asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if H.M. Submarine K5, which was lost on 20th January last, was fitted with air-locks or any form of safety chambers; was the Siebe-Gorman safety-helmet and suit in use and in readiness for the crew; what steps does the Admiralty propose to take with a view to making more safe the lives of men engaged upon submarines; are there any practical inventions being considered upon the above; and will the Admiralty at once invite the same by a tempting reward?

Air-locks and safety chambers have not been fitted in submarines for a considerable time, as it is considered that they would be of no practical use in an emergency. Siebe-Gorman helmets are not carried in submarines, as they are useless except in very shallow water. Improvements, new ideas and apparatus are constantly being tried and fresh experiments made with the object of rendering safer the lives of personnel in submarines, and additions and alterations are always being effected with that end in view. As fresh ideas are constantly being submitted, the offer of a reward is not considered necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can make any statement as to marriage allowance to officers of His Majesty's Navy?

I regret I am still not in a position to make any statement on this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if dockyard established men working on His Majesty's ships during the actual fighting participate in prize money; if any other civilians also share; and if the same applies to hired men?

The award of prize money is made under the Proclamation of the 10th February, 1919, to such members of the Naval and Marine Forces as satisfy certain conditions as to service, etc. The definition of "members of the Naval and Marine Forces" for this purpose is laid down in Section 6 of the Navy Prize Act, 1918, as including "persons who are or have been members of His Majesty's Naval and Marine Forces, and officers and members of the crews of His Majesty's ships of war." Dockyard workmen, established or hired, do not come under this definition, and are ineligible to participate in prize money. Such of them as may have actually been present in His-Majesty's ships at the capture or destruction of enemy armed vessels would, however, share in any prize bounty granted for such special services, but this award is distinct from prize money. The only civilians who can share in prize money are those who are entered as members of the crews of His Majesty's ships of war for the ordinary duties of the vessels, and who come within the definition quoted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the fact that members of the seamen branch on re-entering the Navy are receiving a free kit or £26 in lieu thereof, and independently of the time they re-enter, whereas members of the stoker branch are not so entitled, but have to pay for the kit required; and whether he can see his way clear to rectify this apparent anomaly?

The free issue of clothing is not normally allowed under the Regulations to men who re-enter the Navy in the same rating which they held on discharge, unless they were discharged as boys, or with less than four years' man's service. In order to meet a shortage of seaman ratings, men of this latter branch, are at present allowed a free kit, including bedding, or, if they already possess it, they are credited with its value at Service issuing prices (about £26 at present) provided they re-enter for not less than five years. If they re-enter for less than five years they receive a gratuity of £13 only. This is an exceptional measure intended to induce men to re-enter the seaman branch. It is not intended to be permanent, and there is no reason for its extension to any other branch.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Air Force in Ireland?

This question should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Air. The information is being obtained, but its preparation will take some time. I will communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Air Force in Palestine?

This question should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Air. The information is being obtained, but its preparation will take some time. I will communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Air Force in Constantinople?

This question should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Air. The information is being obtained, but its preparation will take some time. I will communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Air Force in Mesopotamia?

This question should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Air. The information is being obtained, but its preparation will take some time. I will communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the two major-generals of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, who were stated in the reply given on 13th July, 1920, to be employed in colonel's appointments, will be retained on the active list after they reach the age limit for colonels of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, which these two officers reach on the 24th May and 3rd July, 1021, respectively; if so, how the effect on the promotion of officers junior to them will be adjusted, seeing that many of these junior officers performed equally good service, probably under more trying climatic conditions; and if he has considered the effect that the retention of these two major-generals would have on the promotion of a very large number of officers junior to them in the corps?

It has been decided that the two major-generals, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, employed in colonel's appointments shall be retired on reaching the age of 57, the age limit of colonels of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, has issued orders to put back to grass all lands in his command ploughed up during the War; if so, has he acted after consultation with the Minister of Agriculture: and is he aware of the consternation among farmers who, in the interests of the country, put themselves at great expense to grow corn when called upon?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. Southern Command, with the approval of the War Office, has issued orders that a large part of the land referred to is to be relaid to grass. The land is required for training purposes, and is only being put back to grass to the extent necessary to meet these requirements. In most cases, if not in all, the farmers were warned that the land would have to be relaid to grass, and, in consideration of their accepting the liability, the War Department waived any increase of rent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any official information showing that a number of shots were fired from a train occupied by troops proceeding to Southampton; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Official information has been received of the alleged shooting, and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter with the least possible delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Army in Palestine?

The estimated monthly cost of the Army in Palestine at present is £500,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the annual cost of printing and distribution of the Cadet List for the years of compilation 1916 to 1920, respectively, including officers, pay and clerks, salaries; what was the number of copies printed each year; how many were issued free or paid for; under whose authority and instruction is the list printed and issued; whether the issue invariably takes place months after the compilation of the list and in consequence is of little use; and whether under the circumstances and in the interest of economy, he will consider the desirability of discontinuing the publication?

The information asked for regarding the cost of printing and distribution of the Cadet List is as follows:

—		Number Printed.	Distribution— Official Copies.	Copies Sold.	Cost of Printing and Paper.
					£
1916	…	1,500	1,212	261	80
1917	…	1,500	1,202	131	100
1918	…	2,000	1,713	64	318
1919	…	2,125	2,010	31	379
1920	…	2,125	2,000	20	384

The compilation of the list occupies about a quarter of the working time of an ex-soldier clerk. During the War the printing and issue of the list was delayed owing to the pressure of war work but the list compiled up to 31st December, 1920, is now being printed and will be issued very shortly. I am informed that the list is essential for the administration of the cadet force which now numbers 120,000 cadets.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that non-commissioned officers of the Regular Army, who have been appointed on the permanent staff of the Territorial Army, and who have been unable to obtain quarters for themselves in the neighbourhood in which their work lies owing to the shortage of housing accommodation, and have to travel backwards and forwards daily, are called upon to pay their own travelling expenses; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

I regret that I am unable to agree as a general rule to the grant to Territorial Force Instructors of travelling expenses between their lodgings and their place of duty; but I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my answers to questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham East (Lieut.-Colonel Pownall) on the 2nd and 16th November last, in which I explained the steps which were being taken to relieve the difficulties of these instructors in regard to accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Army in Constantinople?

The estimated monthly cost of the Army in Constantinople at present is £225,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the Army in Mesopotamia?

The estimated monthly cost of the Army in Mesopotamia at present is £2,300,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to secure the payment of the sum of £68 7s. l½d., due to Company Sergeant-Major John O. Ramsay, D.C.M., No. 48,496, late of 88th Field Company, Koyal Engineers, who surrendered his pay book (A.B. 64) at Kinross when he was demobilised in April, 1919, having served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and Mesopotamia, and the paymaster at Chatham having disallowed the above amount owing to absence of pay book?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War the result of his inquiries addressed to the Government of India as to the total cost of the East Persia Cordon Expedition; whether the information he has received distinguishes between the expenditure on the road from Dazdup to Meshed and the buildings thereon; whether an estimate for the work was prepared beforehand; and in what Votes of the House sanction for this expenditure is to be found?

I have received from the India Office a report from India to the effect that the total cost of the expedition was £16,500,000, that the cost of the road cannot be stated separately, and that the estimate made for the works was of the general character which was the only one possible under active service conditions. As regards the last part of the question, in the years 1915–1G to 1918–19, the expenditure was charged, like all other war expenditure, to the Votes of Credit; in 1919–20 the expenditure was provided for under head 1, sub-head E, Mesopotamia and Persia; and in 1920–21 the expenses of the force during the course of its withdrawal were included under head VI, sub-head L, with other payments to the Government of India in respect of terminal charges of the War.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs the strength of the British forces at present in Persia; whether it is proposed to effect further withdrawals, and on what date or dates; and whether there is any present prospect of the completion of the Anglo-Persian agreement?

It would be contrary to the established practice to give the numbers of British forces employed in Persia. As regards the last part of the question I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on 21st December last.

asked the Secretary of State for War what British forces, if any, have been withdrawn from Mesopotamia since 1st January ultimo; and whether further withdrawals of British forces at an early date are contemplated?

Two Indian Cavalry Regiments and two British and one Indian Infantry Battalions have left Mesopotamia since 1st January, 1921. Further considerable withdrawals have been arranged and will take place during the next three months.

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

I have not yet received the information for which I asked the High Commissioner at Bagdad. I am asking him to expedite it.

asked the Secretary of State for India why he has limited the proposal to raise the pensions granted from Indian revenues to pensioners of the various civil funds, such as the Madras Fund and the Bengal Fund, to widows and others whose total income does not exceed £150 a year; and whether he is aware that this proposal is preventing such people from supplementing their income by usefully earning a little money?

The limit, though independently fixed, is the same as that applied under the recent British Pensions (Increase) Act in the case of unmarried persons or of widows with no children under 16 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether uncovenanted Indian Civil Servants who retired on 23rd July, 1913, are excluded from the benefit of the increased rate of pensions granted to those who retired on or after that date; if so, the ground for this distinction; and whether he adheres to the terms of the circular letter issued by the Government of India on 23rd July, 1913?

The increased rates of pension are applicable to officers retiring after the 23rd July, 1913, not to those who retired on or before that date. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, on my behalf, to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton (Colonel Yates) on the 28th October last. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the present maximum pensions for European members of the Forest and Public Works Departments, as regards invalidation and service of 20 and 25 years, were first sanctioned; what increase in the above pensions was granted by the scheme introduced by the Government of India Finance Department Resolution 1,085 E.A. of 15th November, 1919; what percentage of European-recruited officers of the two Departments concerned with less than 20 years' service have not accepted the new scheme; and whether, in the event of acceptances being less than 50 per cent., he will consider the introduction of a fresh pension scheme more commensurate with the increased cost of living in England?

The dates in question are 1884 in the case of officers of the Public Works Department, and 1893 in that of officers of the Forest Service. The maxima specified were not altered by the Resolution of 15th November, 1919 I have no information as to the percentage of officers who have accepted the new scheme. I understand that the Government of India are considering whether the present maxima for officers of these services retired after less than 25 years' service might not be improved in certain respects.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is prepared to acknowledge the services during the Great War of Europeans employed in India by the initiation of a long-service decoration for the Indian Army Reserve of Officers or by allowing service with the Indian Army Reserve of Officers to count as double for the Volunteer officers' decoration in the case of those who were either on the strength of the Volunteer Force on the 4th August, 1914, or joined it subsequently, irrespective of whether their names remained on the Volunteer rolls for the whole of their war service with the Indian Army Reserve of Officers or by allowing efficient members of Indian Volunteer corps who were actually mobilised with the Territorials in England on the 5th August, 1914, to qualify for the Teritorial war medal or by initiating a Volunteer war medal for those who were actually mobilised with any unit during August, 1914, or by placing all those who served in a military capacity outside their pre-War Presidency or province on a par with members of the British Army in India for the award of the 1914–18 medal?

It is not proposed to institute a special decoration for officers of the Indian Army Reserve. These officers qualify for war medals under the same conditions as regular officers of the Indian Army. Under Army Instruction (India) 723 of 21st September, 1920, embodied service in India in the case of an Indian volunteer who belonged to the Volunteer Force on the 4th August, 1914, and served continuously from that date, counts double as qualifying service for the award of the Volunteer officer's decoration and the Volunteer Long Service Medal. The restriction that such Volunteers should be serving on the 4th August, 1914, is in accordance with the decision of the General Commanding in the case of the Territorial Force. Under the same Army Instruction (India), service actually rendered by an Indian Volunteer in a theatre of war in any capacity also counts double as qualifying service for the Volunteer officer's decoration and the Volunteer Long Service Medal, provided that his name was retained on the rolls of a Volunteer unit throughout such service. I will consult the Government of India as to the possibility of this proviso being modified or withdrawn. Indian Volunteers who were mobilised with the Territorial Force in England on the 5th August, 1914, must, presumably, have belonged to the Territorial Force at the outbreak of War, and would, therefore, be eligible for the award of the Territorial Force Medal if they fulfilled the necessary conditions. If at some future date it is decided to grant a medal for home service, the question of its award, or the award of a similar medal, to Indian Volunteers who served only in India will be considered

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the advisability of extending the operation of the present Royal Pensions Warrant so as to include deserving cases who are at the present moment excluded from pension?

I regret that I cannot give a satisfactory reply to a question put in such general terms. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular class of case which cannot be assisted either under the Pensions Warrants or under the Regulations of the Special Grants Committee, and will communicate with me, I will have the question further investigated.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Ministry have had a large and valuable stock of bacon in cold storage in America since the beginning of last year; and, if so, the precautions that his Department has taken to ensure that any stock which may have become unfit for consumption is not shipped to this country?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, deterioration of bacon held by the Ministry in cold storage in America is guarded against by regular inspection, and, in fact, no bacon so held has become unfit for consumption.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that nearly 800 tons of flour have been lying untouched in Middlesbrough on account of the Ministry of Food for over 12 months, involving costs for storage and inspection whilst at the same time deteriorating in quality and being damaged by rats and mice; what is the total quantity of flour which has been stored in other parts of the country for a period of 12 months or more, and the total costs involved for storing and inspecting the same; if he considers it necessary to hold such stocks; and whether he will consider the desirability of renewing the flour every three or six months in order to avoid the loss due to deterioration which occurs after 12 months' storage?

The flour referred to in the first part of the question, which until recently formed part of the stock held by the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies as an emergency reserve, has now been disposed of. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think it is in the public interest to give the information asked for. With regard to the third part, it has been decided to reduce these stocks, and already more than 60 per cent, of the total stocks have been disposed of. The last part of the question accordingly does not arise.

asked the Minister of Food whether many sacks of Government flour are stored away in the larger towns of Glamorgan, South Wales, and getting rotten, and unfit for use; and will he make an inquiry into the facts and give a statement of such findings to the House as soon as possible?

A certain quantity of flour is stored at three points in Glamorgan as part of the emergency reserve stock of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies. Instructions have been given for the dispersal of the bulk of these stocks, and according to recent reports the condition of the remainder is satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the report of Mr. Vincent Edwards, a Fellow of the Chemical Institute, upon his analysis of the Chinese flour at present in this country, and in which he makes the statement that it is damaged stuff infested with mites and other insects and entirely unfit for human consumption; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter in the interest of public health and in order to reassure the public?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction and anxiety felt with regard to the use of deleterious Chinese flour in the baking of bread; and what steps he proposes to take to reassure the public?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. My attention has been called to the analytical report in question and also to other newspaper reports referring to the occurrence of cases of illness (especially skin eruptions) alleged to have been due to the consumption of bread made from Chinese flour. I have caused inquiries to be made into these allegations, but they have failed to establish any casual connection between the flour in question and the illness complained of. Examination of some of the cases of skin eruption showed that they were due to scabies or "itch," an infectious parasitic condition which is not associated in any way with food. In samples of the flour, which I have caused to be examined, no flour other than that of wheat has been detected and the condition of the samples in regard to the presence of mites and other insects has been satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Wheat Commission are still continuing to buy wheat; the amounts of wheat bought by the Commission since January, 1920, and the date of the most recent purchase from any foreign country or overseas Dominion?

The-Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies are still making purchases from time to time as they find necessary. It is not considered in the public interest to disclose the amounts of their purchases, but I may say that the most recent purchase of imported wheat was made on Friday last, the 11th instant. The wheat in this case was Australian wheat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious shortage of store cattle and of dairy cows, causing, as it does, a restriction of milk supplies, and of an inability to consume the root crop, he will take stops to restrict the slaughter of young calves?

It appears from the latest available information that the slaughter of calves is considerably less now than it was a year ago, and that present prices for store cattle and dairy cows are acting as an inducement to farmers to rear their calves. The position is kept under frequent review, but at present it does not seem desirable to revert to Government control, which, during the War, did not prove effective in the desired direction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Amendment of Section 1, Sub-section (1), of The Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, contained in the First Schedule of The Agriculture Act, 1920, deprives the tenant-farmer of the compensation for improvements which he was entitled to under The Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, except in cases where the tenancy was entered upon after the 1st day of January, 1921; and whether, if such be the case, he will at once introduce an amending Bill to remedy this injustice?

The Amendment referred to is capable of being construed in the sense indicated in the question. This was not intended, and Parliament will at once be invited to deal with the point.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the names of the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, stating also the county from which each member comes?

The information required is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that applicants for small holdings and allotments at Upping-ham, most of whom are ex-service men, applied on two occasions to the parish council for land; that these applications have been rejected; that the applicants approached the county council, but were referred back to the parish council; that the land required is eleven acres, in addition to three acres provided some time ago, in place of four acres from which allotment holders were evicted; and whether he will take immediate steps to have land provided so that these men may undertake cultivation for the coming season?

The Ministry has already been in communication with the Uppingham Parish Council in the matter of the provision of allotments in the parish. It appears that the council's lease of the 4 acres of land referred to by the hon. Member expires on 6th April next, and that owing to the uncertainty of renewal the allotment holders were given notice to quit. In order that they might not be disturbed until alternative land could be provided, the council have secured a renewal of the lease for another year at a slightly higher rent. In addition, a further area of three acres has been staked out in readiness for cultivation this spring. The Ministry is informed by the council that the application for additional land was made only a few weeks ago on the formation of a local allotment association, and that it is very doubtful whether the land required can be secured in time for cultivation this spring.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reduction, if any, in the cost of building materials; the chief materials so reduced; the amount of reduction as compared with six months ago; what the intention of the Government is in regard to the subsidy which was paid to private builders, and the total number of houses built under this scheme up to the present time; and will he issue order preventing the erection of wooden huts as dwelling-houses?

There has been no general fall in the cost of building materials during the last six months, though the prices of certain materials, such as lead, glass, linseed oil, have shown reductions. The total number of houses erected up to the present time under the subsidy to private builders scheme is 9,673, and it is my intention to introduce at the earliest possible moment legislation to provide for the extension of the period during which the subsidy can be earned. I see no reason for preventing the erection of properly constructed wooden houses.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses that have been erected under the Government housing schemes?

I take it that my hon. Friend's question refers solely to houses which have been completed. Up to the 1st February, the latest date for which complete returns are available, 26,005 houses had been completed under the Housing Acts of 1919, and a further 1,173 houses are known to have been completed since that date.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Sub-committee of the Advisory Council on Housing made reports to the Council on Rural Rents and Slum Areas which were never considered by the Council?

Experience has shown that the best way of utilising the services of the members of the Advisory Council on Housing is to refer particular subjects to special committees who report to me direct, and this course was taken in the case of the two subjects mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to carry out the Government commitments in regard to the maternity convention adopted at Washington Convention in December, 1919?

His Majesty's Government, after full consideration, have decided not to ratify the Washington Maternity Convention.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to proceed with the Milk and Dairies Bill?

It is not at present proposed to re-introduce the Milk and Dairies Bill during the present Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making it compulsory for any amounts due from national approved insurance societies or any other benefit society to a person who has become an inmate of a Poor Law union institution, and who has no dependants, to be paid into the common fund of such union so long as the aforesaid remains chargeable?

Under Section 12 of the National Insurance Act of 1911 as amended, no part of any benefit due in respect of the period of an insured person's residence in a Poor Law institution is payable to the Guardians, and under Section III of the same Act there can be no assignment of or charge of any of the benefits. It is to be remembered that the Guardians retain their ordinary powers of recovery of the whole or part of the cost of maintenance where the circumstances appear to them to justify such a course.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many workpeople are falling into arrears with their health insurance contributions in consequence of widespread unemployment; whether he could arrange for the Labour Exchange officials to be empowered to place stamps upon the cards; or whether the arrears could be remitted altogether during the present period of distress?

The Out-of-Work Donation Scheme provides for the payment by the Ministry of Labour of the Health Insurance contributions of persons receiving donation whilst unemployed. There is no corresponding provision in the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920; and to pay the Health contributions of persons receiving unemployment benefit would require statutory authority. The question whether arrears of Health contributions could be remitted entirely during the present industrial depression is one which should be addressed to the Minister of Health.

asked the Postmaster-General what sum will be spent during the current year out of the ordinary revenue of his Department upon capital account in respect of extensions and improvements of the telephone system; and whether he will supply a Return giving similar information in respect of each year since the telephone system was taken over by the Government?

Capital expenditure on the development of the telephone service is not met out of revenue, but is provided out of loans authorised by special Money Acts. The amount expected to be spent in the current year up to 31st March next is £5,800,000. I am sending the hon. Member the figures for previous years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the general opposition of chambers of commerce, city and town councils, influential trading firms, and the public generally, it is proposed to modify the increase in telephone rates recently announced; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be afforded for a discussion on this subject?

I understand that an opportunity will be given for a discussion on the Address.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether it is proposed to put into force the variation in the methods of charging and the increases in the telephone charges before the recommendations of the Committee as to the provision of proper safeguards to ensure the accuracy of accounts and protection of the subscriber are set up and in operation; and if he will refrain from imposing the change until after Parliament has been able to discuss the subject;(2) whether owners of telephone contracts which ensure the benefit of unlimited calls and whose contracts have now been formally terminated will be enabled to have the continuation of such facilities from the expiration of their contracts until the actual imposition of the new methods and charges; and whether, in any amended form of agree- ment to be imposed on subscribers, he will consider the desirability of inserting a more equitable clause enabling an impartial tribunal to adjust questions of account in dispute in place of those clauses at present existing which virtually take away the right of the courts and imposes the supreme will of the Postmaster-General as the sole and final arbitrator?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the admitted difficulty of securing accuracy in checking the number of telephone calls, he will reconsider the advisability of continuing the system of charging some fixed rate for unlimited service; and failing this, if the charges to be made are based on the number of calls, whether the subscriber will be supplied by the Post Office authorities with the means of checking calls?

The Post Office is continually experimenting with telephone matters, but no satisfactory instrument for use at the subscriber's installation has yet been designed. If and when a reliable instrument is invented, the Post Office will agree to instal it, if a subscriber desires it and is prepared to pay the additional cost. But I would point out that such a meter would not increase the accuracy of registration, but would merely provide the subscriber at his own house with a duplicate of the record made on the meter at the Exchange. The new rates do not commence to apply to existing subscribers (that is, those connected prior to the 10th January of this year) until the 1st April next. Careful consideration is given to any specific complaint as to the accuracy of the Post Office records; but I cannot accept the proposal to set up a special tribunal to deal with disputed accounts. Nor am I, for the reasons stated in the Memorandum (Cd. 1143) which has been presented to Parliament, prepared to continue a fixed rate for unlimited service.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the total number of telephone instruments used on the public service, either by Government Departments or officials, in 1913 and at the present time, for which no actual money payment is made to the Post Office;

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones are installed in Government offices; if there is a record of the number of official calls during any period; if so, what is this number; if payment is credited to the Post Office for this service; if so, what sums have been so credited during any recent accounting period; whether the new charges will apply to this service; and, if no charge is made, can he give an approximate estimate of the cost to the Post Office of the official service?

The telephone service is duly credited for all lines and instruments used and calls made by Government Departments, and those credits are shown in the annual published accounts. They amounted to £64,347, in 1913–14 and £1,023,703 in 1919–20, the latter figure including the rentals for a number of circuits which had not been surrendered at the beginning of the financial year. The estimated credit for 1920–21 is £520,000. The credits are assessed at the ordinary tariff rates, and will therefore be calculated on the message-rate basis, as soon as the new rates become operative. I regret that Government instruments and calls are not shown separately in the statistical records, and the numbers could only be compiled by great expenditure of labour

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the effect upon the traffic of the increased charge for the transmission of telegrams?

The telegraph traffic in December, 1920, was about 13 per cent, below that of December, 1919, but it is not possible to say how much of the fall is due to increased charges and how much to trade stagnation. A reduction of traffic was noticeable some months before the higher charges came into force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if, in view of the fact that there appears to be no provision in the Treaty of Peace with Germany defining the currency or rate of exchange at which reparation under Section 4 of the Treaty is to be paid, it can be stated whether any arrangement has been made with the German Government as to such currency or rate of exchange; and, if so, what are the terms of such arrangement?

I take it that the lion, and gallant Member refers to the claims for which provision is made in Section IV, Part X of the Treaty of Versailles and which concern the recovery of proceeds of liquidation of property and the compensation to be paid by Germany for damage sustained by reason of exceptional War measures. With regard to the proceeds of liquidation, paragraph 4 of Section III, provides that they shall be accounted for at the pre-War rate of exchange in the currency of the Allied or Associated country concerned. The amount of compensation to be paid in any particular case and the method of computing it will be decided by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. No agreement has been come to on this subject with Germany beyond the terms of the Treaty of Peace.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the delay in the payment of accrued interest on Prussian Consols Bonds, acknowledged to be in order by the Clearing Office in March, 1920, is causing great inconvenience to creditors in this country; what is the reason for the delay; and whether the payment can be expedited?

The German Clearing Office are being constantly pressed for an early admission of the claims referred to by my hon. Friend, and since the rising of the House last Session admissions have been received in respect of such claims to the value of about £78,000, the greater part of which has been paid. There is still a small balance of claims not yet admitted, of which a speedy settlement is being demanded, and where undue delay has occurred, penal interest is being claimed pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Annex to Section III of part X of the Treaty.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give the present value of Germany's foreign investments; and whether the Entente Powers considered the transfer to the Allies of these investments as a means by which part of the War indemnity could be paid without injury to any Allied industry?

There are no data on which any satisfactory estimate can be made of the value of such investments. Provision is made in the Treaty of Versailles (Article 260) for enabling the Reparation Commission to acquire possession of any rights or interests of German nationals in public utility undertakings and concessions in Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, &c., and this question is being dealt with by the Reparation Commission. Furthermore, under Article 297 all Allied securities held by German nationals are deliverable to the Allied and Associated Powers, and are not available primarily for Reparation. The general question as to the extent to which Germany can make payment on account of Reparation in the form of foreign securities held by her nationals is, of course, one of the points to be discussed in reaching a settlement.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government paid the hotel expenses of its delegates to the various conferences at Paris and other places; and, if so, why are we paying the expenses of the various delegates who are coming to London for the Near East Conference?

The hotel expenses of the British delegations to all the various Peace Conferences, with the exception of the original Peace Conference at Paris, were borne by the Governments of the respective countries in which the Conferences were held. On the occasion of the present conference in London, the British Government is returning the hospitality extended to its delegations at previous conferences.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Russian Government has been, or will be, invited to send a representative to London for the forthcoming conference there with the representatives of the Constantinople and Angora Governments on the Turkish and Near Eastern questions?

The Russian Government was invited in the summer to a conference in London with the Allies to settle up all outstanding questions in which Russia was concerned affecting the peace of the world, but as an acceptance of that invitation at that time involved their arresting the victorious career of their invading armies in Poland they foolishly declined it. We do not propose to renew that invitation for this conference.

asked the Prime Minister what action the Government proposes to take on the second Report on motor fuel of the sub-committee of the Standing Committee on the Investigation of Prices?

I have been asked to reply. The policy of the Government has been to encourage the development of additional sources of supply of motor fuel and to assist, through the Fuel Research Board, research with a view to the production of substitutes on a commercial scale. The Committee in their second Report lay stress upon the importance of action in both these directions. In view of our serious dependence at the present time on foreign sources of supply, it would not be practicable to attempt to control prices and distribution.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation conferring reciprocal advantages on citizens of the Argentine Republic entering this country to those conferred on British subjects entering the Argentine Republic, namely, compulsory vaccination, compulsory certificate as to sanity, countersigned by the chief department of police, certificate of immunity from con- viction in any police court for five years prior to entry, and compulsory record of finger prints?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I presume the hon. Member refers to the restrictions which have been placed by the Argentine Government on aliens entering their country. His Majesty's Government see no reason for the introduction of similar provisions in regard to the admission of Argentine citizens into the United Kingdom. The matter is already sufficiently provided for by the Aliens Restriction Acts and the Aliens Order, 1920.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many raids were carried out by the police and military forces in Ireland in the years 1918, 1919, and 1920, respectively, and in the month of January, 1921?

I regret that it is not possible to furnish my hon. Friend with this information, for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Leigh Division (Mr. Raffan) on the 14th December last. To get out a return of this character would involve the imposition of a large amount of additional work upon police and military officers which, in my opinion, would not be justified at the present time.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many outrages attributed to Sinn Fein occurred in the years 1918, 1919, and 1920, respectively, and in the month of January, 1920?

The number of outrages attributed to Sinn Fein for the years 1918, 1919, and 1920, and the month of January, 1921, respectively, were as follow:

		Outrages.
Year 1918	…	609
Year 1919	…	599
Year 1920	…	9,171
Month January, 1921	…	575

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the attendants of His Majesty's Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dundrum, County Dublin, are still compelled to perform 84 hours' duty per week, or 14 hours per day based on a six-day week; that this is 24 hours longer per week than the Broadmoor attendants have to perform, although the attendants at Dundrum were officially informed that they had complete assimilation with the Broadmoor asylum as regards pay and general conditions of service; whether he will see that the staff at Dundrum get the same hours of duty and conditions of service, including lodging and boot allowances, as that of the Broadmoor staff, and also that the attendants who were up to their full maximum pay on the 18th September, 1918, be paid their maximum rate of pay from that date to the 29th February, 1920?

It is recognised that complete assimilation between Dundrum and Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylums has not yet been effected and no official intimation to the contrary has been conveyed to the asylum attendants at Dundrum. The points of difference referred to are still under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the pronouncement made by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork, in which he denounced as murderers those who ambush police and soldiers; whether he is aware that the Irish Theological Quarterly, which is edited by five theological professors in Maynooth, and published with the imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, has defended the action of those who shoot police and soldiers in Ireland; and whether, in view of the difference of opinion that exists among the members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, the British Minister at the Vatican has been, or will be, instructed to ask the Pope for a decision on the point?

The answer to the first and second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether martial law has been proclaimed in certain counties in Ire land; which statute or part of the Constitution confers such powers upon the Government or the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and whether, should no such statute or constitutional power exist, he will have those responsible for proclaiming martial law removed from office and, where possible, those sentenced to imprisonment by courts martial released?

Martial law has been proclaimed in certain counties in Ireland. The existence of a state of rebellion is sufficient justification for the enforcement of martial law. For instance, after the Rebellion in Ireland in 1916, the Government proclaimed martial law in the whole of Ireland.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has examined the pledge which the Great Northern Railway of Ireland is demanding from the men as a condition of reinstatement, in which they are required to sign an undertaking to handle all traffic without discrimination and to recognise the right of the company to forfeit their pensions; and, if so, whether this is a violation of the spirit of the agreement he made with the men's representative under which he contracted to see that the men would be reinstated without penalisation?

It is the case that the railway company in question are requiring men desiring reinstatement in their service to sign an undertaking to handle all traffic without discrimination, but what the men are asked to recognise on the second point mentioned by the right hon. Member is that admission into the company's pension fund rests with, the pension fund committee and not with the company, and that if re-admission is refused by that committee there is no claim on the company in respect of pensions. The committee is composed of five representatives of the company and five of the subscribing members; and the company state as their reason for making the condition referred to, that they are not in a position to compel the committee to take back into the fund any member who has lost his membership through dis- charge from the service. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport undertook in a letter which he addressed personally to the right hon. Gentleman on the 22nd December last that the Government would request the Irish railway companies concerned to arrange that no member of the National Union of Railwaymen should be refused reinstatement, or should subsequently be penalised, by reason of the fact that since the dispute began he had refused to handle all traffic without discrimination. This pledge my right hon. Friend the Minister has fully carried out. He has no power to compel a railway company to reinstate any particular man unconditionally.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present monthly cost of the military forces in Ireland?

The estimated monthly cost of the military forces in Ireland (exclusive of the Royal Air Force) is £1,300,000. It should be remembered that practically all the military forces in Ireland form part of the regular standing Army.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the amount per head of the total taxation levied during the present financial year if equally divided over the population of the United Kingdom, so far as is known; if he can state, approximately, what would be the nearest equivalent figure applied to the estimated populations of Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and the United States of America; and can he state, separately, the approximate amount of the internal and external debt of each country named?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an extract from Paper No. IV., presented by the League of Nations to the Financial Conference at Brussels.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been realised in taxes from the Excess Profits Duty, year by year, since the date of its imposition, including collections in the current year, so far as they are ascertainable?

The amounts of Excess Profits Duty (including munitions levy) paid into the Exchequer for each year since its imposition in 1915 are as follow: —

Year.	Exchequer Receipt.
	£
1915–16	140,000
1916–17	139,920,000
1917–18	220,214,000
1918–19	285,028,000
1919–20	290,045,000
1920–21 to 12th Feb., 1921	186,255,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present position with regard to the Floating Debt?

The Floating Debt oustanding on the 12th February was £1,358,896,000. The hon. Member will find particulars of the outstanding Floating Debt in the Exchequer Returns issued each week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the number of errors that are being made by the In- land Revenue officers in regard to demands for payment of Income Tax; whether he is aware that these errors are generally in favour of the Government and not of the taxpayer; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My attention has been called to the matter referred to in this question. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, an entirely new system of Income Tax graduation and allowances was brought into being by the Finance Act of last year, and although the widest publicity was given to that scheme, it is not surprising that a number of taxpayers failed to take the necessary steps to obtain the allowances to which they became entitled for the first time. It has resulted, therefore, that there have been cases in which tax has been assessed in excess of actual liability, but the number of such cases in relation to the total number of taxpayers has been grossly exaggerated in reports that have appeared on the subject. Steps have been taken to carry out the adjustment of liability in these cases with the least possible delay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the clerks of the Inland Revenue Department receive any remuneration, reward, or promotion in proportion to the amount of taxes they collect?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inquire into the hard case of thousands of school teachers in the British Isles who are being asked to pay taxes for the year 1919–20 in spite of the fact that these men went straight from college, university, or technical school into the Army or other services and did not begin to earn any salary until being demobilised, therefore being entitled to assessment on a three years' basis?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the case of school teachers in the service of the various local education authorities. These persons are properly chargeable to Income Tax under Schedule E on the actual amount of their emoluments for the year of assessment. The basis on which their present liability to tax is being computed has, therefore, not been affected in any way by their absence on war service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship to district nursing associations of having to pay income tax on the cottages and homes in which their nurses live; and whether he will take steps to extend the exemption, already granted to hospitals, to district nursing associations?

My hon. Friend's suggestion that exemption from Income Tax under Schedule A should be granted in respect of premises owned by district nursing associations and used for the accommodation of their nurses is part of the general question of the Income Tax exemptions that are granted to charities —a difficult matter, which was under consideration by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax. That Commission made several recommendations on the subject (see Section XIV of Part III of their Report), including a recommendation which touches upon the proposal now made by my hon. Friend. Due consideration will be given to that recommendation when it proves possible to consider as a whole the views expressed by the Royal Commission on the main question of the exemptions from Income Tax accorded to charities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to levy Corporations Profits Tax on profits of a company which is formed for the purpose of promoting art, science, religion, or other like objects not involving the acquisition of gain, and is precluded by Section 20 of the Companies Act, 1908, from dividing any profits; and whether, if such a company is liable under the words of the statute, he will see his way to exempt it?

The Corporation Profits Tax is imposed upon the profits of a company carrying on any trade or business or any undertaking of a similar character where the liability of the members is limited. The tax is not limited in its conception to those cases in which the profits are distributed to the members, and I do not see my way to propose the exemption which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of subscription to the second issue of Treasury Bonds to date?

The total amount of Treasury Bonds (second series) issued up to 12th February, 1921, was £8,696,000. Of these, £2,630,000 were issued in exchange for maturing 5 per cent. Exchequer Bonds, 1920.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the distress caused among many small depositors and shareholders by the failure of Farrow's Bank, he is taking steps to repay to the liquidator moneys paid by the bank to the Inland Revenue in respect of Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty, which sums wore not actually due to revenue, and only became payable on account of fictitious profits shown in the accounts?

My hon. and gallant. Friend will be aware that the affairs of this bank are now the subject of investigation by the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy, and criminal proceedings are being taken against sonic of the directors. While the case is still sub judice. I am unable to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a widespread belief exists that the management of Farrow's Bank was in communication with the Government some months before its suspension, so as to make the Government, so far as might be, a party to its continuing to do business after it was in fact insolvent; and whether he will make any statement on this subject?

If such a belief does in fact exist, it is without foundation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the National Savings Department, Salisbury Square, is under his control; what staff is employed there; what salaries are now being paid to the three highest-paid officials and what were their pre-War salaries and occupations; whether the salaries list has been raised since the Armistice; and, if so, how much?

The total staff employed with Treasury approval by the National Savings Committee numbers 294, as against 391 at the date of the Armistice. The three highest paid officials are on scales £850£l,000, £750-£900, and £700£900 respectively, plus War bonus. Before the War these gentlemen were respectively a Board of Education Inspector (£270£400), an Examiner in the Post Office (£360£430), and a Lecturer in Economics. A direct, comparison of the salary list at the time of the Armistice and at the present date would be misleading owing to the fact that at the date of the Armistice a considerable portion of the staff consisted of officers lent by other Departments. I may perhaps add that the staff of the Savings Committee was recently investigated by a Committee of which my hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset was Chairman, and that Committee has reported that the affairs of the Savings Committee are being administered with due regard to efficiency and economy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of documents stamped with the particulars delivered stamp in the financial year ending 31st March, 1921?

The number of documents stamped with the "Particulars Delivered" stamp in the first ten months, of the financial year ending 31st March, 1921, is 488,474.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the annual cost of the Inland Revenue staff in connection with Section 4 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as amended by the Finance Act, 1920?

The annual cost of the staff employed on the work to which the question refers who are also engaged on other duties cannot be ascertained precisely. The best estimate that can be made gives a figure between £10,000 and £15,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recommendations of the Select Committee on National Expenditure and the cost to the public, he will consider the advisability of repealing the provisions of Section 4 of the Finance (1909–10) Act. 1910, as amended by the Finance Act, 1920, under which particulars of sales and leases have still to be delivered to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue?

No, Sir. The Select Committee on National Expenditure recommended that the Valuation Department should be continued for the purpose, inter alia, of advising Government Departments on the values of property for purposes of purchasing leasing, letting, or sale, and the particulars in question are essential to the Department in carrying out its functions.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has received representations from the Town Council of Edinburgh, from Scottish allotment holders, and other organisations, protesting against the notices served on the allotment holders in King's Park, Edinburgh, requiring them to leave at the end of February, 1922; whether these allotments occupy what was formerly waste ground, now in a high state of cultivation, occupy only a small corner of this large park, do not interfere in any way with the full enjoyment of the park by the public, and are generally approved by the citizens of Edinburgh; whether, if the notices are allowed to take effect, he is aware that a large number of working men will be deprived of useful spare-time occupation in the supply of necessary commodities; and whether, having regard to the fact that the conditions in the King's Park, Edinburgh, are admittedly different from those prevailing in other royal parks, he will reconsider the present decision and allow these allotment holders to remain?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, but have no evidence of a general desire that the allotments in question should be allowed to remain; nor, as at present advised, can I see any justification for the continued occupation for allotment purposes for the benefit of a few individuals of any portions of the public parks which are maintained out of Imperial funds for the benefit of the community as a whole. I am, however, giving the matter further consideration and hope to be able to give the hon. Member a final decision in a week's time.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the allocation of the additional grant of £400,000, available for education in Scotland in the present financial year, will be made and intimated to the education authorities in order that the parishes to participate in it may be informed at the earliest possible date of the revised amount which they are to raise by assessment?

As I explained to the Scottish Members when I had the privilege of addressing them on 10th November last, the £400,000 referred to in my hon. Friend's question will form part of the grant which is being distributed in terms of the Department's minute of. 30th June, 1920. No separate allocation, therefore, is necessary. As soon as the necessary data for the calculation of the grant are available, intimation of the revised grant will be made to each authority —probably in April.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money is being saved weekly in wages under the short-time scheme at the War Department works at Bedenham, near Fareham, Hants; the number of additional civilian workmen for whom this sum is estimated to provide employment; and how many additional civilian workmen are now so employed?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Admiralty establishment at Bedenham forms part of the Naval Armament Supply Depot at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, and the figures relating to the Naval Armament Supply employés are not separated between Bedenham and the other parts of the establishment; assuming that my hon Friend refers to employment in the Admiralty Building Works Department at Bedenham, the weekly saving under the short-time scheme amounts to £130, and this sum is estimated to provide employment for 38 additional workmen, which number of additional workmen are employed in that Department at Bedenham.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men out of employment in the building trades for the months of November, December, and January, giving the figures in each branch of the trade separately?

The following table shows the number of men in the building trades of the United Kingdom on the live registers of employment exchanges at various dates:—

Occupations.	19th Nov., 1920.	10th Dece., 1920.	7th Jan., 1921.	3rd Feb., 1921.
Carpenters	795	1,219	2,690	3,524
Bricklayers	215	159	300	238
Masons	306	436	800	740
Slaters	91	76	142	154
Plasterers	153	135	218	228
Painters	11,836	17,367	25,493	25,514
Plumbers	1,228	1,273	1,852	1,808
Labourers	18.174	21,052	29,493	32,016
	32,798	42,317	60,988	64,222

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men at present out of employment in the building trades, giving the figures in each branch of the trade separately?

The number of men in the building trades of the United Kingdom on the live register of employment exchanges at 3rd February, the latest date for which figures are available, is as follows:

(I give also the vacancies notified.)
—		Numbers Unemployed.	Vacancies Offered.
Carpenters	…	3,524	817
Bricklayers	…	238	5,576
Masons	…	740	266
Slaters	…	154	80
Plasterers	…	228	774
Painters	…	25,514	55
Plumbers	…	1,808	147
Labourers	…	32,016	26

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures relating to unemployment in Liverpool, and what steps the Government are taking to deal with this serious matter?

The number of persons on the Live Registers of the Employment Exchanges in Liverpool on the 11th February was 29,239, including 9,220 ex-service men. The great majority of these persons are in receipt of out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit With the assistance of Government grants, schemes have been commenced for the provision of work on roads and in other ways. New arterial roads are being constructed and existing roads widened, and at the moment 590 men are engaged in carrying out this work. The expediting of the layout of sites, sewers, etc., in connection with the Housing programme, has resulted in the provision of employment for about 200 men. The Unemployment Grants Committee have also agreed to assist a scheme for certain road improvements, which will employ, approximately, 800 men. My hon. Friend heard, no doubt, the statement which I made yesterday regarding the continuance of benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement giving particulars of the extent of unemployment in the principal industries of the country for the month of January in the years 1914, 1920, and 1921?

The only basis of comparison available is that given in the percentage of unemployed members of certain trade unions (mainly skilled workers) furnished to the Ministry. The comparison is shown in the following Table:—

TRADE UNION PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYED.
Industry.	End of		Jan., J921
	Jan., 1914.	Jan., 1920.
Building	5·9	0·3	2·0*
Coal Mining	0·6	0·1	0·8
Engineering and Shipbuilding.	2·5	6·8	8·5
Miscellaneous Metals Textiles:—	1·7	0·7	9·6
Cotton	2·0	2·0	5·8
Woolen and Worsted.	3·8	1·0	8·9
Other	1·8	1·0	7·8
Printing, Bookbinding, and Paper.	3·7	1·0	6·2
Furnishing	3·4	0·3	10·4
Woodworking		0·9	5·3
Clothing:—
Boot and Shoe	2·3	0·7	11·0
Other Clothing	2·8	0·8	9·6
Leather	6·7	0·9	11·7
Glass	0·5	0·5	1·7
Pottery	0·8	0·3	0·7
Tobacco	2·3	0·6	28·1
Total	2·5	2·9	6·9
* Figures relate mainly to December.
NOTE.—Workers on short time of whom there were at the end of January 638,154 claimants at Employment Exchanges are not included in the above percentages

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement showing a comparison between the present state of unemployment in the principal industries and other periods of trade depression preceding the War?

The only available figures which enable a comparison to be made between unemployment at the present date and in previous periods of trade depressions are those furnished to the Ministry by certain Trade Unions, mainly of skilled workers, showing the number of their members unemployed at the end of each month. At the end of January, 1921, the percentage of trade unions members unemployed was 6·9. Other years of trade depression for which percentages at the end of January are

Industries.	Percentage at end of Jan. 1921.	Mean annual percentage in—
		1879.	1884.	1885.	1886.	1887.	1893.	1894.	1908.	1909.
Engineering, Shipbuilding, and Metal.	8·6.	15·3	10·8	12·9	13 5	10·4	11·4	11·2	12·5	13·0
Building*	2·0	8·2	4·7	7·1	8·2	6·5	3·1	4·3	11·6	11·7
Woodworking and Furnishing.	7·5	8·3	3·0	4·1	4·7	3·6	4·1	4·4	8·3	7·6
Printing and Bookbinding.	4·7	4·0	2·1	2·5	2·6	2·2	4·1	5·7	5·5	5·6
Other trades included in return.	8·2	3·3	1·4	1·8	5·2	1·9	2·6	1·9	2·9	2·6
All trades included in returns.	6·9	11·4	8·1	9·3	10·2	7·6	7·5	6·9	7·8	7·7
* Figures relate mainly to December.

NOTE.—Short-time workers are not included in these figures. The number of short-time claimants in all industries at Employment Exchanges at the end of January, 1921, was 638,154.

asked the Minister of Labour how long the Government intend to continue the unemployment pay; and whether married women draw their out-of-work pay when their husbands are in regular work?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made in the course of last night's Debate. Under the existing Unemployment Insurance Act, married women who are otherwise entitled to benefit are not disqualified if their husbands are at work. The point raised by my hon. Friend is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the Employment Exchanges in Edinburgh unemployment donation to painters has been seriously delayed in payment; that this is attributed to delay in receiving the necessary authority from London; that in consequence unemployed painters are suffering much hardship; and whether he will give instructions immediately authorising the payment of the allowance?

I am having enquiry made into this matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in the course of a few days.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that throughout the bedstead industry, with the exception of London, arrangements were made more than 12 months ago by which certain bonuses are paid to the workmen whether or not they are employed the whole of their time; that since 3rd January some 500 or 600 men, mostly in the Midlands, have been on short time and have been receiving a proportion of their bonus according to agreement and also their State unemployment insurance, the latter on the decision of the chief insurance officer; that this officer has now reversed his decision and given instructions that State pay to these men must be suspended; whether such a course is calculated to penalise the making of provision for slumps in trade and is, in fact, an act of injustice to these men; and whether he will arrange for the continuance of the payment of State insurance until at least the case has been heard and pronounced upon by the court of referees and, if necessary, disposed of by the umpire?

I understand that the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, and that the result of an appeal to the court of referees is that the decision of the insurance officer has been upheld. The association concerned is entitled to appeal to the umpire for an authoritative decision, and the Department will give every facility in their power in order to enable the hearing of such an appeal to be expedited. The payment of benefit pending appeal to the umpire from a decision of a court of referees disallowing benefit is not permissible under the Unemployment Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed ex-service men on the registers of the unemployment exchanges on the last available date?

The number of ex-service men on the live registers of the employment exchanges at 11th February was about 368,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the insurance of British merchant ships during the War was, generally speaking, carried out by the British Government; whether the payment of such losses carried with it the obligation to re-invest the money in new ships; whether there was any time limit within which such re-investment should be made; and whether the Government will insist upon the carrying out of this rebuilding with the view of dealing with the unemployment question as regards shipbuilding?

A large number of British merchant ships were insured against war perils under the Government insurance scheme, in which the whole or a proportion of the risk was borne by the Government. The payment of losses under this scheme did not carry with it any obligation to reinvest the money in new ships.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any effective diplomatic representation can be made to the French Government with a view to obtaining a report from the French police regarding the disappearance of Mr. Ernest William Gourlay near Boulogne at the end of November, 1920; and whether Mr. Gourlay's relatives can be informed of any action which has been taken by the French or British police?

Mr. E. W. Gourlay's relatives have been in communication with this Department, and also with the British Vice-Consul at Boulogne, and are in possession of all the facts so far ascertainable. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has already been in frequent communication with His Majesty's Embassy at Paris in regard to the case, but I will be glad to ask the Embassy for a further report. I should add that the British Consular officers at Lille and Boulogne have boon and are doing all they can on behalf of Mr. Gourlay's relatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give statistics showing the death and invaliding rates of European officers in Nigeria for the years 1919 and 1920; whether they show an increase on previous years; and, if so, whether the increase is due to the after-effects of extended tours and the consequent lowering of vitality?

The figures for 1920 are not yet available. Those for 1919, which were contained in the paper laid before Parliament as Cmd. 920, are; death rate 12·1 per 1,000, invaliding rate 30·0 per 1,000. The former figure compares favourably with those of previous years, the latter shows a slight increase, due no doubt to the extra strain caused by the War, and its consequences including depletion of staff and continuous overwork, in some cases unduly extended tours in unhealthy districts, and in many others the after-effects of the torpedoing of the West African mail boats, which adversely affected the health of a number of officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the higher death and invaliding rates of European officers in Nigeria for the year 1918 were due to extended tours consequent upon the depletion of staff, he will see that the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State that the period of tours should be extended to between 18 and 24 months, or even longer in some districts, be not acted upon until the health and residential, conditions have been further materially improved?

The increase in the death rate was entirely, and that in the invaliding rate principally, due, not to extended tours, but to the influenza pandemic which reached West Africa towards the end of 1918. The question of the length of tour, between 12 and 24 months, which each individual officer is required to serve is left to the discretion of the Governor, who in accordance with the regulations on the subject has to take into account, not only the necessities of the service, but also the character of the station or stations at which the officer has been serving, and his previous medical history, and who will, I am confident, not require any officer to serve a tour so long as to be prejudicial to his health.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that Miss Mabel Beresford was severely injured in the Barnbow explosion in December, 1916, and is totally disabled owing to loss of a leg, scalp injuries, and minor shrapnel wounds; that she has been waiting for over four months for a further surgical operation owing to the Ministry of Munitions Compensation Department not being willing to pay 12s. per day to the Leeds General Infirmary; that her condition is serious; that this girl has no parents and is in lodgings and her compensation is only 21s. per week, being based on the 1916 rate of wages; and whether he will make proper financial and medical provision for her?

I would remind the hon. Member that the Workmen's Compensation Act does not provide for surgical treatment. The weekly payment of 21s. is the maximum amount that the Ministry can pay under the provisions of the Act of 1906 and the amending Acts of 1917 and 1919, but the Ministry as an "act of grace" provided an artificial limb. Arrangements are now being made for admission to the Samaritan Hospital at Bradford, where treatment will be provided at the expense of the Ministry. I may add that, owing to the fact that there was a long waiting list for the Leeds Infirmary, it was quite impossible for treatment to be given there.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to introduce a Bill embodying the recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation?

A comprehensive Bill covering the whole of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee would raise issues of a complicated and controversial character, which would require a large amount of time for discussion, and in accordance with the intention declared in the King's Speech to lighten the business of the Session as far as possible, the Government have decided that such legislation cannot be undertaken this year. The introduction of a limited Bill dealing chiefly with the amount of compensation is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons condemned to death in Great Britain in each year since 1st January, 1901, the number of occasions upon which the verdict of the jury was accompanied by a recom-

CAPITAL CASES.
STATISTICS as to persons executed notwithstanding a recommendation to mercy by the Jury, 1901–1920.
Year.			Persons Sentenced.		Recommended to Mercy.		Executed notwithstanding Recommendation to Mercy.
			England and Wales.	Scotland.	England and Wales.	Scotland.	England and Wales.	Scotland.
1901	…	…	28	—	14	—	4	—
1902	…	…	33	2	11	1	4	—
1903	…	…	41	—	14	—	4	—
1904	…	…	28	3	13	3	4	1
1905	…	…	32	1	17	1	4	1
1906	…	…	27	—	16	—	3	—
1907	…	…	21	1	11	1	3	—
1908	…	…	25	3	12	1	1	1
1909	…	…	31*	2	13	—	4	—
1910	…	…	28	2	10	2	4	—
1911	…	…	31	2	14	2	4	—
1912	…	…	25	—	9	—	1	—
1913	…	…	28	1	13	1	3	1
1914	…	…	24†	—	12	—	6	—
1915	…	…	21*	—	11	—	2	—
1916	…	…	17	—	7	—	1	—
1917	…	…	16*	1	6	—	1	—
1918	…	…	24	—	12	—	—	—
1919	…	…	24	3	11	2	3	—
1920	…	…	35	2	12	—	2	—
*1 quashed on appeal. †2 quashed on appeal.