asked the Secretary of State for India if he can obtain from the Government of India a statement of the reasons for which they prohibited Government servants from contributing to the Dyer Fund and did not prohibit Government servants from contributing to the Jallianwalla Bagh Memorial Fund; and why this distinction was drawn between the two funds?

I am not aware that any such distinction was made.

asked the Secretary of State for India what number of vacancies there were for the Indian Army at the Sandhurst entrance examination last month and at the preceding examination; what number of candidates there were for these vacancies; and of these candidates how many were King's India cadet candidates?

Thirty-five India Army appointments were offered at each examination. The result of the Army entrance examination held in November, 1920, has not yet been announced, and it cannot be stated how many of the successful candidates will desire the Indian Army. Of the candidates who were successful at the June examination seventeen have so far put down their names for the Indian Army, of whom four are King's India cadets, but the final choice is not made until the last term of the course.

asked the Secretary of State for India when it is proposed to raise the 20- and 25-year pensions of such Indian services as the Public Works and Forest Departments; and whether he is aware that these pensions have remained stationary for 50 years, and have in no way been increased to meet the enhanced cost of living in England?

The Public Services Commission, who specifically considered the pension scales of the services in question, as well as those of other services, did not suggest any increase of pension for officers of less than 26 years' service. The Government of India supported their recommendations in this matter, and I see no reason to differ. Subject to the maxima, however, the increases of pay recently granted imply increased pensions. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that for service above 26 years the maximum pensions which can be earned have been increased by amounts up to 20 per cent., and that higher rates of additional pension have also been granted for officers who rise to higher rank.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the difference of treatment accorded to the members of the Home Civil Service employed at the India Office and the officers of the Indian Army in the matter of increase of pensions in consideration of the high cost of living; whether a Home Civil Servant retiring on a pre-war pension of £500 at the age of 60 now retires on a pension of £682 10s., or a percentage increase of 36.50 plus gratuity, while a lieutenant-colonel of the Indian Army of 33 years' service only receives an extra £100 a year, or a percentage increase of 14.28, without any gratuity; and, considering that the high cost of living affects both in an equal degree, will he consider the question of giving the officers of the Indian Army a percentage increase of pension equal to that granted to the Home Civil Service?

The rate of pension granted to a member of the Home Civil Service depends to some extent on the amount of bonus on his salary at date of retirement and might in some cases be more, and in others less, than the figure mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. The conditions of service in the Indian Army differ so widely from those in the Home Civil Service that any comparison is of little value.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in addition to the two battalions of Indian infantry now in Mesopotamia, which went overseas from India in 1914–15, whom it is hoped to repatriate before March, 1921, arrangements can be made at the same time for the relief of all Indian units in Mesopotamia and elsewhere who have been more than three years overseas?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Arrangements have already been made for the return to India of Indian units which have been overseas for long periods in priority to those with shorter overseas service. It is hoped that most, if not all, of these units may return to India during the next few months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if naval ratings, pensioned or active, who have served in His Majesty's yacht on secret or other sea service are eligible for prize money?

The qualification for prize money is service in a ship of war at sea. If my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of the name of the yacht in question, I will ascertain whether her service is regarded as bringing her within this category.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of submarines in full commission; in commission in reserve; the number paid off; the number scrapped since the Armistice; and the number building?

The numbers of submarines in full commission, in commission in reserve, and paid off are shown on pages 701 to 714 of the Navy List. The number scrapped since the Armistice, that is, sold for breaking up purposes or otherwise, or awaiting sale, is 79. The number in course of completion is 9.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of aircraft carriers in full commission; in commission in reserve; the number paid off; the number scrapped since the Armistice; and the number building?

The numbers of aircraft carriers in full commission, in commission in reserve, and paid off are shown on pages 701 to 714 of the Navy List. The number scrapped since the Armistice, i.e., sold for breaking-up purposes or otherwise, is 4. The number in course of completion is 2.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the policy of the Government with regard to the employment of men in His Majesty's dockyards on short time and the anxiety caused in the dockyard towns by this proposal, he can make a full statement as to the conditions of such short-time employment and the grades of men affected by these proposals?

This matter has not yet been gone into, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make a statement at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number of torpedo-boat destroyers in full commission; in commission in reserve; the number paid off; the number scrapped since the Armistice; and the number building?

The number of torpedo-boat destroyers in full commission, in commission in reserve and paid off are shown on pages 701 to 714 of the Navy List. The number scrapped since the Armistice, i.e., sold for breaking-up purposes or otherwise or awaiting sale, is 250. The number in course of completion is six.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether at Shipton-under-Wychwood stacks of hay are awaiting disposal; if so, how many men are guarding the same; what is the weekly cost; and when is it proposed these stocks shall be disposed of?

There is no hay belonging to the War Department at Shipton-under-Wychwood awaiting disposal, but there is a dump of 440 tons, value £5,060, which is required for Army consumption. As a safeguard against fire and theft, three men are employed as watchmen at a wage of £2 7s. each per week.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the procedure authorised by him for the issue of protecting certificates to alien soldiers brought into the Army under conventions with foreign Powers is also available for British subjects called up under the Military Service Acts

I am not prepared to issue general instructions that all such men shall receive protecting certificates. Under the provisions of paragraph 518 of the King's Regulations it is within the power of any Brigade Commander to issue a protecting certificate at his discretion. Many protecting certificates have been issued in cases deserving of that concession, and I am not prepared to disturb the existing procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what Estimate the expenses of the campaign in North-East Persia are included?

A sum of £2,000,000 was taken in Army Estimates for the current financial year to provide for payments to the Government of India in respect of the cost of the withdrawal of the troops in East Persia. This sum was included under Head VI, Sub-head L, Indian Miscellaneous Charges, on page 96 of the original Estimates. As stated in the Memorandum, circulated with the Supplementary Estimate, the provision has been largely exceeded.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions cases examined by medical boards for reassessment during the last three months in this country; the number of pensions increased; the number of pensions decreased; and the number of pensions totally abolished after these medical examinations?

During the last three months (September, October, and November) there have been 283,000 pension cases examined for re-assessment. It is not possible to give the results of these individual examinations, but during the same period the number of cases whose assessment of disability was confirmed or altered as the result of medical examination was 268,900, of which

The reduction in the average degree of disablement by the above alterations was 5.7.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will explain the delay in dealing with the case of Albert William Webb Waller, No. 554726, Labour Corps, and formerly a private in the 3rd Dragoon Guards; if he is aware that this ex-soldier has been passed by three medical boards as unfit to follow his ordinary occupation; that he was kept without pension from the 26th November, 1919, when a former pension expired, until the 26th March, 1920, when he was restored to pension by a medical referee; that he was awarded 25 per cent. disability pension by a medical board at Chelsea on the 3rd May, 1920, which was disallowed on the 10th June; that Waller entered an appeal, which was heard before the appeal medical board at Chelsea on the 9th September, when he was recommended for 5 per cent. disability pension for life; that the local war pensions committee have written to the Ministry four times, the Comrades of the Great War several times, and Waller himself repeatedly with reference to his case, without eliciting a reply, until on the 8th November the Minister wrote that the case would be dealt with at once, which has never yet been done; whether, seeing that Waller has thus been kept by interminable delays for the greater part of 13 months without the provision to which his military service entitles him; that he has been reduced thereby to a state of destitution; that he has lost employment which he might have obtained if he had had means to take his clothes out of pawn; and, in view of the hardship thus occasioned to a deserving ex-service man and the discredit thereby thrown on the administration of pensions, he will have the case settled and the pension, with arrears, paid without further delay?

I am not prepared to accept my hon. Friend's suggestions of delay and neglect in this case, nor can I agree with a number of the statements made in the question. The local war pensions committee were notified of every decision as it was made, and the last letter from the Comrades of the Great War, dated the 5th July, was answered on the 12th July. The man has been examined by four medical boards since the beginning of 1919, who have uniformly found that the extent of disablement due to service was slight. The last examination was by a medical appeal board in September, 1920, when disablement was assessed at only 5 per cent. The man has, in fact, received payments considerably in excess of the actual amount due to him from my Department. He is therefore not entitled to anything further; but if he claims that his condition has become substantially worse since his last examination, he may apply for further consideration of his case through his local war pensions committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in his Department he is considering the question of employing ex-service men where possible rather than women?

The question of employing ex-service men has been kept constantly in view. Since August, 1919, no women have been appointed except to posts which are peculiarly appropriate to women, such as typists and nurses; and since that date the number of ex-service men employed in the Ministry has increased by 8,000. The question of the further substitution of ex-service men for women is being fully considered by the Substitution Committees which have been set up in accordance with the recommendations of the Lytton Report.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growing percentage of unemployment in the drug and fine chemical trade; and, as Russia is in urgent need of drugs and fine chemicals, if he will do his utmost to open up trade with Russia immediately and so assist in keeping down unemployment in this particular trade?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on this subject by the Prime Minister on Monday.

asked the Minister of Labour how many women are now out of work; the six chief trades in which female unemployment is most noticeable; and whether he has recently received representations or noticed instances in which difficulties have been placed in the employment of women?

The number of women on the Live Register of the Employment Exchanges on 26th November was 103,420, as compared with 74,416 on 15th October. The six employments in which the largest numbers were registered were:—

Domestic Service (including office keeping and daily charing).

Clothing Trades.

Engineering and Allied Trades.

General Factory work.

Textile Trades.

Commercial and Clerical Occupations.

With regard to the latter part of the question, while 1 have received representations on the subject of the growing unemployment among women, I have not observed any special cases of opposition to the employment of women. On the contrary, my information is that there is still a number of cases in which work which before the War was done by men is now being performed by women, who are therefore to that extent keeping ex-service men out of employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether unemployment is rapidly increasing; whether 10,000 may be taken as an outside figure for the number of unemployed absorbed by the various Government schemes; what was the number of unemployed on the live registers of the Exchanges at the last available date; and whether he is now in a position to make any further announcement as to measures to be taken for dealing with the problem?

There is no doubt that unemployment is increasing. As regards the number of unemployed workpeople for whom employment has been found under the schemes announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 19th October, I would prefer not to attempt to make an estimate at present. But I can say that on the 14th December the number of men employed on new arterial road work was 3,460. Employment is also being found for a considerable number of men on work in connection with road maintenance, repairs, etc. both in London and the Provinces. It is not possible to state the exact number employed in this way, but the work involved is estimated to cost considerably over £500,000, towards which the Ministry of Transport have made grants of rather more than £250,000. Moreover, a considerable number have also been absorbed through the efforts of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, in cooperation with local authorities, to anticipate road and sewer work in connection with housing schemes, but 1 regret that it is not possible at present to give any estimate of the number of men so employed. The number of men and boys unemployed on the live registers of the Employment Exchanges on 3rd December was 412,297; and of women and girls, 132,145. As regards the last part of the question, I am not yet in a position to make any further announcement as to the measures contemplated by the Government for the relief of unemployment, but, as I have previously stated, the Cabinet Committee on unemployment is continuing its examination of further practicable remedies, and I hope that an announcement with regard to this will be possible shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can inform the House how many ex-service men were out of work on the Saturday preceding the coal strike; how many lost their employment as a result of this strike; how many were reinstated; and how many were out of work on Saturday, 11th December?

The number of ex-service men claiming out-of-work donation on Friday, 15th October, was 172,328. It is not possible to state how many lost their employment as a result of the coal strike, nor the number who were reinstated after the strike, but some indication is given by the fact that the number of ex-service men claiming out-of-work donation was 306,417 at 6th November, and 220,406 at 26th November; the increase shown by the latter figure, as compared with the figure for 15th October, is largely, and perhaps wholly, attributable to a general depression in employment. At 3rd December, the latest date for which figures are available, the number was estimated at 240,189.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any communication from the district of Aldershot drawing his attention to the large amount of unemployment prevailing among ex-service men in this town, and urging the War Department to make a substantial grant in order that the work of repair and maintenance to barracks and buildings in the garrison at Aldershot could be undertaken, thereby causing employment and alleviate the present great distress that exists at the present time; that the Navy and Army Canteens Board should take steps to replace females in their employ who are doing work other than that of a purely household nature; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir; during the past few months the War Office has been in communication with the Unemployment Conference at Aldershot regarding the relief of distress by providing employment on maintenance and repairs and other work in the Aldershot Command, and the Conference expressed their satisfaction at the manner in which their request had been met. 25 skilled, and 122 unskilled men, all ex-service men, have recently been given employment, and I hope it may be possible to increase these numbers to 26 skilled and 188 unskilled men. The amount of funds available is, however, limited, and with wages at their present level it does not permit of as many men being employed as would otherwise be possible. As regards the second part of the question, the Army Council received some months ago a copy of a Resolution passed by the Aldershot and District Trades and Labour Council relative to the employment of women by the Navy and Army Canteen Board. The policy of the employment of women in canteens has been fully explained in reply to questions in this House, and in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to the hon. Member for Central Southwark on 10th November last. As pointed out in that reply, the number of women employed by the Navy and Army Canteen Board has been considerably reduced during the course of the year, and I am informed that instructions have recently been issued by the Board to the manager of the Aldershot area which will result in a still further reduction of the women so employed and a corresponding increase in the number of ex-service employés.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Woolwich and the steps that have been taken to alleviate unemployment; and whether any further action is proposed?

The number of men registered at the Employment Exchange in Woolwich as unemployed on 3rd December was 2,537 of whom 1,037 were ex-service men. Work commenced about four weeks ago on the arterial road at Woolwich, and I hope that it will be found possible shortly to increase substantially the number of men employed on this road. It has also been found possible to provide employment for a number of men by means of expediting the lay-out of roads and sewers in connection with a local housing scheme. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 30th November by the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office to the hon. Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) in regard to the provision of alternative work at Woolwich and other Government factories. As my hon. Friend is aware the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment is continuing to examine proposals for the further mitigation of the hardships of unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, are being taken by his Department to bring about a settlement of the strike now in progress in the shipbuilding yards in this country?

No representations have been made to me either by the parties or by other persons interested that I should intervene in this dispute. I have, however, given consideration to it and have informed the parties that I should be glad to be furnished by them with a statement of the relevant facts. They are, of course, aware that the good offices of the Department are at their disposal if they should desire to avail themselves of them.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the Long Room, Custom House, London, has not been satisfactorily cleaned for a number of years; that some years ago a medical officer of the Department reported that accumulated dust and dirt was present to a dangerous degree; whether his Department promised in 1919 that the cleaning and redecoration of the Long Room should be proceeded with immediately the financial year 1920–21 had commenced; and why has the work not been commenced?

The facts are as stated by the hon. and gallant Member. Funds are now available, and the work will be commenced forthwith.

asked the Minister of Food what was the cost of salaries and establishment expenses of the Wheat Commission for the years 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919, and the estimated cost for the current year?

The cost of salaries and establishment expenses of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies for the calendar years referred to was as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Paul Dukes, K.B.E., is still employed by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, in what capacity, and where?

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether, in view of the existing unemployment and consequent distress, he will consider the possibility of arranging for the disposal at the lowest possible price to all relief funds of the 800,000 unsold barrels of Scottish herrings?

The amount of herrings in the hands of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries does not exceed 525,000 barrels, the rest being in the hands of the Scottish Fishery Board. The Ministry is, I understand, prepared to dispose of all or any of the herrings for which it is responsible at cost price. Pickled herrings, however, do not appeal to the average British palate, and I do not think that relief in this form would be widely welcomed in this country.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has forgotten that about the end of last September 100 tons of flour Were stored on his behalf in the loft of Messrs. Goldings, at Haywards Heath, and that such flour is now rapidly deteriorating; the reason why it is necessary to keep 100 tons, or any flour, stored in this loft at all; what are the weekly expenses for rent and storage incurred; if such storage is necessary, will he take steps to secure that no flour remains there for more than a week or two; and whether, in the realisation of the 100 tons, he will consider the possibility of offering it, or part of it, at a reduced rate through the local dealers, if necessary, for sale to the local people, who are now severely feeling the high cost of the loaf?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given on the 13th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Lieut. - Colonel Croft). The weekly expenses for rent and storage for this flour amount to 7d. per ton.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Circular 277, dated 1st December, by the flour mills control Committee, compelling millers to extract 76 per cent. out of all parcels of native wheat, has made Scottish wheat almost unsaleable in Edinburgh market, as millers state that an impossible task has been set them; and whether, in view of the necessity of encouraging home production, he will withdraw or modify Circular 277, which discriminates unfairly in favour of foreign wheat?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday to a similar question to the hon. Member for Forfar (Mr. W. Shaw).

asked the Minister of Food whether the recently issued Circular No. 277 compels millers to take 76 per cent. extraction from home-grown wheat, and the result is that at Edinburgh millers refuse to buy Scotch wheat, it being impossible to get that extraction from it, with the result that farmers cannot make sales of their wheat and complete dislocation of business is resulting; and will he withdraw or modify the circular referred to?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Forfar (Mr. W. Shaw).

asked the Minister of Food whether retailers of sugar are still compelled to buy their sugar from registered wholesalers on the old voucher; and, if so, will he make sugar free to retailers as well as to consumers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second half of the question I am unable to add anything to previous replies on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that no opportunity having been given to landowners redeeming tithe by annuity of paying off the annuity at any later date if they so desire is having a deterrent effect on redemption; and whether he will issue an instruction making such a course possible?

I am afraid that the Tithe Acts contain no provision under which it would be possible for the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to order the redemption of a tithe rent-charge redemption annuity before the expiration of the term of the annuity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that S. Woods, of Elsie Farm, Ramsey St. Mary's, Huntingdonshire, who has been for 29 years farm foreman of Elsie Farm, and has had three sons serving in the Army, one of whom was killed, has applied for a small holding on the farm in question and has now been asked by the county council to leave on Lady Day, although he has a crippled son and an invalid daughter who have nowhere to go; and what consideration can be given to this case?

Inquiry will be made into the case, but, as a general rule, it is not possible for small holdings to be let to civilians, in view of the large number of approved ex-service men who are waiting to be supplied with small holdings on land acquired for the purpose of the Government Land Settlement Scheme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what purpose the Admiralty require the allotment area at Soldiers Point, Holyhead; whether he is aware that the present allotment holders include ex-service men, a widow with nine children whose husband perished in the sinking of the mail steamer "Leinster," and some tenants of nine years' standing who have gone to much expense in fencing and otherwise developing their plots; and whether, in view of these facts, he can give directions to leave the allotments undisturbed?

I have been asked to answer this question. In reply to the first part, the Admiralty have not intimated any desire that the land in question may be reserved for naval purposes. I presume the anxiety of the allotment holders arises from the fact that they were sub-tenants to a tenant whose occupancy has terminated. In arranging any new tenancy their claims shall be as favourably considered as the circumstances may permit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. David Evans, of Dolgelynen farm, Machynlleth, had agreed to submit to arbitration his claim for compensation for loss suffered under the cultivation order, but that the Montgomeryshire agricultural committee have declined to allow the claim to be settled by arbitration until a smaller claim for hire of tractor, etc., has been paid by Mr. Evans; whether legal proceedings have been commenced against Mr. Evans; and whether he will take immediate steps to order the withdrawal of such proceedings until the claim has been first determined by arbitration?

I understand that this claim will be submitted to arbitration on the 29th inst., and that meanwhile the Agricultural Executive Committee's claim is suspended.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the amount of the rental paid by the Council of the Royal Academy for Burlington House annually; whether the lease is conditional on the building being used for the encouragement and development of British Art; and, if so, what steps are taken to ensure that these conditions are carried out?

The Council of the Royal Academy hold a lease of Burlington House at the nominal rent of £l per annum, and on the distinct understanding that the buildings are not used for any purpose inconsistent with the objects of the Academy. Should this condition not be. observed, the position would of course have to be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can see his way to extend the facilities for cheap Christmas travel so as to include children returning from schools or other training establishments for their holidays?

I am afraid it is not practicable to extend the concessions already announced as to Christmas traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Festiniog Railway Company, Port Madoc, has added 2s. to the cost of workmen's weekly tickets; that the carriages on this railway are very old and dilapidated, unclean, not waterproof, and that the only light in them is supplied by an occasional candle; that the increase of 2s. is for any distance travelled, the men concerned only having to travel a few miles; and that the issue of weekly tickets is a real hardship, inasmuch as, when stoppages occur at the quarries or when men are ill, they are called upon to pay for the full week's tickets when they sometimes only use the railway one or two days a week; and if he will consider the desirability of issuing day tickets, the same to be issued on an average of the cost of the weekly tickets?

The whole question of workmen's fares was recently considered by the Rates Advisory Committee, who recommended a scale of fares for such tickets according to distance, with a proviso that no fare should be increased by more than 200 per cent. A further limitation was imposed by the Cabinet that no increase should exceed 2s. per week. The workmen's fares charged on the Festiniog Railway were on a very low basis, and the limitation of 2s. per week applied in all cases. The question of the issue of daily tickets and of the conditions of conveyance will be taken up with the Festiniog Railway Company, and on receipt of their reply I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps can be taken by the borough of Bermondsey or the Board of Trade itself to compel the London County Council to at once lay down a system of electric tramways in Bermondsey to replace the lines now disused which were acquired by that body by Parliamentary sanction, for the electrification of which Parliamentary powers have already been obtained; and, in order to find work for the unemployed, will the Board of Trade urge the London County Council to proceed with the reconstruction and road reparation forthwith?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I presume that the hon. Gentleman refers to the disused tramways in Bermondsey, which the London County Council obtained power in 1915 to reconstruct and equip electrically. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has no power to compel the reconstruction of these tramways, nor, so far as I am aware, have the Bermondsey Borough Council. The question of putting the work in hand is one for the consideration of the County Council to whom I am forwarding a copy of the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that it is customary with business firms using motor traction to have one vehicle as a stand-by whilst the other is on the road; whether, under the new taxation of commercial motor vehicles, the full tax has to be paid on both these vehicles; and, if so, whether he can see his way to grant a concession to such firms who take the precaution of having one vehicle as a stand-by, as otherwise it will seriously affect business men throughout the country?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am aware that it is customary for many business firms using motor traction to have one or more vehicles as stand-by vehicles, according to the extent and nature of their business. This fact was taken into consideration by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles in arriving at the rates of duty which they recommended should be paid in respect of commercial vehicles, and the rates recommended by them were accepted by the House and embodied in the Finance Act, 1920. I regret that no concession can be made in respect of such vehicles so far as tax is concerned. I would, however, draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the fact that quarterly licences can be obtained in respect of these vehicles on payment of 30 per cent. of the annual duty.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to communicate the result of his inquiry into the progress of the Rye housing scheme?

I regret that the commencement of work on the contract for an instalment of 20 houses which was signed in September last is still held up, as the local authority have not yet completed the acquisition of the site, the purchase of which was approved by my Department in July last. I am doing all I can to secure expedition in this matter, and I understand that the builder is ready to commence work immediately upon the site becoming available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that houses built under the Housing of the Working Classes Act are, in addition to being let at uneconomic rents, being let free of rates; whether, as an example, the town council of Poole, Dorsetshire, have passed a Resolution that houses of which the economic rent is 22s. plus rates are to be let at 14s. 6d. free of rates; and what is the policy of the Ministry of Health in the matter?

The Town Council of Poole are in communication with my Department on the question of the rents to be charged for their new houses, but no agreement has yet been come to. I am pressing local authorities to obtain the best rent possible, regard being had to all the circumstances, but it is clearly impossible to obtain full economic rents on the present cost of building. In all cases the rents discussed with the authorities are rents exclusive of rates, the current rates being subsequently added by the authorities for the purpose of weekly collection from the tenants.

asked the Minister of Health whether, assuming that a house built under the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes Act costs, all in, £1,000 and that the rates in the locality are 17s. 6d. in the £, he can give an estimate of what the economic weekly rent of such a house would be on the assumption that in one case the tenant himself was liable for all rates, and on the other that the house was let to him at a weekly rent that includes rates?

The rent required to meet loan charge at 6½ per cent. and allowance for management and repairs in respect of a house costing £1,000 all in would be 30s. per week, the tenant also paying rates, water charge, and inhabited house duty. The amount of rates depends on the rateable value of the house. If the rateable value were based on the full rental, with the usual deductions for repairs, etc., the total weekly payment, including rates (if at 17s. 6d. in the £), etc., would be approximately £2 12s. per week.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the number of completed houses built under his proposals on the 10th December; the number building; and the present cost to the State?

On 1st December, the latest date for which figures are available, 16,187 houses had been completed, of which 11,122 were provided by local authorities and public utility societies and 5,065 under the private builders' subsidy scheme; 52,396 other houses were in various stages of construction by local authorities and public utility societies; and preliminary certificates have been issued in respect of a further 21,448 houses under the private builders' subsidy scheme. The total number of houses included in signed contracts on 11th December by local authorities was 133,301. The capital cost of construction is defrayed from loans raised by local authorities and public utility societies. The Exchequer payments to date in aid of the annual deficits on local authorities' assisted housing schemes amount to £116,000. In addition, £9,000 has been paid to public utility societies. The amount of subsidy paid up to 10th December under the private builders' scheme is £1,016,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether more than 90 per cent. of the issue of £4,000,000 6 per cent. Housing Loan made jointly by seven provincial towns was left on the hands of the underwriters; and what was the cost of underwriting the issue?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The underwriting terms were the same as for other composite municipal issues under the general arrangements that have been made, with the help of the bankers and brokers, to co-ordinate the borrowings of local authorities on the London market. The total cost of underwriting amounted to £60,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can see his way to reduce the period of repayment of money invested in Housing Bonds; and whether he is aware that the present minimum period of five years constitutes an obstacle to the success of the Housing Bond campaign in industrial areas?

I am unable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member. The minimum period of five years is fixed by Statute and was based on the recommendation contained in the Report dated 27th November, 1919, (Cmd. 444) of the Treasury Committee on Housing Finance. I would remind the hon. Member that half the proceeds of the sales of National Savings Certificates are now available for housing loans, and accordingly those who wish to invest small sums in housing can do so by purchasing National Savings Certificates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Isle-worth bricklayers have refused to work on brick houses if unskilled labour is used in the neighbourhood in the erection of houses on the composite concrete construction system; that their attitude has been similar to that adopted recently by certain bricklayers at Manchester; and that at Hayes, near London, where many of these concrete houses are being built, the walls of four houses were erected to the first floor in three days by unskilled labour; and whether, in view of the importance of this experience at Hayes, he will take immediate steps to enable this concrete system work to be carried out?

The facts are as stated. It is understood that the matter will be brought before the London Demarcation Committee.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the case of Mr. and Mrs. Lelliott who were until recently in the service of the Guildford Guardians?

I have communicated with the Guardians concerning this case and am awaiting a reply.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the promise given by the Local Government Board that all medical public appointments becoming vacant during the War should be temporarily filled until those serving should come home; and, if so, whether he can explain the reply sent to the clerk to a certain board of guardians, who wrote asking if these appointments are now to be thrown open, to the effect that the War was not over and the Ministry would let him know when it is over?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of the case mentioned in the second part of the question, I will have it investigated and communicate further with him. I am advised that the policy of the Local Government Board in respect of filling appointments during the War was as he states.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the total rateable values of county boroughs having a population of 100,000 or over; the total rateable value of all licensed premises in each such borough; and the amount chargeable upon the rates in respect of pauperism, lunacy, and police in each such borough?

The total rateable value of the county boroughs having a population of 100,000 or over was £50,417,000 on the 1st April last. I am not in possession of the other particulars asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Mr. George W. Pinning, of 120, Regent Street, Whitstable, a married man with over 45 years' service in the Post Office, is eligible for increased pension under the recent Act; if so, why his case, which has been under consideration since the 4th of November, has not yet been settled; and when a settlement will be arrived at?

Mr. Pinning is eligible for an increase of pension; but the matter is complicated by the fact that his wife is in receipt of an old age pension, which may be affected by the grant of an increased pension to Mr. Pinning. I have given instructions for the case to be expedited as much as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a large number of men who have been employed on temporary work at the Post Office for some years past have been given notice to vacate their positions on or about' Christmas day: whether in many cases these men are married, having a wife and family to provide for, and are 50 years of age; and whether, considering the difficulty they would have to find employment, he will undertake to withhold their notices, so that they may not be thrown out of work at this period of the year?

It is the case that the services of a number of temporary employés will cease after the Christmas pressure. The Post Office is pledged to give all available posts to ex-service men, and I regret that the temporary civilian force must be prepared to give way to ex-service men, who are being engaged for permanent appointments. Long notice has been given and I am unable to extend it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any evidence that the profits of brewery companies have been reduced in consequence of the increase in the tax on beer made during the current year, or whether the whole of the additional taxation imposed has been borne by the consumer?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller has no evidence as to the points raised in this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of insulated shipping is at present in the hands of the Government; and what proportion this is of the total insulated shipping coming to this country?

I have been asked to reply. The insulated shipping on the Australasian and Argentine routes it still subject to requisition, representing about 90 per cent. of the total insulated shipping coming to this country. On both these routes, however, a large percentage of the space is released each month for the carriage of private produce.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any provision in the Pensions Increase Act, 20th August, 1920, excludes teachers under the Elementary School Teachers Superannuation Act of 1918; and, if not, whether why school teachers who retired since April, 1918, are refused an increase as they would now be receiving a larger pension if they had retired previous to the passing of the Act of 1918?

Pensions awarded under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, are not included among those which are increased by the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the latter Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in which of the Crown Colonies ordinances providing for forced labour are in force; and what are the ordinances in question?

There are Ordinances in various Colonies and Protectorates providing for short periods of compulsory labour on roads and for other public objects. I will circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the list referred to: —

Legislation in force in Crown Colonies and Protectorates relating to forced {or Statute) labour for public purposes.

Ceylon. —The Road Ordinance, 1861 (No. 10 of 1861— see Secs. 49 and 50).

Cyprus. —The Branch Roads Law, 1899 (No. 27 of 1899). The Village Roads Law, 1900 (No. 6 of 1900) (amended by Nos. 6 of 1901 and 11 of 1904).

Dominica. —The Public Road Act, 1888 (No. 18 of 1888).

{Note. —This Act has been largely repealed by The Road Ordinance, 1914— No. 10 of 1914—but the provisions of the former Act as to labour, and money contributions are expressly saved.)

Fiji. —The Communal Services Regulation, 1912 (No. VII of 1912)- passed by the Native Regulation Board, 7th May, 1912.

Gold Coast. —The Roads Ordinance, 1894 (No. 13 of 1894).

Kenya. —Native Reserves Ordinance, 1910 (No. 12 of 1910).

The (East Africa Protectorate) Native Authority Ordinance, 1912 (No. 22 of 1912) (amended by No. 3 of 1920).

Montserrat. —The Road Ordinance 1907 (No. 7 of 1907) (amended by Nos. 3 of 1909 and 5 of 1919).

Nigeria. —The Roads and Rivers Ordinance, 1916 (No. XLVIII. of 1916).

Sierra Leone. —The Headmen Ordinance, 1906 (No. 31 of 1906) (amended by 8 of 1909—Section 17 and 13 of 1909).

Uganda Protectorate. — The Native Authority Ordinance, 1919 (No. 17 of 1919).

Virgin Islands. —The Road Ordinance, 1909 (No. 2 ,of 1909) ( ^* ).

Zanzibar. —The Native Labour Control Decree, 1917 (No. 25 of 1917) (amended by 15 of 1919).

( ^* ) As an alternative to a money contribution.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of spirits removed from bond per annum for consumption; and the sum spent per annum on each 1,000 gallons taken from bond and bottled for consumption?

The quantities of spirits removed duty-paid for home consumption vary of course from year to year. For the year ended 31st December, 1919, the quantity was 21,721,000 proof gallons. With regard to the second part of the question, no information is available as to the cost of official supervision of the bottling of spirits in bond for home consumption. The bottling of spirits out of bond is not officially supervised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the sum claimed as compensation by the owner of the premises at Dinas Mawddwy, recently occupied as an explosive store?

The owners claimed a lump sum of £7,706 6s. Id. and a running payment of £705 9s. Id. per annum during occupation by the Ministry.

asked the Home Secretary if he has completed his inquiries into the case of Samuel Levitt; by what authority this man has been kept in prison for the last ten weeks; and what procedure is available for him to test the legality of his imprisonment?

The inquiries into this case are not yet completed. The man is under an Order of Deportation and is detained in pursuance of Article 12 (4) of the Aliens Order, 1920. The legality of such detention has in a number of cases been the subject of proceedings in the Hight Court. It was upheld in the latest case—The King v. The Governor of Brixton Prison ex parte Adolphi Bloom—by a decision of that Court on the 2nd instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that in the case of persons resident in the British Isles, and in receipt of pensions from the Indian Government, the qualifying age for an increase on the pre-War pension has been fixed at 55 instead of 60, the age taken in the British Act and Royal Warrant, and seeing that the retiring age of persons in the employ of the Government of India is normally 55, he will recommend that a similar concession be granted to police pensioners whose age of retirement in the case of sergeants and constables has been similarly fixed at 55 by the Police Act, 1890, and the Police (Scotland) Act, 1890?

I regret I do not see my way to propose an Amendment of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, to give effect to this suggestion which was made by the hon. Baronet when the Bill was before this House, and was not accepted.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that the liquor trade in the city of Carlisle is now carried on under the owner- ship and control of the nation, Sir Edgar Sanders, the Government manager at Carlisle, will be directed to supply particulars of the gross sales of beer, wine, and spirits in and through the Government drink shops in that city, and the gross receipts in respect of such sales for the financial years ending 31st March, 1919 and 1920?

I have been asked to reply. An almost identical question was addressed to the Lord Privy Seal on the 19th July last, and I have nothing to add to his answer, in which he said in effect that the information asked for could not properly be given.