asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the repeated and unsuccessful requests that have been addressed to the Minister of Labour to allow some representation of women who can represent the needs of women of the professional classes on the Central Committee on Women's Employment and Training; whether he has received a letter addressed to him by a meeting of delegates of professional women's societies, including various associations and leagues of the nursing profession, the Association of Assistant Mistresses, the Writers' Club, the London Institute of Journalists, the Actors' Association, the Three Arts Club, the Theatrical Ladies' Guild, the Society of Women Musicians, and also by representatives who were present as representing large general organisations such as the Middle Classes Union and the National Council of Women; and is he prepared to recommend that these representative bodies should be allowed some representation on the Committee alluded to?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that various representations have been made with regard to the membership of this Committee. I am informed that the views which have been put forward are at present engaging the attention of the Committee, who have under consideration the advisability of holding a conference on the subject with representatives of the organisations concerned in the near future.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the speeches of the French Prime Minister and the French High Commissioner for Syria at a joint meeting of the foreign affairs and finance committees of the French Senate regarding the modification of the Treaty of Sevres and French action in Cilicia and Syria; whether the statement then made that the French Prime Minister hoped that the Allies would agree to modify the Treaty of Sevres and so give Turkey an honourable peace was the outcome of any policy agreed between the British, French, and Italian Governments; and when the proposed Allied modifications of the Treaty of Sevres will be communicated to Parliament?

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

asked the Prime Minister if the Government intend introducing legislation to deal with the licensing question and with the functions now exercised by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic); and, if so, when it is intended to introduce such legislation?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Lord Privy Seal stated on the 1st December that the Government will prepare a comprehensive Bill as soon as possible; and I have nothing to add to that statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he and Monsieur Clemenceau decided to partition the neutral State of Albania; and whether our representatives at the Assembly of the League of Nations have been instructed to support such policy?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Assembly of the League of Nations has agreed that no State shall be admitted to the League until it has fulfilled all its international obligations; and whether Germany is thereby excluded from the League?

As has already been stated by the Prime Minister, the admission of Germany to the League of Nations is one for the Assembly of the League of Nations to decide in accordance with the terms set forth in Article I of the Covenant of the League.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any officers whose conduct was investigated by courts martial during the Irish rebellion in 1916 and censured have now received commissions in, or are being employed by, the Forces of the Crown in Ireland?

The answer is in the negative, so far as the police forces are concerned. As regards the Army, the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a number of officers employed at certain trades in Mountjoy Prison have been excused all discipline duty on Sundays and holidays and also evening and night duty; and whether, now that the pressure of work common to the trades of those officers is greatly relieved and has returned to normal conditions, he will take steps to see that those officers perform their share of discipline duty on Sundays and holidays and also take their turn of evening and night duty?

There is a number of artificer warders employed at Mountjoy Prison working at their trades, and not available for discipline duty.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under the new assimilation scheme in the Irish prisons service, it is intended to apply the rates of allowances to trades instructors and all other ranks, and also the rate of subsistence allowance that obtains in the English prisons service; if so, when it is intended to announce such details to the Irish service; and, if it is not the intention to apply those rates in Ireland, will he permit of the question being settled by the Arbitration and Conciliation Board?

A number of questions of detail, including those referred to in the question arising out of the re-classification of the Irish prisons service are still under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a vacancy has existed in Sligo Prison for a chief warder since the 28th October last; whether during that period the duties of chief warder and store warder have been performed by one officer; whether, in accordance with the new assimilation scheme, this officer should either be a principal warder or "a clerk and school-master; whether he will now be confined to the duties of one of the posts and, pending the appointment of a chief warder, the supervising duties be carried out by the senior principal warder; and what remuneration it is intended to give the class 2 warder at present performing the duties of clerk in Sligo Prison?

Pending the re-grading of the prison officers now in progress, the vacant chief wardership has not been filled. The assignment of principal warders to the various duties is a matter for the governor's discretion. Officers temporarily performing higher duties are thereby given opportunities of qualifying for promotion, and do not receive extra remuneration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the premises occupied by Messrs. Forest & Company, in Patrick Street, Cork, and the adjoining shops were destroyed by fire on the night of 30th November; that it is stated in the Press that these buildings were fired by men in uniform; and whether an inquiry will be held into this matter with a view to compensating the persons who have suffered loss?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The police are endeavouring to discover the perpetrators of these and similar outrages and the Military Governor has appointed a court of inquiry to investigate the whole matter, but so far as I am aware no evidence has yet been forthcoming to justify the allegations made in the Press and elsewhere against the forces of the Crown which, I may inform the House, are keenly resented by them. It is open to the owners of the destroyed property to claim compensation in the usual way under the Criminal Injuries Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now aware of a body who call themselves the Anti-Sinn Fein Society; if he has seen the threatening notices issued by this society addressed to all citizens of Cork; and whether His Majesty's Government is aware of the composition of the committee who issued this notice?

I have no information concerning this so-called society or as to the persons responsible for the threatening notices which purport to have been issued by it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether in districts where martial law has been proclaimed, the police force will be amenable to military discipline and subject to the orders of the military officer in command?

In the districts where martial law has been proclaimed, the police are, through their officers, under the orders of the Military Governor. In the matter of discipline, their own officers remain responsible, subject to the overriding authority and responsibility of the Military Governor.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the November number of the " Irish Theological Quarterly," condoning and encouraging murders in Ireland; whether he is aware that the magazine is edited by five Roman Catholic professors of theology in Maynooth College, and published under the imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Arch- bishop of Dublin; and if these ecclesiastics will be treated in the same way as civilian publicists who encourage murder?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to this article, and the facts are as stated. All persons, whether ecclesiastics or not, are equally amenable to the law in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that a body of Ulster special constables arrived in Newry on Tuesday, 7th December, being the first to take up duty; whether on Friday night, 10th instant, they carried out a number of raids on houses in the town; whether at one house the door was battered in and a bullet fired through one of the windows; whether pedestrians were held up, and where any person attempted to get away he was fired on; whether late on Sunday night, the 12th instant, there was a repetition of this conduct on the part of these special constables, who again held up and searched pedestrians, rifles and revolvers being freely discharged in the streets; whether a club-house was bombed and set on fire, the building and an adjoining newsagent's shop being destroyed; and what he proposes to do in this matter?

As this question only appeared on the Paper yesterday, perhaps the hon. Member will repeat it on one day next week, when I hope to be able to furnish him with a reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether certain goods bought by the Admiralty from Messrs. J. and R. White, Glasgow, and received at Chatham and stored there, were destroyed by fire about a week after receipt, and responsibility for a portion of the said goods is denied; and what justification exists for refusing to pay for goods in the custody of the Admiralty and visiting the loss upon the contractor?

Some goods purchased from Messrs. J. and R. White were unfortunately destroyed in the fire at His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, shortly after delivery. The Admiralty is advised that legally the loss must fall on the contractors.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the sum of £350,000 paid by Messrs. Vickers to Lieut.-Commander Burney and Sir G. White in respect of the Paravane invention, as affixed to merchant ships, came from the pockets of the taxpayers or from the owners of merchant ships; and whether there are any other cases besides that of Lieut.-Commander Burney of similar dealings with an armament firm in respect of apparatus supplied to an Admiralty Department?

The sum came out of Messrs. Vickers' general profits, which were not all derived from the British taxpayer. After permission was given to Lieut.-Commander Burney to exploit the commercial rights, it became necessary for the Admiralty, in the interests of national safety, to undertake the equipment of merchant ships with this apparatus. There are no other similar cases. The prices were fixed on a commercial basis, which included no royalty.

asked the Secretary of State for War with how many different uniforms has an officer who joined the Royal Naval Air Service and was transferred to the Royal Air Force been obliged to provide himself up to the present time; and what has been the approximate cost of such uniforms?

An officer who joined the Royal Naval Air Service and who was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force has had to provide himself with the following uniforms:

Royal Naval Air service uniform,

Royal Air Force service dress,

Royal Air Force mess dress.

The cost of the Royal Naval Air Service uniform was, approximately, £20 The Royal Air Force service dress and mess dress cost, approximately, £25 and £23, respectively. The Royal Air Force service dress was changed from khaki to light blue, and from light blue to a darker blue, but officers were not bound to purchase any uniform of the new colour until their existing uniform required renewal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers of the Air Force have recently been compelled to buy mess dress; whether the cost of it is approximately £23, without distinction; and whether any allowance has been made to officers up to the rank of flight-commander in respect of this expense?

Officers granted permanent Royal Air Force commissions, those granted short service commissions and officers promoted from the ranks who are retained in the Royal Air Force for a definite period have been instructed to provide themselves with mess dress. The approximate cost is £23. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the premises, No. 72, Eccleston Square, London, S.W., were requisitioned by the Royal Air Force in August, 1918, and retained for 10 months, but that no rent has up to the present been paid to the owner for the use of these valuable letting premises, which but for such requisition would have been let to a tenant; whether, in view of the De Keyser Hotel case, he admits liability to pay rent for the use of the premises; and, if so, when he proposes to settle the owner's claim?

This claim has been before the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission by whose award dated 3rd November, 1019, the owner was indemnified against rates and taxes and was awarded the sum of £60 in respect of reinstatement and £4 4s. towards the expenses of preparing the application. Liability to make payment for occupation in excess of the award cannot justifiably be accepted. If the owner desires to renew the claim, application can be made to the War Compensation Court, set up under the Indemnity Act, 1920.

asked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of the amount granted for pensions, namely, £123,000,000, is incurred for administrative expenses, salaries, and rents?

The proportion of the £123,000,000 granted for pensions which is allocated to administrative expenses, salaries, and rents is approximately one twenty-fifth, or £5,000,000. This proportion includes £2,173,000 for the administrative and clerical work of the Ministry, £1,851,000 for medical services, and £1,000,000 for local committees. I would point out that expenses for rent normally fall on the vote of the Office of Works, but, in so far as they come out of the vote of my Department, they are included in the last-mentioned figure

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in a number of cases recently his Department has decided that a man's disablement, which had previously (sometimes for years) been accepted as attributable to service, is to be treated as only aggravated by service; whether this action is part of any general policy of revising the decisions already given with regard to the attributability of disablements; under what provision of the Royal Warrant the Ministry is thus enabled to deprive disabled men of the benefits resulting from the previous decisions of attributability; and why Local War Pensions Committees, who are the authorities called upon to explain those matters to disabled men, have not been informed of this new departure on the part of the Ministry of Pensions?

Article 1 (2) of the Royal Warrant makes periodical review of temporary pension obligatory, and Article 5 (2) provides for review of any pension granted by error. It is clearly the duty of the Ministry to ensure that entitlement has been properly admitted, and this aspect of review is specially necessary in dealing with the very large number of provisional awards which, owing to the heavy pressure of work consequent on demobilisation, had to be made on the report of a single medical officer. When subsequent examination by a properly constituted medical board, followed by full and expert consideration of all the relevant circumstances, reveals an incorrect decision on entitlement, I should not be justified in neglecting to make the necessary correction. In all such cases the man is informed of the alteration, and advised of his right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. The Local Committee Handbook contains a statement of the powers and practice of the Ministry as regards review of pension and gives full instructions on the steps to be taken if a man is dissatisfied with the decision of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pensioner V. J. Belman, at present in hospital at Taunton, Somerset, who is unable to walk and has lost the use of his left arm, is only in receipt of £1 1s. per week; and, if so, the reason?

This man is at present attending the Taunton and Somerset Hospital for treatment as an out-patient. In lieu of his pension of 26s. a week, he is receiving a treatment allowance of 21s. a week and, in addition, 25s. a week is being paid for his lodging.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the claim to a pension advanced by the Manchester local committee on behalf of E. B. Atkinson, of 6, Carter Terrace, Greenheys, Manchester, on 23rd March, 1920 (A/Z 3,000), will be adjudicated upon; and if he can see his way to expedite decisions in hand and urgent cases of this nature?

In the short time available, I have not been able to complete my inquiries in this case, but I hope to write to my hon. and gallant Friend at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the position of J. Binnall, No. 78,417, 21st battalion Manchester Regiment; whether his pension of 5s. 6d. was stopped or whether that amount is included in the grant for training; whether he is now in training; what is the amount of the training grant apart from the amount due for disability; and whether his disability was certified as arising from war service?

I have been asked to take this question. If my hon. Friend will send me the address of the man to whom he refers, I will immediately investigate the case and inform him of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private W. Farrimond, No. 89,544, 2nd battalion Manchester Regiment, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, was reported missing on 24th July, 1920, his father received notification on 26th August, 1920, and his allotment of 10s. 6d. per week to his father was stopped on 25th August, 1920; that no definite announcement of his death has been received by his parents; whether the allotment should be continued until such notification has been issued by the War Office; and whether, in view of the fact that Private Farrimond is the oldest son, the other five children, four under working age and the other out of work, and the father being disabled through injuries in the mine, he will have the case inquired into with a view to a pension being granted to the parents?

Enquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Signaller J. O'Connell, No. 220,663, Royal Field Artillery, who contracted mental trouble while serving in India, was sent to England, where he arrived on 1st November, 1919, from which date he has not received Army pay or any other allowance until he was admitted into Prestwick county asylum on 6th July, 1920, from which date his mother received an allowance of 14s. per week until he was discharged in October, 1920; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case and all arrears of Army pay and gratuity paid to this soldier as early as possible?

I am having enquiries made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that D. W. Turner, late No. 151,457, Labour Corps, a National Reservist, who joined the Army on the outbreak of War, was the only man in his company who did not receive proficiency pay on enlistment because his previous service had been in the Royal Navy, in spite of the fact that he was widely experienced in gunnery and signalling and was put to train men in his company in signalling as soon as he joined up; and whether he can see his way to alter the regulations to enable naval service to count towards proficiency pay in the Army in cases of this kind?

The rule that service in the Royal Navy does not count as military service for the purpose of proficiency pay was made by the Army Council after very full consideration, and it is not proposed to modify it. I have already been in communication with the hon. Member regarding the particular case mentioned, and I regret that no exception to the rule can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the soldiers of the 2nd battalion Manchester Regiment, reported missing in Mesopotamia in July last, have since rejoined; how many are still missing; and whether he can give any definite information as to the fate of any or all of those who are still missing?

No soldiers of the Manchester Regiment who were reported missing in Mesopotamia in July last have rejoined. It has since been reported, however, that two of them were killed in action. There are 127 soldiers of the regiment still missing. No definite information regarding these has yet been received, but the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has been asked to forward the report of the proceedings of the court of inquiry on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total cost of the operations of the Eastern Persian Cordon Field Force, including the expedition to Meshed and Askhabad, during 1918, 1919, and 1920?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to state the cost of the East Persia Cordon Force, distinguishing the expenditure on the road from Dazdup to Meshed and the buildings thereon; whether an estimate for the work was prepared beforehand; and whether the cost of the undertaking will be charged to the British or to the Indian Government?

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement which I made last night on the Army Supplementary Estimate which gave all the information available. I am, however, endeavouring to obtain further particulars from India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a Departmental Committee was appointed by him to advise on the scheme of reforms to be applied to Burma; whether the Committee has now made its Report; and, if so, what is the tenour of its advice?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made to the House on this matter on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is intended to permit any new works, such as triumphal arches, to be built at New Delhi until all the work begun has been completed and better transit facilities provided to enable Government officials and others to reach New Delhi and, once established in houses and offices at the new capital, to enable them to reach the main centres of population in the vicinity to obtain food, clothing, etc., at cheap rates?

It rests with the Government of India to decide in what order works in connection with the establishment of the new capital at Delhi shall be proceeded with, and I doubt whether it would be wise to attempt to determine in London the order of priority to be followed. I will communicate my hon. Friend's question to the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received numerous memorials from members of the Public Works Department recruited in India complaining of the invidious distinction which is placed upon them by an allowance, officially known as the technical allowance, restricted to members of their service who are recruited in England, this allowance being given on the declared assumption that engineers recruited in England have superior professional qualification to those engineers trained and recruited in India; whether expert witnesses before the Public Services Commission stated that the professional education given in the engineering colleges of Roorkee, Sibpur, Poona, and Madras was of the highest standard; whether the commission found that public works officers recruited in India were engaged on work of the same importance and responsibility as officers of the same standing recruited in England; whether they declared that they were satisfied that the training given in the four engineering colleges in India was adequate to the needs of the higher branches of the public service, and condemned the offering of higher rewards to men educated abroad than are offered to those who have passed through the educational institutions of their own country; and whether, seeing that the assumption on which their preferential allowance has been shown to be unwarranted, he will recommend that the terms of the Government of India resolution of 6th May, 1920, be so modified as to do away with a distinction held to be invidious by those who are unfavourably affected by it?

I have seen copies of such memorials of which the originals are, I understand, being submitted to me through the Government of India in accordance with the memorial rules. I must reserve my decision on the point raised in them until I receive them from the Government of India, with their comments and opinions. I have asked the Government of India to expedite their communication.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Sufi Ikbal and Maulvi Laki Ullah, of Panipat, who were under trial for seditious language, have been convicted or not; how many other men have been tried and convicted of the same offence; and whether he can give any information as to what steps have been taken by the Government of India to put a stop to the present campaign of violence and intimidation in India?

The two persons named were convicted. Within the past 3½ months there have been ten other persons prosecuted for seditious utterances in speeches or newspapers. I have no information as to the result of two cases. In all the others the accused were convicted. I gave particulars in this House on the 17th November of the steps so far taken by the Government of India. Since that date the Seditious Meetings Act has again been extended to Delhi, and its extension to some additional Punjab districts is being considered. Warnings have been given to newspapers that contained seditious articles, and in connection with the violence used at elections in the Punjab the Government of India have impressed on the Local Government the necessity of prompt prosecution of those guilty of unlawful assembly and intimidation. The hon. and gallant Member referred on Friday last to the policy of do nothing pursued by the Government of India in these matters. I was unable to reply to him as his speech was out of order; but I trust that with this information, and with an assurance that the Government of India are conducting a vigorous propaganda to counteract mischievous calumnies, he will not repeat an allegation which is wholly in-accurate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that valuable properties belonging to British firms and individuals have been seized by the Communist Government of Russia under the pretext that Communism does not recognise private ownership of any description; whether it is usual for one country to allow the property of its sub- jects situated in another country to be confiscated without redress unless as the result of a defeat in the field or on sea; and will he say what action he proposes to take with the Communist Government of Russia?

I understand that properties belonging to British firms have been seized by the Soviet Government. The question of British claims against the Soviet Government in respect of such action is one of those which is being considered in connection with the negotiations that are now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any British arms, munitions, or supplies, originally given to General Denikin and subsequently retained by General Wrangel, have been taken away from the Crimea by General Wrangel's forces; if so, where are these arms; and whether it is proposed to recover them from their present holders?

From a Press statement it is understood that General Wrangel's troops when they evacuated the Crimea only took machine-guns and rifles with them. I have no information as to what proportions of these arms were originally supplied from British sources to General Denikin. It has not hitherto been proposed to attempt to recover any of the residue of British gift's to General Denikin.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Waste Trade Board, at its last meeting, unanimously passed a Resolution calling attention to the distress and unemployment in their trade, and stating that in their opinion their industry could only be placed in a satisfactory position if international trade were resumed; whether a copy of the communication has been sent to him; and whether he can state what answer has been given to this communication?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, to whom a copy of the Resolution was forwarded, that a reply was returned to the effect that the promotion of the foreign trade of this country was a matter which was always receiving the earnest consideration of the Board of Trade.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government is considering the question of providing suitable work whenever possible for the skilled unemployed as well as the unskilled?

I have been asked to reply. The Government has taken certain steps in the direction suggested. For instance, at Woolwich, the repair of locomotives; the repair of wagons and the construction of new wagons; the repair of lorries; the production of war medals in conjunction with the Mint; and the execution of miscellaneous orders for private firms. At Lancaster, the repair of wagons and the reconditioning of machine tools are carried out. At Enfield, some wagon repairs are executed, and miscellaneous orders procured from private firms; while at Gretna, repair works of a general nature have been instituted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Metropolitan borough of Bermondsey has submitted to the Ministry of Transport for approval, schemes of road and sewer repair involving an expenditure of £131,571, in order to provide work for the unemployed, towards which the Government were asked to make a substantial contribution; that on the 5th August, 1920, a deputation from the Bermondsey borough council waited upon Sir Henry Maybury, Director-General of Roads, and Mr. Lascelles, of the Ministry of Labour, in connection with the question of a contribution towards the cost of road construction; that the deputation were told that the Government were very sympathetic in the matter, but at the moment there were no funds available; that Sir Henry Maybury asked if any reconstruction of sewers had been under consideration, and stated that any such scheme would be supported by him in view of the amount of labour or against material; that a scheme of sewer construction was subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Transport involving an expenditure of £48,850, towards which the Government have refused to contribute; and that the only contribution offered by the Government up to the present is a small one of £12,301, being 50 per cent. of the cost of repairs to Tower Bridge Road, Tooley Street, Dock-head, Parker's Row, Jamaica Road, Union Road, Lower Road, and Rotherhithe New Road, while the metropolitan borough council of Camberwell has been promised a grant of over £70,000; whether, in view of the fact that the provision of work for the unemployed is no part of the duty of a metropolitan borough council, the cost of schemes of work put in hand for this purpose will be made a charge on national funds; and whether the Ministry will increase the contribution promised so as to equal the contribution granted to Camberwell?

I am aware of the application submitted by the metropolitan borough of Bermondsey for a grant towards an expenditure of £131,571 on works for the relief of unemployment. So far as the works came within the scope of the powers of the Ministry of Transport, the particulars were fully considered, and a grant for £12,301, as stated in the question, was made on the 13th instant. With regard to the deputation on the 5th August last, Sir Henry Maybury tells me that on that occasion he explained to the representatives of Bermondsey that road-works of the character they then proposed were not calculated to absorb large numbers of unemployed, and he suggested an alternative proposal that sewer construction might prove more efficacious for that purpose. Obviously, however, no financial assistance for such work could be granted by the Ministry of Transport, and the representatives of Bermondsey were reminded that sewer schemes lay within the province of the Ministry of Health, to whom any applications on that subject should be addressed. The metropolitan borough of Bermondsey, however, subsequently submitted their application in respect of works of sewerage to the Ministry of Transport, and were again informed by a letter dated 31st August that the scheme should be placed by the Council before the Ministry of Health. The figures quoted for the metropolitan borough of Camberwell are in no sense comparable. I cannot accept the view put forward by my hon. Friend that provision of work for the unemployed is not a matter for the municipality.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he has received a resolution from the Aldershot Branch of the Comrades of the Great War urging that necessary repairs to the barracks at Aldershot should be undertaken at the earliest possible date in order to give employment to unemployed ex-service men in that area; whether he can give any information on this subject;

(2) whether he has received a resolution from the Aldershot and District Trades and Labour Council and the Comrades of the Great War, Aldershot Branch, urging the immediate replacement of all women employed in the Navy and Army Canteen Board by unemployed ex-service men; and whether he can give any information on the subject?

In reply to these two questions, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer yesterday to the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. J. Davison).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further inquiries have been made with reference to the importation of Continental china arising out of the correspondence with the National Council of the Pottery Industry beginning 6th May, 1919; whether the letter from the Board of Trade of 30th May, 1919, stating that Max Amanuel and Company, a firm owned by a naturalised German subject named Albt Pappenheimer, had purchased a quantity of Continental china of non-enemy origin; whether, in reply to the National Council of the Pottery Industry, dated 21st June, the Board of Trade stated they were unable to furnish the name and address of the foreign manufacturer of this china, and, further, on 26th November the Board stated that they were not in a position to say what evidence was produced to the consular officer who issued the certificate; and whether, in view of the fact that a portion of these goods can be produced and expert evidence given that the goods are of enemy origin, he will have inquiry made and the evidence produced which the consular officer accepted whereby these goods entered this country under licence, and give the name of the consular officer?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers. It was explained to the National Council of the Pottery Industry a year ago that the Board of Trade did not feel justified in causing an investigation in the absence of definite primâ facie evidence that goods had been illegally imported by the firm. No real evidence of any importation of this character has ever been furnished to the Board of Trade, and no further action, therefore, has been taken in the matter. The President will be happy to consider any such evidence which the hon. Member may be able to submit to him.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether Bills to redeem his pledges in regard to dumping and Colonial preference will be down for early consideration in the next Session;

(2) whether the Key Industries Protection Bill will be the first order for consideration in the next Session?

As already stated, the Government intend that legislation on this subject will be the first Bill to be dealt with next Session; but my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that Colonial Preference is already in operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are several English employés of the Deutsche Bank, including one aged 70, who has been so employed since the bank first started in London, who would, in due course, have received pensions; whether he is aware that service in a bank is considered in commercial service equivalent to service under the State, and means a position for life, subject to good behaviour; and whether these English-born employés are entitled to more compensation than a mere notice terminating their service?

At the date of the appointment of the senior Official Receiver as Controller to wind up the business of the London agency of the Deutsche Bank there were 24 English-born employés who had been in the service of the bank for 21 years and upwards, one being 70 years of age. It was "the custom of the bank to pay those clerks who had served for 25 years one year's salary as a bonus, and the Court sanctioned one year's salary being paid in the case of seven British-born clerks, but refused to extend a similar privilege to those who had served for 20 years. The employé who is upwards of 70 years of age is making a special application to the Court for some compensation to be paid to him.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether the Scottish Board of Health has issued a circular to insurance committees in Scotland intimating that after 31st December it will be necessary to dispense with the services of their medical advisers, as after that date the work in connection with sanatorium benefit will be performed by the tuberculosis officers of local health authorities, and suggesting that the committees should give formal notice to their medical advisers of the termination of their engagements; whether there is any precedent for the summary dismissal of public officers on grounds of public policy without any provision for compensation; whether he will take steps to secure that with the transference of the work to local authorities the liability for payment also will be transferred;

(2) whether the Scottish Board of Health has issued a circular in which they propose to supersede the system of payment of fees, 5s. per case, to tuberculosis officers for the examination and certification of discharged Navy and Army men, under the Ministry of Pensions, by a system of lump sum payments to local authorities; and whether he will take steps to secure that tuberculosis officers will not be called upon to carry out this difficult and responsible work, beyond their statutory duties under local authorities, without adequate remuneration?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the replies given on the 7th instant by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland to two similar questions addressed to him by my right hon. Friend's colleague in the representation of the Scottish Universities (Mr. D. M. Cowan). I am sending him copies of these questions and answers.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many persons were employed in his Department in the years 1913 and 1920, and what was the total cost of the Department in each of those years; what rents were paid for housing the Department in 1913 and 1920; and, where rent was not paid and premises were occupied, upon what rateable value was the contribution to local rates based in 1913 and 1920?

In view of the amount of detail involved in the hon. Member's question, it has not been possible to complete the statement required, but I am communicating with the hon. Member.

asked the first Commissioner of Works what is the number of the staff in his Department dealing with housing schemes, and if any of the architectural staff are employed upon such schemes; and how many of the staff are employed preparing estimates and similar work?

The staff wholly engaged on housing schemes numbers, 120, including 9 architects and 11 assistant architects, and others are partly employed on these schemes. No officers are solely engaged on estimating, which is carried out in conjunction with other duties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture where the Ministry has appointed a temporary official at a salary of £1,000 a year, with traveling and subsistence expenses, to demonstrate to farmers throughout the country the value of the proper use of recognized fertilisers; and whether, in view of the fact that this work can be and is being done every day by the staffs of the different colleges and county organisers throughout the United Kingdom, this is a waste of public money and a further effort on the part of the Ministry to supersede local agricultural organisation from Whitehall?

No appointment has yet been made. A vacancy has, however, been advertised consequent on proposals now being discussed with the fertilisers trades for the provision of a largely increased number of demonstrations to farmers of the value of fertilisers. The cost of this scheme would be almost entirely defrayed out of trade contributions. The demonstrations proposed would be carried out, generally speaking, in conjunction with agricultural colleges and the county agricultural education authorities. If and when arrangements are completed particulars will be furnished to the colleges and authorities. The duties of the temporary official it is proposed to appoint would be to organise and co-ordinate this work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is intended to transfer to the Mines Department the functions of the Board of Education in relation to the Geological Survey and of the Office of Woods in relation to mines and minerals; and whether the cost of these services was included in the Estimate of the cost of the Mines Department that he gave to the House during the passage of the Mining Industry Act?

The constitution of the Mines Department has been delayed by the recent crisis in the coal mining industry, and the question of transferring to it the functions of the Office of Woods and Forests in relation to mines and minerals is now under consideration. Allowance was made for the cost of this service in the Estimate which my right hon. Friend gave of the cost of the Mines Department. The Geological Survey is not to be transferred to the Mines Department. It was transferred a year ago to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Government eventually decided that it would be more appropriate for it to remain there. Its cost was therefore not included in the Estimate referred to, and the President regrets that he overlooked this decision when, during the Debates on the Mining Industry Act, he mentioned the Geological Survey as one of the services to be transferred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the attendants in the Inland Revenue Office, Somerset House, have received the increase under Award A 81 for meeting the increased cost of living; when the men employed by the Inland Revenue Department, who are entitled to receive uniforms under Award A 81 of the Civil Service Arbitration Board, are gong to receive them; if the question of the leave of gate-keepers has yet been settled; and whether he will have inquiries made into these matters?

The Agreement does not apply in terms to police attendants, but the question of their inclusion has been raised and will be considered. Arrangements are now being made for-the issue of uniform at an early date to those men who have now become entitled. I am not aware that any question has arisen in regard to the leave of gate-keepers, but if the hon. Member will inform me further, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the average economic rent of a cottage built to-day in Ireland under the Labourers Acts?

The Local Government Board estimate that the average economic rent for labourers' cottages built at the present time would be at least 10s. a week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the average cost of building a cottage in Ireland under the Labourers Acts before the War; and what is the average estimated cost now?

The average actual cost of building a cottage, exclusive of the cost of land and contingent charges, was about £150 immediately before the War, and, exclusive of land and incidental expenses, may be estimated at £600 now.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many schemes under the Labourers Acts have been approved since the passing of the Act of last year in Northern Ireland as defined in the Government of Ireland Bill; to how many houses do such schemes, if any, apply; and how much money is now actually available for the area mentioned for the purpose of building labourers' cottages?

No scheme has been approved by the Local Government Board for Northern Ireland since the passing of the Labourers (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1919. The district councils show a reluctance to build while high prices for materials and labour continue". The total still available for issue on land purchase terms under the Labourers Acts for the whole of Ireland is £1,640,569, but that sum has not been apportioned by the Board to particular areas, but is being applied towards schemes in the order of priority of submission. Included in this figure, however, is the sum of £69,587 sanctioned, but not issued, in respect of cottages in Northern Ireland which were authorised prior to the passing of the Act above referred to.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to undertake fire insurance of houses built under his housing scheme; if he has taken into consideration the financial assistance rendered in times past by insurance companies to his Government; and, if so, has he considered the fact that such a course as fire insurance by Government is likely to be detrimental to future financial assistance to local authorities such as they are at present obtaining from insurance companies?

In accordance with the general practice of the Government, no insurance will be effected against the risk of fire of the houses erected by local authorities under State-aided schemes in any case in which the charge would fall to be borne by the Exchequer. Insurance will, however, be effected with fire insurance offices in the ordinary way during the construction of the houses.

asked the Minister of Health if it is proposed to carry out the housing programme of the Government in its entirety and on the lines originally proposed; or whether, in view of the Government's pronouncement on retrenchment, it is proposed to make any alteration in the programme?

It is not proposed to stop the Government housing scheme, but I am considering whether further steps can be taken with a view to reducing the excessive cost of schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an inquiry is being held this week in Sheffield by the Departmental Committee on Smoke and Noxious Vapours Abatement and that no intimation of such inquiry has been sent to the town clerk, the Cutlers' Company, the Chamber of Commerce, or any public body in the city, nor any invitations to give evidence; whether he is aware that, as conclusively shown at previous inquiries, a large proportion of the smoke make in Sheffield is due to the exigencies of its special manufactures and that any restrictive legislation on this question is liable to endanger the high-grade steel industry of the city and to add to the existing lack of employment due to stagnation of trade; and whether, under present financial conditions, he can take steps to prevent such an inquiry, which is out of place and waste of public money?

I am making inquiry on the point raised in the first part of the question and will communicate with my hon. And gallant Friend. The view expressed in the second part of the question will no doubt be fully considered by the Committee. As regards the last part, the inquiry at Sheffield is already in progress, and I am accordingly unable to accept the suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take into consideration the possibility of extending the allowance of £45, at present granted for housekeepers under the Income Tax, to meet the cases of daughters acting as housekeepers to their fathers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Provisions of Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1920, from which he will see that the allowance in question is given primarily in respect of a "female relative" of the claimant or of his deceased wife. Subject to the conditions prescribed by the Section, the allowance can, therefore, be claimed by a widower in respect of his daughter resident with him for the purpose of looking after the younger children.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of two sisters jointly maintaining their widowed mother, if one does not make any claim for the dependent relative's allowance the other is entitled to claim for the full amount of £25?

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Subsection (2) of Section 22 of the Finance Act, 1920, from which he will see that where two persons jointly maintain a dependent relative, the deduction of £25 is to be apportioned between them in proportion to the amount or value of their respective contributions towards the maintenance. The circumstances suggested in the question, namely, that one of the two persons entitled to relief refrains from claiming it, would not afford to the other any title to a deduction greater than the proportionate amount as prescribed by the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in presenting

future Budgets, he will consider the advisability of presenting a national balance-sheet showing the assets on one side, including the values of investments, buildings, stores, dockyards, and arsenals on the one side, with the full liabilities of the nation on the other?

Such a valuation as the hon. Member suggests would have no practical meaning as regards, for instance, the museums and their collections or many naval and military establishments. I would, however, call his attention to the statements of gross capital liabilities and estimated assets contained in the Annual Finance Accounts, and to Command Paper 780 of 1920.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, in respect of the undertaking in the prospectus of the Five per cent. War Loan, 1929–47, to set aside a monthly sum equal to one-eighth of one per cent. of the amount of the loan for the purpose of providing against depreciation in the market price of the loan, the monthly amounts so set aside from 1st January, 1919, to 30th September, 1920; the monthly amounts expended in the market in the re-purchase of this Five per cent. Loan; the total monthly nominal amounts of this Five per cent. Loan re-purchased from 1st January, 1919, to 30th September, 1920; and the total annual amounts paid in commission in 1919 and 1920?

The answer is as under:

The figures given have reference in each case to the calendar month. The period in respect of which the sum of ⅛th per cent. of the Loans is issuable terminates on the 16th of the month; and the full allowance was issued from the Exchequer to the Depreciation Fund for each such period included in the term covered by the figures given except those ending on 16th March, 16th April, and 16th November, 1919, in respect of which no issue was made in consequence of the unexpended balance of the fund having for the time being, following upon periods during which the market price of the loan was generally at or above the issue price, accumulated to £10,000,000. In such circumstances no issue is due under the terms of the prospectus.

The purchases of Stock for the Depreciation fund were made by the National Debt Commissioners through their stockbrokers, whose fixed inclusive remuneration in respect of their services to the Commissioners in making such purchases and in effecting purchases and sales of securities for the many other funds under the Commissioners' control was at the rate of £1,500 per annum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pensions officers appointed by His Majesty's Treasury have been instructed to appeal against all pensions granted by old age pensions committees and sub-committees under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, unless the claimant produces a certificate from some approved agency or institution for the blind that he or she is known to such agency or institution as a blind person; whether there is any statutory authority or justification for such an instruction; and, if not, whether he will order its withdrawal forthwith on the ground that it inflicts unnecessary pain and anxiety upon the blind persons whose lot it was the intention of the Act to alleviate?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the full division lists appear in the copy of the Orders of the Day printed each day, he will, in the interests of economy, consider the feasibility of dispensing with similar lists in the OFFICIAL REPORTS of Debates which are supplied to Members?

I have consulted Mr. Speaker regarding the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. The Votes and Proceedings of this House, in which the full Division lists appear, constitute the official record in these matters. It would be undesirable to dispense with this official record in favour of the lists published in the OFFICIAL REPORT, which is primarily a compilation for reference purposes as to the words used in the course of each day's proceedings.

asked the Minister of Food (1) whether, as manufacturers did not derive any profit from the continued rise in sugar values, because the price of their commodities was then controlled, and when control was withdrawn the price for rationed sugar was increased to them up to 48s. per cwt. more than the price fixed for consumers, which difference in cost could not be reflected in the selling price, will compensation be considered in the case of those manufacturers, who were previously controlled, on the sugar contained in their manufactured stocks of sugared goods, and on the stocks of sugar held by them at the dates of the official restriction in price;

(2) Whether many previously controlled manufacturers using sugar in their commodities have been working for some months at greatly reduced hours as compared with last year; and whether unemployment in those industries will be greater this winter than ever before largely owing to the fact that from the end of January, 1920, till quite recently such manufacturers, in order to continue production of seasonal goods in the country, were compelled to use the only sugar available, at a price up to 48s. per cwt. dearer than that issued for distribution to the public, thereby making the cost price of their stocks higher than it would have been had the same price applied both to manufacturers and consumers?

I am aware of the unfavourable prospects of employment to which the hon. Member refers. I cannot assent to the suggestion that this is due to the fact that for a part of the present year the Government were able to supply sugar to private consumers at a price approximately 48s. per cwt. below the current world market price which was the basis of the prices charged to manufacturers. The Government cannot assume any responsibility for losses on traders' stocks arising from world-wide price movements, which affect not only traders in this country but traders in other countries, irrespective of whether the commodity is or is not controlled in any particular country. It is inaccurate to suggest that manufacturers in this country did not derive any profit from the continued rise of sugar values. Sugar prices had increased to approximately three times pre-War level before the control of articles manufactured therefrom was established, and thereafter the maximum prices of the latter were adjusted to movements in the price of sugar. It should also be remembered that for several years during the War manufacturers benefited by being able to obtain supplies of sugar at prices below the equivalent of those ruling in the world's markets.

asked the Minister of Food whether, inasmuch as he has instructed millers to pay 95s. per quarter of 504 lbs. for wheat of fair milling quality, he will instruct them to pay that price in cases where they have purchased the same at a lower figure?

I have nothing to add to my previous replies to the hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will discontinue the sale of foreign wheat in this country at a price below its cost of delivery?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. On the basis of current world prices, the price at which foreign wheat is being sold by the Government no longer involves the payment of any subsidy by the State. The question, therefore, of discontinuing the sale of foreign wheat in this country at a price below its cost of delivery does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of -Agriculture whether, seeing that the minimum agriculutral wage under the Corn Production Act was 25s. per week and is now 46s., he will take steps to increase the guaranteed price of wheat to a proportionate amount?

The only way in which the guaranteed price of wheat can be altered is by an amendment of the Corn Production Act; and, as my hon. Friend is aware, such amendment is already embodied in the Agriculture Bill, with which the Government is now proceeding. The figure of 68s. per quarter for wheat, which is the basic figure for the year 1919, as laid down in that Bill, was arrived at after due consideration of all the elements of the cost of production for that year, of which, of course, the cost of labour was clearly the most important. The Bill provides that guaranteed prices for 1921 and subsequent years should vary as the cost of production varies from that of 1919. I would point out that the minimum wage figure of 25s. in the Corn Production Act-was fixed arbitrarily only for the period which must necessarily have elapsed between the commencement of that Act and the commencement of the activities of the Wages Board. The minimum wage, when the basic figure of 68s. was fixed, was considerably more than 25s.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made for fixing a standard for condensed milk, whether sweetened, unsweetened, full cream, or skimmed; and what quantities of these condensed milks below the standards recognised by the industry in this country have been imported during the months of October and November, and from which countries?

I hope that the Draft Regulations which are being prepared on the subject of condensed milk will shortly be ready. I have no information as to the second part of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General the terms of the financial arrangements between this country and Germany in regard to letters posted in the United Kingdom for delivery in Germany and, vice versa, in regard to letters posted in Germany for delivery in the United Kingdom; whether the cost to Germans of sending letters to England and the cost to Englishmen of sending letters to Germany are the same; and, if not, what the difference is, taking into account the depreciation of German as compared with British currency?

No payment is made to Germany in respect of letters posted in this country for delivery in Germany; and similarly letters despatched by Germany involve no payment to this country. The postage on letters from Germany to England is at the rate of 80 pfennings for the first 20 grammes The rate from England to Germany is 2½d for 1 ounce (28 grammes). At the current rate of exchange the German rate of postage is lower by about l¾d. than that charged in England. The subject of postage equivalents has recently been exhaustively discussed at the Postal Congress in Madrid, when it was generally recognised that each administration must be allowed considerable discretion, in view of the general instability and depreciation of most currencies, in the matter of fixing its postage rates.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the fact that numbers of the temporary staff of the Post Office are receiving notices that their employment is only of a temporary character, and that it will be necessary to give them notice in January next for cessation of their full-time employment; whether he is aware that a number of these employés are ex-service men, and have been in the employ of the Post Office for the past two or* three years; and whether, in view of the fact that a large amount of overtime is being worked in the various branches of the service, he will have inquiries made into this matter with a view of retaining these men in the service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General to the hon. Members for Central Southwark (Mr. Gilbert) and for Smethwick (Mr. J. Davison).

asked the Postmaster-General if he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the proposed increase of postage on postcards; if any increase is proposed and the date it will come into operation?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Regulations of the Post Office permit a telegraphist in the Government service to be employed as a telegraph operator by a private news- paper firm other than as a servant of the Post Office and in the course of service for the Post Office?

If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of the case he has in mind, inquiry will be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that R. Fishwick, an ex-service man who is unemployed, was sent by the manager of the Labour Exchange, Wigan, to the Post Office, Wigan, to take up a permanent situation as postman but was refused the position because he was three months over 45 years of age; and whether it is possible to give greater consideration to applications of ex-service men for positions in the Postal Service when vacancies occur, even to the extent of relaxing the regulations governing such appointments?

I am having inquiry made and will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Part III. of the Industrial Courts Act is being allowed to expire on the grounds that in most cases Trade Boards have taken its place; that the rate fixed by the Rope, Twine, and Net Trade Board on the 15th September to protect rope-workers affected by the expiry of the Act awaits confirmation; and that these workers are exposed to the danger of a substantial reduction in wages; and whether he is now prepared to confirm the rate of l0½d. per hour?

The extension of the Trade Board policy was one among several grounds which led me not to ask Parliament to renew the provisions of the Wages (Temporary Regulation) Act, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the particular Trade Board in question was in existence before the expiry of that Act. So far as the rates to which reference is made are concerned, a number of difficult questions arose which delayed my decision, but I made an Order on the 13th December confirming the rates fixed by the Board and specifying the 31st December as the date on which the rates should become effective.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Messrs. Boyton, Upper Charles Street, Goswell Road, London, have recently given notice to all their workpeople who are members of a trade union and have signified their intention of engaging workpeople at lower rates of wages; that this action, and similar action which has been taken by other firms, has only become possible since the expiry of Part III. of the Industrial Courts Act; and whether he is prepared to consider the re-enactment of this section in view of the danger to the whole level of women's wages if such reductions are allowed to continue?

I am aware that this firm recently gave notice to certain of their workpeople. The Ministry of Labour communicated with the firm, and were informed that the dismissals were due to the general state of trade. A conference of the parties concerned has since taken place, and negotiations are proceeding. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 4th August in reply to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne); and also to the answer given on 25th October in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Kenyon).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain firms, more particularly those situated in the Birmingham area, previously paying the prescribed and substituted rates under Part III. of the Industrial Courts Act, are now engaging new workers at considerably lower rates; whether he realises that such a practice will tend to undermine the trade union rates of wages at a time when the cost of living would warrant increased, rather than decreased, wages; and whether, in view of this danger, he is prepared to summon immediately a conference of trade union representatives and representatives of employers to consider the re-enactment of Part III. of the Industrial Courts Act?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 4th August in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne) on the subject of Part III of the Industrial Courts Act; and also to the answer given on 25th October in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Kenyon), copies of which I am forwarding to my hon. Friend. In reply to the latter part of the question, I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by summoning a conference, as the regulation of wages is primarily a matter for the parties concerned, except in trades in which organisation is not effective, and for these trades Trade Boards are being set up as speedily as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the present position of the dispute between the Guild of Insurance Officials and the General Accident, Fire, and Life Assurance Corporation; whether there is any prospect of intervention on the part of the Department in order to secure a settlement; and whether, in the event of failure, he will exercise the powers conferred upon him by the Industrial Courts Act, and institute an inquiry into the whole matter?

I have already intervened in this dispute at the request of the Guild of Insurance Officials. The General Accident Corporation has supplied me with a statement of the facts of the dispute, which I have sent to the Guild. The Guild has put in a statement by way of rejoinder which I have sent to the Corporation. My request that there should be a meeting between the Corporation and the Department will be considered by the Directors at their next meeting.

asked the Home Secretary if it is the practice of his Department to make deportation orders without giving the persons concerned an opportunity of being heard in their defence; if copies of such orders are served upon the parties or otherwise communicated to them; and what steps may be taken by way of appeal against his decision?

The alien always has an opportunity to give reasons against his deportation. In the great majority of cases he has been convicted, and has therefore had an opportunity of putting his case before the Court and calling witnesses; and in all cases written statements submitted to the Home Office by or on behalf of the alien are considered and tested by inquiry and, if necessary, persons who can speak in the alien's favour are seen and questioned. The alien and his representatives (if any) are always informed of the decision to make a deportation order, and a copy of the order is served upon the alien.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that during the past few months a considerable number of motor cars have been stolen and in many cases exported to the Continent; and whether, with a view to increasing the difficulties of shipping cars abroad, he will at once take steps to stop any cars being placed on board steamers unless the registration book is produced, in which all particulars of the car and of the English owner appear?

I have no power to place restrictions on the export of motor cars.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for drunkenness (distinguishing men and women) in England, Wales, and Scotland for each of the first 11 months of the years 1916, 1919, and 1920

I must refer the hon. Member to the Annual Licensing Statistics, which contain all the available information in the direction he desires as regards England and Wales down to the end of the year 1919. The statistics for 1920 will be compiled as soon after the end of the year as possible. 'As regards Scotland, the hon. Member will perhaps be good enough to address the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in pursuance of his recent promise, he will at once place in the Vote Office for the use of Members a stock of the Defence of the Realm (Liquor Control) Regulations, 1915, and of the Statutory Rules and Orders, 1915, Nos. 522 and 997; and will he give directions that copies of these Regulations and Orders shall be on sale to the public?

My hon. and learned Friend is under some misapprehension. The Regulations and the Statutory Rules and Orders which he mentions as if they were two distinct things are, in fact, the same thing. They are on sale to the public, and immediately after the question asked on 22nd November by the hon. and gallant Member for the Burton Division of Staffordshire (Colonel Gretton) I arranged for a stock to be placed in the Vote Office. The Orders made by the Central Control Board in pursuance of those Regulations are another matter; and as I said on Tuesday, I am not prepared to have them all reprinted and put on sale. I have, as I promised, sent specimen sets of the Board's Orders to the Librarian to place in the Library.

asked the Home Secretary what is the present yearly cost for food for the inmates of His Majesty's prisons per head?

The last available figure is £19 1s. 3d., for the year ended 31st March last.

asked the Home Secretary whether the operation of the Shops (Early Closing) Orders can be relaxed for the few days preceding Christmas?

I have already made an Order under the Shops (Early Closing) Act of this Session suspending the operation of the General Early Closing Order in force under that Act in England and Wales from Monday next, the 20th inst, to Friday, the 24th inst., both days inclusive. This does not affect the operation of any closing Orders made by local authorities under the Shops Act, 1912. I have no power to suspend these Orders, but in many cases the Order itself provides for a temporary suspension at Christmas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is anticipated that the revenue this year of Kenya Colony will be exceeded by the expenditure; whether he contemplates asking Parliament to sanction a Supplementary Estimate to make up the deficit; whether he will give an undertaking that no payment will be made to the Government of Kenya Colony out of British funds until Parliament has had an opportunity of discussing the amount of and reasons for such grant; and whether the settlers in Kenya Colony are now faced with a grave economic and financial crisis owing to their almost universal indebtedness to the banks?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Anglesey (Sir O. Thomas), on the 2nd of December. I see no necessity for asking Parliament to sanction a Supplementary Estimate in aid of Kenya. With regard to the last part of the question, no information has been received from the Governor which points to any grave economic and financial crisis in the colony, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with details I will make inquiries.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the reception which has been given by the Indian community in Kenya Colony to the recent declaration of policy contained in Viscount Milner's despatch to the Governor of that Colony, and especially to the Orders relating to compulsory residential or commercial segregation; and to what extent the Orders have been put in operation?

The declaration of the Secretary of State's policy has not been favourably received by the Indian community in Kenya, especially with regard to the questions of electoral representation and segregation. No action with regard to segregation is being taken pending further consideration of the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Burnham Committee to fix elementary teachers' salaries scales as follows: Scale 1 to agricultural counties and small boroughs, Scale 2 to counties partly rural and partly manufacturing, Scale 3 to large boroughs, and Scale 4 to London only; and, if this is not the object of the four scales, why are only two scales provided for secondary teachers, one for London and one for the rest of the country?

I cannot anticipate the allocation of scales to areas which the Committee propose to undertake.

asked the Minister of Transport whether an application has been received from the Railway Clerks Association for the setting up of a national wages or salaries board to deal with the remuneration and conditions of service of the clerical staff of the railways; whether the application has been refused; and, if so, for what reason?

An application was received from the Railway Clerks Association some months ago for the establishment of boards of the nature of those referred to by the hon. Member. The proposal was not accepted, but the question of providing some form of machinery to deal with questions affecting the grades represented by this Association is under consideration.