asked the Lord Privy Seal, if pre-War Army and Navy pensioners are required under the Pension (Increases) Act, 1920, to make a declaration of means for the preceding 12 months; if he is aware that many necessitous and otherwise qualified pensioners have been precluded from the benefits of the Act by reason of wages earned during the earlier part of the declaration period; whether he is aware that the making of this declaration tends to defeat the purpose for which the Pension (Increases) Bill was enacted, namely, the relief of necessitous cases; whether, as Army and Navy pensions are paid quarterly in advance, it would be more correct to assume that they are paid for the maintenance and comfort of the pensioner during the coming, and not the bygone, period; and whether, as this question is one not dealt with in the Act itself but in the Regulations made by the different Departments responsible for the payment of pensions under the Act, definite instructions will be given to these Departments that wages earned prior to the date of declaration shall not be permitted to dis-qualif3r the pensioner?

When the means of an applicant have been permanently reduced below those enjoyed by him in the previous year, the Army and Navy Pension Authorities have discretion to adopt his estimated means for the coming year as the basis of assessment. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind in which this discretion does not appear to have been properly exercised, I am sure that the Secretary of State for War or the First Lord of the Admiralty would be ready to have enquiry made on being furnished with full particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Ministry of Pensions has ruled that where a soldier's dependant who was in receipt of a pension as being incapable of self-support and in pecuniary need, has been deprived of pension on the cessation of the incapacity and has received a final gratuity, the dependant is deprived of ail future right to pension, even though the incapacity returns and he or she is in financial need; and what is the reason for a ruling which abrogates the rights conferred by the Royal Warrant?

My right hon. Friend is aware of this ruling which appears to him to be in accordance with the meaning and intention of the Warrant. In the circumstances mentioned the pension is displaced by what is specifically stated in Article 22 (1) of the Warrant to be a "final gratuity," an expression which connotes the total cessation of benefit.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the great dissatisfaction with regard to the inadequate flat rate disability pension for disabled men and war widows; whether he is aware that when the present flat rate pension was fixed the cost of living figure was 115; and if he is prepared to take action or have this rate revised at an early date?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Paddington (Mr. Perring) on the 1st November, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) how many cases of appeal against pension decisions by discharged service men were dealt with by the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal during the year ending 31st December, 1920; if it is the practice, when such appeals are heard, for a discharged man to sit on the tribunal; if it is not the practice, how many cases were dealt with during the above period without an ex-service man on the tribunal;(2) how many cases of appeal by ex-officers against pensions decisions were dealt with by the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal during the year ending 31st December, 1920; if it is the practice, when such cases are dealt with, for an officer to sit on the tribunal; and, if it is not the practice, how many cases were heard during the above period without an officer on the tribunal?

I am informed that during the year 1920, the Pensions Appeal Tribunals heard and disposed of 344 appeals from officers and 13,537 from men. The answer to the second part of both these questions is in the affirmative. It is, in fact, not merely the practice but a statutory requirement.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many representatives of ex-service men have been appointed on the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into pensions administration; what associations of men they represent; and if any national association of discharged men is still without representation on the Committee?

Three representatives of ex-service men's associations have recently been appointed by my right hon. Friend as additional members of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry. They represent respectively the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, the Comrades of the Great War, and the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers. Perhaps I may add that six of the other members of the Committee have seen service in the War.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on the 8th instant two members of the Black and Tans attacked St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Church, the national schools, and several dwelling-houses in Chapel St. Elphin; that they broke 11 large lead-light painted glass windows in the church, 72 panes of glass in the schools, and a number of windows in the private dwelling-houses, the damage done amounting to £200; that the culprits were caught in the act by the sergeant in charge of the Elphin Barracks; whether any disciplinary measures have been taken; if not, the reason why; and whether compensation for the damage done will be paid by the Government?

Two constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been arrested in connection with this damage. With regard to the latter part of the question it is open to the owners of the damaged property to claim compensation in the usual way under the Criminal Injuries Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, on the 22nd September, 1920, a young man named Condle was seized in the street by members of the Crown Forces under the command of an officer and shot; whether his wife, who was with him, pleaded with the officer in charge for her husband's life; whether any inquiry has been made into this man's death; and, if so, what the findings of the inquiry have been?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish- Bentinck) on the 21st instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has made inquiries into the affidavit sworn by Joseph Murphy, of 22, Killarney Street, Dublin, concerning the information which he received from his brother James Murphy when dying of bullet wounds in hospital; is he aware that the affidavit states that James Murphy was arrested, searched in Dublin Castle, acquitted of any crime against the law, and sent back to his home under escort for the purpose of his safety, as it was after curfew hour, and further states that on the way home he and his companion were removed from the lorry by their escort, shot, and left for dead on a piece of waste ground; and whether he can produce any evidence in refutation of this affidavit sworn before Cecil George Stapleton, commissioner of oaths, No. 29, Molesworth Street, Dublin?

Two members of the Auxiliary Division and one other person are now under arrest, and will be charged with the murder of James Murphy.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he proposes to publish as a Parliamentary Paper the Report made to him by County Court Judge Bodkin?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has investigated the circumstances recited in Judge Bodkin's Report in regard to the alleged murder of Mr. Daniel Egan's son by the police; and whether he will state why District-Inspector Gynne did not appear in court when Judge Bodkin had adjourned the case for a week to secure his production?

The finding in the military court of inquiry held in lieu of inquest in this case was that Egan was shot in attempting to escape arrest on the 16th November last. The district inspector referred to attended the court of inquiry and gave evidence. In view of the finding of the court of inquiry the district inspector's refusal to attend the hearing of the claim for compensation on the ground of alleged malicious injury was fully justified.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland in how many cases of alleged reprisals allegations have been made against the Black-and-Tans, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the military forces, respectively?

I cannot undertake to compile lists of allegations made against the Forces in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners in the custody of the Forces of the Crown have been shot dead while attempting to escape, and how many wounded in attempting to escape, since 1st July, 1920?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to Ireland. I am informed that, since 1st July, 1920, 47 persons have been killed while attempting to escape from the Forces of the Crown in Ireland. I am unable to give the number wounded.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table of the House all general instructions that have been issued from time to time for the guidance of officers administering martial law in Ireland?

Many of these instructions are necessarily confidential, and I regret that I do not see my way to comply with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a court martial is held by His Majesty's Government to have power to pass sentence of death in spite of the provision of the Restoration of Order Act that crimes shall be punishable by court martial with the punishment assigned to the crime by statute or common law?

The answer to this question is in the affirmative, where a state of actual rebellion exists. This has been decided by the Court of King's Bench in Ireland this morning.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland under what Act the trial on 17th January and execution on 1st February of Cornelius Murphy were carried out?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 23rd instant to the hon. Member for the Falls Division of Belfast (Mr. Devlin).

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the system of taking temporary warders into the prisons service at present in Ireland is a grave danger to the safe custody of prisoners; that those men are employed only from day to day, and in consequence they take no interest in the service; whether extra duties and increased responsibilities are being placed on the permanent staff, since those temporary men are not generally put on responsible duties; and, in consequence of the large depletion in the permanent rank, will he now take steps to have appointments made to the service as in the English prisons service?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the position of clerk and schoolmaster in the office of Sligo prison has been vacant since the 28th October last; whether the duties of that post are being performed by a class 2 discipline warder without any remuneration and contrary to the provisions of the new scheme of assimilation; and, if so, will he take immediate steps to see that the position is filled by an officer of the proper class?

I would refer the hon. Member for Abertillery and the hon. Member for Rothwell to the replies given to questions on this subject yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any code of discipline has been issued for the guidance of the force known as the Black-and-Tans; if so, by whom was it issued and at what date; and how long elapsed between the employment of any portion of this force and the issue of such a code?

The Royal Irish Constabulary Disciplinary Code applies, and has applied at all times, to all branches of the Force.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how the railway servants who were wounded by rebel gunfire at Upton, County Cork, last week are progressing; and if he will devise any method of giving greater protection against ambushes to drivers, guards, and other railway men in Ireland discharging their proper duties?

I regret to state that the only two railway servants who were wounded on this occasion have died. With regard to the latter part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will do whatever is possible to afford protection to railway servants who are exposed to the risk of these cowardly ambushes while discharging their duties.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that there 13 no shortage of houses at Balerno, Midlothian, yet the county council is proceeding with a housing scheme and acquiring compulsorily land which is valuable and productive farm land and unsuitable for the proposed houses, as it is remote from the quarries which give employment to the main body of the population and as it involves further building on a road which is already dangerous to traffic and congested with dwellings; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The information in my possession indicates that there is a need for houses at Balerno. The application by the county council for confirmation of the proposed Order for the compulsory acquisition of a site will be considered by the Scottish Board of Health together with any objections lodged against the Order. The considerations mentioned in the question will also be kept in view.

asked the Minister of Health if, when the Government gave its approval to the London County Council housing scheme at Dagenham, it had before it the council's proposals for dealing with the questions of transport, water supply, and drainage in connection with the scheme; if arrangements have been made with the railway companies concerned which ensure adequate transport facilities to and from the new estate; and if he will state what is the estimated total cost of the whole scheme on the basis of accommodating 250,000 persons, and what will be the charge on the rates when the scheme is completed with the rents fixed by the Council and assuming that all the houses erected are taken up?

All the matters referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question were considered in detail before approval was given, and the question of transport was also considered at length before approval of the Bite was given, including representations from the Ministry of Transport. There was not at any time, so far as I am aware, any intention of providing for as many as 250,000 persons on the estate; and the present proposal of the London County Council, if the scheme is fully carried out, is to build about 18,000 houses sufficient for 80,000 or 90,000 persons. Owing to the extreme difficulty of obtaining skilled labour, progress at present is lamentably slow, and any estimate, either of the total number of houses to be built or of the ultimate cost, would be conjectural. In any event, the limit of a Id. rate will not be exceeded as the burden on London rates.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Building Material Supply Department charge a commission of 2½ per cent, on the invoice value of all building material supplied for approved housing schemes; whether, in addition to this commission, the Department solicits and obtains orders for the supply of the goods, and in such cases retains the 5 per cent, profit, which in the ordinary course of events would go to the merchants whose business it is to supply such materials: whether these charges consequently increase the cost of the houses to be constructed; whether the Ministry of Health has obtained Parliamentary sanction for the establishment of what is to all intents and purposes a commission agency and trading department; and why the Government exercise such powers as they may have for the purpose of influencing the sale of such materials through their own Department instead of such purchases going through merchants who are recognised as the proper channels?

The Department of Building Materials Supply was originally established as a Department of the Ministry of Munitions with the object of ensuring a sufficient supply of materials for State-aided housing schemes. The Department was able by bulk purchase, and on a basis of costings, to acquire materials at a lower price than that which building contractors would be obliged to pay in the open market. In accordance with the usual practice it was provided in the Estimates which were laid before Parliament that the whole of the cost of supplying the materials to local authorities should be recovered from the local authorities to whom the materials were sold. In order therefore to comply with these conditions a charge is made to cover the expenses (including interest) of carrying out the service. These expenses are estimated at 2½ per cent, of the sales.

asked the Minister of Health whether certain local authorities have been directed to carry out housing schemes notwithstanding that such local authorities have objected on the grounds that existing housing accommodation is adequate for local requirements?

There have been very few cases in which I have been unable to accept the view of a local authority that the existing housing accommodation is adequate for local requirements. Where I have differed from them I have only done so after careful inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to remove the existing apprehension on the part of local authorities, he can definitely announce, in respect of housing schemes under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, that houses not entirely completed at the expiry of the three years, namely, 31st July, 1922, will still rank for Government assistance?

I can assure the right hon. Member that a local authority will not be prejudiced as regards financial assistance in respect of building commitments entered into with the approval of the Ministry of Health, which the local authority by reason of circumstances outside their control are unable to carry out within the prescribed period.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the building grant of £260 due to Mr. Thomas Mortimer, of The Bungalow, Southcott Road, Linslade, Bucks, has not been paid although the house in question was completed by 20th December, 1920; is he aware that this delay is very unjust to Mr. Mortimer and does not act as an incentive to other private builders in the neighbourhood; and will he cause the money to be paid as soon as possible?

The delay in this case was due to the failure of the local authority to supply the necessary particulars. The completed particulars were not received by the Housing Commissioner until the 14th February. The grant was paid to Mr. Mortimer on the 22nd.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any resolutions from administrative bodies re the assessment of ground rents for local taxation purposes; and whether it is his intention to bring in legislation to give effect to this suggestion?

I have received some representations of the kind indicated, but I do not propose to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if, as the result of an earlier system of record cards of insured patients, the cards proved to be useless and were practically unexamined, large quantities of cards being sold as waste paper; and does he anticipate a better fate for the new cards?

Under the earlier system of record the cards were by no means useless, and were destroyed only after having served their purpose, but their value for clinical purposes was gravely impaired because at the end of every year they were surrendered, and the particulars as to the names of the patients and their illnesses separated. It was because of this inherent defect in the old cards that the new records have been designed by a committee mainly composed of members of the medical profession, who gave fuller place (and, in my view, rightly so) to the clinical objects of the record, and so designed a form which might serve as a continuous record of insured persons' illnesses. These records will undoubtedly be of great value, and I may add that the keeping of them gives insurance practitioners less work than the old records.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position of a panel doctor who makes an inaccurate statement regarding the diagnosis of a disease on the new record card of an insured patient whereby that patient is subsequently damnified; and whether, if the panel doctor is liable to pay damages in such cases, provision will be made to indemnify him in respect of an error in a document which he is compelled to compile under conditions which often render accuracy difficult or impossible?

I do not understand what particular contingency the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, but I am advised that in the absence of negligence on the part of the doctor no liability for damages could possibly arise in this connection.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the alleged callous conduct of a panel doctor in East Essex, who, although requested to attend a case of maternity on the morning of 17th January, and being repeatedly visited by the husband, failed to attend until 7.45 a.m. on the 18th, during which time the poor woman died, as did the two babes; whether this doctor is the sole medical practitioner on the panel in a vast rural area; and whether, as a result of this tragedy, the whole question will be investigated?

My attention has not been called to the case referred to by the hon. Member. I would remind him that medical benefit under the Insurance Acts does not include treatment in respect of a confinement, but if he will furnish me with the facts of the case, I will certainly cause inquiry to be made, with a view to seeing whether the matter is one in which the Department can properly take any action.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take immediate steps to amend paragraph (c) of Section 5 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women's) Act, 1895, so that the £2 mentioned therein be amended so as to make it correspond more nearly to the cost of living, and which is now altogether disproportionate to the wages earned or capable of being earned at present?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. An Act was passed last Session providing that, in addition to the £2 a husband may now be ordered to pay for the support of his wife, he may also be ordered to pay 10s. a week for each child.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received numerous resolutions and letters of protest from associations of and individual chemists in the North of Ireland against certain parts of the regulations under the Dangerous Drugs Act; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. A number of representations, have been received from chemists and associations in the North of Ireland. As regards the action which is being taken in the matter, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which was made in the House last Thursday in reply to several questions on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary what was the result of the submission of the preliminary draft of the regulations under the Dangerous Drugs Act by the Home Office, as stated by the Under-Secretary of State in the public Press on 9th February, to the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the General Medical Council, the Royal College of Physicians, and the Royal College of Surgeons; whether, prior to the publication of the draft regulations by the Home Office, any and, if so, which of those bodies had indicated their approval of the draft; and whether any and, if so, which had submitted objections?

The result of the communication of the preliminary draft in November last to the bodies mentioned for their observations was as follows. The Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons considered the draft satisfactory and offered no observations, except that the Royal College of Physicians thought the minimum limit in the case of cocaine (which is fixed by the Act and cannot be altered by Regulation) too high. The General Medical Council also approved the Regulations, but asked that the directors of research laboratories might be included among the classes of persons who are authorised by the Regulations themselves to be in possession of the drugs. The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain replied by a letter maintaining that the proposal in the Regulations to prohibit the sale of the drugs to the public except on a medical prescription was ultra vires of the Act, and proposing that before going on with the Regulations the Government should appoint a Committee to consider the desirability of separating the functions of prescribing and dispensing. The reply of the Pharmaceutical Society for Ireland, which was not received till after the draft had been published, submitted objections on various points.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Crown Agents for the Colonies have in fact placed an order in Germany with a German firm for the construction of locomotives, wagons, etc., for the Palestine railways, or whether such action is contemplated; and, in either event, how this can be reconciled with the desire of the Government to provide the fullest measure of employment in this country, as so often expressed by the Prime Minister?

No such order has been placed, but my attention had already been called to an unofficial report that the Palestine Administration were contemplating some such action, and I asked the High Commsisioner at once, by telegram, to let me know the facts. I would wish to reserve any comment on the report until I receive his reply.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the increasing unemployment in this country, steps can be taken immediately to put into operation the schemes for the re-afforestation of waste areas in England and Wales and to apply such schemes to the fullest extent possible with the object of finding employment for every man capable of working out of doors and also to increase the nation's wealth by lessening our great dependence upon foreign countries for our timber supplies?

The Forestry Commission are planting up to the maximum that is possible with the funds which were put at their disposal by the Forestry Act. At the end of last year, however, they submitted schemes to the Ministry of Labour which would give a certain amount of extra employment during this spring and summer in clearing, fencing, draining, and road-making. I believe that these schemes are still under consideration. The general scheme of planting could be very considerably extended in future years if the Forestry Fund were increased, but the present programme will utilise practically all the plants that will be available for some time, and, therefore, an increase of the fund would not lead to any appreciable immediate increase of employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any action is to be taken in the case of unskilled women drawing unemployment pay and who refuse domestic service?

I may remind my hon. Friend that claimants for unemployment benefit are required by the conditions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, to satisfy the statutory conditions, in particular to prove that they are capable of and available for work, but unable to obtain suitable employment. The refusal of apparently suitable employment by a claimant for benefit would involve the suspension of such benefit, subject to the claimant's right of appeal to a court of referees. It is desirable that Employment Exchanges should be informed in any case in which a person qualified for domestic service has refused such employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Alexander Ferguson, 131, Rotten Row, Town-head, Glasgow, applied for out-of-work benefit at the labour exchange at 222, Sauchiehall Street, on 22nd October, 1920, and was paid 11s., which was later raised to 15s; that this man was only paid 81 days when his benefit was stopped and he was refused a hearing; whether this man this been a contributor to the Art ever since its commencement; whether he is aware that this is the first time he has had to claim benefit; and whether he will give instructions for the reconsideration of this matter, as well as ask for the reasons which caused the local exchange to stop paying benefit?

I am having inquiry made into this matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployment continues amongst a number of workers at Gretna factory; and whether it is intended to provide further work in the factory so that these unemployed may be absorbed?

I am aware of the position which has arisen in the Gretna district consequent upon the cessation of cordite production in the national factory, and has necessitated the discharge of a very considerable number of workpeople. The needs of the situation are being met to some extent by the provision of alternative work, and my latest information on this point is that on the 5th February out of 654 employés in the factory 180 were engaged in this work. Pending a decision by the Government on the question of the future of this establishment, which is now under consideration, it is not thought practicable to provide further work in the Gretna factory.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Exchanges are closed for a period of two hours in the middle of the day for payment of out-of-work donations; and, if so, will he consider the possibility of making arrangements so that the Exchanges are continually open, and so prevent numbers of men and women having to wait in the streets an unnecessary length of time?

The Regulations do not allow signature of the unemployed register between the hours of 12 and 2. Accordingly, as one attendance suffices on Fridays for signing the register and drawing benefit, no advantage would, as a rule, be gained by arranging for payment, of benefit between these hours. Apart from signature of the unemployed register and payment of benefit, the Employment Exchanges are as a rule open to the public from 9 to 4 (9 to 12 on Saturdays).

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department has advised the Western Electrical Company, engaged on a contract for the Postmaster-General at Southampton, to pay the navvies and labourers 2d. per hornless than the recognised rates of wages for this class of labour in that district; and, if so, why this has been done?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him in this matter by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on the 21st instant. I understand that the rate suggested for this contract is not less than the rates paid for comparable work in the district.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Supplementary Estimate of £3,750,000 voted to train disabled ex-service men and not required will be credited in this year's Estimates?

No, Sir. It is the practice of Parliament not to carry forward Votes unspent, but instead to vote each year the sum estimated to be required for the service of the year. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the year is surrendered to the Exchequer, and the balance of the year referred to has been surrendered accordingly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the public-interest in the various activities of his Ministry, he will consider the desirability of issuing a comprehensive report of the work of each of the several Departments under his control, particularly with reference to the industrial problem dealt with by the Ministry since Armistice Day, 1918?

The question of preparing a report on the work of the Ministry is already under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the ill results accruing from the strike of ship joiners; and if he can take some steps to bring the parties together or to have an inquiry with a view to making a public statement?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given on December 15th to my hon. Friend the Member for West Houghton (Mr. T. Wilson). It is still the case that neither side has expressed any desire for the intervention of the Labour Department. I regret that this strike has lasted so long, and I can assure my right hon. Friend that as soon as we see a prospect of successful action on our part we will take it. At present, however, as far as I am able to judge, the time has not yet arrived.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the burden of taxation in this country is approximately five times per head the burden of taxation paid by Germans in their country; whether the time has now arrived when this should be reversed; whether British working-men are paying for their beer and tobacco five times as much as Germans; whether the burden of direct and other taxation upon British subjects engaged in industry and manufacture is five times as much as the corresponding burdens imposed on Germans; if the above proportions are not admitted will he state what the proportions actually are at the present time, and what steps the Government is taking, if any, to remedy these anomalies?

As to the first part of the question, I will refer my hon. Friend to an answer I gave last Thursday to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Denniss). I must not be taken as accepting his statements as to the proportionate burden of taxation in this country and Germany. Comparison is really not possible with the internal and external values of the German mark, so uncertain and variable as they are at the present moment. With regard to the rest, I may point out that under Annex II 12 (b) to the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty the Reparation Commission is required, in periodically estimating Germany's capacity to pay, to examine the German system of taxation and, inter alia, to satisfy itself that the German scheme of taxation is fully as heavy proportionately as that of any of the Powers represented on the Commission. These matters must necessarily come up for consideration at the forthcoming Conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that Parliament and not the League of Nations is responsible for the extent and administration of the British Empire, he will state to what extent, if at all, the latter authority can, at any stage, in any negotiation, prevail?

This country is a signatory of the Covenant of the League of Nations, but obviously Parliament must decide what territory shall be administered by the British Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether any communication has been received by His Majesty's Government from the League of Nations about the use of gas or other poisonous substances in warfare; and, if so, to what effect?

The question of chemical warfare has, it is understood, been considered by the Permanent. Advisory Commission of the League of Nations for Military, Naval and Air Questions, but the League has not yet communicated any definite pronouncement on the subject

asked the Prime Minister whether, as reported in the foreign Press, the Armenian general Sebouh is on his way to Paris to urge that the Allies rescue Armenia from the Bolsheviks and Kemalists; if so, whether this general is proceeding to Paris by invitation; if so, who invited him; whether he is appreciative of the danger of making use of military force along the buffer front of Eastern Europe; and whether he will give this matter very careful consideration?

General Sabouh applied to the British passport authorities at Paris for a visa for the United Kingdom, which has been granted. Nothing is known of any invitation or of the purpose of his journey. His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the danger referred to in the penultimate part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Peace Treaty with Hungary has yet been ratified; and, if not, the reason of the delay, and if there is any prospect of the same being signed in the near future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The necessary Bill for ratification of the Treaty will be introduced into Parliament as soon as the position of public business makes this possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the camp at Bakouba still exists; if so, who and how many are the occupants; whether any and, if so, what Russian refugee camps still exist; and, if so, where are they situated and what is the number of the occupants;(2) How many Armenian and Russian refugees are now being maintained at the expense of the British taxpayer; and when this expenditure will cease?

The refugee camp at Bakouba has now been closed, 24,000 Assyrians having been transferred to a camp in the Mosul vilayet, and 14,000 Armenians to a camp near Basrah.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether representations have been received from the Haytian Government regarding the treatment accorded to Haytians by the officials and marines of the United States of America with regard to forced labour, unjustified executions, restrictions of freedom of worship, and restraint of commerce; and, if so, whether His Britannic Majesty's representative at Port-au-Prince has been instructed to report upon the matter?

No representations on any of the subjects mentioned have been received from the Haytian Government. My hon. and gallant Friend will find further information on this subject in the reply given by me to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather) on the 16th November last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether General Janin on his return to France made any report on the circumstances surrounding the surrender of Admiral Koltchak by the Allied forces, of which General Janin was commander-in-chief, to the Bolsheviks at Irkutsk; and, if so, what was the nature of the French commander-in-chief's report?

No copy of such a report by General Janin has been received by His Majesty's Government. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a copy of the statement presented to the Chinese Government at Pekin in October last by Mr. Yourin, on behalf of the independent republican government of Siberia, asking for official recognition by the Government of China; whether the Russian Far East republic had made a similar approach to the British Government; and what is the present position in Siberia?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. In answer to the third part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 14th December last, since when the situation has not materially altered.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have recognised the Government of Mexico; and, if so, whether a Minister Plenipotentiary has been appointed?

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

asked the Secretary of State for India what is happening to the vast amount of goods imported into India, but meeting with the refusal of the native dealers to accept delivery, even under contract, in view of the depreciation of the rupee; whether there is adequate godown and warehouse accommodation at Bombay and Calcutta; and, if not, whether to avoid unnecessary loss to British manufacturers and merchants he can, if desirable, place at the disposal of importers a certain amount of space in unused Government buildings as a purely temporary measure?

Considerable quantities of uncleared goods have, I understand, accumulated at the ports, but I have no information that warehouse accommodation is inadequate. I shall, however, communicate my hon. Friend's suggestion to the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in the development of wireless telegraphy in India?

Eighteen wireless stations are available for general public correspondence in India and with ships in the waters adjacent thereto. These stations are owned and managed by the Indian Telegraph Department and are under the special charge of a Director of Wireless Telegraphy who is responsible to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs. I understand that the Director-General has submitted to the Government of India a scheme containing a five years' programme for the general improvement of internal wireless communication in India. For purposes of external communication, especially with this country, a station in India will be included in the Imperial Wireless Chain, the construction of which is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any information to show that the dissatisfaction expressed by British residents in India regarding the administration of the rules framed under the Indian Arms Act has now been allayed; and, if not, will he call for a Report from the Government of India on the subject?

The Government of India sent a full statement to the European Association, in which certain misunderstandings were set right. I have not been informed how far this has allayed the dissatisfaction previously expressed, but I will inquire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated value of the wheat crop and the poultry crop of the United Kingdom in the year 1920?

The value of the United Kingdom wheat crop of 1920 may be estimated at about £31,000,000. With regard to poultry, no official statistics have been collected as to the extent or value of the produce since 1913, and then only in respect of holdings over one acre. No complete or up-to-date information is available, therefore, on which to base an estimate of the production in 1920.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to statements that, owing to the deleterious qualities of Chinese flour, the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies have discontinued their allocations of this flour to millers; whether the facts are as stated; what stocks of Chinese flour are still held by the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies on Government account and what he proposes to do with these stocks?

There is no truth whatever in the rumour to which currency has unfortunately been given, that Chinese flour is deleterious to health. On this point I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given in this House by the Minister of Health on 22nd February to the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Waterson). Allocation of Chinese flour to millers has been discontinued, because the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies have no more left to allocate, since substantially all the stocks in their possession are under contract to be sold.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that a number of retailers are able to sell sugar at less than control price, he will take steps to reduce the control price of sugar?

As has already been publicly announced, all restrictions on the sale of sugar will be removed after Saturday next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that employment in forestry falls within the purview of the Agricultural Wages Board, and that the employer in nearly all cases is the landowner and not the farmer, steps will be taken to secure representation of woodland owners on the Wages Board and district wages committees?

Without making the Agricultural Wages Board and the District Wages Committees too unwieldy for practical purposes, it is impossible to provide for the separate representation on those bodies of every particular class of employer affected by the minimum wage provisions of the Corn Production Act, and in this connection regard must be had to the relatively small number of workers employed as woodmen in proportion to the total number of workers involved. The Minister is satisfied, however, that the interests of all classes of employers concerned are in actual practice adequately represented on the bodies in question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that employment in forestry falls within the purview of the Agricultural Wages Board, and that the employer in nearly all cases is the landowner and not the farmer, steps will be taken to secure representation of woodland owners on the Wages Board and district wages committees in Scotland?

Arrangements were recently completed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for the election of new Agricultural Wages Committees to take the place of the present committees as from the 1st April next, and the Board's scheme has already been made public. I shall be pleased to furnish my hon. and gallant Friend with a copy of a memorandum explaining the scheme if he so desires. It is proposed to entertain nominations for membership of the committees so far as possible from organisations of employers and workmen approved by the Board. I am informed that the Board's memorandum was circulated to the following among other bodies:—The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, the Landowners' Co-operative Forestry Society, and the Scottish Land and Property Federation. These bodies, on which landowners are largely represented, and other similar bodies may submit nominations subject to the approval of the Board in accordance with the scheme and the Corn Production Act, 1917.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in any part of the country where the muzzling order is enforced, there is at the same time a regulation to the effect that each muzzled dog must also be taken about on a lead?

The answer to the question is in the affirmative. The requirement of leading as well as muzzling of dogs when in a public place is in force under Orders of the Ministry in two areas, namely, the Acton area, in consequence of the case of rabies which occurred there on the 9th December, and an area around Southampton, in view of a number of cases of the disease which have occurred therein during the past two months. As no further case of rabies has occurred in the Acton area, it has been decided to withdraw the requirement of leading about the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is any prospect of the passage during this Session of a Bill for the consolidation and amendment of the Salmon and Fresh Water Fishery Acts?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Members for Torquay (Colonel Burn) and Kingston-upon-Hull (Major Entwistle).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the special grants which are being given by the Governments of the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia in aid of the expenses of the delegations from those countries to the world's poultry congress to be held at The Hague in September next; and what monetary assistance the English Ministry of Agriculture proposes to grant to the delegation proceeding from the United Kingdom?

The Ministry has ascertained that the High Commissioner for Canada has no knowledge that any such grant has been promised by the Canadian Government, and the High Commissioner for Australia states that the matter is under the consideration of his Government. The Ministry is in communication with the Treasury as to a grant to the British Congress Committee, but a decision has not yet been reached as to the amount, and in view of the urgent necessity for economy the grant, if any, will only be a small one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the report of a Sultanic Decree forbidding the payment of contributions from the wages of workers or others to any trade union in Egypt; whether any legislation exists under which such a decree can be enforced; whether Lord Allenby has issued a Proclamation that this law shall be applicable to all inhabitants of Egypt of whatever nationality; and whether he will take such steps as will secure to all workers in Egypt the right of combination which exists in this country?

So far as I am aware no decree has been issued in Egypt forbidding the payment of contributions from the wages of workers to a trade union in Egypt. The decree to which the hon. Member probably refers is one which has been issued in order to render illegal a scheme under which all the wages earned by the Cairo Tramway workers would be payable direct to an organisation and not to the individual workers who had earned them. No detailed report has been received from the High Commissioner on the subject, but the telegrams show that Lord Allenby felt that so unprecedented a proceeding required further consideration in the interests of the individual workers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the annual revenue of Sarawak during the last three years; and what has been the proportion spent on the Rajah and members of the Rajah's family?

I have no information as to the year 1920. It appears from the departmental reports of the Sarawak Government, copies of which have been communicated to the Colonial Office, that the revenue was 2,531,239 dollars in 1919, and 1,921,964 dollars in 1918, and that the amounts expended under the head "Civil List" in those years on account of the Rajah and his family were 220,274 and 271,199 dollars respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether an appeal lies from the Rajah of Sarawak to the Governor of the Straits Settlements; and whether the British Government has any control over the administration of Sarawak?

By the Agreement of 1888 (C. 5617), to which I would refer the hon. Member, Sarawak is recognised as an independent State under the protection of Great Britain, and His Majesty's Government has no control over the administration of the State except within the limits laid down by that Agreement. The Governor of the Straits Settlements is British Agent for Sarawak.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the whole of the mineral rights enjoyed under the German Government by the South West Africa Company in the territory formerly known as German South West Africa have, with the exception of a right to prospect for one year in one portion of the territory, been confiscated by the Union Government without compensation; whether the enemy-held shares in the Company are being paid off in Union Government 4 per cent, loan at par; and whether he will make representations to the Union Government that, as far as possible, they should endeavour to treat British subjects in this country no worse than Germans?

I have seen the Proclamations referred to in the first part of the question. I have no information to the effect indicated in the second part, nor have I received any representations from persons in this country interested in the affairs of the Company.

asked the President of the Board of Education when it is proposed to review the salaries paid to the staffs of those training colleges which receive grants from the Board of Education; whether he is aware that the teachers in training colleges were led to believe that the Board of Education would take measures to place them on a relatively higher scale as a corollary to the Burnham scale for secondary teachers; that, owing to the present unequal treatment as between training colleges and schools, it is becoming very difficult to secure adequately qualified teachers to fill vacant posts in training colleges and if he is prepared to take action in the matter?

It is impossible to deal with the question of salaries in training colleges apart from the question of their finance, and I hope to be in a position very shortly to make a statement on that subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education what progress has been made during the past year in physical training in schools?

It is difficult to deal with this matter satisfactorily by way of question and answer, and I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the publication of the Report of the Board's Chief Medical Officer for 1920, which, I understand, will deal fully with the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education, of the London education authorities how many of its members sit by virtue of co-option and how many as elected representatives of the ratepayers; and what is the general average of co-opted to elected members throughout the various education authorities in England and Wales?

It is presumed that the question refers to the constitution of the Statutory Education Committee of the London County Council. That Committee consists of 38 members of the London County Council and of 12 other persons selected by the London County Council, of whom five must be women. It would involve a great expenditure of time to ascertain the same particulars as to the composition of other education committees throughout England and Wales, of which there are more than 300. Section 17 of the Education Act, 1902, however, provides that a majority of the members of an education committee must be appointed by the council and must also be members of the council unless, in the case of a county, the council otherwise determine. I think on most education committees the members of the council amount to much more than a bare majority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a trust known as Hanbury's Charity, Church Langton, County of Leicester, was left primarily for the three churches of the parish, and afterwards for schools, hospitals, organs, and beef, and that this fund was appropriated in 1905, with the exception of the three last named objects, by the Charity Commissioners for Education; that the income of this trust fund has now considerably increased, and that the governors feel strongly that the intention of the founder should be respected and an annual sum allowed for the fabric of the churches, together with additional allowances for hospitals, organs, and beef, leaving a sum more than sufficient to provide technical and higher education for the children of the parishes included in the scheme which the governors have submitted to the Charity Commissioners, who have passed it on to the Board of Education to deal with; and will he see that the intention of the founder is respected?

The Reverend William Hanbury, by a series of deeds made in 1767, directed the establishment of a school, the endowment of an organist, the provision of beef for the poor, the establishment of a fund to provide organs, the establishment of a picture gallery, a library, a free printing press, a hospital, and various professorships with an income of £5,909 a year, the expenditure of £100,000 on the erection of a church at Church Langton and the erection of a Temple of Religion and Virtue. The fund of about £2,000 which he provided to satisfy these purposes proved scarcely adequate, and it is difficult to say to which of them he gave the preference. The charity became the subject of Chancery proceedings in 1864, and ultimately a scheme was made under the Endowed Schools Acts allocating certain specific sums to non-educational purposes and the residue to education. That scheme has the force of an Act of Parliament and the Board have no legal power to disturb the allocation then made. The income of the foundation has recently increased and the increase goes to swell the educational residue. The action taken in 1905, to which the hon. Member refers, did not affect the provisions of the scheme of 1895

asked the President of the Board of Education how many ex-officers are now being educated at British universities at the expanse of the taxpayer; and when this expenditure will cease?

The number of ex-service officers and men who are now in receipt of grants under the scheme administered by the Board of Education is 18,344. I anticipate that the expenditure under this scheme will almost entirely cease in the financial year 1925–6.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the pension of 12s. per week of W. Robinson, St. George's Square, Portsea, Portsmouth, exprison warder, is being withheld while W. Robinson is working in His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth?

I have been asked to reply. Mr. W. H. Robinson is in receipt of a pension as a former established civil servant. Under Section 20 of the Superannuation Act of 1834 his pension ceases to be paid on re-employment by a Public Department if the remuneration of such employment is equal to or exceeds that of his former office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether possession was taken of New Hall Farm, Dovercourt, Essex, by the military authorities, who were in occupation of the farm until 1919; whether, in December of that year, negotiations were entered into with the Eastern Command Land Department to settle the amount of compensation payable; whether the War Department valuer, owing to the damage done to the property by the military occupation, suggested that the farm should be purchased by the War Office; whether, after much delay, on the 10th August, 1920, the Disposal Board recommended the Treasury to purchase this farm for £4,250 and a draft contract was sent to the Treasury solicitor at his request; whether notice was given to the tenant of the farm at the request of the Disposal Board; and whether, as the owner of half this farm is a lady of over 80 years of age, whose income is only about £50 per annum, and as the property is mortgaged, he will give instructions that without further delay the contract should now be signed, as, in spite of frequent letters and reminders, nothing further has been done?

Possession was taken of this farm on 5th August, 1914, and it was occupied until December 1919. Although negotiations were opened at once, no claim was made on behalf of the tenant until October, 1920. It was decided to purchase the farm, on the ground that this would be cheaper than the cost of reinstatement. Notice to quit was given to the tenant by the owner, as one of the conditions of purchase was vacant possession at Michaelmas. The delay in completing the purchase is due to the unreasonable attitude of the tenant, who is claiming the cost of re-erecting certain farm buildings demolished by the military, although the War Department has offered to release him from any liability under his lease as soon as the freehold has been purchased. Negotiations are still proceeding with the tenant, and it is hoped that a settlement will be reached in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the full grant from the Expeditionary Force canteen that was allocated to the United Service Fund has not yet been handed over to Lord Byng?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Tuesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Aberdeen Central (Major M. Wood).

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

The estimated monthly cost of the Air Force in Constantinople at present is £3,000.

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

The estimated monthly cost of the Air Force in Mesopotamia at present is £73,000.

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

The estimated monthly cost of the Air Force in Palestine at present is £23,000

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

The estimated monthly cost of the Air Force in Ireland at present is £33,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that his Department is engaged in distributing in this country many thousands of printed circulars purporting to originate from a firm at Timbertown Camp, Groningen, Holland, having offices in Chancery Lane, London, bearing German postage stamps and the Berlin postmark; and, as this is an attempt to take advantage of the depreciated exchange value of the Ger- man mark, benefiting the advertiser and the German post office at the expense of the British and Dutch post offices, does he propose to take any action in the matter?

The circulars referred to by the hon Member have not come under my notice; but I have no power to refuse to deliver postal packets received in the mails from Germany and properly prepaid at the international rate on the ground that in my opinion they should have been posted in another country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to introduce legislation by which to protect the consumer against any action of trusts or combines which would operate adversely to the interests of the public?

I regret I am unable to add anything at present to the first part of the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers of fabric gloves imported into the United Kingdom from Germany in the year 1913, 1919 and 1920?

The numbers of gloves of woven fabric registered during the year 1920 as having been imported into the United Kingdom consigned from Germany, were as follow:—Gloves of woven fabric:

Silk	5,036 dozen pairs
Other	9,962 dozen pairs

Comparable figures for the years 1913 and 1919 are not available, as fabric gloves were not shown separately in the trade statistics for those years. Thus during the year 1913 there were recorded as imported from Germany 2,511,009 dozen pairs of cotton gloves, but it is not stated what proportion of these imports were fabric gloves, and what proportion were knitted, netted or crocheted. During 1919 the corresponding number recorded was 192 dozen pairs. The imports of silk and wool fabric gloves were also not shown separately in either of the years 1913 or 1919. I may add that the statistics for 1920 show, under the heading "Hosiery," an import of 98,587 dozen pairs of knitted, netted or crocheted gloves, consigned from Germany, including 79,927 dozen pairs of cotton gloves, and 1,230 dozen pairs of woollen gloves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in consequence of the system of assessment on the basis of a three years' average, trades and businesses have paid in Income Tax since 1914–15 over £800,000,000 less than they would have paid if the assessments for each of the years had been based on the profits of the previous year?

No, Sir. The statement was attributed to me in a published summary of the observations that I made to a deputation, but for this summary, which was inaccurate in more than one respect, I was not responsible. The actual facts are that the profits on which trades and businesses have been assessed since 1914–15 on the basis of a three years' average are £800,000,000 less than the profits which would have been assessable if the assessments for each year had been based on the profits of the year of assessment. If the assessments had been made on the profits of the preceding year, £450,000,000 more would have been brought into assessment than on the existing basis. In both these cases the figures given relate to the basis of assessment, not to the amount of the duty that would have been payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether those companies, firms, and individuals who patriotically assisted the Government Loans by taking up War Stock and Bonds when appealed to, and who have now been forced to realise owing to the burden of taxation, are not being allowed to bring into account the actual loss incurred in such realisation in making up their accounts for the purposes of Income Tax and Super-tax; and, if this is the case, whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to enable these people who have incurred such losses to bring the same into account as legitimate deductions from profit?

The provisions of the Income Tax Acts governing the computation of liability to Income Tax (and Super-tax) preclude the admission of a deduction on account of a loss of capital, and at the same time impose no liability to tax in respect of a capital gain. In accordance with this principle, profits or losses on the realisation of investments do not enter into the computation of the liability to tax, except in the special case of a business which is mainly concerned in the buying and selling of securities, e.g., an investment company. The suggestion which my hon. Friend makes in regard to investments in war stock and bonds is thus in direct conflict with an established and general principle of the Income Tax law, and is not one which I can see my way to accept.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his statement that all businesses should pay Excess Profits Duty over a period of seven years, he will allow businesses who made up their accounts half-yearly to 30th June and 31st December, and had in consequence only paid from 1st July, 1914, onwards, to now pay on the first half of 1914 instead of being liable for the present six months?

I am not prepared to adopt the proposal made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether examinations for temporary women civil servants were held early last October; whether notices to terminate their present service at the end of March have been given to all temporary women civil servants; whether in no case has the result of the examination yet been made public; and, if not, whether some consideration can be shown to the candidates, who in many cases were put to considerable expense, by communicating to them the result of the examination forthwith?

An examination for posts in the clerical class, open to women temporarily employed in clerical capacities in Government Departments, was held last October. The results of this examination have not as yet been made public. In view of the policy of His Majesty's Government of employing ex-service men to the greatest possible extent, it has not been practicable in all cases to retain women who have entered for the examination in temporary employment, pending the announcement of the result. Full consideration is, however, given to this factor in determining the order of discharge of temporary staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the subscriptions paid to working men's clubs for membership are liable to entertainments duty?

Under Section 1 (4) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, entertainments duty is chargeable on such part of the subscription or contribution to any club, association, or society as appears to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to represent payment for the right of admission to. entertainments in respect of which entertainments duty is payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether entertainments organised for the purposes of charity are exempt from the entertainments tax; whether any class of entertainment is exempt from the tax; Whether he is aware that at Blaenavon, under the auspices of the Workmen's Hall and library, a large park is being kept as an open space and developed for the health and pleasure of the community, to the relief of the rates; that in order to raise a fund necessary for the maintenance of the park and wipe off a debt of £17,000, the Workmen's Hall is let several times a week as a cinema; that, although the proceeds are used entirely in the manner stated, the entertainments tax is imposed; whether, in view of the circumstances, he has power to remit the tax in this case; and, if not, will he seek the power in the forthcoming Finance Bill?

Section 1 (5) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, provides relief from Entertainments Duty in respect of entertainments if the whole of the takings, or the whole of the net proceeds where they amount to not less than 80 per cent, of the takings, are devoted to philanthropic or charitable purposes; and I am not prepared to enlarge the scope of these provisions. I am not aware of the circumstances of the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, but I will make inquiry and communicate with him.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the salaries and the bonus additions or allowances now being paid to the Undersecretary for Scotland, the Secretary to the Scottish Education Department, and the Vice-Chairman of the Local Government Board for Scotland; and how do these salaries and bonuses compare with the salary of the Secretary for Scotland?

The Under-Secretary for Scotland and the Secretary to the Scottish Education Department each receive a salary of £2,200 plus £500 bonus. The Local Government Board for Scotland now forms part of the Scottish Board of Health, and the Chairman who was previously Vice-President of the Local Government Board receives a personal salary of £1,800 plus £750 bonus. The salary of the Secretary for Scotland is £2,000 without any bonus addition. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the Select Committee on Remuneration of Ministers recently recommended that the salary of the Secretary for Scotland should be increased to £5,000.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many persons were employed in the Office of Works on 1st July, 1914, and how many on the 1st February, 1921?

The professional, administrative and clerical staff of the Department (i.e. excluding all industrial staff and other manual workers) num- bered 674 on the 1st July, 1914, and 1,767 on the 1st February, 1921.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the salary of the official of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in charge of the Harbour area of Glasgow; is that official also manager of the Public-house Trust's licensed premises in Glasgow; is he also in receipt of a salary in respect of that appointment; has he offices and a staff; what is the total expenditure in connection with his and their duties; what do these duties consist of; and why are they continued two years after the termination of the War?

I have no responsibility for the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), but I have made inquiries and am informed that the facts are as follows: The total expenditure for salaries of staff, office, etc., of the special scheme of supervision established by the Control Board for the Harbour area in Glasgow is about £600 a year. The part-time services of the officer in charge have been placed at the disposal of the Board by the Glasgow Public-house Trust Company, of which company he is the general manager. For the work which he does for the Board the Board pay him £270 a year, but the Board do not know what salary he is paid by the company for the work which he does for them. The scheme of supervision is being continued pending the settlement by Parliament of the general question of liquor control, and the duties of the supervisor and the scope of the scheme are fully explained in the fourth Report of the Board (Cd. 9055).

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to bring the work of the department of building supplies and materials to a close; and, if so, when?

Perhaps I may refer to the reply I gave on this subject on the 22nd instant to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies), of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Treasury has ordered the Industrial Fatigue Re- search Board to be wound up by March; whether this body has recently issued a most valuable Report on conditions in the steel-making industry, indicating methods for securing greater efficiency in production; whether it is the case that the dissolution of this body now will mean the loss of all the work and money spent in getting it to the present point when it is beginning to show a return; and whether in view of these facts, he will take steps to prevent the total destruction of this Board?

The matter referred to in my hon. Friend's question is now under consideration, and if he will repeat his question on Wednesday, next I hope to be able to give a definite reply. The Government entirely shares his view as to the report in question.

(1) DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION PER HEAD IN 1920.
(2) INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DEBT—BEGINNING OF 1920.
State.			Unit of Currency.	Taxation per head in Currency of Country.		Current Debt at beginning of 1920.
				Direct.	Indirect.	Internal.	External.	Total.
United Kingdom			£	14·7	7·5	6,603,000,000	1,279,000,000	7,882,000,000
Germany		…	Marks	288·0	186·9	194,000,000,000	3,000,000,000	197,000,000,000
France	…	…	Francs	221·3	195·5	185,728,000,000	33,660,000,000	219,388,000,000
Belgium		…	Francs	94·9	79·2	17,903,900,000	1,087,600,000	19,591,500,000
Italy	…	…	Lire	60·6	34·2	57,888,100,000	20,219,000,000	78,107,700,000
United States of America			Dollars	56·5		25,484,000,000	—	25,484,000,000

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that certain police authorities have refused to grant increased pensions under the Police Pensions Act, 1920; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am calling for a return from the police authorities in accordance with the promise made by my right hon. Friend, and when that is received I will consider what should be done.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to introduce daylight saving this year; and,

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?

supplies the following extract from Paper No. IV, presented by the League of Nations to the Financial Conference at Brussels, in accordance with the promise contained in his answer of 17th February, 1921 [OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 304]:if so, if it can be commenced on the night of 24/25th March in order to give an extra hour of light during the Easter holidays?

asked the Home Secretary on what date this year summer time will come into operation?

As I stated yesterday, the Government propose to introduce summer time this year from midnight on Saturday-Sunday, 2nd-3rd April, to midnight on Sunday-Monday, the 2nd-3rd October.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons under the age of 21 were executed in England and Wales in the years 1918, 1919, and 1920?

One in 1919; none in 1918 and 1920.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any communications from the organised rambling clubs in the Manchester district regarding the possibility of restoring the Saturday and Sunday cheap trains for ramblers; whether this matter is being considered; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the lack of cheaper railway facilities, the rambling clubs are compelled to restrict their programmes mainly to areas which can be reached by tramcar; that, if cheaper trains were run, many thousands of people would use them and thus cause a considerable increase to railway revenues; and whether a decision on this matter may be expected at an early date?

Communications have been received from organised rambling clubs in the Manchester district on this subject. The whole question of the issue of tickets at fares less than the ordinary has been inquired into by the Rates Advisory Committee, set up under Section 21 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, whose report has been issued as a Command Paper (Cd. 1148). The Committee are of opinion that the issue of cheap tickets to clubs, associations, and pleasure parties may well be left to the commercial discretion of the companies, where their responsible managers are of opinion that such a grant would produce additional net revenue. The Minister has accepted the recommendations of the Committee in this matter and is in communication with the railway companies as to giving effect thereto.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by the two Departmental Committees on the taxation and regulation of road vehicles and lights on vehicles; what matters are at present under consideration by them; and whether he anticipates receiving a further interim Report from either of these committees in the near future?

Since the Committees referred to in my hon. Friend's question presented their Interim Reports on the 31st March last (Command Papers 659 and 660), the "Departmental Committee on Lights on Vehicles" have been engaged upon the question of dazzling headlights. This inquiry has involved much research work, the examination of numerous devices which have been submitted to the Ministry, and, for a considerable period, continual tests upon the road of various kinds of lamps The Committee hope to be in a position to present a further Report shortly.The "Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Road Vehicles" have considered the following matters:

asked the Minister of Transport if the Government have imposed a tax, which is called sea surcharge, of 2s. on every pig, 2s. on each sheep and lamb, 5s. on each horned beast (cattle), and 10s. on each horse leaving Ireland for Great Britain; if so, to what purpose is this tax devoted; and if he will take immediate steps to have these railway and shipping rates revised?

The sea surcharges are as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, excepting as to lambs, where the charge is 1s. They were not imposed as a Government tax, but represent additional freight charges for the sea portion of the journey which are rendered necessary by the increased cost of working the steamship services. The charges are credited to the steamers. When railway rates were revised in January, 1920, the surcharges imposed during the War were reduced by about 33⅓ per cent., and when the throughout charges were again increased, on the recommendation of the Rates Advisory Committee so recently as September last, the sea surcharge was permitted to remain at the lower level.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his Office is experimenting with a model of the House of Commons with a view to improving the hygiene of the House; and, if this is so, will he take steps to stop this expenditure?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The experiments are being conducted in conjunction with the officials of the National Physical Laboratory in fulfilment of a promise which I made in this House. They will have a general scientific value, and the small expenditure of £200 involved is fully justified.