asked the Secretary of State for India whether Indian Army Order No. 868, of October, 1919, gave the expectation that the pay of certain specified services serving in India would shortly be raised; whether such increases have been retrospective from 1st July, 1919, and have taken place in the case of all these services except Royal Engineer officers serving with the sappers and miners; and whether any decision has now been arrived at in this matter?

Revised rates of pay for all the services mentioned in paragraph 15 of the India Army Order referred to, including Royal Engineer officers serving with sappers and miners, have been sanctioned with effect from the 1st July, 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Indian cavalry regiments have been disbanded; whether they were pre-War regiments; how many men have been disbanded; and what pensions are being given to them?

Three Indian Cavalry Regiments were disbanded on 10th January, 1919, and the fifth additional squadrons of four Indian Cavalry Regiments were disbanded during the year 1920. None of these regiments of squadrons were pre-War units. The establishment of the above units would amount to 2,160. Men serving on ordinary engagements get on disbandment certain special concessions in the way of pension or gratuity. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of these rules.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take great care that these men do not go back to their homes and form the focus of discontent in India?

I think that is a very important consideration, and I will forward my hon. Friend's suggestion to the Government of India for consideration.

Is not the loss of these regiments compensated for by the development of flying squadrons in India, and can we not look for some further economies by aeroplanes taking the place of cavalry?

In determining the post-War army in India all these facts will be taken into consideration.

Is it not a fact that two squadrons of aeroplanes were disbanded a short time ago in India?

Yes, I believe there was a reduction of two squadrons of aeroplanes.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding recent or prospective reductions in the Indian Army?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the anxiety caused in India by the proposal to reduce the Army below pre-War limits; whether such proposals had the approval of the Commandor-in-Chief; and when the decision was arrived at?

asked the Secretary of State for India how many regiments of cavalry and battalions of infantry are to be reduced in the Indian Army; what was the number of each in 1914; and what will be the number when the proposed reductions are carried out?

There were in India and Aden in 1914: 39 Indian cavalry regiments, 132 battalions of Indian infantry and pioneers, and, in addition, 6 Indian infantry battalions in overseas garrisons. Arrangements are now being made to maintain in India: 21 Indian cavalry regiments, 132 battalions of Indian infantry and pioneers, with a somewhat reduced establishment. In addition there will remain the Indian cavalry and infantry units employed overseas. But the question of the final post-War strength of the Army in India is engaging the close attention of His Majesty's Government, and I hope to make a statement to-day fortnight.

I hope I am not pressing the right hon. Gentleman too far, but may I have the assur- ance that pending the statement no further reductions shall take place?

Yes. Pending that statement no further reductions are contemplated.

In view of the fact that the last answer seems to contradict the answer to a previous question may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the discrepancy in the number of cavalry regiments, between 39 and 21, is made up by cavalry regiments serving in other theatres, or is there a reduction?

The previous question referred to reductions already made. This refers to reductions that are to be made.

Is it a fact that there is to be a very considerable reduction in Indian cavalry regiments?

Yes, there is to be a considerable reduction. I think I shall be able to explain it to the satisfaction of the hon. and gallant Member this day fortnight, when I hope to make a statement on the whole question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of Question 6, whether such proposals had the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, and when the decision was arrived at?

I think the whole position will be made quite clear when I am in a position to make a statement. No reduction has yet been sanctioned on which there has been dissension of any sort or kind in the government of India.

How many regiments are serving abroad, and, deducting these, to what number will it actually be reduced?

I should like to consult the War Office before I say how many cavalry regiments are serving abroad, for very obvious reasons. If the hon. Member will put down a question I will discuss with the War Office whether it is possible to give the information without prejudice to the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many voters were entitled to vote in the recent elections in each province of India and how many actually voted?

I am awaiting these and other connected figures from the Government of India. As soon as they are received they will be presented to Parliament in response to a request for a return made in another place.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to carry into effect the recommendations in Part V of the Esher Report in regard to the improvements in the conditions of service of the personnel of the Army in India which are so long overdue?

I hope to be able to announce a decision in the matter very shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman name a date?

I think it will be possible to give an answer this day week.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of voluntary enrolments in India up to date under the Auxiliary Force Bill, and how this number compares with the number that were enrolled under the India Defence Force Act; and what is the date fixed as the time limit for volunteering under the new Act?

A report, dated the 18th January, states that "the Auxiliary Force is making good progress, and the numbers already recruited have now reached some 20,000 out of a proposed 32,000 by the end of the financial year." In October, 1920, the numbers in the Indian Defence Force were 33,451.

Then there is a deficit now of 12,000 men?

Yes, of course it will take some time to recreate a force whose number was temporarily created during the War. It is hoped that 32,000, which is approximately the number, will be recruited by 31st March.

Is the 31st March the date fixed on which the question is to be reconsidered whether it is to be compulsory or voluntary enlistment?

No date has been fixed. As soon as the Government of India say they cannot raise the force they require voluntarily, a compulsory force will have to be instituted; but at the present moment they tell me that recruiting is very satisfactory.

Will the right hon. Gentleman fix the date on which that can be brought forward?

I prefer to leave it to the Government of India, who are quite aware of what will give them the force which they require.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of men who have enrolled in the force constituted under the Auxiliary Force Act of last year, giving the total enrolment for India and Burma, and the numbers recruited in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and other large towns, respectively; and whether the Government of India are satisfied with the result of the Act up to the present time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given the hon. and gallant Member for Melton. For the additional information regarding the numbers recruited for the Auxiliary Force in the large towns I shall have to refer to India. The Government of India state that enrolment is proceeding satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Mr. Har Kishan Lal, who was convicted on a charge of conspiracy to wage war and of abetting the waging of war against the King, was sentenced to transportation for life and forfeiture of property, and was subsequently pardoned as an act of clemency, has now been selected by the governor of the Punjab as one of his two Indian ministers who will be charged with the administration of public works, education, excise, commerce and industry, local government, etc.; whether in the discharge of this office he will have control over large numbers of British and Indian officials, and will exercise great patronage with wide financial powers; whether the Secretary of State is aware of the bitter feeling which this appointment has caused among His Majesty's loyal subjects, both British and Indian; whether he has personally approved of the appointment of a recently convicted rebel to such a prominent position of trust under the Crown; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Har Kishan Lal, who was committed as a rebel in the rebellion of 1919, has been appointed as a minister in the Punjab; whether since his release he has continued to take part in rebel agitation; whether in his new appointment he will have a very large number of loyal subjects of the Crown, both British and Indian, under his jurisdiction; and whether, as such an appointment is an insult to all loyalists throughout the Empire, it can be reconsidered?

Under the Government of India Act, Ministers are appointed by the Governors of Governors'. Provinces, hold office at the pleasure of the Governor, and are responsible to the Legislative Councils who vote their salaries. The Joint Select Committee advised that the Ministers selected by the Governors should be elected members of the Legislative Council, enjoying its confidence and capable of leading it. In these circumstances I would submit to the House that the proper place to consider the title of Ministers to the confidence of the Legislatures is the Provincial Councils.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, and is it not a fact, that the action of the Governor is subject to the superintendence, direction, and control of the Secretary of State?

No; that is not quite true. It is subject to the superintendence, direction, and control of the Secretary of State, except—I am quoting from memory—as provided in this Act, and under this Act the question of the appointment of Ministers is laid by Statute on the Governor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this action of showing favour to rebels is driving many loyal subjects into the hands of the extremists?

Is it a fact, as stated in Question 14, that this man is a convicted rebel, and that he holds jurisdiction over a large number of Europeans?

That does not seem to be a matter for this Parliament. It is a matter for the Legislative Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman exercise his influence with the Leader of the House to secure the release of the hon. Member for East Leyton (Mr. Malone)?

Is it not a matter for this House to know whether a man responsible for the Government of India, who has been appointed to high office under the Crown, is a convicted rebel? I submit that we are entitled to that information.

The House having given practically Home Rule, or something in the nature of Home Rule, to these Councils the less it interferes with the Councils the better.

Was this nomination made by the Governor of the Punjab without any suggestion from home or from the Government of India?

Of course it was. The Governor is specially charged by Statute to make his own nominations. I never knew of the appointment until some time after it was made.

Was not General Smuts a rebel at one time?

As your ruling, Sir, is important, may I ask if the question of law and order and India was handed over to the Councils, or were not only certain specified subjects handed over to them by this House? Is it not the case that this House retains control of every other subject other than those directly handed over?

May I point out that this gentleman who has given rise to this discussion is a Minister who has charge of those very transferred subjects, and that if the Legislature does not think him a man worthy of its confidence it has its remedy, and if the Punjab does not think the Legislature worthy of its confidence it has its remedy.

I was not discussing this case. I was asking as to the things that were reserved.

This is the only case that I am discussing. This is not the time to deal with hypothetical cases. What I said arose entirely out of the answer given by the Secretary of State for India.

Can the system which the Government have instituted in India be described as one of Home Rule? On the contrary, is it not a system which is described by the newfangled word "diarchy," or divided rule, with common responsibility of this House and the Legislative Council?

The words "Home Rule" were used, not in a technical sense, but in a general sense. Certain subjects have been transferred wholly to these Legislative Councils, and it is with regard to those only that I used the expression.

As this matter is one of great importance, may I ask whether the Members of this House cannot get information from the Secretary of State for India as to certain action which may have been taken by the Governor or some of his Ministers? Are we not entitled to ask that question?

It depends on the information which is asked for. When the question appears on the Paper, I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received the views of the Government of India on the Report of the Couchman Committee on the purchase of stores for the State; and whether he is now able to say how far the recommendations contained in that Report will be carried out?

I have received an advance copy of the Report. Some preliminary action has been taken, but the detailed proposals of the Government of India have not yet reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Reports, even of a trivial nature, from the Government of India to the Secretary of State are printed; and whether this costly method of transmitting messages is necessary?

If the hon. Member refers to despatches, most despatches from the Government of India are printed, because, even when the subject matter is not of the first importance, several copies are required for office use, both here and in India. The hon. Member is probably aware that the cost of printing in India is considerably less than in this country, and I doubt whether the saving effected by not printing despatches could counterbalance the inconvenience. But a very considerable mass of correspondence of a less formal character is not sent in print.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any particulars as to the fatal riots reported at Naihati; whether they were directly due to the visit of Gandhi; and, if so, whether any action was taken against him?

No riot at Naihati has been reported to me by the Government of India. I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Medical Service have received neither the benefits of the accelerated cadre promotion granted in the British Army and the Royal Army Medical Corps nor the accelerated time promotion granted in the Indian Army; whether the reason given for the exclusion of the Indian Medical Service from the British Army and Royal Army Medical Corps cadre acceleration to lieutenant-colonelcy is because the Indian Army did not have it and from the Indian Army time scale acceleration to field rank because the Royal Army Medical Corps did not have it; and what is the object of placing officers of the Indian Medical Service in this disadvantageous position?

I find some difficulty in understanding the hon. Member's question. Perhaps he could furnish me with particulars of any specific case on which it is based. Meanwhile I can assure him that there has been no discrimination against the Indian Medical Service.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in the event of an attack by hostile ships on Ran- goon, the fortification of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda would lead to its bombardment and possible destruction; and whether, since it is reverenced by Burmans as Westminster Abbey is by Englishmen, he will cancel the power of entry by the military in the grant of the Pagoda lands and direct that, in the case of war, these lands be used for hospital purposes only.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wentworth on 3rd November. A committee is now assembling at Rangoon to work out details for evacuation of the arsenal and its location elsewhere.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if a decision has yet been arrived at as to whether the five years served on a short service agreement in those cases where a longer contract of service was not allowed on account of the age of the applicant can be considered as continuing service for award of service pension in cases where there has been a merely technical break of only a few days between the termination of this short service agreement and the commencement of a further term of over five years?

It is expected that a decision will be reached at an early date.

asked Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many battleships left England on the present cruise of the Atlantic Fleet and how many of these ships were flagships?

Eight battleships, of which five are flagships, are taking part in the present cruise of the Atlantic Fleet. The other two ships are detached, i.e., "Royal Sovereign," under repair, and "Malaya," with H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think this an undue proportion of flags to be flown on a squadron of only eight ships, and in view of the necessity for economy could not some reduction be made?

No, Sir.

Does the figure include the "Hood," which is really a fast battleship carrying the flag of Sir Roger Keyes?

I would not like to answer offhand. The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put down a question.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it somewhat unfair to the post captains in these ships, who have less chance of handling sub-divisions and getting experience?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much money is being saved weekly in wages under the short-time scheme in the Clarence Victualling Yard, Gosport, Priddy's Hard, Gosport, and the Director of Works Department, Haslar; the number of additional workmen for whom this sum is estimated to provide employment; and how many additional workmen are now so employed?

As the answer includes a considerable number of figures, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how the money which was collected by public subscription for the Jack Cornwall, V.C., National Memorial Fund was expended, and if a balance sheet can be circulated for the information of his shipmates and others who subscribed towards the fund?

The Jack Cornwall, V.C., National Memorial Fund was promoted privately and not by the Admiralty. I am unable, therefore, to furnish my hon. Friend with the information as to how the money collected has been expended.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if an Order in Council is necessary before the pension of a naval officer called up for service is suspended?

An Order in Council is unnecessary, the remuneration to which retired officers called up for service are entitled being laid down in an Order in Council dated the 5th March, 1910.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that recruits for the Military Police are being, and have been, enlisted on the promise of higher pay if they have two years' previous service and that naval service is not considered as such service, but that naval ratings are not so informed before enlisting, while service in the Royal Air Force and the Canadian Forces, but not the South African, is allowed to count; and if he can in any way explain the anomaly and the slight to the senior service and the South African service?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed. Prior service in the Navy does now count towards the two years' service necessary for the increase of pay in the Military Police. Colonial service does not so qualify.

asked the Minister of Labour how many contracts have to his knowledge gone abroad during the past six months owing to labour disputes at home; what are the facts in each case; and what action he has taken to prevent such unfortunate occurrences?

I am afraid that I have no reliable record of these cases. In regard to the last part of the question, the services of the Ministry of Labour are open to parties to industrial disputes in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Courts Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many employers are sending work abroad deliberately in order to reduce wages in this country?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can see his way to exercise the powers conferred upon him by the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, with a view to settling the dispute which has now been in existence over six months between the General Accident, Fire, and Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, and some of their employés, who allege that they are being victimised solely because of their desire to remain members of their insurance guild?

On Monday last I had an opportunity of discussing this matter with the general manager of the Corporation, and I am intending shortly to communicate with the guild.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employers on the Clyde are dismissing large numbers of men and marking their cards dismissed because of the joiners' strike; that, in a large number of cases, the men's work does not depend upon the employment of joiners; that the Labour Exchanges are refusing those men the unemployed benefits they have paid for; whether such refusal constitutes a breach of Section 8 (1), second paragraph, of the Unemployment Insurance Act, namely, where separate branches of work, which are commonly carried on as separate businesses in separate premises, are in any case carried on in separate departments on the same premises, each of those departments shall, for the purpose of this provision, be deemed a separate factory or workshop or separate premises, as the case may be; and whether he will issue instructions to the Labour Exchanges for the payment of unemployment benefits to the workers now being refused, but who come within the provisions of the foregoing paragraph?

I have made inquiry and am informed that the men's cards are not being marked as stated in the question. In the majority of the cases in question, if not in all, the men appear to be disqualified for unemployment benefit under the provisions of Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act. I have no power to remove this disqualification. The final decision as to whether the disqualification applies, rests with the umpire appointed under Section 12 of the Act, who has in general upheld the disallowance of benefit in these cases. An appeal to the umpire relating to French polishers is now pending.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in quite a large number of cases in the shipyards up and down the country men are being dismissed, although this has nothing to do with the fact that men are on strike, and that their cards are marked, "dismissed owing to joiners' dispute?" If I furnish him with some of the cards will he consider the matter in the manner I have suggested?

If my hon. Friend will give me cards so marked I shall be glad to look at them. The question of disqualification is determined by Section 8 (1) of the Act. It is not a matter which is within my control.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some of the Clyde shipyards the men are being dismissed for want of work and that their cards are marked in different ways? Some are marked, "Dismissed for want of work owing to joiners' strike," and others "Dismissed for want of work." There is inequality in the treatment of these men. When my right hon. Friend is amending the Unemployment Insurance Act will he consider some relaxation of Section 8?

Over that I have no jurisdiction.

What will happen to those men who are not allowed to work because of the joiners' strike?

I do not think that that comes within the ambit of what we are discussing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are individuals who have paid their contributions for unemployment insurance and cannot get the benefits?

If the hon. Member will give me instances I will deal with them.

Is it competent for an employer to mark the cards as has been described?

Speaking off-hand and subject to correction, I should say no. That is why I want cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that trade unions are finding it practically impossible to administer the Government unemployment dole owing to the delay in recovering sums disbursed to their members on behalf of the Government from the Department concerned, and that the General Union of Textile Workers in particular have ceased to administer the benefit on account of the large sums outstanding against the Government Department, he can take any steps to prevent delay in future?

There have been certain delays in the repayments to trade unions of State benefit paid out by the unions under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act. In certain cases, these delays have been due to the fault of the Department, and have been occasioned mainly by the very heavy pressure of new claims to benefit. Energetic steps have been taken to eliminate delays arising from this cause. In other cases, however, the delays have been due to the default of the trade unions themselves in not completing the claims for repayment. As regards the particular case of the General Union of Textile Workers, I am aware that the arrangement has been suspended; but so far as I know the question of repayment to the union was not the principal reason for the suspension.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that a female domestic servant was engaged by an inhabitant in Bournemouth a week ago at a salary of £62 a year, all found, and the said domestic informed the person who had employed her on the 17th instant that she did not require a post now because unemployed benefits were being renewed for another 15 weeks; and whether he will take steps to prevent any person who is offered a living wage from receiving unemployed donation and thus adding to the national indebtedness and aggravating the general financial and economic difficulties of the country?

My hon. and gallant Friend has sent me a letter containing the statement made in the first part of the question, and I am having inquiry made. I may say, however, that had the circumstances stated in the question been reported to the Employment Exchange, unemployment benefit, if it was being paid, would at once have been suspended pending verification of the facts. I should add that private domestic service is not an insured occupation, and women who cannot show that they have been employed in some other occupation which is insured would not be entitled to unemployment benefit in any event. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Section 7 of the Unem- ployment Insurance Act, 1920, which defines the conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit. I am sending him a copy.

In view of the grave financial condition of the country and the burden on the taxpayer, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that no man and no woman shall receive unemployment donation in this country if they are offered a fair living wage in any industry whatever?

My hon. and gallant Friend should read Section 7 of the main Act—"Statutory conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit"—and he would there see the precautions which are taken to provide against the improper payment of benefit.

I asked if a man or woman offered a fair living wage will be denied the generosity of the State in the matter of unemployment donation?

I have already referred my hon. and gallant Friend to Section 7 of the main Act, Sub-section (1), which does deal with the question of the circumstances under which a person can refuse a job without foregoing benefit.

Will my right hon. Friend state by whom the decision has to be applied?

The question at issue would be referred to the insurance officer, then to the court of referees, and finally to the umpire.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed women registered at labour exchanges; what proportion of this number are in receipt of unemployment pay; and whether it is a fact that large numbers of these women could obtain employment in domestic service, but refuse this form of employment?

At 11th February, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of women on the live register of employment exchanges was 295,528, of whom about 259,000 were claiming insurance benefit or out-of-work donation. In addition, 353,371 women had lodged claims for insurance benefit or out-of-work donation in respect of short-time working.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the construction of an arterial road between Dartford and Erith, which the Kent County Council had undertaken for the relief of the unemployed, was being delayed owing to an instruction to the local labour exchange that the men employed must receive 1s. 11d. per hour, while the permanent road staff throughout the county are getting 1s. 2d. per hour; and whether he will support the county council in refusing to pay unskilled labour wages largely in excess of the wages of experienced roadmen and of agricultural labourers?

The fixing of the rates of wages for this arterial road is a matter for the Kent County Council, who are carrying out the work and bearing half the cost. The statement which recently appeared in the Press over the signature of a member of the Kent County Council that the Government had instructed the Employment Exchange that the rate of wages must be 1s. 11d. an hour is incorrect. No instructions of any kind with regard to the wages to be paid have been issued by the Ministry of Labour to the Exchange. Some misunderstanding has probably arisen owing to the action taken by the Local Employment Committee at Dartford, the body entrusted with the duty of selecting men for work on the arterial road. This Committee, which consists of representatives of employers and employed, has declined to select men for this work at wages of 1s. 2d. per hour, on the ground that the rate is below the standard. The action to be taken in these circumstances is under consideration.

Is it not a fact that the Joint Industrial Council, a part of the Minister's own Department, had fixed a minimum rate of wages of 1s. 10d. per hour for that class of work, in the Dartford and Erith area, and that these men are being offered the rate paid in the middle of Kent?

Whether my hon. Friend is correct or not, I have said that the action to be taken is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the permanent staff of the Kent County Council, doing their own work in the rest of the county, are perfectly satisfied with 1s 2d. an hour?

Who are satisfied?

Are you satisfied?

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state what is the proportion of the registered number of unemployed who have been engaged in the cooperative movement?

I have no information as to the number of persons unemployed who have been engaged in the co-operative movement.

Can we assume that the stability of employment in the co-operative movement is greater than in the ordinary kind of employment of private enterprise?

I should be very glad indeed to have the evidence upon which my hon. Friend bases that statement.

Then you have not had any returns from any co-operative movement where men have been dismissed, apart from those who have had to vacate due to filling the places of ex-service men who have since returned to their work?

I should not have returns sent to me. The servants in question register their names at the employment exchanges, and whether or not they say they have been servants of the co-operative movement I cannot say, but any facts sent to me on the point will be welcomed.

Is it not the case that the number of employés of the co-operative movement has increased since the Armistice and that very few employés have been dismissed because of under-employment?

I have no information on that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive that information?

It is practically offered to me.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the proportion of the registered number of unemployed who have been engaged in municipal enterprise?

The total number of workpeople whose insurance books or donation policies were lodged at Employment Exchanges at 11th February were 1,067,141 in respect of total unemployment, and 696,873 in respect of short time working. No figures are available to show the number who had been engaged in municipal enterprise, but the numbers who had been engaged in national and local Government service were 8,914 in respect of total unemployment, and 282 in respect of short time.

Are the bulk of them men who were formerly engaged in munitions, that is, a national and not a municipal department, and can we therefore assume that the municipal work is more stable?

The increases I have given cover municipal work and Government work. I am afraid I have not had them analysed.

Is it not a fact that persons employed under the conditions stated are not engaged on productive work?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the cost of living is declining, some of the Trade Boards are proposing to increase the existing minimum rates, the effect of which will be further to increase unemployment?

No Trade Board has passed any substantial proposal to increase rates of wages since November last, when the Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring Trade Board passed the proposal to which I refer in my answer to another question of my hon. and gallant Friend. A number of proposals, however, issued before that date, are still under consideration by various Trade Boards which, when the proposals came before them in due course after the expiry of the period of two months provided by the Acts for public advertisement, agreed to postpone any decision. The general charge that Trade Board Orders have caused considerable unemployment has been frequently made. I have invariably asked for examples, and I have myself caused enquiries to be made into any specific cases to which my attention has been drawn. With the exception of certain juveniles in the dressmaking and millinery trades, I have not received specific cases bearing out the allegations, and, in fact, the learners' rates in the dressmaking and millinery trades are being revised by the Trade Boards concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a complaint among ex-service men now being trained for cabinet-making, particularly in Yorkshire, that their tuition holds out little hope of the acquisition of any practical knowledge; and whether be will investigate the matter without delay?

I am not aware that there is any complaint as to the inadequacy of the training provided in cabinet-making, and I am informed that there is no known case in Yorkshire where a man so trained has failed to obtain employment owing to lack of skill, though in certain cases it is at present impossible to place trainees in employment on account of the depression in trade. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will investigate them at once.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to ensure that British firms on the King's Roll of Honour are given an effective preference over foreign firms in the matter of Government contracts?

As my hon. Friend is aware, preference in the matter of Government contracts has been given for some time past to firms whose names appear on the King's National Roll; and what further action may be advisable in this connection is now under consideration by the Government. With regard to preference over, foreign firms being given to firms on the King's Roll, I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the Contracting Departments.

If it is shown that firms in England are sending ships abroad to be repaired, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to have them struck off the Admiralty list of contractors?

We are now dealing with firms on the King's Roll.

They are on the Roll.

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to be in a position to put into employment in the building of urgently needed houses the 50,000 ex-service men on whose behalf he has been engaged for over 18 months in futile negotiations with the building trades unions; whether he is aware that large numbers of these men could secure immediate employment in the building of houses on the London County Council's garden city scheme at Ilford, where the building trades unions have vetoed the erection of houses made of concrete blocks except by qualified union bricklayers; and what action he is taking in this matter in view of the urgency of the existing unemployment problem?

Negotiations for the employment of 50,000 ex-service men are now proceeding actively on the lines indicated by the Prime Minister in his speech in the Debate on the Address last Thursday, and I hope to be in a position shortly to state the arrangements which have been made. I may say that I have received this morning a letter from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers, indicating that at a meeting of their executive council yesterday it was unanimously resolved to confirm the report of their sub-committee on the Government's proposal that 50,000 ex-service men should be taken in and trained, and heartily to recommend its endorsement by the whole Federation. A ballot vote on the matter will be immediately taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for twelve months past, every week practically, I have had the same reply that negotiations are in active progress? For nineteen months these men have been out of employment, not only to their own detriment, but to the immense cost of the State. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it time that some of them were put into immediate employment, especially as work is awaiting them at Ilford?

I think it high time, and the hon. Member knows it. We appealed to the unions and made certain offers, which were not accepted. We then appealed to the employers, and I have read the result. I think the reply is highly satisfactory.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how many thousands are already unemployed in the building trade, and how many of those thousands are ex-service men?

If my hon. Friend will look at the OFFICIAL REPORT of the Debate on the Address, he will find that on an Amendment regarding unemployment, moved by the right hon. Member for Platting (Mr. Clynes), I did my best to analyse those figures and to show why they are unemployed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to reply to the second part of the supplementary question, which he did not analyse, namely, how many ex-service men in the building trade are unemployed now?

I cannot answer that question. It is, of course, true that the building trade, like every other trade, took back its own men who had joined the Colours, but it remains a fact that there is an opportunity for the employment of 50,000 ex-service men in the building trade, and as far as I am concerned they are going to take a hand in it.

Is it not possible for their services to be absorbed by the guilds and the Office of Works in the light of what this Department has already accomplished?

That is another set of proposals. I think we have had enough discussion one way and another. I do not want to start any more discussion.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not utilise material and men and get houses built better and cheaper?

Did the right hon. Gentleman expect to get any other answer than that he has received from any organised body of employers—employers who desire to destroy trade unions by every means in their power?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, although 109 duly certificated applications for training were submitted by the Cambridgeshire Local War Pensions Committee during the period September, 1919, to December, 1920, only 12 men have been placed in training; and what prospect there is of a more expeditious settling of these cases?

I am informed that of the 109 men to whom reference is made, no less than 54 failed to reply to a letter sent them in July, 1920, asking if they still required training. It was, therefore, assumed that they were not desirous of pursuing their former applications. The matter is now having my personal consideration, and I am hopeful that the reorganisation of the work of the Training Department last year is now resulting in a speeding-up of the rate with which those men are being placed in training. I would point out, however, that the present trade depression militates very gravely against the success of these schemes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the cases of non-reply to letters to which he has referred, only a fortnight was allowed in which to reply before they were disqualified?

I am not aware of that. I will make inquiries, because I think they should have longer notice than that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is a desire for economy that prevents him from, with the help of statistical experts who are not themselves civil servants, undertaking an inquiry into the cost of living which would place the wages of organised labour and the salaries of the civil servants on a scientific basis as far as they are varied by the cost of living; whether such an inquiry would cost more than £200,000; and whether, in view of the numbers who would be affected, such a sum would be saved many times over in the course of a few months?

The arrangements under which the wages of workpeople in various industries and services are regulated in accordance with the rise or fall in the cost of living, were made by agreement between representatives of the employers and of the workpeople concerned. I have no evidence of any general desire among the parties to those agreements for the replacement of the present index number by one calculated by a different method, and I think it unlikely that the work of such a Committee as is suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend would result in placing wages and salaries in those cases on a more scientific basis, as far as they are varied by the cost of living.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not only the salaries and wages of the working classes, but it is the salaries of the civil servants which are affected, and is he aware that the general public place no confidence whatever in these monthly figures of the Department?

I have heard the most unworthy suggestion—not from my hon. and gallant Friend—made that these figures are faked because they affect the salaries of those who have to prepare them. That, I think, is a suggestion which ought not to be made anywhere.

Would it not be much better that these figures should be fixed by an independent committee and not by men who are beneficiaries?

Does that apply also to the officers in the Army and Navy who have had increases during the War?

asked the Minister of Health whether there has been any modification or limitation of the terms and conditions upon which financial aid is granted to local authorities under the Housing and Town Planning Acts, 1919 and 1920; and whether any curtailment of his original programme for the building of not less than 500,000 houses under these Acts is contemplated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part of the question, I can only say at present that, having regard to the paramount necessity of limiting public expenditure, the Government are considering what further action can be taken with a view to reducing the present excessive cost of housing schemes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to limit the number of houses built, provided he can get them built at a reasonable cost?

I have nothing to add at the present time to my reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether any parts of the British Empire and, if so, how many, have regulated their own rates of exchange; and whether there is any general policy governing official procedure in this matter?

The general policy of His Majesty's Government as regards the non-self-governing Colonies and Protectorates is, as far as possible, to maintain stability of exchange in relation to sterling, unless there be a clear balance of advantage to the Colony in linking up its exchange with the currency system of some other area.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British mandate in Mesopotamia has been published in America and a summary published in the Press in this country; whether he is prepared to place the mandate before the House; whether, in view of the manner in which such matters are brought before the public in this country, he will place before the House the terms of all other mandatory powers granted to the British Government; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing them before their final approval by the Council or the League of Nations?

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he will place immediately on the Table of the House a copy of the draft mandate for Mesopotamia, and whether he will undertake not to submit it to the League of Nations until it has been approved by this House?

As promised, this question has been discussed by the British and Allied Governments, and we shall circulate the terms of these mandates, which have already been submitted to the League of Nations, to the House. I may add, however, that in our view this is very similar to the negotiation of a Treaty, which must be carried out by the Government of the day, but, of course, as in the case of a Treaty, Parliament would have, the right to refuse to adopt it.

Will my right hon. Friend quite definitely arrange that this Treaty shall be submitted to Parliament for its approval after it has been before the League of Nations?

Certainly. If, as I think is probable, it is the desire of the House that it should be done, we shall do it.

Is it not the case that we shall be unable to alter the terms of the Mandate, and can only reject it entirely; and, in the case of other Mandates we may assume, cannot we have the terms before Parliament before their submission to the Council of the League?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. It is, as I have said, in my view precisely similar to a Treaty. It cannot be negotiated by any House of Commons, but must be entrusted to a Government which has the confidence of the House of Commons. The House of Commons may refuse to accept the Mandate in the terms given, or it can reject it altogether. In that case it will go back to the League of Nations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Peace Treaty it is laid down that, if the Mandate is not accepted, that nation ceases to belong to the League of Nations; and, further, is he aware that the Council of the League of Nations have put off the discussion of these Mandates at the request of the United States, who are not a member of the League of Nations, while at the same time we are asked to give a blank cheque to our Foreign Minister which is not endorsed by this House, which has to pay the bill, not only in this year, but for many years to come?

That is very much the same question. There must always be a blank cheque, to a certain extent, to the Government of the day. But the power of the House of Commons remains in every sense undiminished; it can refuse to accept the Mandate.

May I ask whether the terms of the Mandate are negotiated by the Government, as in the case of a Treaty, or whether they are imposed on the Government by this International Council?

It is really the subject of negotiations. It is precisely the same as a Treaty. The terms of these Mandates have formed the subject of negotiations for many months with our Allies. It has gone to the League of Nations when it will be discussed, but finally the power will rest with the House of Commons.

Are we to understand that the Allied Draft Mandates, namely, the French Draft Mandate, will be published, as well as the British Draft Mandates?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, out of five Mandates already given in December last, not one has been published in this country, and I cannot get a copy at the Vote Office?

I have promised that they will be published.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an idea whether it will be possible for this House to decide, before the Treaty is executed, to what financial responsibility we are prepared to go? Cannot we discuss that first and leave the Government to discuss the details?

I quite see the force of that point, which has been considered by the Government, but it really is the same thing. Supposing this Mandate wore introduced into this House and received approval, then it goes to the League of Nations, not for discussion, but to accept or reject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can explain how it was that the draft of the British Mandate for Mesopotamia was first published by the "Philadelphia Ledger" and not by the League of Nations or the English Government?

The publication was unauthorised, and I am not aware of the method by which the newspaper obtained possession of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether a date has yet been fixed for the trial at Leipzig of Germans charged with cruelty to British prisoners of war; if he can give the names of those Germans who are to be-first tried; and what arrangements have been made for the attendance of British witnesses and of a British representative to be present at the trial?

I have been asked to reply to this question, and I have nothing to add at present to the detailed answer that I gave upon this matter last Thursday.

Is it not a fact that the question and answer given the other day did not touch the question in the last part of the question before the House, namely, what arrangements are to be made for the attendance of a British representative and of British witnesses?

No, Sir, the question which is asked to-day is not what arrangements are to be made, but what arrangements have been made, and I should have thought it was an obvious inference, from the answer I gave last Thursday, that the time has not yet come to make this arrangement.

Are the eight names read to the House last week the full total of war criminals that, in the Government's judgment, meets the requirements of the election pledge?

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House as to the number of these accused Germans who are in Germany?

With regard to the second question, I cannot say. With regard to the first question, if my right hon. Friend had listened to the answer I gave last week, he would know quite well that the seven persons upon that preliminary list did not in the least purport to exhaust the whole. They are seven selected test cases, upon which we are to try the bonâ fide of the Germans in this matter. The remainder of our list is still unprejudiced.

rose—

"Hume-Williams."

I would remind hon. Members who are calling out that it rests with me to call on a Member.

Why is it the test cases are only made on the minor officials, and not on the main people who were responsible for the atrocities in connection with the late War?

That question is our old friend, the fallacy of many questions. It is not true. The seven test cases are some of the worst.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give us any indication when the trial of these people is likely to take place?

No, Sir, my hon. and learned Friend knows, as well as I do, that I cannot. He probably also knows that there are now, as I understand, arrangements for certain representatives of the legal authorities in Germany coming to confer with me on that very matter.