asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position of men who deserted during the War but who have not yet been apprehended?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Section 72 of the Army Act and to the answers which my right hon. Friend the late Secretary of State (Mr. Churchill) gave to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean) on the 13th July last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the appeal of Miss Jane Plumpton, of 24, Small Street, Stockport Road, Manchester, in respect of her dependency on Private W. E. Plumpton, No. 3228, Royal Air Force, deceased, dated 18th October, 1920, still awaits decision by the Appeals Tribunal; and whether he will expedite the hearing thereof?

I am informed that further information is required from the military authorities regarding the late soldier's service, but I am making further inquiry and will communicate later with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport why steps are not being taken to construct railways between Eastgate station, in Durham, and Allendale, in Northumberland, and Middleton-in-Tees-dale and Alston, as such railways would open out valuable mineral and agricultural areas and at the same, time find continuous valuable productive work for men now out of work?

The proposal for a railway between Eastgate and Allendale has not been investigated in detail, owing to the decision of His Majesty's Government that schemes involving expenditure, not yet in operation, are to remain in abeyance. In the case of the proposed railway between Middleton-in-Teesdale and Alston, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on the 18th November last and would add that in this case also the decision of His Majesty's Government as to restriction of expenditure necessitates that the proposals should remain in abeyance.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of applicants for the installation of telephones in the Liverpool district during 1920; how many of these have had the instruments installed; how many are still on the waiting list; what is the longest period for which any applicant has been kept waiting; and the causes of delays?

The total number of applications in the Liverpool district during 1920 was 3,255. The number of installations actually provided in 1920 was 2,440, of which about 1,800 were in respect of orders on hand at the end of 1919. A further 500 installations are in course of completion and 2,100 cannot be dealt with at present for lack of exchange accommodation. A relief exchange which provides for 1,700 subscribers' lines is on the point of completion and provision for a further 2,500 lines is in hand. I am having inquiry made as regards the longest period for which any applicant has been waiting for service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether each of the post office servants recommended to the Treasury for consideration in connection with transfers to other Government Departments in December, 1919, and May, 1920, respectively, will be transferred accordingly; and, if so, when?

The lists referred to were forwarded to the Treasury as part of a general scheme for ensuring an impartial selection of civil servants for transfer to superior posts in other Government Departments. There is no guarantee, explicit or implied, that all persons included in the lists will obtain transfers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a final decision has been arrived at by the Arbitration Board set up to consider the wages of the temporary workers in the postal service; and, if so, when it will be announced?

This matter is at present under discussion by a sub-committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council; and no occasion has therefore arisen for reference to the Civil Service Arbitration Board.

asked the Minister of Health why only sixteen housing schemes were permitted to be erected under the building guild system; what are the reports from the local authorities for whom the guild is building houses; whether general satisfaction is given both as to the time taken and the workmanship put into such schemes; and if he will consider withdrawing all restrictions which prevent local authorities from adopting the above, or direct labour, or any other scheme which appears to them locally to be the best?

I have agreed to twenty housing contracts being carried out under the guild system, not sixteen. The contracts at present being carried out have not advanced very far, but, so far as I have information, local authorities are satisfied as to progress and workmanship. This system, however, is still in an experimental stage, and until I am satisfied that the guilds will build houses quickly and economically, I am not prepared to sanction contracts in excess of twenty. A revised form of contract will also be required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a complaint has been made to his Department regarding the attitude of Brighton Town Council towards the allotment movement; whether, in particular, in July last, allotment holders at Ditchling Road were called upon by the Council to sign an agreement for which each plot holder paid 1s., and a few days later the holders were given a month's notice to quit; whether fresh land was promised to the society in August, but has, in fact, not yet been provided, in spite of repeated assurances by the Council; whether dissatisfaction exists among allotment holders in Brighton at the refusal of the Council to co-opt representatives of the societies on the Allotments Committee as other councils have done; and what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. A complaint was received regarding the action of the Brighton Town Council with regard to Ditchling Road allotment holders, and inquiry was made into the matter by one of the Ministry's inspectors. It appears that the land referred to in the second part of the hon. Member's question was required for building, and the Ministry is now informed that it has been arranged to allocate immediately for allotments 15 acres of Roedale Farm owned by the Brighton Town Council and now let for agricultural purposes, and the Ditchling Road allotment holders will be offered land thereon. In reply to the latter part of the question, the Ministry made representations to the Council regarding the desirability of co-opting on to the Allotments Committee persons interested in the allotment movement who are not members of the Council. The Council have, however, decided not to co-opt and, as the matter is entirely one for the discretion of the Council, the Minister has no power to intervene further.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed that a site at Burlington Lane, Chiswick, now held as allotments, will be utilised for the building of a boys' school by the Middlesex Education Committee; if so, when it is proposed to commence building; and whether he will represent to the appropriate authority the necessity of the allotment holders being allowed to cultivate the land until building can actually begin?

The Board approved in August last preliminary plans for a boys' secondary school in Burlington Lane, Chiswick. No further action in the matter appears to have been taken. I am informed that at a recent meeting of the Middlesex Education Committee it was decided to extend the tenure of allotment holders for another year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in Cmd. 1060, correspondence regarding allegations against the administration of the British North Borneo Company, An- nexure 1 to Minute by the President, the right hon. Sir West Ridgeway, G.C.B., was not published; and whether he will now lay upon the Table that annexure with the other papers upon this subject?

The annexure was omitted at the suggestion of the British North Borneo Company, but the company have no objection to its being published, and, if publication is desired by the other parties concerned in the correspondence, I shall be prepared to arrange it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any; action was taken by the Government on the information referred to in the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23rd December as to Farrow's Bank?

The information furnished to the Board of Trade as to the position of Farrow's Bank was laid before the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has seen fit to institute proceedings.