asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the interpretation placed on Section 5 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, by the registration officers, whereby all soldiers stationed in the United Kingdom are presumed to be already registered at their domiciliary residence, and that before they can be registered for the constituency in which they are stationed they are required to make a personal application, and to fill up and serve two forms; whether he is aware that 90 per cent, of soldiers stationed at Home have been disenfranchised by this ruling, and that they are consequently left off the register whilst their wives have been automatically included upon it; and whether the Government intend to take any steps to rectify this?

While it is the case that owing to the normal conditions of military service soldiers cannot, save in exceptional instances, be enabled to vote in each constituency in which they happen for the time being to be stationed, I am not aware that, in view of the special privileges accorded by the Act to naval and military voters, this position could correctly be described as disenfranchisement. The claim and declaration required before they can be registered in the constituency in which they are stationed may be made on a single form, and the procedure is by no means onerous.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Government are unable to deal with the question of liquor control this Session, he will consider the desirability of inviting the Central Control Board to rescind such of their restrictions now in force as were imposed purely as war measures, as inconvenient and irritating the public and do not meet with general approval?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to a number of questions to the same effect as this one.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the transport workers of breweries are about to go out on strike in protest against the continued existence of the Liquor Control Board; and what steps does he propose to take to keep the licensed premises supplied in the event of such strike materialising?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Edgar Sanders still holds an official position under the Liquor Control Board in the Carlisle area; and, if so, will he state the nature of his office and whether it was as a representative of the Liquor Control Board that he attended a conference of women magistrates at the Mansion House, London, on 30th Novem- ber, and gave advice on general procedure and the powers of a magistrate, as reported in the Press on 1st December last?

Sir Edgar Sanders, who is the Central Control Board's general manager for the Carlisle and District area, was invited to attend and advise the conference referred to, not as a representative of the Board, but in virtue of the standing and experience in relation to the matters to be discussed which he had acquired as clerk to the Liverpool Justices before his connection with the Central Control Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions if it is intended to take photographs of soldiers who are inmates of mental hospitals and whose identity is not known; and whether such photographs will be published in the form of a gazette to be obtained by the relatives of missing soldiers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to similar questions on the 23rd November, of which I am sending him a copy. There are only four unidentified men who have been admitted to mental institutions since 1st August, 1914, and these are not ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men of the Navy and Army, respectively, in Ireland now in receipt of pensions?

There are at pre sent approximately 50,000 ex-service men in Ireland in receipt of pensions awarded by my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that there is delay and consequent hardship inflicted on ex-service men in Ireland owing to the fact that the Pensions Issue Office, in London, deals with the issuing of pensions, etc., to pensioners in Ireland; whether he is aware that under the present arrangement hundreds of men have to attend at the local war pensions office each day in the week, sometimes waiting in queues for six or seven hours a day, to get advances of pension pending the issue of ring papers and books from the issue office in London; and whether he will consider the establishment of a central pensions office in Ireland, and thereby put an end to the present system of inconvenience and delay?

I am not aware of any delay, such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, in the payment of pensions in Ireland. But I would point out that my officials have to contend against great difficulties owing to the internal conditions in Ireland. The whole question is, however, at the present moment being carefully considered by the Departmental Committee which I recently appointed to enquire, amongst other matters, into the existing arrangements for the issue of pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give the total deficiency in respect of irregularities on which the local war pensions committee of East Ham was recently suspended, and how the administrative work of pensions in that borough is now being carried out?

The officer of the Ministry appointed for the purpose of holding a public enquiry into the conduct of the East Ham Local War Pensions Committee reported that the estimated annual expenditure which was not sanctioned by any regulation of the Ministry was £25,551. In pursuance of the provision of Section 2, War Pensions Act, 1918, the Committee was suspended for twelve months as from February last and the Director-General of Local Administration of the Ministry was authorised to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Committee subject to any general or specific direction of the Minister of Pensions. An Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of ex-service men, widows, employers of labour has been appointed for the purpose of assisting the Ministry's representative.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men receiving pensions?

The number of men in receipt of pension at the 31st October was 1,070,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of children, not including officers' children, receiving allowances?

The number of pensions and allowances in payment in respect of children, excluding officers' children, at the 31st October was 1,225,842.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of dependants, not including officers' dependants, receiving allowances?

The number of dependants (not including officers' dependants) in respect of whom pensions and allowances were being paid on 31st October, 1920, was approximately 2,167,000, made up as follow:— Pension. Widows 167,381 Dependants 363,850 Motherless children 15,293 546,524 Allowances. Men's wives and children 1,301,000 Widows' children 319,500 1,620,500 2,167,000

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of widows, not including officers' widows, receiving pensions?

The number of widows, exclusive of officers' widows, in receipt of pension at 31st October was 167,381.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of officers' children receiving allowances?

The number of officers' children for whom allowances were being issued at the 31st October was 900.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of establishing that, after the termination of a course of treatment, full allowances should be continued for a period of two weeks owing to circumstances of employment, seeing that, as the man's allowances are paid weekly in advance, a fortnight elapses before wages are paid?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Cairns) on the 25th November, in reply to a similar question, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that ex-officers of the Royal Marines who received a commission during the War, after having served in the ranks, now receive a pension of £4 16s. 1½d. per week, and that ex-officers of the Army commissioned from the ranks under the same conditions only receive a pension of £1 7s. 1½d. per week; and will he consider the advisability of placing these ex-Army officers in the same position with regard to pension as the ex-officers of the Royal Marines in the same class, provided that the pension received by ex-Army officers during their war service is refunded by them?

I regret I can add nothing to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 17th December, 1919, in reply to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Fylde (Colonel Ashley).

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prewar pensioners who were in the Army or Army establishments, respectively, have died since 1st April last; the number who are entitled to the increased pension and the number 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 pensions for the current year?

I regret that it is not possible, without extensive inquiry, to state the number of pre-war pensioners who have died since 1st April last; nor is it possible to state how many are not entitled to an increase of pension, as the Department is not aware of the number whose incomes rule them out. About 14,000 increases have been awarded by the War Office and it is estimated that there are 3,000 more who are entitled to increases. About 3,000 have been rejected on account of means. The total cost for the current year is estimated at £270,000. These figures do not include disability pensions which are dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the cause of the delay in dealing with the urgent case of Lieut.-Colonel Cuthbert M. Murphy, of 14, Sun Street, Finsbury Square, London, whose case was alleged to be under consideration on 21st October last that meantime his health and finances have worsened and his whole means being expended in medical treatment due to the War which the Government is liable to pay; and will he cause immediate steps to be taken to remedy this state of affairs?

As I informed my hon. and learned Friend on a previous occasion, this officer was placed on the retired list, not on account of ill-health, but at his own request, and he received from the Admiralty a retiring gratuity of £1,600. He had at that time a very slight disability assessed at only five per cent., and not necessitating his retirement; but shortly after his retirement he became seriously ill with a different disability, which is certified by my medical advisers as attributable to his War service. Until recently there was no regulation under which any addition in respect of disability could be made to a gratuity such as this naval officer received. The necessary authority has now been obtained, but it is a condition, in a case of voluntary retirement such as this, that the officer shall be certified to have been permanently unfit for general service at the time of his retirement. This condition was not fulfilled in the case of this officer. I am seeking authority, however, whereby some additional award for disablement will be possible in this and similar cases. With regard to his medical treatment, the Government have certainly not refused to pay. Considerable payments have, on the contrary, been already made, and the question whether any further payments can be made is being considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. F. Austin, late private, No. G/256,897, Royal Army Service Corps; whether he is aware that this man, in May, 1920, went before a board where he was told that he would be granted a 30 per cent, pension for six months and 20 per cent, for six months after that; that, in spite of this, Mr. Austin received a buff form, dated 1st June, 1920 (Reference No. 11/M/68,823), informing him that he was not eligible for any pension or allowance; that Mr. Austin has since appealed for a further examination and board, but can get no reply; and why it is that grounds for these incessant complaints, as regards letters not being answered, are not removed?

This man did not claim to be impaired on demobilisation, but he subsequently made a claim to pension in respect of deafness. He was examined by a medical board in May, 1920, who found no disablement in respect of ear trouble, but assessed incapacity in respect of disordered action of the heart as is stated in the question. My medical advisers, however, decided that the heart complaint was neither due to nor aggravated by service, and no award of pension could therefore be made. Both the man and his local committee have been informed of the right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against this decision, but no appeal has so far been received. There is no trace of the correspondence referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can state the total number of the Army stationed or engaged in operations in territories outside of the British Empire;

(2) whether he can state without injury the number in each particular case of His Majesty's Army stationed or operating in the various territories outside of the British Empire; and also the estimated cost?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 30th November last to questions put by the hon. Members for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) and Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). The only change in the numbers then given is that caused by the withdrawal of the troops from Danzig.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are still a number of temporary officers who did not see active service during the War who have not yet been demobilised; whether he is aware that there is a feeling among ex-service officers that a preference of military employment should be given to those who saw active service in the War; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take any action in this direction?

I regret that it is not possible to give a specific answer to the first part of the Noble Lord's question without examining the record of each non-Regular officer still serving. It is possible that there are a few temporary officers not yet demobilised who did not see active service, but they are serving in one of the technical or administrative arms, and, owing to the special nature of their work, cannot be replaced at present. As regards the second and third parts of the question, records of the War service of temporary officers are preserved and are carefully considered whenever opportunity occurs for further employing such offices or for considering them for permanent commissions, and the action suggested by the Noble Lord is that adopted in all cases except in certain temporary technical appointments where it would not be in the interests of the Service to replace the present temporary holders.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to confine itself to seeking work or taking subcontracts direct from the actual manufacturers of the products that the Arsenal wishes to make?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me on 30th November last in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall).

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men at present employed at Woolwich Arsenal and at the Government factories at Waltham and Lancaster, respectively; for what purpose it is proposed to employ these factories; whether any of them will be used for manufacturing products other than those required by His Majesty's Government for military purposes; and, if so, what arrangement is being made for disposing of the articles thus manufactured?

The numbers at present employed are:—Woolwich, 13,200; Waltham, 619; Lancaster, 685. It is proposed to employ Woolwich Arsenal as far as practicable on work required for His Majesty's Government. The future of the factory at Waltham is being considered by the Government. The factory at Lancaster is at present fully engaged on the repair of wagons and the re-conditioning of machinery, prior to sale; its future will be considered later on.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is a considerable number of men in the Royal Garrison Artillery, Orkney, who have not yet had their pay finally settled; and if he will instruct his officials to attend to the matter at once?

I am informed that there is only one account of a soldier of the Royal Garrison Artillery residing in Orkney which has not been settled, that of Gunner J. Flett, and in this case a last pay certificate from India is awaited. Application was made to India for this certificate on 1st October last and a reminder has been sent by cable.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Indian troops now engaged in Mesopotamia?

The strength of the Indian troops in Mesopotamia and North-West Persia is approximately 88,000. This figure includes 1,600 British ranks.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of applications which have been received from ex-service men in Orkney for settling on the land; and how many have been granted?

The number of ex-service applicants in Orkney is 163. The scarcity of large farms, the number of home farms and farms under lease, and the reluctance of proprietors to sell farms without adjoining crofts, have so far prevented any of these applications being granted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement of a personal observer that the armed attack by forces of the Crown in Croke Park, in which 15 people were killed, was made without provocation or warning; and whether independent inquiries will be made into the whole occurrence?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a similar question put to him by the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on Monday, the 6th inst.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total number of persons who have been shot at in Ireland for failing to halt when called upon to do so; and how many of such persons have been wounded and killed, respectively?

The number of persons fired at in Ireland since the 1st January last for failing to halt when challenged is, approximately, 200, and the numbers killed and wounded are 41 and 43, respectively.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to posters in the Sinn Fein districts of Belfast which state that any Roman Catholic who joins the special constabulary will be treated as a traitor; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am informed that typed notices, of the kind referred to, were found posted up in certain districts of Belfast a few days ago, and were at once removed by the police. Every step is taken to protect Roman Catholics and all other well-disposed persons who join the special constabulary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Patrick Meehan, ex-constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary, was forcibly removed from his home in Trim, in the presence of his wife, on the 21st November, about 11.45 p.m., by armed men, who had arrived at the police barracks in the town in a Crossley motor car; whether these men took Meehan about a mile outside the town, brought him into a field where he was closely questioned, bullied, and put on his knees, and threatened to be shot; whether shots were fired over him and he was then let free and ordered to leave the town in 12 hours and the country within a month; who were the parties implicated in this affair, and where they came from; and what steps he will take to prevent a repetition of this conduct by the armed forces of the Crown?

I have called for, but have not yet received a report with reference to this matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his question one day next week, when I hope to be in a position to furnish him with a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Patrick Byrne, of Mullingar, one of the Mountjoy hunger-strikers released last April, is at present confined in Mountjoy prison; whether he is detained as a convicted prisoner; if so, whether the only conviction standing against him is the one for which he was imprisoned early in the present year; and whether, if this be the case, in view of the statement made by the Attorney-General for Ireland that the men discharged from Mountjoy in April were not legally liable to re-arrest, he will state under what authority Patrick Byrne is detained and treated as a convicted prisoner?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative, but it is probable that a further charge will be brought against Byrne under Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. As regards the last part of the question, Byrne is not one of those discharged in April last. He was discharged on the 7th May specifically under the provisions of the Prisoners (Temporary discharge for ill health) Act, 1913, and should have returned to prison on 30th June last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can now state the final Report of his inquiries into the attacks on co-operative property in Ballintrillick, Ballymote, Nenagh, and Littleton?

I am informed that no information is forthcoming as to the persons who committed the attacks in any of these cases.

asked the, Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the military authorities in Dublin have demanded further curfew restrictions; if so, whether it is intended to comply with such a request; and, if so, to what extent?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer on this subject which I gave him on Monday last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will give particulars of the outbreaks of smallpox which have occurred in various parts of Scotland during the last 10 months, with full information as to the vaccinal condition of each patient?

The outbreak of smallpox in Scotland this year began in Glasgow at the end of February. Cases have since occurred in the areas of 33 other local authorities in Scotland. Up to the 8th instant the number of cases in Glasgow was 516, the number of deaths 107. Of these cases the number previously vaccinated was 394, of whom 61 died; the number unvaccinated was 115, of whom 43 died; the number of cases in which vaccination was doubtful was 7, of whom 3 died. Only 13 cases remain in hospital in Glasgow. The number of cases outside Glasgow was 180, of whom 137 were previously vaccinated, 42 unvaccinated. In 1 case vaccination was 'doubtful. I am taking steps to obtain further particulars of these cases, and will communicate them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the limiation of the franchise under the Scottish Temperance Act, nearly half a million electors on the Parliamentary roll, who were, in fact, mostly ex-service men, were excluded from voting in the recent poll; and whether he will introduce a short Bill to entend the vote to all the electors on the Parliamentary roll?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am not prepared to give any undertaking as to legislation dealing with this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Trade Board in Scotland is refusing to settle a weekly rate in the laundry trade; whether the Trade Board is within its rights in refusing a weekly rate and insisting on an hourly rate; and whether he will take steps to compel the Trade Board to adopt weekly rates if the laundry workers desire it to do so?

There is not a separate Trade Board for the laundry trade in Scotland, and I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Laundry Trade Board (Great Britain). I was recently advised that serious doubt attached to certain provisions of the determinations of this Trade Board which purported to make the payment of wages for a full week of 48 hours compulsory, whatever the actual number of hours of employ- ment, except under certain specified conditions. I communicated this advice to the Trade Board, and at a meeting held on the 14th and 15th October the Board unanimously resolved to remove the doubtful provisions. With regard to the second part of the question, the advice I have received is that any provision for the payment of a fixed wage irrespective of the actual period of employment would not be legally enforceable. I may add that no other Trade Board has fixed rates on this basis. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to revise the pay of chaplains on the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment?

The pay of chaplains on the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments has been increased with effect from 1st December, 1919. The commencing pay is now not less than Rs. 600 a month, rising by annual increments of Rs. 25 a month to Rs. 800 a month and thereafter by annual increments of Rs. 50 a month to the maximum of Rs. 1,300 a month.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a commission appointed by mission societies has recently investigated the subject of village education in India; and, if so, whether any Report on its work has been received?

A Commission of Inquiry sent to India in accordance with a recommendation of a conference of missionary societies in Great Britain has made a very interesting report on "Village Education in India." It is published by the Oxford University Press. I will place a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the nature of the work done by the publicity bureau of the Government of Burma; and whether he will consider its abolition as contrary to the wishes of the Burmese people?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 24th November to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan). I do not think it necessary to suggest the abolition of the bureau.

asked the Secretary of State for India what arrangements are to be made in future for the upkeep of regimental bands in the Indian Army: whether the Government subscription is to be limited to Rs. 100 per mensem, as in the past; whether the bandmasters' pay and housing, the cost of band instruments, and of music, etc., are to be still dependent on subscriptions deducted from the officers' pay; and whether the bands and bandmasters of Indian regiments are to be placed on the same footing as the bands and bandmasters of British regiments in India?

I have no knowledge of any proposal to alter the present arrangements, but I will inquire of the Government of India.

asked the Prime Minister why the infringement of the right of Mercantile Marine masters, officers, and other British seamen under the Hague Convention of 1907, No. 11, to be exempted from being made prisoners of war, provided they undertook, on the faith of a written promise, not to engage, while hostilities should last, in any service connected with the operations of the war, was not specified in the Peace Treaty as a class of damage for which reparation to the wronged seamen would be exacted from Germany?

It was impossible to specify in the Peace Treaty every single class of claim which British subjects might have against Germany for breach of Conventions or of the usages of war; but my hon. Friend will remember that the first class of specific damage for which Germany is bound to pay compensation, under Annex I. of Part VIII. of the Peace Treaty, includes damage by personal injury or death of civilians caused by acts of war at sea; that is to say, damage to officers and men of the Mercantile Marine comes in the first of the ten categories of damage specifically mentioned in the Peace Treaty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Jugo-Slav troops have again penetrated into Albania; if there are at the present moment 35,000 Albanian refugees in a totally destitute condition at Tirana; and if His Majesty's Government is represented in Albania and in receipt of recent information?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. There are some 30,000 refugees in Albania, most of whom are now reported at Tirana and Scutari, to whom some relief is afforded from American sources. The answer to the last part of the question is at present in the negative, but arrangements are being made for appointing a British representative to proceed to Albania at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply to the Allied Note to the Greek Government has been received from that Government or from the ex-King Constantine; and in what terms are such replies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative: the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether any Notes have been exchanged between this country and the United States on the question of the Mexican oil supplies; and, if so, whether they can be published?

An exchange of Notes between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government, dealing with oil properties and mining rights in Mexico, took place in 1914. These Notes were published in Parliamentary Paper Cd. 7463 in July, 1914. There has been no further exchange of correspondence of the nature indicated in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the opinion is generally held in business circles that the delay in carrying out the trade policy of the Government outlined by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on 18th August, 1919, and re-stated in the memorandum issued on 20th August, 1919, is largely responsible for the serious depression at present existing in the lace, embroidery, hosiery, and glove fabric trades, and other industries; that goods of German manufacture are being imported and sold at prices below the cost of production in this country, and large orders for future deliveries are, in consequence, being placed with German manufacturers in preference to British manufacturers; and whether, in these circumstances, His Majesty's Government will redeem, without further delay, the pledges given in Clauses 13, 14, and 15 of the memorandum above referred to, and thus prevent irreparable injury to British trade?

I can only repeat what I have already on several occasions stated in this House, that I am fully aware of the position in the trades named by my hon. Friend, and, as regards the last part of his question, I would refer him to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck) on 17th November, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that hosiery manufacturers' associations protest against the delay in giving effect to the pledge given by him in the House of Commons, promising legislation on the lines of the recommendations of the Merchandise Marks Committee, and that they desire to impress upon him the fact that every week's delay in dealing with the matter adds to the ranks of the unemployed in the industry and lengthens their probable period of idleness by postponing still further the date when manufacturers will be able to offer them work; that no definite pledge has yet been given that hosiery needles will be scheduled in the forthcoming Bill, and that the situation requires the immediate giving of such a pledge and of an express declaration of the intention of the Government to carry out such pledges in the first days of next Session?

I have received representations from the associations mentioned by my hon. Friend as to the introduction of merchandise marks legislation. As I have already stated, a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Merchandise Marks Committee will, I hope, be introduced early next Session. If the last part of the question refers to the Key Industries Bill, I would call attention to my statement in the House of Commons on December 7th, that it is the Government's intention to make the Bill dealing with key industries the first measure of next Session. I cannot, however, make any statement in advance as to the inclusion of any particular industry in the list of key industries.

asked the Prime Minister what would be the probable financial effect of the immediate decontrol of wheat upon the consumer, the producer, and the Exchequer, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. The policy to be pursued in the liquidation of existing stocks in relation to current world prices is being considered with regard to the important and differing interests which will be affected. The Government have not only to consider the conflicting interests of taxpayer and consumer; they have also to consider the position of the trades upon whom the responsibility for maintaining the nation's bread supply will fall. Until the details of policy are finally settled, it is impossible to make an estimate of its financial effects upon the different interests concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the Govern- ment's wheat stocks at present; what would be the loss if these were sold at the current market rate; and how long it will be necessary to keep up the price artificially in order to avoid a loss?

I have been asked to reply. With regard to the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 1st instant to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne). The reply to the third part of the question depends upon the course of world prices, and to illustrate the difficulties I might point out that the landed price of No. 1 Northern Manitoba wheat recently rose as much as 15s. a quarter in 10 days. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that there is no desire on the part of the Government to keep up prices artificially, as is evidenced by the recent reduction of 4s. per sack in the selling price of flour.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present stock of wheat held by the Ministry of Food; what commitments have been entered into by the Wheat Commission; and whether the Commission are still buying?

The Wheat Commission is still buying wheat, and must continue to do so until satisfactory arrangements can be made for the transfer to private traders of the responsibility of assuring the bread supplies of the country. As already explained in answer to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne) on 1st December, it is unwise, so long as purchasing continues, to make public announcements as to quantity and price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether millers have been instructed by the Wheat Commission to, for the present, pay 95s. per quarter of 504 lbs. for wheat of fair milling quality; and, if so, will the Wheat Commission limit the issue of foreign wheat in order that farmers may have a market for their wheat?

I have been asked to reply. Millers have been directed by the Food Controller that they have authorisation to pay for home-grown wheat purchased on rail at producer's station, an average price not exceeding 95s. per 504 1bs. f.o.r., and an average of 96s. per 504 1bs. in respect of wheat delivered by road into the mill. Millers are offered every inducement to use the maximum quantity of home-grown wheat, but in most cases flour containing a large proportion of imported wheat is required by bakers and householders.

asked the Minister of Food if the retailers of sugar are still restricted to certain sources of supply, and that, while the Government price is 80s. per cwt., the wholesaler charges the retailer 84s. per cwt., plus carriage; and, as the retailers are of the opinion that they could purchase to better advantage and be able to sell cheaper to the public if they had a free market, whether he will consider the advisability of immediately withdrawing all restrictions and give the retailers complete freedom in purchasing?

It would only be under very exceptional circumstances that a wholesaler would be permitted to charge as much as 84s. per cwt., plus carriage, and if the hon. Member will forward particulars of the cases to which he refers I shall be glad to investigate them. I am unable to add anything to previous replies regarding the point raised in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Food whether, when a further reduction of sugar is contemplated, he will give at least 14 days' notice to the trade, as well as the public, of such intention so as to enable the former to have an opportunity of clearing a part of their stock without serirous loss, as was the case in the recent reduction?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormbsy-Gore).

asked the Minister of Food whether it is his intention to compensate the co-operative societies and others who, before the 29th of November when he reduced the price of flour by 4s. a sack, held a stock of flour which must now be sold, owing to Government orders, at a loss?

With regard to the position of retailers, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Cairns). With regard to the position of wholesalers whose sales remain subject to maximum prices, I am considering the possibility of dealing with individual cases of proved hardship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether applications for Grants-in-Aid of sea fisheries research have been received by the Ministry, either direct or by way of reference from the Treasury or the Development Commission, from the University of Liverpool, Port Erin Marine Biological Station, and the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee on behalf of their marine laboratory and hatchery at Piel, Barrow; if so, will he specify the amount of money asked for 'in each case, and say whether any decision has been come to with reference to the amount recommended to be granted for the next financial year to each of these institutions; and, if so, what is the amount so recommended?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The applications which have been fully discussed with the applicants, are now under consideration, and I do not think that in the meantime any advantage would ensue from a public discussion of their terms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether an inquiry has yet been held into the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the island of Jersey: and whether, having regard to the fact that cattle are not allowed to be imported into this area and infection cannot therefore have been caused by contact, an opportunity may be taken of making an exhaustive investigation with a view to discovering the source of infection in this case?

No inquiry into the, outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Jersey has been held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, as the Ministry has no jurisdiction in the Channel Islands. On the 17th November the Ministry received from the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey a copy of a report on the outbreak by the principal veterinary officer of the Island. It appeared from this report that only one farm was affected and there had been no extension of the disease to any other premises. A suggestion is made in the report that the outbreak might possibly have originated from a visit to St. Malo made by the attendant upon the cows not long before the occurrence of the outbreak.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the amount of tithe redeemed under the Tithe Act, 1918?

The amount of tithe rent charge redeemed since the passing of the Tithe Act, 1918, is £40,000. Many cases arc on the point of completion, and it is anticipated that by the end of this year the total will be increased to at least £60,000. Just recently there has been an enormous increase in the number of applications, but these new cases cannot be completed before next year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the present total of the headquarters staff of the Irish Office in London; what is the present monthly cost; and what was the total in each of the preceding 11 months?

The Irish Office for staff purposes is treated as a branch of the Chief Secretary's Office in Dublin Castle.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the present total of the headquarters' staff of the Irish administration in Ireland; what is the present monthly cost; and what was the total in each of the preceding 11 months?

The Chief Secretary has offices in London, Dublin and Belfast. The numbers employed in these offices and the total payments in salaries and wages, including overtime and war bonus payments, chargeable to the Vote for each of the eleven months ending November, 1920, are as follow:— Month. Cost. Number. £ January 1,900 61 February 1,789* 60 March 2,750 60 April 2,000 63 May 2,513 62 June 4,383* 79 July 2,957 85 August 3,628 91 September 5,117* 97 October 3,954 120 November 4,019 125 * Include payments accruing due quarterly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total number of civil servants at present engaged in the administration of Ireland in Ireland and in this country; what is the present monthly cost; and what was the total in each of the preceding 11 months?

The hon. Member will find the approximate numbers and salaries for each Irish Department in the Civil Service Estimates for the current financial year. The total numbers have not undergone any substantial change during recent months.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the inclusive charge in rent, rates and taxes incurred by the taxpayer for the hire of 30, Belgrave Square?

The total charge in respect of rent, rates and taxes is £1,016 13s. 4d. per annum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors has recently been altered; whether this alteration involves the limitation of the grants made; and, if so, whether such limitation will apply to claims for a larger amount submitted before alteration of the terms of reference?

The only alteration which has been made in the terms of reference to the Royal Commission is that by a further Royal Warrant, dated the 5th day of October, 1920, further powers have been conferred upon it in order to enable it to deal with questions which may arise under the Patents and Designs Act, 1919. This does not involve any alteration of the amounts which the Commission has power to award or to recommend to the Treasury as the case may be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the claim of the Walton Motors, Limited, has been awaiting hearing before the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors since 2nd June, 1919; that this claim amounts to a very considerable sum; that the absence of settlement is naturally embarrassing to the company; and that the Disposal Board are now selling engines embodying the patents of this company at a lower price than they can now be produced; and whether he can give an approximate date upon which this claim will be heard?

I have been asked to reply. The claim by Walton Motors, Limited, in respect of engine design and compensation for losses on contracts was put forward to the Ministry of Munitions, and not to the Royal Commission, in June, 1919. The preliminary investigation showed that many of the patents on which the claim was based had not been granted. After considerable correspondence between the Ministry of Munitions and the Company, the claim was divided, and that part of the claim which referred to compensation was handed over to the Ministry of Munitions Departmental Contracts Committee. The claim in respect of engine design falls within the scope of the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, and the claimants on 20th March, 1920, were referred to that Commission. It is understood that the claim was presented to the Commission by the Company on 21st May, 1920; it amounts to £2,250,000. In view of its magnitude, this claim requires very careful and thorough exploration, but the Air Ministry's counter statement will be filed with as little delay as possible. The hearing by the Commission cannot take place until this has been done. I may add that the claimants are at liberty at all times to apply to the Royal Commission for a date to be fixed for the delivery of this counter statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he can state a date by which the Departmental Contracts Committee will have concluded their consideration of the claim submitted by the Walton Motors, Limited?

Owing to the nature of this claim, which is one of hardship, it cannot be considered until the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors have adjudicated upon the patents claim. When the Royal Commission make their award, the Departmental Contracts Committee will expedite the hearing of the hardship claim.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the condition of the Plumber coal export trade in consequence of the embargo the Government have placed upon exports from the Midland coal area; whether he will consider an immediate release of saleable coal for export; and whether he will at once investigate the crisis at the Humber ports with a view to action on this or on any other remedial line?

The prohibition of the export of coal from the Midland area was imposed in order to safeguard home supplies; and I regret that the position in the important areas dependent on the Midland coalfield is not at present sufficiently good to justify the resumption of export. The question is constantly before me, and I hope with increased output that it may before long be possible to relax existing restrictions in respect of bunkering as well as export. But the depletion of stocks consequent upon the strike is far from having been made good; and I should not be justified in taking any step which would endanger home supplies, especially at the beginning of the winter.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate tonnage of coal exported from this country during the month ended 30th November; its money value; and the corresponding export in tonnage and value for the month of November, 1919?

The tonnage of coal exported from the United Kingdom during the month ended 30th November, 1920, was 1,360,724 tons, valued at £5,681,484 f.o.b. In the month of November, 1919, the corresponding figures were 2,747,476 tons exported, valued at £8,529,187 f.o.b.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in possession of any figures showing the loss occasioned to the country as a whole by the recent coal strike?

No, Sir, I have no reliable figures on the subject which are sufficiently comprehensive to convey a correct impression.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how far the recommendations of the Report and the supplementary Report of the rural transport committee are being, or have been, carried into effect?

A substantial part of the immediate improvements of steamer and train services recommended in paragraph 332 of the Report has received effect. A number of those improvements are at present impracticable owing to financial considerations. An experimental drifter service between Kyle and Mallaig and various ports in Skye and the West of Ross is at present in operation. In the case of a number of the proposed railway schemes statistics of prospective traffic and other particulars are being prepared by an inter-departmental conference in Edinburgh. The object is to enable the Ministry of Transport and the Treasury to decide whether any grants can be made towards the cost of construction. The recommendations as to road improvements have been placed before the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport who consider them when dealing with applications from road authorities for grants or loans.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the points raised by the county council of Fife and the county councils' association as to the proposed collection of duties and fees for road vehicles' and drivers' licences after 1st January and the loss in revenue, of about £1,500 annually in the case of Fife, due to the cessation of the issue of the registration of cars and the issue of drivers' licences and also the increased cost of staffs entailed on the county by the new system; and if he will take care that these points are considered in connection with the Roads Bill or other legislation or orders on the subject?

The representations referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend have been carefully considered. As regards the expenses incurred by county councils, in connection with the collection of the duties and with registration, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government Amendments to paragraph ( a ) of Clause 3 (3) of the Roads Bill. These meet as far as possible the points raised by the County Councils' Association. As regards the loss in revenue directly accruing to county councils, I would point out that, after the prior charges have been met, the Road Fund will in effect be distributed to local authorities in relief of the rates raised for highway purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether an agreement was entered into between the Government and the railway officials providing a salary classification for female clerks on the railways on lines similar to that for male clerks and dating from 1st August, 1919: whether the classifications have been put into force for the male clerks in Great Britain and Ireland and for the female clerks in Great Britain only; if so, why is the Irish railway female staff the only party left unprovided for; and whether he will take steps to have this grievance removed and arrears paid to the female clerks on all Irish railways before Christmas?

So far as Great Britain is concerned, the hon. Gentleman's information is correct, the provisional agreement relating to the conditions of service of female railway clerks having been arrived at last August and confirmed by the Ministry of Transport in October. As regards Ireland, revised conditions of service for the male railway clerks have been introduced, but the question, so far as the female clerks are concerned, is still under discussion there, and no agreement has yet been reached. I fear I cannot say how soon it will be possible to deal finally with this question.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the North British Railway Company have decided to discontinue the last trains from Dundee to Perth and from Perth do Dundee via, Kilmarny, thereby reducing the service on this line to three trains per day each way, this alteration being a contravention of the judgment given in the action brought by the Newburgh and North of Fife Railway Company against the North British Railway Company before the Railway and Canal Commission in 1911, whereby it was held that a time-table with three trains each way was insufficient, and that at least four trains should be provided; and if he will take steps to ensure the carrying out of the working agreement under which the North British Railway Company are running this line?

My attention has already been drawn to this matter and I am having inquiry made. The hon. and gallant Member shall be informed of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the housing sub-committee of the Hull City Council, calling for the Government to make such arrangements as will secure that house building will have a prior claim upon the building materials of the country; that in their opinion the three years' limit within which the housing schemes of local authorities must be completed to qualify for the Government subsidy is quite inadequate, and calls upon the Government to extend the time limit to five years; and what action he contemplates?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Hammersmith. As regards the second part of the question I am unable to hold out any hope that the period during which assisted housing schemes must be completed can be extended.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government subsidy will be payable in respect of houses in rural areas provided with a matchboard dado; and, if not, whether, in view of the warmth to the inhabitants and the protection to interior walls that such dadoes afford, he will take steps to see that this restrictive regulation is removed?

Houses with dadoes framed up in timber will not be excluded from subsidy on condition that proper provision is made to allow for shrinkage of the wood. Matchboarding is, however, unsatisfactory on sanitary grounds, as, with the shrinkage of the timber, the joints open and form breeding places for vermin.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it would add to the comfort of the workpeople employed at Milton, and also to the economical and efficient working of the stores, to provide the staff there with housing accommodation at or near their place of work; what steps have been taken in this matter, and when any definite decision is likely to be arrived at; and if, in the event of permanent accommodation not being made available, could use be made of unoccupied Army huts or buildings in the neighbourhood for this purpose?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Air Ministry are alive to the desirability of making provision for the accommodation of the workpeople at Milton nearer to their work, but the responsibility for providing such accommodation rests with the local authorities rather than with the Ministry. Endeavour has been made, but without success, to induce the local authorities to take over the unoccupied huts that are available and adapt them for use as residences for the workpeople. The question whether the adaptation of the huts can be undertaken by the Air Ministry is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an asylum officer who has not come under the conditions governing the Asylum Officers Superannuation Act, 1909, and therefore pays no contribution towards his superannuation, receives a larger pension than a contributory officer under the Act; that of two officers, both holding the same rank and receiving the same pay at the time of retirement, and both retired at the age of 60, the non-contributory officer receives £2 8s. per week and the contributory officer £l 4s. per week; and whether he will take steps to rectify this inequality by payment of a bonus or by other arrangements to put those who have paid for their pensions on a similar financial basis in respect to superannuation as those who remained outside the scope of the Act?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the case he has in mind-which must be an exceptional one -I shall be glad to make inquiries, but I have no power to vary the scale prescribed by the Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the actual amount of money advanced from public funds for the formation of the Mine- sweepers' Co-operative Trawling Society; how is this money to be expended; and who is responsible to see that it is expended in accordance with the terms of the loan?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on this matter on 25th October last, to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer), to which there is nothing to add at the moment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many steam trawlers are now fishing for Government account under the direction of the Ministry of Fisheries; whether he will produce a full statement of the Government revenue and expenditure in connection with this undertaking, including the charges for salaries and travelling expenses of the officials engaged in supervising it; if not immediately available, when will the accounts be laid before the House of Commons; and in what part of the Estimates does the undertaking occur?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Thirty-five Admiralty trawlers are temporarily employed on fishing in the circumstances which have already been stated in my reply of 16th August last to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer). With regard to the further particulars asked for, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham on the same date by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries, to which there is nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received complaints re the lack of accommodation at the county school for girls at Hengoed, Glamorganshire; whether these girls have to take their lunch in the open air in all kinds of weather through lack of a room for this purpose; whether three rooms were damaged by fire a few years ago and have not yet been repaired; and will he take steps to enforce the repair of at least one of these rooms so as to provide accommodation for the above purpose?

The very unsatisfactory condition of this school, as the result of the unfortunate fire a few years ago, has long been known to the Board, who, in July last, intimated to the school governors that if the school was to continue to be regarded as eligible for Parliamentary grants proposals for providing it with adequate and satisfactory accommodation would need to be submitted without any further delay. Financial and administrative difficulties are understood to have been responsible for the requisite repairs not being carried out earlier, but plans for the restoration of the school buildings are now before the Board, who agree as to the desirability of the most urgent work being taken in hand and executed with all speed so as to alleviate the discomfort and risk of health to which the hon. Member refers and which the present condition of affairs undoubtedly entails.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of certain local education authorities who have placed teachers, on reaching the age of 55, at the maximum of their scales, in order that they may secure higher pensions on retirement at the age of 60; and whether this practice has received his sanction?

My attention has been called to one or two cases of this kind. The Board have no desire to interfere with the responsible exercise by local education authorities of a reasonable discretion as regards special augmentations of salary in special cases, regard being had to special qualifications or special responsibilities; but it appears to the Board that the undiscriminating augmentation of teachers' salaries ten years before the date of obligatory retirement for the express purpose of augmenting their superannuation allowances, gratuities, or disablement allowances, is decidedly open to objection. If the system of standard scales recommended by Lord Burnham's Committee becomes operative, the objections to such a variation of the system will, I think, be even stronger.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Mr. George Ridgway, of 33, High Street, Buckingham, after 16 years 8 months and 21 days' service is now in receipt of a pension amounting only to 6s. 6d. a week; whether he will have inquiries made into this case; and whether he can at least make this pension up to 10s. a week?

I am aware that Mr. Ridgway is in receipt of a pension of 6s. 6d. a week. This amount is the maximum pension to which he is entitled under the Superannuation Acts (including the recent Pensions Increase Act). I regret that I have no power to increase his pension further.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that John Houghton, aged 72, an old age pensioner, residing at Haydock, Lancashire, entered the Warrington union hospital through sickness on 7th October and was discharged on 10th November; that the pension due to him on 7th October was not paid; and that, on filling up the form for renewal of pension, it was refused and he was informed that it would not be paid till the end of November, and then only after consideration by the local committee; and, seeing that this man was not in hospital three months and therefore not entitled to have his pension cancelled, will he say by whose authority it was done, and take steps to prevent similar occurrences happening again?

I am informed that John Houghton's maintenance in the Warrington union hospital was certified by the Poor Law authorities as due primarily to insufficient means, and not to sickness In these circumstances his case was brought to the notice of the local pension sub-committee, who revoked his pension as from 14th October, inclusive. On Tuesday the 9th November a fresh claim was received from him; and at their next meeting on the 30th November the sub-committee granted a fresh pension to date from the 12th November, namely, the first Friday after the receipt of the claim On the 3rd instant a pension order book was delivered, to date from the 12th November. As regards the pension money for the 7th October, I am informed that the pensioner did cash his order due on that date.

asked the Home Secretary whether the display of the red flag on the plinth of the Nelson Column is in future to be permitted?

I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. and galant Member on the 29th of November.

asked the Home Secretary if the Government propose to take any steps to assist owners of house property to recover possession of premises forcibly seized by unauthorised intruders; and whether the assistance of the police can be invoked in such cases?

I do not, as at present advised, see my way to propose any ex- tension of the power which the law gives to the owner to eject intruders. The duty of the police is to maintain order and to protect the owner in the exercise of his rights.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the ground in Hyde Park opposite Knightsbridge barracks is still enclosed; and whether this was enclosed in order to allow the grass to grow after the parking of lorries there during the railway strike?

The ground in question was enclosed in order to restore it after it had been used for the drilling of troops during the War, and the fencing will be removed as soon as the grass is strong enough to be in constant use.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why certain football teams are allowed to play, to the exclusion of all others, in Hyde Park on a piece of ground that is debarred to the public?

On the urgent representations of the military authorities, owing to the scarcity of ground available for the playing of games, permission was granted for the troops quartered in London to use the ground in question.