred in appointing a salaried British consular officer to St. Vincent since sanction was given for the creation of a salaried post there has been solely due to the difficulty of finding a suitable incumbent for the post, and not to any failure to recognise the importance of filling it at as early a date as possible. In the meantime British interests have been in the hands of a competent unsalaried officer. An officer of the salaried service has now been selected, and will proceed to St. Vincent on the termination of his leave about the middle of next month.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the temporary clerks who are ex-service men, who were prevented by sickness from sitting for the November examination for entrance into the Civil Service, will be given another chance of competing, in view of the fact that the sickness, for which they hold medical certificates, is often the result of wounds and injuries sustained in the War?

I am informed that the Civil Service Commissioners are carefully considering whether, with fairness to all candidates, it would be possible to hold a further examination for those persons who were prevented by sickness from competing at the November examination. I will in due course communicate to the hon. and gallant Member the decision arrived at.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the temporary clerks who are ex-service men have been informed by the Civil Service Commission that if they are 50 years of age or over they cannot receive certificates of permanency, although they have passed the entrance examination into the Civil Service and were given to understand that they would be eligible for the Civil Service?

A circular letter was addressed by the Civil Service Commissioners to entrants for the examination for the clerical class (men) warning candidates who were over 50 that it might not be possible, in the event of their becoming successful, to issue certificates of qualification for their appointment to established situations. This is in accordance with the general Civil Service rule, which arises out of the fact that under the Superannuation Acts 10 years' service is the minimum period qualifying for pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many acres of land have been purchased for ex-aervice men in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively?

The area of land in England and Wales acquired by county councils and councils of county boroughs and by the Ministry since the 1st January, 1919, for the settlement of ex-service men amounts in England to 233,261 acres, of which 200,800 acres have been acquired by purchase, and in Wales to 32,232 acres, of which 29,231 acres have been purchased. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Scottish and Irish Departments for particulars of those countries.

asked the President of the Board of Education why the orphaned daughter of a Regular soldier, who is living in rooms, has no means of her own and would be unable to retain her rooms on 12s. unemployment benefit, and who is sitting for the forthcoming special establishment examination, has been dismissed in order that she may be replaced by a non-disabled ex-service man; and whether the Board intends to replace such women by single non-disabled ex-service men who have not had previous clerical or professional experience, but have had experience in a manipulative trade?

The temporary woman clerk in question was discharged under the provisions of the Lytton Report on the appointment of ex-service men to posts in the Civil Service. All the material circumstances of her case, together with those of others were carefully considered by a Substitution Committee set up in this Department, which included a representative of temporary women clerks, and the Board have acted on the Committee's recommendations. As regards the last part of the question, the ex-service men who are posted to the Department under the Lytton Eeport are appointed on the recommendation of the Joint Substitution Board, which body, I am informed, satisfies itself in all cases that the individuals submitted are qualified to perform the clerical duties required of them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether ex-service men who entered employment immediately on demobilisation and did not draw any out-of-work donation are entitled to draw such donation if they are thrown out of work during the first 12 months following their demobilisation: and, if so, for how many weeks are they so entitled?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, provided the men were not discharged after 31st July last, or, if discharged after that date, were serving on "duration of the War" engagements immediately before discharge. In all such cases the maximum number of weeks of donation which may be drawn on the original policies within 12 months of discharge is 39 in the case of non-disabled men, and 46 in the case of disabled men. Men discharged after 31st July who were not serving on duration of War engagements were entitled to donation up to 20th November. From that date they are entitled to Unemployment Benefit under Section 41 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920.

asked the Prime Minister -whether he will consider the advisability of assisting in some way those ex-service men whose normal occupation was that of fishermen and who are now on a co-operative basis endeavouring to reestablish themselves in such an important industry?

I have been asked to reply. The Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department was created for the purpose, among other things, of assisting discharged and demobilised officers and men to re-settle in their previous business or occupation in civil life. A number of ex-service men whose pre-enlistment occupation was that of fishermen have been and are still being assisted under this Scheme to re-settle on their own account after demobilisation, and applications from such fishermen who, instead of resuming on their own account, desire to carry on business on a co-operative basis will, provided they are eligible for a grant under the Scheme, be considered and dealt with on their individual merits, co-operation in itself being no bar to a grant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the. War Office whether soldiers who enlisted previous to the War and were since disabled are entitled to assistance from the Civil Liabilities Department?

I have been asked to reply. Regular soldiers serving at the outbreak of the War are not included in the benefits of the Civil Liabilities Resettlement Scheme. This scheme, as ite name suggests, was designed to deal with the hardships inflicted on civilians whose careers were seriously affected by military service. The reason which led the Government to distinguish between ex-regulars and the men who interrupted their civilian occupations to join the Colours, was, broadly, that in the case of the first class of men the War did not affect or break into their normal career. While profoundly sympathising with the case of the disabled ex-Regular, I must point out the broad difference of principle which separates these cases from the others.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Private John Clarence Rickard, No. 55959, Royal Fusiliers, now of Tyring-ham, Newport Pagnell, Bucks; whether he is aware that this man -svas terribly wounded in the jaw and has now set up a hand laundry at Tyringham; that from the 29th October, when application on Resettlement Form C for a grant was sent to the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department, Reading, delay after delay has occurred, and letter after letter has been received asking for further particulars; and whether he will cause a settlement to be arrived at in this case, as any further delay will make it impossible for Mr. Rickard to carry on his laundry?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that an application on behalf of Private John Clarence Rickajrd was received by the Military Service (Oivil Liabilities) Department at Reading on the 30th October, and after the necessary local inquiries had been made and a letter from the Bucks Local Committee received on the 27th November giving the particulars required, a decision was given on the 29th November by the Commissioner to the effect that no grant could be made owing to their being no serious financial hardship due to his military service. This applicant had already received the sum of £50 in May, 1919, from the King's Fund, to enable him to start his laundry business.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Private Henry Goulding, No. 60451, late Royal Engineers, now residing at 92, Lime Street, Wigan, was examined by the medical board at Bolton, Lancashire, nine months ago but has not yet received any pension; that this man has a wife and two young children; and will he expedite the allocation of his pension, seeing that he is now dependent upon Poor Law relief?

Private Goulding has now been informed that the disability in respect of which he claimed pension cannot be regarded as due to service, and that, consequently, no award of pension can be made to him. Should he desire to appeal against, this decision, his local committee will assist and advise him in preparing his case for hearing by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that ex-Corporal H. Montgomery, No. 511198, 2/14th London Regiment, London Scottish, was examined by a medical board at Watford on 24th June last, and was subsequently awarded a pension of 10s. 8d. to date from 15th July, 1920; that the pension has been four times incorrectly issued, the last form authorising the payment of nine weeks' and six days' pension at the rate of 6s., instead of 18 weeks and six days at 10s. 8d. per week; and, seeing that notwithstanding repeated applications ex-Corporal Montgomery has so far been unable to draw any of the money due to him under the award of 15th July last, will he have inquiries made into this case?

I very much regret the delay which has occurred in this case. The matter has now been set right and authority for payment of all arrears due authorised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Private H. C. Grant, No. 9,528, Royal Army Service Corps (Chelsea Ref. No. 11/M/72,712), who, on the 6th July, 1917, was again awarded total disablement pension and whose wife was then also awarded constant attendance allowance whether in spite of repeated claims no constant attendance allowance was paid until the 13th August, 1919, and even then was not made retrospective, in spite of the fact that during this period more than one medical board granted him the constant attendance allowance for his wife; why such treatment has been meted out to Mr. Grant; and will he cause the constant attendance allowance to be paid retrospectively without delay?

I have not yet been able to complete my inquiries into this case, but I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will furnish the following information: how many pre-War pensioners who were in the Navy, Marines, and Admiralty establishments, respectively, have died since the 1st April last; the number who are entitled to the increased pensions and who have received them; the number not entitled to increase of pension owing to the income limit as fixed by the Government; and the total cost of the increased pension granted for the current year?

The number of pre-War pensioners belonging to the Navy, Marines, and Admiralty establishments who have died since the 1st April last are:— Navy 472 Marines 124 Admiralty establishments 116

The numbers entitled to increases under the recent scheme, so far as can be estimated from claims received at present, are: Navy and Marines 11,893 Admiralty establishments 5,260 17,153

Payment has been made in 12,000 of these cases, while awards have been made and payment is about to be authorised in 1,000 others. The remaining 4,000 cases under investigation are mainly those of old-age pensioners or persons otherwise in receipt of more than one pension. The numbers precluded from an increase owing to the income limit fixed by the Government cannot readily be calculated. The total cost for the current financial year of the increased pensions already awarded is approximately £256,225.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of a workmen's housing scheme, initiated by Messrs. H. Newsom & Company, of Lincoln, nine houses of 40 intended under the scheme were in process of completion in August last, eight months after the passing of the Additional Powers Act in 1910, granting subsidies to builders of approved houses; whether such subsidies have been refused on these nine houses: whether subsidies will be granted on the remaining 31 houses under the scheme not yet begun; whether, with a view to encouraging such enterprise and initiative as that of Messrs. H. Newsom & Company, he will endeavour to interpret the Act with equitable elasticity; and whether he will consent to discuss the question personally with a representative of Messrs. H. Newsom & Company in order to forward the completion of the remaining 31 houses so urgently needed, but now delayed owing to a ruling adverse to them by the Ministry?

I am informed that two of the nine houses referred to were begun in August, 1919, and they are, therefore, ineligible for subsidy under the terms of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, which definitely excludes houses the construction of which was commenced before the date of the passing of the Act, that is, the 23rd December, 1919. I am awaiting precise information as to the date when the other seven were begun. The 31 houses not yet commenced will certainly be eligible for grants if they comply with the conditions laid down. I do not think there is'any need for me to meet a representative of Messrs. Newsom in the matter, as the position under the Act is quite clear.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the discontinuance of sanatorium benefit from the scope of the National Insurance Acts at the end of the current calendar year, he is prepared to provide for the compulsory transfer to the new authority of the members of the staffs of insurance committees engaged on sanatorium work, or to provide adequate compensation for all officers displaced by reason of administrative changes, on the same lines as for other public servants whose duties are abolished by Statute?

The discontinuance of sanatorium benefit is being postponed until the 30th April. I am not at present satisfied that there is any case for action on the lines suggested in the question, but I will examine carefully any representations which may be made on the subject in the light of all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the continued refusal of the Lynn board of guardians to apply to their indoor staff Award No. 102; and whether he will bring further pressure to bear upon the guardians with regard to the matter?

The guardians have refused to adopt the suggestion which I have pressed upon them that the difference between them and their officers should be referred to arbitration and there is no further action which I can usefully take in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Marlborough guardians have recently discharged the porter and portress after 12 and 14 years' service, respectively, with compensation amounting to £25 each, and that the porter served in the Army during the War and is suffering from a severe wound received whilst on service; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My attention has been called to this case, but I have no power to compel the guardians to increase the amount of the gratuity which they have awarded.

asked the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade what is the amount of credits granted under the export credits scheme since the date of the amendment of the scheme which allows 100 per cent. of the value of the goods to be advanced to the exporter?

Since 25th October, when the Amendment to the Export Credits Scheme was announced in the House of Commons, the credits approved under the Overseas Trade (Credit and Insurance) Act have amounted to £725,075, and a further £200,000 have been provisionally sanctioned. The amount of advances actually paid during this period is £42,271.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the opinion generally held in business circles to the effect that the recommendation of the Merchandise Marks Committee that the compulsory marking of the origin of imported goods should be dealt with by Order of the Board of Trade, after an official inquiry, should not be accepted, but that the Merchandise Marks Act should be so amended as to make it compulsory for all goods entering the United Kingdom to be marked with the country of origin; that compliance with the Act should not be considered as having been made when the boxes, cartons, or packages in which goods are contained are alone so marked, as when the articles are removed from such containers and offered for sale no indication appears on the goods themselves that they have been imported; and whether His Majesty's Government will, without further delay, pass legislation on the lines indicated in order that the public may know whether they are purchasing goods manufactured in British, Allied, neutral, or ex-enemy countries?

The opinion referred to in the first part of the question is one which is no doubt held by some business men, but in view of the unanimity of the Merchandise Marks Committee I propose to follow their recommendations in the Bill which I hope to introduce early next Session. Any proposals for departing from their recommendations can most conveniently be considered when the Bill gets into Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what authority or powers have been delegated by His Majesty's Government to the Imperial Mineral Research Bureau; whether the bureau has been instructed to investigate and report on the question of grants or concessions of bauxite-bearing properties in British Guiana; whether it has yet presented such a Beport; and, if not, when the Report may be expected?

The powers and functions of the Bureau are set out in the Charter of Incorporation which is published as an appendix to the Progress Beport issued by the Bureau in September, 1919, and printed by the Stationery Office. The professional adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on mineral questions has from time to time been asked to advise on points arising in connection with the bauxite industry in British Guiana, and I understand that he has consulted his colleagues on the Bureau. The Bureau has not been asked to examine into such questions on behalf of the Colonial Office, and the further points included in my hon. Friend's question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a list of the personnel of any committee or committees of the Imperial Mineral Research Bureau dealing with bauxite, showing the occupations of the members of the bureau and the firms or companies, if any, with which they are associated?

The constitution of the only committees of the Bureau to which questions relating to bauxite are referred is, according to the latest report of the Bureau, as follows:— Mr. J. W. Evans, D. Sc, LL.B., F.R.S.,F. G.S., Professional Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on minerals. Mr. B. Seligman, Ph.Nat.D., Society of Chemical Industry. Mr. Murray Morrison, Institute of Metals. Mr. A. A. Robertson, Australian Alum Company. Mr. Henry J. Jack, Aluminium Corporation, Limited. Mr. F. W. Gower, Birmingham Aluminium Castings Company, Limited. Mr. William Mills, William Mills, Limited. Mr. A. T. Smith, Castner Kellner Alkali Company, Limited. Mr. Kenneth Chance, M.A., F.I.C., British Cyanides Company, Limited. Mr. H. Spence, Peter Spence and Sons, Limited. Mr. A. Holmes, D.Sc, D.I.C., A.B.C.S., Imperial College of Science and Technology. Mr. F. S. Newall, Washington Chemical Company. Mr. Emile Cohn, Vickers, Limited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the system of adoption in Hong Kong, girls, who in return for a money payment are transferred by their parents to another household for purposes of domestic service, receive wages for such service; and, if not, what safeguards exist against their being regarded and treated as the slaves of their employers?

No, Sir; wages are not paid, the children being regarded as adopted daughters of the house. Their status is well understood, and in cases of ill-treatment they are removed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many bales of merino combing greasy wool have been withdrawn at the last London wool auctions at prices that show a profit on the cost of the wool to the Government?

The number of bales is 2,070 out of a total of 31,300 offered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will take steps to see that the figures in connection with tenders for dumps and other goods sold by the Disposals Board are published after tenders have been accepted?

I regret that it would be contrary to the public interest to give these figures.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions who the successful tenderers were or the No. 1 E. S. D., Abancourt, for which tenders were called in Paris, and also the D. O. R. E. yard, Audruicq; whether one or other or both were sold for a lump sum; and, if so, the prices realised?

Negotiations for the sale of these stores are proceeding, but have not yet been completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Department compensates widows of men killed in their service on the same scale as in other Civil Departments, such as those under the Admiralty or War Office; if so, whether his attention has been drawn to the specific case of Mrs. Nina Cross, whose husband was an ex-officer; whether he is aware that he was killed while escorting a convoy of petrol to Slough under the Ministry of Munitions, and that the widow, under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, has only been awarded a pension of £16 6s. 8d., or? per cent. of his pay, with a single payment of £12 for his child; and whether the pension can be increased?

The deceased transport foreman is not considered to be a workman within the meaning of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. The case has therefore been dealt with under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, which applies equally to civilians injured in the employment of any Government Department; and the award that has been made is not less favourable to the dependants than an award under the Workmen's Compensation Act. I am making inquiries into the basis on which the award has been calculated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether a claim has been made for compensation in respect of the Government explosives store at Dinas Mawddwy; whether it has been adjudicated upon; and what award, if any, has been made?

This case was heard by the War Compensation Court on the 10th November, but the award has not yet been given.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of his officials taken over from other Departments, stating which Department and the number; and will he give the number of officials now under his authority?

242 officers have been transferred to the Ministry of Transport from other Government Departments, and many of these officers are engaged upon duties transferred from the Ministry of Health and other Government Departments. Of this number the following were transferred, with their duties: 32 from the Board of Trade. 5 with the Light Railway Commission. 25 with the Road Board. 24 with the Joint Roads Committee of the War Office. 86

The numbers of the officers now employéd by the Ministry are:— Headquarters. Administrative and Clerical 446 Typists 143 Messengers and Cleaners 125 Local. Irish Branch, Dublin 41 Area Transport Commissioners and Staff 20 Roads Department Local Staffs 14 75

These figures do not include the staff of the Caledonian and Crinan Canals or of the harbours under the control of the Ministry.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total number of officials and employés in his Department, giving in addition the number taken over from other Government Departments and stating which Department and the number?

The total number of officials and employés in the Mines Department is 496, including the temporary staff. The Mines Department has up to the present taken over the duties formerly carried out by (1) the Coal Mines Department; (2) the Mines Division of the Home Office; (3) the Section of the Statistical Department of the Board of Trade dealing with coal mining statistics; and (4) the Mineral Resources Development Branch of the Board of Trade. The staff employéd in these Departments and Sections at the dates of transfer of duties was as follows: Coal Mines Department 441 Home Office 120 Section of Statistical Department, Board of Trade 10 Mineral Eesources Development Branch 5 Total 576

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the House any information regarding the direct and indirect financial loss to the country arising out of the coal strike; and what part, if any, of the loss will fall on the taxpayer?

The quantity of coal which would have been got if there had been no strike may be estimated at 13 million to 14 million tons, and its total value at not less than 26½ millions. It is quite impossible to attempt to form an estimate of the indirect loss.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the widespread disappointment over the delay of the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the compensation laws, and that, due to the inadequacy of payment under existing compensation laws, the Departmental Committee which was appointed in May, 1919, agree that substantial increase in compensation is necessary, recommending a maximum for incapacitated persons of £3 per week instead of the present 35s., and to widows and dependants in fatal cases a maximum of £800 instead of the present £300; and when the Government intends to introduce the Bill to remove this inadequate scale?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. The Government are alive to the urgency of this question and hope to introduce the Bill early next Session.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the inspecting officer of the railway has made his Report with regard to the fatal accident at the Wimbledon District Railway Station on the 14th October; and, if so, what recommendations he makes as to more suitable buffers of an up-to-date design to suit electric trains being installed?

This Report has been made, and will be issued in a few days. I will then send a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the increase in the cost of living since the settlement of the railway strike last year; and how much railwaymen's wages have been increased above the basis laid down in the settlement on account of the increased cost of living since then?

The cost of living index figure in January, 1920, from which the final settlement operated, was 125. At the last revision of the sliding scale bonus, at the end of September, the figure was 161, and the men covered by the general agreement are now receiving the approximate bonus of 7s. per week. This is in addition to the increases granted in June in accordance with the findings of the National Wages Board.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is the greatest dissatisfaction amongst egg exporters in Ireland owing to the present condition of transport; whether 4he delays, breakage, and pilferage in the transit of goods to and from Ireland and Great Britain have become so serious that importers are withholding their orders and causing considerable loss and inconvenience in this hitherto prosperous trade; and whether he will call upon the Department of Agriculture to have this whole question of transport investigated and remedied without delay?

Representations on this subject have been received both by my right hon. Friend and by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. The conditions of transport in Ireland and between Ireland and Great Britain are seriously disorganised in consequence of the situation caused by railwaymen on some lines refusing to deal with certain forms of Government traffic. I regret that no improvement in carrying conditions appears likely so long as the attitude of railway employés in Ireland remains as at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if the London and North Western Railway Company has intimated its intention to deepen the inner harbour at Holyhead at an expenditure of £300,000; if so, will he render every assistance to the company to carry out the scheme, both on account of the national importance and also as a means of providing productive employment for a large number of men?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of an answer given on the 22nd November to my hon. Friend the Member for the Cromac Division of Belfast (Mr. Lindsay), from which he will observe that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has provisionally approved capital expenditure by the London and North Western Railway Company estimated at £258,500, involved in the execution of various works in the inner harbour at Holyhead.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average weekly expenditure is and what the average weekly income is?

The average amounts of weekly expenditure and income in the period from 1st April, 1920, to 4th December, 1920, have been, on the basis of Exchequer issues and receipts, £21,545,000 and £23,034,000, as against an original Budget estimate at the rate of £22,709,000 and £27,200,000 per week. Neither expenditure nor income is constant throughout the year; expenditure on Supply services is usually heavier in the second half-year, and the greater part of the revenue is received in the March quarter. Average figures for a portion only of the financial year are to this extent misleading.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon the proposed Grants Commission for the apportionment of the Reparation Fund to those who have suffered loss of limbs or property by reason of the operations of enemy aircraft will be set up; how is it proposed to constitute the personnel of such Commission; is he aware that there are persons whose injuries are now of five years' standing who have not received any payment and whose position is one of extreme poverty and hardship; and can he make any arrangements for payments on account?

It is useless to appoint the Commission until the Reparation Commission can give some indication of the probable date on which payments by Germany for reparation (over and above prior charges, such as the repayment of the coal advances and the cost of the armies of occupation) can be expected. My hon. Friend will be aware that the first of a series of meetings to determine the amount to be paid by Germany and the method of payment is to be held next week in Brussels. I have no funds out of which payments on account could be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a number of pre-War pensioners eligible for increase of pensions under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, own the house they live in, the annual value of which will be increased under the new assessment making their returnable annual income above that allowed without increasing their actual income one penny and depriving them of any benefit under the Act; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to remove the hardship that will be caused in these cases?

The increased assessment is presumably a result of the general appreciation in the value of house property which has taken place, and I am afraid that it is inevitable that regard should be had to the enhanced annual value in calculating means for the purposes of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920.

asked the Minister of Labour whether under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, an employer must stamp a card when an employé is off work through ill-health?

Where an employé is absent from work for a complete calendar week owing to ill-health and no wages or other remuneration are paid by the employer during the period of absence, or where the employe receives a purely ex gratiâ payment, no contributions are payable for that week under the "Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. Where, however, payments during sickness are understood to be, or customarily form part of the terms of service, they are not ex gratiâ, and, consequently, are treated as ordinary wages; contributions are payable in such cases.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed signing at Erith, Dartford, Crayford, Bexley Heath, and Welling, and in the Dartford Division of Kent; how many of these are ex-service men; how many are disabled, if any; and how many employers are on the King's Roll out of the total number of employers in that Division?

The number of persons on the live register of the Employment Exchanges and Branch Offices in the area described as at 3rd December, 1920, was:— Civilians 897 Ex-service men (non-disabled) 542 Ex-service men (disabled) 5 Women 572 Boys 175 Girls 165 Total 2,356

Out of 87 employers who might reasonably be expected to be on the King's National Roll, 63 are on the Roll.

asked the Minister of Labour whether road and sewer work in connection with the housing schemes has been expedited with a view to absorb- ing the unemployed; and, if so, how many of the unemployed have been so absorbed?

In pursuance of the decision of the Government in this matter, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has caused a communication to be addressed to certain local authorities in areas where unemployment is pronounced, urging them to take immediate steps to put in hand road and sewer works which will be required to meet the authorities' programmes for the next twelve months, and the situation is being carefully watched in the areas of these and other local authorities. I am not in a position to state with exactitude the total number of workmen for whom employment has been provided under this arrangement, but I am informed that returns so far received at the Ministry of Health in respect of 54 local authorities show that upwards of 5,000 men are at present engaged on such work in those districts, and that work will be provided for an additional 2,000 very shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the road maintenance schemes in which the Ministry of Labour and the local authorities are co-operating have yet absorbed any of the unemployed; and, if so, how many of the unemployed have been so absorbed?

I am advised that financial assistance in connection with schemes of road maintenance has either been approved or is under immediate negotiation in respect of 15 London boroughs and in respect of some 29 provincial local authorities, together covering the cases of about 80 roads. I have no information indicating the number of men actually employed on this work at the present time, but I do know that work has actually begun in a considerable number of cases. I will consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport as to whether the local authorities should be asked to furnish, regularly, returns as to the number of men employed on this kind of work.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of workers in the engineering industry who are unemployed and on short time respectively?

The total number of workpeople in the engineering industry who were claiming out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit at 26th November was 67,558. Arrangements are being made for obtaining in future separate returns of workpeople making claims in respect of short-time and total unemployment respectively, but such figures are not yet available. It is known, however, that there is a considerable amount of short-time working in the engineering industry.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the unemployed have been absorbed by the arterial road schemes which are actually in progress?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 2nd December to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies). The number of men employed on new arterial road schemes on 7th December was 2,425, and I am informed that negotiations with local authorities in respect of the additional schemes are in progress and that work on further schemes will shortly begin. The Unemployment (Relief Works) Acts, which is now law, will enable land to be obtained very expeditiously and should facilitate progress with road-work schemes, particularly in the London district. In addition to the schemes of arterial roads, financial assistance has been approved or is now under negotiation with a considerable number of local authorities for road-maintenance schemes, which are expected to absorb a substantial number of men. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for the Spennymoor Division of Durham (Mr. Galbraith) regarding the arrangements made to provide employment by expediting work on road schemes and construction of sewers in connection with approved housing schemes. In addition to the schemes which I have already mentioned, loans are being sanctioned to local authorities for other forms of public works, and various local authorities have already put work in hand.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of tinplate workers who are unemployed or under notice to cease work?

The number of persons in the tinplate trade who were claiming Out-of-Work Donation or Unemployment Benefit at 26th November was 797. I am informed that notices to terminate contracts have been given to about 12,000 to 14,000 tinplate workers in South Wales and Monmouthshire, but this is a precautionary measure and does not necessarily imply that these workpeople will be actually unemployed at the expiration of these notices.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present position of employment in the mills in the Egyptian section of the cotton industry?

Employment in the Egyptian section of the cotton spinning industry is very slack, and short time is prevalent throughout the whole of this section, as in the cotton trade generally.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the view of the Government that the fixing of minimum wages by trade boards and industrial councils is solving the minimum wage question without the introduction of further machinery; and, if so, whether it has been decided to drop the Minimum Wage Commission Bill?

I have dealt fully with the question raised by my hon. Friend in reply to various questions recently asked, and I would refer him particularly to the replies given by me on the 1st December to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson) and the hon. and gallant Member for Seaham (Major Hayward; also on the 11th August last to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Mr. Hogge), copies of which I am sending my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the mistakes which arise from time to time in the various departments of the telephone service, he will in future take legal proceedings for the recovery of amounts due in lieu of disconnecting subscribers from the service, which puts them to considerable inconvenience and expense and for which they have no remedy even when a mistake has been made?

The telephone service (like the posts and telegraphs) is essentially a prepaid service and, although a certain amount of latitude is allowed in order to meet the public convenience, I cannot agree to continue telephone service where the accounts have not been paid within the reasonable limits laid down. Facilities are not withdrawn until formal notice has been given of the course proposed, and every precaution is taken to prevent mistakes in this connection.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, where telephone lines are surrendered by subscribers, the lines are allotted to persons in the neighbourhood who are first on the list of those requiring telephones or whether the person surrendering the line can have the line transferred to another would-be subscriber, although such person is not first on the list;

(2) whether persons possessing Post Office telephones are advertising the sale of their lines; whether he approves of this profiteering at the expense of the State; and, if not, what steps he is taking to prevent the sale of public telephone lines?

The benefit of a contract for telephone service cannot be assigned to another person without the consent of the Postmaster-General. Should it be discovered that an attempt is being made to transfer an installation to a new subscriber under the guise of a removal, the transaction is at once stopped. When a telephone line is surrendered by a subscriber, the wires thus thrown spare are used to serve the applicant in the same locality who stands highest on the waiting list. The allocation of the wires rests with the Post Office and not with the ceasing subscriber.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an agreement was made under the Whitley Council to pay increased salaries to temporary Post Office sorters; whether he is aware that at present in the Belfast Post Office the temporary men are paid wages ranging from £2 19s. to £3 5s. per week, which rates are totally inadequate to meet the present cost of living, especially for married men; and whether, as these men have now been waiting almost a year for this increase, he will take immediate steps to have the increased rates, with the accumulated arrears, recommended by the Whitley Council paid to those men before Christmas?

Instructions have been given for the payments due to temporary Post Office employés under the agreement referred to by the hon. Member to be made as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the maximum number of holidays per annum allowed in elementary schools by the Regulations of the Board of Education; whether the local education authority has power to vary that number; and, if so, to what extent?

The Code of Regulations for public elementary schools requires that a school or department must meet not less than 400 times in the year. Subject to this requirement being satisfied, the arrangement of the holidays of schools in their area is within the discretion of the local education authority.