asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that millions of picture postcards have recently been imported into this country from the Continent which bear no in- dication that they are not of British manufacture; whether it is essential that each card should bear an imprint giving the name of the printer and the town and country in which it is produced; and will he state the steps that the Department are or contemplate taking to ensure fair competition as between British and foreign producers of postcards?

I am aware that picture postcards printed abroad are imported into this country without any indication that they are not of British manufacture, but as the law at present stands, such an indication is not required except, broadly speaking, where the goods bear a description which, without that indication, would be false or misleading. This matter was considered by the Merchandise Marks Committee, and, as I have already stated in this House, I hope to introduce early next Session a Bill giving effect to their unanimous recommendations.

Does that cover the point mentioned in the question?

Certainly. There is a definite recommendation of that character.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether hosiery latch needles will be included in the Bill dealing with key industries and dumping which is to be the first measure introduced in the new Session?

As I recently stated in the House, I do not think it would be practicable to discuss the details of this measure before its introduction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of firms who have been registered under the register of business names; whether any prosecutions have taken place for non-registration; how many convictions have been obtained; what is the approximate cost of carrying on this work per annum; what number of officials are engaged in the duties; and if any special offices or buildings are reserved for this Department?

The number of registrations in England and Wales up to the 10th December is 145,000. Prosecutions for non-registration have been instituted by the Board of Trade in 43 cases, of which 42 resulted in convictions. In addition, the Board have received information as to 19 prosecutions and convictions initiated by the local police authorities. The office for England and Wales is at 39, Russell Square; 3 permanent officials and 37 temporary clerks are employed. The approximate cost is £6,500 per annum, and the fees received since the Act came into operation in December, 1916, amount to £40,000. I have asked the registrars of business names in Scotland and Ireland to furnish me with a report as to their offices, the result of which I will communicate to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish detailed particulars of the imports this year of manufactured goods, respectively, from the different countries of Europe, similar to the Return which he recently issued of the imports from Germany for the first nine months of the present year?

Yes, Sir; I shall be glad to arrange for the publication of the information desired, covering the whole of the current calendar year. This information should be ready about the end of next January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any restrictions are now imposed by his Department on the import of any goods other than narcotics; and what kind of goods are included under the definition of narcotics?

No restrictions are at present imposed by the Board of Trade on the importation of any goods. The provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1920, under which the importation of the articles referred to in the Act is restricted, are administered by the Home Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now finally decided what branches of industry are to be regarded as key industries for the purposes of protection; and whether, in compiling the list, he is taking into special account the effect of the low rates of exchange existing in foreign competing countries?

As I have just stated in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division (Colonel Yate), I do not think it would be practicable to discuss particulars of the Key Industries Bill before its introduction. As regards the second part of the question, the effect of depreciated foreign exchanges is not limited to key industries. The whole problem of the effect of collapsed exchanges is being carefully considered by His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether measures are in force in France, Switzerland, and America for protecting the dye industry in those countries; and what in each case is the nature of the measure?

In France the tariff duties on chemical products were revised in November, 1919. The classification of coal-tar dyes was considerably elaborated, and the tariff rates on certain classes of such dyes increased. The same law sub- jected to import licence all colouring materials and chemical products coming into France from Germany in excess of the levy imposed by the Peace Treaty. In the United States of America an Act of 1916 revised the tariff duties on dye-stuffs and made provision for the imposition, for at least five years, of special and additional duties on dyes and intermediates. A prohibition of the importation of dyes (except under licence) was established during the War, and is still maintained in force. In Switzerland dyes of most descriptions are subject to a small duty under the ordinary customs tariff.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large numbers of unemployed in this country, the Government will encourage export trade by guaranteeing the joint stock banks' credits at the Bank of England, so that those banks in turn could finance exporters to give a longer credit to foreign firms purchasing British goods?

Suggestions have been made and are now under consideration by which the Government might join in a general scheme of insurance through which credit could be extended.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that over 2,000 skilled engineers and other workers engaged in the manufacture of sewing machines at Crayford have this week received their discharge; whether this is largely due to the fact that the anticipation of manufacturers that they would be able to dispose of these goods in Russia and elsewhere in Eastern Europe has not been realised; and whether, in view of the great distress caused by unemployment, he will take immediate steps to make these markets accessible to British goods?

I am aware that unfortunately there is an increase in unemployment, and that discharges have recently taken place at Crayford, but I cannot accept as accurate the contention that this is due to the cause mentioned by my Noble Friend. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my Noble Friend to the answer given on Thursday last to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Finchley.

Is it not a fact that a very grave mistake would be made in holding out any hopes to the unemployed of this country that trade relations with Russia might add substantially to their employment?

I agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman that those hopes are considerably exaggerated. The figures I have seen are perfectly grotesque. In view of that fact, there is nothing which would impel me more to press for the conclusion of the agreement than to establish what are the real facts.

If we had made peace two years ago, should we not now have been doing a big trade?

That is a purely hypothetical question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that, as a result of the depreciated value of the mark, our industries are subjected to the unfair competition of imported German goods, and having regard to the fact that the value of the mark is affected by the crushing and uncertain amount of the indemnity and generally by the peace terms imposed upon Germany, he will take immediate steps to call an international conference by whose efforts, through the modification of the Treaty of Versailles or by other means, the currency may be stabilised?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply given by me on Thursday last on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department intends to compile on the subject of the national loss caused by the coal strike reliable figures which are sufficiently comprehensive to convey a correct impression; whether such information is of the greatest value to the public in view of industrial troubles; and whether, if he has not made arrangements to supply it in all disputes of the kind, he will at once take steps to do so?

In order to form such an estimate, it would be necessary to obtain detailed particulars from every class of manufacture, trade, and business. Such an inquiry would inevitably be long, costly, and incomplete (nor have I any power to compel any person to reply), and I should certainly not feel justified in incurring the expense which would be involved.

Has not a good deal of this been made up by increased production of coal since the strike?

An infinitesimal portion.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the last recorded weekly output of coal in the Yorkshire, Notts and Derby coalfields; what were the corresponding figures for the similar period last year; what is the estimated present consumption of coal by industry in this period of this year in the districts served by these fields; what is the present amount of coal allowed for export from the Humber ports; whether he contemplates allowing an increase of coal for export from these ports; and whether he is aware of the unemployment and loss of trade caused by the present severe restrictions on coal exports from the Humber?

The output of coal for the week ended 4th December was 820,500 tons in Yorkshire and 600,400 tons in Notts and Derby. The corresponding figures for last year were 781,300 tons and 591,300 tons, respectively. I regret that information is not available as to the quantities consumed by industry in the districts served by these fields. The amount of coal, exclusive of slurry and colliery pickings, hitherto allowed for export from the Humber has been 60,000 tons per month unwashed slack up to half-inch. Discretion has now been given to the committees of certain areas (including the three named in the question) to permit export of slack where they are satisfied that it cannot be disposed of inland. With regard to the last two portions of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Pontefract.

As there is a much less consumption of coal by the smelting and other industries in South Yorkshire at the present time, and in view of the increased production of the collieries, is it not time that coal other than slack should be allowed to be exported from these great ports?

One must take into consideration the fact that during the strike 14,000,000 tons of coal were lost to the country, and even with an increase of 400,000 tons per week it would require nine months to make that loss good.

Is it intended then to wait for the whole deficit to be made up before further exports are allowed?

I am watching the situation from day to day, and I shall permit the exports as soon as I possibly can with safety.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the heavy new issues of capital for the purpose of furthering industrial enterprises in Germany; whether such issues are met by increased issues of paper money whereby the German exchange is automatically reduced vis-à-vis the £ sterling; and whether anything will be done to prevent Germany evading her liabilities towards the Allies by depreciating her own exchange and so delaying the fulfilment of her liabilities under the Peace Treaty?

The figures of capital issues in Germany which I have seen, while large in nominal value, appear to be moderate if allow- ance be made for the depreciation of the mark. There appears to be no connection between such capital issues and the increased issues of paper money, and, accordingly, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister when he will carry out his undertaking to publish all agreements, protocols, etc., relating to the execution of the Treaty of Versailles?

I am afraid I can still make no definite statement upon this matter. My hon. Friend may rely upon me to see that these documents are published at the earliest possible moment.

In view of the fact that documents similar to these are constantly published in Paris, and reach the British newspapers in a very few hours of their notification in the French Chamber, does the hon. Gentleman not think it unfair to the British public that these documents should be so long withheld, without, at any rate, any due or adequate reason being given to this House?

I do not think my right hon. Friend will expect me to enter into that rather delicate matter. I can only assure him I am most anxious that these documents should be published.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he has noticed that this question has now been on the Paper nearly eight weeks, in response to a promise he himself gave in connection with a Debate which was held in this House, and cannot the Prime Minister use his influence to get these documents published?

Seeing that these are published in all, or nearly all, the French papers, how can it be a delicate matter to publish them in the English papers?

As a matter of fact, if they are published—

They are.

They ought not to be published. It is a most improper proceeding that they should be published in any papers without the consent of all parties. I do not say they are, but I have seen too much of this thing done. We are doing our best to get consent and, so far as we are concerned, we are all in favour of publication of these documents. There have been changes in the French Government during the last few weeks, and that may have been responsible for delay. We will make an effort to secure consent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the French Government the great dissatisfaction felt in this House with regard to the publication of these documents, to which he himself, as he has told us to-day, offers no objection?

May I put down the question this day week?

I will try, but I am afraid it is very little use unless I get personal interviews. Perhaps it would have been well had this been brought to my notice at the time the French Prime Minister was here. Then we could have settled it in a very short time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Reports of the Committees inquiring into the price of building materials may be expected?

Reports on bricks and timber, respectively, have already been published. A Report on cement and mortar has been presented to the Board of Trade, and will be published at an early date. I hope shortly to receive the Report on light castings. The Sub-Committee which reported on bricks is now investigating stone and clay ware. I am unable to say when this Report will be received.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate taking any action arising out of these Reports?

Not on any Report which I have so far received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many local tribunals for inquiring into cases of profiteering by retailers are now sitting; what is the total number of cases investigated in this way; in how many cases the charge has been proved; what has been the penalty in each case; and what has been the total cost to date of these local tribunals?

The answer is a necessarily long one, and I propose therefore to print it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer referred to:—

1,797 local committees established by local authorities under the Profiteering Acts are now sitting. 4,510 cases have been investigated, in 1,059 of which it was decided that an unreasonable profit had been made or sought, and the amount overcharged ordered to be refunded. In 144 cases prosecutions have been successfully undertaken and fines imposed as follows:—

In 3 cases fines of £100.

In 7 cases fines of £50.

In 1 case a fine of 30 guineas.

In 1 case a fine of 25 guineas.

In 17 cases fines of £25.

In 1 case a fine of £22.

In 6 cases fines of £20.

In 1 case a fine of £18.

In 5 cases fines of £15.

In 1 case a fine of £12.

In 19 cases fines of £10.

In 1 case a fine of £8.

In 3 cases fines of £7.

In 35 cases fines of £5.

In 3 cases fines of £4.

In 5 cases fines of £3.

In 1 case a fine of £2 10 s .

In 15 cases fines of £2.

In 1 case a fine of 1 guinea.

In 13 cases fines of £1.

In 5 cases fines of 10 s .

The expenses of local committees are defrayed out of the local rates, and I regret that I am unable to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Noble Lord the Member for Hitchin represents South Africa only at the Geneva Convention; and, if so, whether his expressions of sympathy with Armenia and the Armenians commit the Government in any way to the expenditure of public funds on their behalf?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. He is only committing South Africa.

Is it not highly inconvenient to have two eminent Members of the Legislature at Geneva, and is the voice of the Noble Lord the Member for Hitchin (Lord Robert Cecil) that the League has been extremely successful not overridden by that of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London (Mr. Balfour) when he says that the League has at least done nothing of which it need be ashamed?

asked the Prime Minister whether it has been decided at a conference of heads of certain of the Allied Governments in London that Armenia should not be admitted to the League of Nations; whether the assembly of the League at Geneva has been considering the question of admittance of new States to membership; and with what body rests the power, under the Covenant of the League of Nations, to admit new members to the League?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I would refer my hon. Friend to Article 4 of the Covenant of the League.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government has yet come to a decision as to laying upon the Table of this House, at the conclusion of every meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, a Report of the decisions arrived at at the meeting in question?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, at the conclusion of the meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva, a Report of the proceedings will be laid upon the Table of this House?

As was stated by the Prime Minister on the 2nd inst., the Reports will be placed in the Library as soon as they are received from the Secretary-General of the League.

Can they be issued as a Parliamentary Paper? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of Members of the House very much hope to get some of these papers for their own private use, and would be willing to pay for them?

It would entail a good deal of expense, and I think it would be a good plan to begin by placing them in the Library?

Cannot the Papers be issued subject to payment? Would not that be the better plan?

I think the best plan would be to put them in the Library first, and then we can see to what extent the Papers are required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the House any information regarding the results of the intervention of the League of Nations in the situations obtaining in Armenia and in Lithuania?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the present position in Armenia; and whether instructions have been issued to representatives of Great Britain at the assembly of the League of Nations as to the policy of this country in view of the proclamation of a Soviet Republic?

The League of Nations has induced the Lithuanian Government and General Zeligowski to conclude an armistice. It has also secured the services of an international force, consisting of British, French, Spaniards, and Scandinavians, to police the Vilna district during the holding of the proposed plebiscite.

A Soviet Government has been formed in Armenia. Ten thousand Russian troops are reported to have entered the country, and the Russian representative is said to have assured the Armenian Government that Armenia will be independent. Peace negotiations with the Turkish Nationalists are continuing. No special instructions have been issued to the British representatives at Geneva in connection with the proclamation of a Soviet Republic in Armenia.

Do not the Government think that the time has come to let Armenia alone, it being a factor of no international importance, but one which is continually involving this country in expense and trouble?

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that it is not a factor of international importance.

I did not catch the answer of the hon. Gentleman to the question which has just been put to him, but may I ask whether this country is not bound by expressions and statements and promises made over and over again by its representatives to protect the Armenians from further butchery; and also, as the Government in Armenia has been described as a Soviet Government, whether it is not true that the Government in Armenia cannot be described as a Soviet Government, since many of its-members are not Bolshevists at all, and whether it is not a Coalition Government forced upon the country by the condition of exposure to the attacks of Turkish forces into which the country has been forced by, I am afraid I must say, the neglect of the Powers to give it proper protection against further massacre?

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, the sentiments of His Majesty's Government with regard to Armenia are very well known. As regards the second part, our information is that a Soviet Government has been established in Armenia, but I do not pretend that our knowledge in regard to the situation is exhaustive.

May I ask if the Armenians and the Turks signed an agreement at Alexandropol a few days-ago, under which Turkey is to take over, not only the district round Lake Van, but also a considerable amount of Persian territory up to the Araxis, and what the Government propose to do to remedy that?

I shall be glad to have notice of that question.

Are we to understand that 10,000 Russian soldiers have been imported into Armenia with a view to forcing upon Armenia the terms which Mustapha Kemal, who is the ally of the Bolshevists, wishes to dictate?

May I supplement that question by asking whether His Majesty's Government will give their assent and sanction to any treaty depriving Armenia of a large portion of the territory to which she is entitled on every ground when such treaty is forced by the troops either of the Bolshevists or of the Turkish Government upon a people that has been under the protection of the Powers of Europe?

In how much of the taxpayers' money are the sentiments of His Majesty's Government towards Armenia to be expressed?

I cannot remember all these supplementary questions. They seem to be questions which might be put on the Paper

Does my hon. Friend think the results of the Foreign Office policy in the Near East have been entirely satisfactory?

It would be difficult to say that with regard to any policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement with regard to permitting trade between the British Empire and Russia; whether he is aware of the great need of manufactured goods of all kinds in Russia and of the increasing unemployment in British industries at the present time due to the lack of markets; and does His Majesty's Government propose to assist British merchants and manufacturers to supply the Russian and Siberian markets with manufactured goods?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that, owing to the trade agreement with the Soviet Government of Russia not being signed, £20,000,000 worth of goods sought to be placed in this country has now gone to Germany; whether he is aware that other large orders for goods are waiting to be placed here but are held up for the same reason; having regard to the numbers of unemployed in this country and to the general willingness of British traders to export goods to Russia, there is any intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to alter their policy in this matter;

(2) whether he is aware that at least £20,000,000 worth of orders for goods for Russia were sought to be placed in this country to be paid for in gold; and whether, having regard to the fact that a licence to export gold from Russia has been refused, he will state what steps, if any, the British Government intend to take to ensure that British traders shall be provided with an immediate opportunity to quote prices for and export goods to Russia?

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position of the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Russian Soviet Government regarding the proposed trade agreement; and when this House will be given an opportunity of debating the same?

As hon. Members are aware, negotiations are now proceeding with the Russian Trade Delegation with a view to establishing trade relations with Russia, and it would be inexpedient to make any statement as to the progress of these negotiations at the moment. So far as we are concerned, no licence is required to allow Russian gold to come to this country. I have no reliable information as to the reports of Russian purchases to which the hon. and gallant Member for South-East Leeds refers.

Will the Prime Minister promise that this matter shall be discussed in the House before any agreement is come to, and is there any possibility of this discussion taking place before we rise for Christmas?

We are not going to rise !

There will be an opportunity for discussing the matter on the Second and Third Readings of the Consolidated Fund Bill. As a matter of fact, I have been discussing the matter this morning with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and I think it is very desirable that we should have a discussion.

What is the cause of the delay, in view of the fact that on 7th July a practical agreement was come to between the Soviet Government and His Majesty's Government?

That is exactly what my right hon. Friend and I will explain to the House of Commons.

I am sorry to press the right hon. Gentleman, but can he say whether there is any chance of this matter being settled favourably to British merchants, in view of the unemployment—the growing unemployment—and the dissatisfaction of the country?

We stand absolutely by our bargain. I wish the same thing could be said by both sides.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bank of France has purchased a large quantity of Russian gold through Stockholm and Reval without any limitation or restriction; and if that is so, why cannot the British purchase it in order to start the export of goods?

The British trader can purchase if he likes, but he cannot export without a licence. I am not sure that the statement with regard to France is accurate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that permission to import gold from Russia is coupled with the condition that it must be sold at 77 —the pre-War price—whereas the price is now 115? If that is so, is it not a gross injustice to the importers?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the promise given by the Leader of the House, that before any Debate takes place the whole of the correspondence on this subject should be circulated as a White Paper?

I should like to consider that very carefully; it depends upon the state of the negotiations. A very full statement was made in the Debate in the House, but nothing will be withdrawn from the cognisance, not merely of the House, but of those outside, for it is very important that where there is a possibility of trade with Russia providing employment, the whole of the facts should be known. In regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite (Captain O'Grady), there is no prohibition of any imports. The prohibition with regard to the price at which gold can be exported applies to gold, whether Russian or other gold.

Is there not—as I understand—a stipulation laid down by the Treasury that this gold cannot be imported except at 77, which is the pre-War price, while the market price is now 115?

That is not so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to two cases of Soviet propagandist literature that have come from Moscow?

If my hon. and gallant Friend can give me any information on that point I shall be glad.

Arising out of the answer of the Prime Minister to my supplementary question with regard to the promise that was given by the Leader of the House that this correspondence should be published. I do not wish to press for an immediate answer, but it is important that the House should have this correspondence in their possession before a decision is come to.

Whatever promise was given by the Leader of the House will be honoured.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have any information as to whether the Soviet Government is proposing to resume hostilities against Poland; if so, what action do the Allies intend to take; and, if a resumption of hostilities is undertaken by either side, will the Allies take joint action to compel the aggressor to cease hostilities?

Rumours to this effect have been received by His Majesty's Government, but I have no means of knowing what may be the intentions of the Soviet Government, nor can I say now what attitude in the hypothetical case put by my Noble Friend the Allied Governments may decide to adopt.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now state whether he proposes to guarantee the frontiers of Poland to the East of the Curzon line as laid down?

We have undertaken no responsibility for that country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has received any information indicating that Soviet Russia is planning further aggression against Poland?

Rumours to this effect have reached His Majesty's Government, notably as the result of a statement. by the Soviet representative in Lithuania. In view of the fact that negotiations are still in progress at Riga between the Polish and Soviet representatives, His Majesty's Government cannot but hope that peace will shortly be arranged between the two countries.

asked the Prime Minister whether the surviving portions of the army of Baron Wrangel are being re-organised and re-equipped; whether this is being done on territory under the control of the Allies; whether these troops will be used for further attacks on Soviet Russia; and why they have not been disarmed and interned?

I have caused inquiries to be made by telegram with regard to the allegations referred to, but have not yet received any reply.

Surely the Prime Minister or his assistants know what is being done in regard to the remnants of this army? Why is it that the Government have to telegraph for this information?

To get the information.

May I press for an answer to the second part of my question, which does not necessitate any telegraphing, namely, whether these troops will be used for further attacks on Soviet Russia?

So far as we are concerned, we have nothing whatever to do with re-arming them or using them for any purpose.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Hull think he should give advice to our French Allies?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Suez Canal Company has demanded the removal of the swing railway bridge across the canal; whether the company has submitted alternative proposals for maintaining the railway link between Egypt and Palestine; and, if so, will he state the nature of those proposals?

The temporary swing bridge over the Suez Canal was erected to meet an urgent military need with the consent of the Canal Company, who stipulated that the bridge should be removed after hostilities had ceased. The question of replacing the makeshift bridge by some permanent means of crossing was considered by the International Technical Commission of the Suez Canal last month, who unanimously decided that any bridge would be objectionable, and that railway communication across the Canal should be assured by means of a train ferry.

Then it is not proposed to substitute a bridge for this train ferry?

So I understand.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the recent changes which have taken place, who are the present Members of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) and what are their qualifications?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The present Members of the Central Control Board are: Mr. W. Waters Butler, The Rev. Henry Carter, Dr. H. H. Dale, F.R.S., Colonel J. M. Denny, C.B., the Hon. Hugh Godley, Lord Leverhulme, Mr. R. S. Meiklejohn, C.B., Mr. Sydney O. Nevile, Sir John Pedder, K.B.E., C.B., the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby and the hon. Member for Plaistow, and Sir William Towle. Of these members, two are representatives of the brewing industry, one is a distinguished leader of the temperance party, two are large employers of labour, two are Members of this House who are Members of the Labour party, one is a distinguished scientist,' one is a man of great experience in the catering business, and three are Civil Servants.

Will my hon. Friend say what control, if any, this House has over that Board?

The hon. and gallant Member must give notice of that question?

Who is Chairman?

I understand that when Lord D'Abernon resigned, Sir John Pedder was elected Chairman by the Board.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware "that certain members of that Board, owing to Government action in discrediting the Board by introducing another Bill interfering with their powers, have taken no part in the deliberations for a long time now?

May I ask for the name of the Minister in this House responsible for the Board?

That does not arise. The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice.

Is the Sir John Pedder mentioned the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Home Office?

Sir John Pedder is a distinguished official at the Home Office, but he is not the Permanent Under-Secretary.

He is a permanent official?

Oh, yes; so are the other two.

asked the Prime Minister if, before any Cabinet decision is taken regarding the building of new capital ships for the Navy, he will cause the matter to be considered and reported upon by a Committee, formed upon the precedent of the Committee of 1904, containing representatives of civilian shipbuilding firms and civilian men of science?

The Committee of 1904, which is referred to by my hon. Friend, was not one appointed by His Majesty's Government, but was a purely technical Committee appointed by the Board of Admiralty to review the details of the fighting ships, the types of which had already been decided by the Board of Admiralty. In the event of its being decided that capital ships remain the basis of sea power, it will be at the discretion of the Admiralty to summon any assistance they require as regards details of design.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any time limit will be imposed upon the Committee as to when they must give their decision?

Is it not a fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave us to understand that the Committee of Imperial Defence was to set up this Committee, and does the right hon. Gentleman not see a great difference between such a Committee and one set up by the present Board of Admiralty, which would probably be coloured by their ideas?

In answer to my hon. Friend (Sir F. Flannery) we can hardly set a time limit to the consideration of this question. It is a matter of considerable importance, and it is only when you come to investigate the matter that you realise what its proportions are. Obviously it is of the utmost importance to this country that the question should be thoroughly sifted. It is a question of the best methods for the defence of this country, and this should be based upon a thorough consideration of the lessons of the War. With regard to the question put by the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Hull {Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), he is right in what he said about the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is proposed that the investigation should be undertaken not by a Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, but but by the Committee of Imperial Defence itself, and, as a matter of fact, we shall sit to-morrow to begin the investigation.

Can the Prime Minister assure us that by whomsoever and under whatever circumstances this matter is considered, it will not be decided without the opinion of independent civilians being fully heard and considered?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also give an assurance that the Committee of Imperial Defence will summon to its assistance all the expert advice which the present Board of Admiralty can furnish?

The Board of Admiralty will be represented on the Committee of Imperial Defence, and I have no doubt at all that they will bring all the expert advice they possibly can to enable us to come to a right conclusion? Certainly, before a decision is taken on that question, civilian advice will be taken as well as naval advice.

asked the Prime Minister who will be responsible for the terms of the final inscription on the tomb of the unknown warrior?

The question of an appropriate inscription on the tomb of the unknown warrior is a matter entirely for the Dean of Westminster, who alone has jurisdiction in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a Sinn Fein pamphlet, entitled, " The unanimous declaration of the Episcopate of Ireland," which purports to be signed or issued with the authority of Cardinal Logue, the Catholic Archbishops of Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam, and 25 Irish Roman Catholic Bishops; whether, without making any allusion to Sinn Fein murders and other crimes, the said pamphlet charges the British Government with having established a reign of terror in Ireland, of being responsible for the assassination of guiltless persons, and generally of having organised atrocities similar to the atrocities of the Turkish terror or the excesses of the Red Bolshevik armies in Russia, while at the same time the Press has been gagged and public meetings suppressed; whether he is aware that translations of this pamphlet are being largely circulated in Belgium, France, and other foreign countries, and in the Colonies; whether he has ascertained whether Cardinal Logue and the other Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops have admitted their responsibility for the statements contained in the pamphlet; and whether our representative at the Vatican has made representations on the matter to the Pope, and with what result?

In view of the fact that the statements alluded to were made as long ago as 20th October, and that it is the policy of the Government, while sternly repressing crime on the one hand, to encourage every movement towards peace and better feeling on the other, the Government do not propose to take any action in this matter.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland for full particulars of the fires at Cork; what were the number of buildings and the value of the property destroyed, and the number of persons who have been killed or wounded; whether the Government have discovered the authors of this series of crimes; whether any of them have been arrested; and whether the Government will undertake that they are brought to trial and to adequate punishment?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any information regarding the ambushing of a lorry load of auxiliary police near Cork, and the subsequent destruction by fire of a large portion of the city?

I have not yet received a full, or even a written, report regarding these occurrences in Cork, but the facts as reported to me by telegraph are as follow:

About 8 o'clock on Saturday night last a party of auxiliary police, returning to Victoria Barracks from Cork City, were ambushed at Dillon Cross, which is about half a mile from the centre of the city. Bombs were thrown into the lorries, and 12 of the auxiliaries were wounded—five or six seriously. One of the latter has since died of his wounds.

About the same time different attacks were made upon other parties of auxiliaries in different parts of the city, but fortunately no casualties were sustained in these other attacks. At 9.30 p.m. the police in Cork City received a message stating that a fire had broken out in the large premises of Messrs. Alexander Grant & Co., in Patrick Street, and shortly afterwards other fires were notified as having occurred in the premises of Messrs. Cash & Co., and of the Munster Arcade. The fire brigade was immediately brought up, under military escort, and a police force, collected from all the barracks in the city, was despatched to the scene under the command of a district inspector. Strenuous efforts were made by the fire brigade to extinguish the flames, but, despite their efforts, the fires spread to a number of other buildings, including the City Hall, the Carnegie Library and 15 other large business premises.

The full extent of the destruction and damage caused by the fires has not yet been ascertained. The police and military gave all possible assistance in the work of checking the flames. A certain amount of looting took place, and between 2 and 3 a.m. the police made a baton charge on a crowd of about 100 people, who were engaged in looting, and several arrests were effected. It is not known by whom the fires were started, but I can assure the House that no efforts will be spared to trace the perpetrators of these outrages.

Hear, hear!

I protest most vigorously against the suggestion that there is any evidence that these fires were started by forces of the Crown. There is no evidence to that effect, and it is obvious to anyone that fires of this kind are the only argument which is now used against the Government's policy in Ireland.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that, following the terrible ambushing of this lorry, three civilians called Delany are stated in "The Times" to-day to have been dragged from their houses and shot, and will he also state if there is any truth at all in the other report in other papers, including papers friendly to the Government, that the hoses of the fire brigade were cut and that the fire brigade were fired at while extinguishing the fires'?

There is not an atom of evidence that I know of to that effect. Every available policeman and soldier in Cork was turned out at once, and without their assistance the fire brigade could not have got through the crowds and done the work they were trying to do. There is no evidence of hoses being cut, and there is no evidence of forces of the Crown being responsible for these outrages at all.

Who did them, then?

There is evidence that they were started by incendiary bombs. There are no incendiary bombs in the possession of the forces of the Crown in Ireland. There are incendiary bombs in the possession of Sinn Feiners, and we are seizing them in numbers every week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these fires started simultaneously, and also how long was it after the murderous attack on the Forces of the Crown that the fires took place?

Are not the people of this country and the Members of this House entitled to an impartial inquiry into all these events?

Is it not high time that these motor lorries were adequately protected by armour plate?

I agree with the hon. Member (Mr. Newbould), and as rapidly as we can we are protecting them.

It takes a long time.

It is being done now. We are protecting the lorries and these gallant men who are risking their lives. The whole area is under martial law. Of course, the House is entitled to all information.

An impartial inquiry, please.

I think the best inquiry and the most impartial inquiry would be that made by the General Officer Commanding on the spot.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Can he say whether the fires were simultaneous, and was it in any way possible in the time which had elapsed since the murderous attacks for the troops to have organised such fires?

Not the troops.

The "Black and Tans."

The attack on the lorry, according to the evidence before me, took place at eight o'clock in a place called Dillon's Cross, which is not in the centre of Cork.

It is within half a mile.

Yes, within half a mile. There were certain houses from which the police alleged that bombs were thrown at them at Dillon's Cross. These houses were destroyed, and the police have authority to destroy houses from which they are fired at. The fires broke out more or less simultaneously last night about half-past nine, near the centre of the City of Cork, and my submission is that the fires in the centre had nothing to do with the attacks on the Auxiliary division half a mile from the centre.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before we have the result of the inquiry which he is now setting up?

The General Officer Commanding in Cork City and the Munster area under the martial law proclamation is now in sole command. He has already issued very drastic orders dealing with looting and burning. He is one of the most distinguished officers we have in the British Army, and I have every confidence in him with respect to this inquiry, and as soon as it is available I shall do my best—

How long will it be?

It is impossible for me to say.

Is this the same officer who, on being fired at in recent outrages, succeeded in preventing reprisals on the part of the troops?

The officer is General Strickland. Quite recently he was fired at by several assassins. He drove at once to his headquarters and issued orders that there should be no reprisals on the part of the troops. He is in command of over 10,000 troops, and that is a tribute to the splendid discipline of the troops.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nobody has suggested that these fires were started by the military, but that they were started by the forces of the Crown. How is it that with martial law in operation in the city, and with so many thousands of troops concentrated there and thousands of Black and Tans and thousands of the Royal Irish Constabulary he is unable to detect the malefactors in any of the fires that were started?

There are not " thousands " of troops in Cork city. There are not " thousands " of Auxiliary men, and there are not " thousands " of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

How many are there?

I cannot state off-hand. All I can say is that it is obviously to the interests of the Government to find the perpetrators of this outrage, and I have every confidence in the General Officer Commanding doing so.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information about an attack on police barracks in the north of Ireland last night, and the rumours of the very serious fighting that took place, and can he say how many lives were lost?

I regret to say that there was an attack on a barracks in Ireland last night, a very severe attack, in which one policeman was murdered and two others wounded. I am also glad to say, for the honour of this force and of the survivors at that barrack, that they did not surrender nor did they lose any of their arms.

At the end of Questions—

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, " the reprisals by burning and shooting in the city of Cork, following on the ambushing of a party of auxiliary police, within twenty-four hours of the declaration of martial law and the failure of His Majesty's Government to protect life and property in the city of Cork."

Is it in order for a Member of this House, in view of the answer which has just been given by the responsible Minister in charge of Ireland, to found a Motion for the Adjournment on the allegation that there have been reprisals, when all the evidence is that there were no reprisals?

May I also ask, Mr. Speaker, whether your attention has been drawn to the fact that it is announced everywhere that property of the value of between £2,000,000 and £3,000,000 was destroyed, and that the Government was unable to protect that property?

The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, " the burning and shooting in the city of Cork, following on the ambushing of a party of auxiliary police, within twenty-four hours of the declaration of martial law, and the failure of His Majesty's Government to protect life and property in the city of Cork." Has the hon. Member the leave of the House?

The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and forty Members having accordingly risen, the Motion stood over under Standing Order No. 10, until a quarter past Eight this evening.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the expectation that large economy can be effected by the introduction of better machinery for the administration of the Pensions Department, he can arrange for the proceedings of the investigating Committee to be accelerated and to be carried on even during the Parliamentary Recess?

I fully appreciate the desirability of an early Report. I hope to be able to arrange that the intervention of the Recess shall interfere as little as possible with the progress of the inquiry. I may inform my hon. Friend that during the 15 week-days since its first sitting, the Departmental Committee and its Sub-Committees have held no less than ten formal meetings, and have, in addition, made various visits of inspection. For the present week, three meetings of the Main Committee and five meetings of Sub-Committee have so far been arranged.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when we may expect the Report of this Committee?

Obviously I cannot say within the first ten days of our researches, but we are anxious not only to give it at the earliest possible date, and not to make any error by undue haste. We want to examine it, and go over the vast range of this question. Not only is economy important, but we should endeavour to make sure that the pensioners get their pension at the proper time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that there are 2,200 ex-service men out of employment in Nottingham and that the arterial road scheme will only give employment to 600 men, he will consider a more far-reaching scheme to give useful employment to ex-service men such as alone at this juncture would express the gratitude of the nation for the services which these men have rendered to the State?

It was recognised by the Government that schemes for the construction of arterial roads which I announced on the 19th October could not provide employment for all ex-service men and other men unemployed who would be suitable for such work. I am unable at the moment to say definitely how many men can ultimately be employed on this work in Nottingham, but I am glad to know that the arterial road in question, which started only about three weeks ago, is already employing 400 men.

My Noble Friend will remember that my announcement on the 19th October referred also to other schemes. Grants which have been made by the Ministry of Transport for road maintenance, repair, re-surfacing, etc., in districts in which unemployment is heaviest will also be the means, to a steadily increasing extent, of providing additional employment for ex-service men; moreover, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has taken active steps to expedite, to the utmost extent, road and sewer work in connection with approved housing schemes, arid these measures, I am informed, are already employing considerable numbers of additional men for whom work has become possible only as a result of this special anticipation of work.

In addition to this action on measures already announced, the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment is continuing to examine numerous other proposals which have been submitted to it for consideration. It is not possible for me yet to make any forecast of further measures which may be adopted, but I trust that a further announcement on the matter will shortly become possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that Irish brewers are allowed to brew and export into this country beer of an average gravity of 1,051 degrees, whereas English brewers are confined to a gravity of 1,044 degrees; and if he will now remove this unfair restriction and give the English brewer the same privilege?

I have been asked to reply. The average permitted gravity of beers brewed in Ireland is 1,051 degrees, and the average permitted gravity of beers brewed in Great Britain is 1,044 degrees. This differentiation is in accordance with the actual practice in the years prior to control. Brewers are not restricted to these gravities either in Ireland or in Great Britain so long as the average gravity of all beers brewed by them does not exceed the specified figures.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Liquor Control Board by granting this monopoly has put a huge fortune into the brewers' pockets?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that during the War and to-day the English brewers have never brewed up to the allowance made by the Liquor Control Board?

I believe that is substantially the case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the condition of the main road leading from Dudley, viâ Tipton, to Wednesbury; and, if so, whether he will communicate with the local authorities with a view to rendering financial assistance consequent upon its repair, and thereby find remunerative work for the unemployed?

I am informed that a short length of the road referred to in my hon. Friend's question is in poor condition owing to mining subsidences and damage caused by heavy haulage traffic. This portion of the road is at present under repair. Proposals for the improvement of this portion of the road surface were submitted to the Ministry of Transport some time ago, and substantial financial assistance towards the cost of re-surfacing was promised. I would point out, however, that road work of this character does not afford an outlet for the employment of much unskilled labour.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the condition, speaking generally, of the main roads in the West Riding of Yorkshire, more especially with regard to the main road from Leeds, viâ Settle and Kirkby Lonsdale, to Carlisle; and what steps he proposes to take in order to enforce their proper upkeep by the West Hiding County Council?

I am aware that the condition of the main roads in the West Riding of Yorkshire leaves a good deal to be desired, but important works on a large scale are in hand; it must, however, be some months before the arrears of work can be overtaken. I am not aware that the main road from Leeds to Carlisle viâ Settle and Kirkby Lonsdale is in a worse condition than are equally important roads in other parts of the West Riding, but the hon. and gallant Member may be assured that everything possible is being done to assist the county council both financially and technically. I am arranging to have all the main roads under the charge of the county council inspected, and a report furnished to me as to the steps taken for their improvement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also give his attention to the roads in Leicestershire, which are in a similar condition?

Yes, Sir; all the roads in the country are being attended to.