asked the Chief Secretary whether the newspaper reporters attending the inquiry into the Mallow shootings were forbidden to telegraph their reports of the proceedings until such reports had been censored; and, if so, the reason for this action?

I am informed that there was no censoring of the newspaper reports of the case, but that the Court refused to allow the report of evidence given in support of the allegations against the police to be issued until a statement of the case for the defence was also available. This restriction was imposed in order to prevent the prejudicing of public opinion by the publication of an incomplete and one-sided report, and in the circumstances I am sure the House will agree that it was a fair and reasonable restriction. There was, however, no deletion of any part of the report of the proceedings relating to either side of the case. I would remind the House that Mallow is in the martial law area, and that the Military Court has control over its own procedure.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Royal Prerogative of mercy has been granted in the case of Thomas Whelan, who was convicted for the murder of Captain Baggallay?

I must decline to answer any question with regard to the advice which it may be my duty to give to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant in this or any other capital case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether William Conway and Edward Potter were convicted of the murder of Lieutenant Angliss on the evidence of two witnesses; whether one of these witnesses was a servant in the house, whose account of the tragedy was excusably confused and contradictory; whether the other witness admitted that he was frequently drunk; whether he had been charged with disorderly conduct and also with assault and obscene language; and whether he had previously identified as having been concerned with the murder of Lieutenant Angliss two men who were subsequently proved to have been in gaol at the time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 17th instant in reply to similar questions by the Noble Lord the Member for Nottingham South (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck), and the hon. Member for the Spen Valley Division (Mr. Myers). I would only add that it would, in my view, be most improper for me to discuss in this House the nature of the evidence on which this or any other Court based its finding.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make inquiries as to the circumstances under which uniformed men entered the house at Moycullen of John Geoghegan, took him out of bed, and shot him?

The answer is that an inquiry is being held.

asked the Chief Secretary whether inquiries have been held in regard to the deaths of Miss O'Connell of Ardfert on 5th November, James Lodby and Cornelius Delaney at Cashel on 18th December, W. M. Delaney near Cashel on 10th December, J. Hynan at Emly on 21st December, Mrs. Ryan at Callan on 23rd December, and Andrew Moynihan at Kattimore, county Kerry, on 23rd December?

Military inquiries in lieu of inquests have been held in each of these cases with the exception of the case of Miss O'Connell, who is believed to have been killed in an ambush of the police at Ardfert, county Kerry, on the 8th November last. The Competent Military Authority states that her death and that of other persons killed in the same ambush was not reported to him or to the police at the time, and their bodies were disposed of by their friends before the police knew of their deaths. The Competent Military Authority had therefore no opportunity of holding an inquiry in lieu of inquest.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case of John Moran, Drogheda, whose home was entered in the early hours of the morning by armed forces of the Crown and marched from his residence to a place known at Weir Hope and shot; that when his body was discovered in the morning it was found that practically the whole of his stomach had been blown away and his chest riddled with bullets; and whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made into this case?

I am still awaiting the report of the Court of Inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the demand for a thorough and complete investigation into the conduct of the officers of the Crown in Ireland, he is now prepared to appoint a commission of inquiry, as was done in South Africa, to inquire into all grievances and complaints against the administration of martial law and the policy of reprisals?

No, Sir. The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension in supposing that a general inquiry of the nature indicated was held in South Africa; but in any case the request for such an enquiry in Ireland is one to which the Government cannot accede, for reasons which have been repeatedly stated in the course of recent Debates.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that the county court judge of Clare is the constitutional tribunal to assess the compensation for criminal injuries committed in the county, and that the Crown solicitor for the county appeared for the applicants in very many of those cases, he consulted him as to whether the compensation awarded was in his judgment inflated?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will define the position of Major-General Tudor in Ireland; whether he is acting under the direct instructions of Major-General Sir Nevil Macready; whether Major-General Macready was consulted as to the appointment of Major-General Tudor; and whether it was with the approval of Major-General Macready that Major-General Tudor was appointed to carry out his present duties?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to take this question. Major-General Tudor is Chief of Police in Ireland, and has under his command the Royal Irish Constabulary, Dublin Metropolitan Police, the Auxiliary and Veterans Divisions, and the Special Constabulary. He is responsible to the Civil Government. Major-General Tudor was selected by me on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for War, after consultation with General Sir Nevil Macready.

asked the Home Secretary under what Statute the police authority arrested Mr. McGrath in London on 21st February, and deported him without a warrant and without any charge being made against him?

Mr. McGrath has been interned in pursuance of an Order made by me under Regulation 14 B of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any definite evidence connecting recent incendiary fires in Lancashire in any way with the Irish Republic?

Documents seized in Dublin show definitely that incendiary fires in England are planned under instructions from the Sinn Fein headquarters in Dublin, and it is believed that these fires were part of the plot thus disclosed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the failure of the Household Linen and Piece Goods Trade Board at Belfast to fix a minimum wage; whether, under the Regulations of the Act of Parliament, Trades Boards are allowed three months for the fixing of minimum wages; whether he is aware that this particular Board in Belfast has been sitting since August, 1920, and now, at the end of seven months, no wage has been legally fixed; whether, under the present circumstances of trade in Belfast, this delay in fixing a minimum wage seriously affects thousands of female operatives who legally should have been paid a minimum wage since December last; whether this delay has been mainly caused by the action of two representatives of unorganised labour on the Board, both of whom are paid higher wages than the average and who have voted with the employers in postponing the application of the fixed rates until 1st March; whether an attempt is now being made to postpone the fixed rates until 1st September; and what action he proposes to take to have the minimum wage fixed in conformity with the terms of the Trade Boards Act?

The Linen and Cotton Handkerchief and Household Goods and Linen Piece Goods Trade Board (Ireland) was appointed in June, 1920, and on 28th July the Board decided to issue a Notice of Proposal to fix a general minimum time-rate of 8½d. per hour, and a piece-work basis time-rate of 9d. per hour for female workers, and on the 23rd November, 1920, it was decided to fix the rates proposed. The two sides, however, were unable to agree as to the date on which the rates should come into operation. Eventually a motion in favour of 1st March was carried, three of the workers' representatives voting with the employers. The position now is that we have before us officially the original resolution of the Board that the rates should be made effective as from 1st March, but, in view of a proposed further postponement and also of representations made to us by both sides, we have decided to hear the views of the employers and the workers' organisations before arriving at a decision. A deputation from the em- ployers has been heard and a deputation from the workers is to be received on Friday next. We shall then take the matter again into consideration, and shall be glad to communicate the decision to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists amongst widows, dependants, and disabled ex-service men with regard to the present inadequate rates of disability pensions; whether it is the intention of the Government to make any further allowances; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a Committee to report upon the matter?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The question of revising the rates of disability pensions was carefully considered by the Government in September of last year, when it was decided that no increase could be sanctioned. Prices have not materially risen since then, and they are now falling. I would further remind my hon. Friend of the practical difficulties attending a too frequent revision of pension rates in accordance with fluctuations in the cost of living. As explained by my right hon. Friend, the Leader of the House, in reply to a question put to him on the 16th June last, the Government adopted the scheme, of adjustment contained in the present Royal Warrant as being the most practicable system and one which was fair to the ex-service men, and they cannot consent to any amendment of the scheme at the present time.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the large numbers of cases awaiting decision by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and their continual accumulation, it is in contemplation to appoint an additional tribunal of the same status, or to take other measures to obviate the delay and hardship imposed upon applicants?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Thursday last to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the total number of persons in receipt of pensions arising out of the War; and what is the total amount now payable per week?

The total number of persons drawing pensions or allowances from the Ministry of Pensions is 3,427,650. The total weekly amount of such pensions or allowances is approximately £1,785,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will explain why Herbert Farmer, who joined the Officers' Training Corps, Artists Rifles, on the 26th August, 1918, at the age of 18, and who was training with that body at the time of the Armistice, and was then transferred to the 5th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and later to the Royal Army Service Corps, until his demobilisation on 18th October, 1919, and who then applied for training grant in order to complete his training for Civil Service examination, was informed by the Cork authorities that the maximum grant which could be allowed was for three months; and whether, in view of the fact that many other officers under training have been granted allowances for three years, a similar concession can be made to him, as he gave up an uncompleted term of two years of scholarship he had won, which included maintenance, clothes and education, in order to join up?

In order to answer my hon. Friend's question, it has been necessary to obtain papers from Ireland. I am communicating to my hon. Friend, in a full and detailed memorandum, the results of the close inquiry that I have had made into Mr. Farmer's case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether certain units now serving in Mesopotamia were instructed on leaving Great Britain that, although the unit was proceeding upon a normal tour of foreign service, yet the wives and families of men married on the strength were not to proceed overseas; whether he is aware that distress is being suffered by these women and children since the present allowance is but 9s. 6d. for the wife, 9s. 6d., 7s. 6d., 5s. 6d. and 3s. for the children in order of age; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to in the first part of the question. Separation of the soldier from the family was contemplated when the new rates of marriage allowance were fixed. I might point out that every soldier now draws at least 2s. 9d. a day, and has to allot at least 2s. a day to his family when separated from them, which is issued to them in addition to the rates of marriage allowance referred to in the question. I do not propose to take any action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of ex-service men and women and their dependants who have been accepted as approved settlers under the Overseas Settlement scheme; how many have actually emigrated; and to what parts of the Empire have such emigrants gone?

The following statement shows, for the various parts of the Empire separately, the number of ex-service men and women and their dependants who have been accepted as approved settlers under the Overseas Settlement scheme, and have received free passage vouchers, to 31st January, 1921: Canada, 16,776; Australia, 12,912; New Zealand, 7,889; South Africa, 3,277; Newfoundland, 43; Rhodesia, 376; Kenya Colony and Protectorate, 526; other parts of the Empire, 7S1. The majority of the above settlers have already proceeded overseas, except in the case of New Zealand, where the shipping situation is difficult.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what advances to tenants under Section 18 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, have been made by the Northamptonshire county council; and how many tenants have applied for such advances, and how many have been assisted, respectively?

The Northamptonshire County Council have received six applications for advances under Section 18 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919. One applicant has not yet been supplied with a holding, and his application has been deferred until he is supplied with land. Another applicant has withdrawn his application for a holding. The remaining four applications for advances have, been approved. In one case, however, the applicant has not taken up the loan, having found in the meantime that he did not require it.

asked the Minister of Labour why lodging allowance was not paid to Driver Edward Jantum, The Croft, Morley, near Derby, for the period commencing 28th July, 1919, and ending 10th March, 1920, during which he was in lodgings and training for boot and shoe repairing?

I am informed that owing to a misapprehension the Derby War Pensions Committee did not hand this case over at the appointed time to the Ministry of Labour, and continued the payment of allowances up to 10th March, 1920. Since that date the correct allowances have been paid by the Ministry of Labour. I am making further inquiries into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the action taken.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the obsolete battleship "St. Vincent" has gone to Rosyth to be refitted; and whether it should have been paid oft under the Government's promise of economy?

Only the minimum repairs necessary to prevent deterioration are being carried out in this vessel, which remains in reserve for the present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the decision will be made known regarding the requests laid down in Admiralty Monthly Order, No 2359, of September, 1920?

Decisions on many outstanding questions have already been promulgated in Admiralty Monthly Order 2776/20 (fortnightly payments), Weekly Order 2845/20 (Segregation of Infectious and Contagious cases), Monthly Order 2942/20 (General Orders regarding Personnel), Monthly Order 2991/20 (Marines and Band), also Weekly Order 453/21 (Shorthand Writers' allowance). The remaining questions are being proceeded with as rapidly as circumstances admit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give a tabular statement of the latest programme of shipbuilding of the United States and of Japan so far as these are known to the Admiralty, showing, if possible, the probable dates of completion of the ships, by name, included in them, and in the case of Japan what ships, if any, would not be built in Japan itself.

According to the latest information, the following ships are under construction or have been contracted for in the United States of America and Japan:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many cases there are in the royal dockyards and other naval establishments of men who are receiving pensions for injuries awarded under the Workmen's Compensation Act and in respect of which no increase has been accorded owing to the pensions increase scheme not applying to such payments; and whether their Lordships will make arrangements whereby such pensions can be treated in the same way as ordinary ones?

The number of recipients from naval funds of weekly payments of compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act or the schemes thereunder was approximately 750 on the 16th August last, the date of the Pensions (Increase) Act. The Government are unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the committee of the Gordon Highlanders' War Memorial Club made application to the United Services Fund for a grant; whether the committee was informed that regimental associations, as such, are debarred from participating in the fund unless they are willing to forego their regimental character; whether he is aware that the fund is a public one, built up out of profits arising from purchases made by the Army generally, and that the share contributed by the different regiments of the Army amounts to a considerable proportion of the total; and whether, in these circumstances, he can see his way to arrange that the regiments of the British Army be given an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the general principle as to whether or not regimental associations shall be entitled under guarantees to a share of the benefits of the fund?

If my hon and gallant Friend will apply to the organising secretary of the United Services Fund, 29, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, S.W.7, he will be glad to give him any information he may require. I may mention that the organisation is not under the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all the 1914 (Mons) Stars and 1914–15 Stars have yet been awarded; if not, how many of each still remain to be awarded and what is the total number of each to be awarded; and whether all these awards can be made before the issue of the General Service (British war) medal to those to whom only such medal is due?

The bulk issue of the 1914 Stars and the 1914–15 Stars has been completed, but supplementary lists are still being received from Record Offices, and it is impossible to say how many Stars remain to be awarded. It is not proposed to delay the issue of the British War Medal until the supplementary issues of the Stars are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Captain Trevor Oliphant, late 1/5th Norfolk Regiment, who was severely wounded in the War, was on demobilisation appointed secretary of a war pensions committee, and whilst thus employed he was offered the adjutancy of the 1/5th Norfolk Regiment by the War Office and gave up the other post to undertake this duty; and that this officer was forced to resign his position by his commanding officer on the ground that he had not had sufficient overseas experience, and he thus lost both appointments; and whether, in view of the hardship entailed by this arbitrary procedure, he will take steps to see that Territorial Force associations are instructed to consult commanding officers before appointing officers as adjutants, and if possible offer employment to Captain Trevor Oliphant in some capacity similar to that of which he has been deprived?

The circumstances of this case are as stated in the first part of the question. Captain Oliphant was recommended for the appointment of adjutant by the Territorial Force Association of the County of Norfolk. It was impracticable to follow the normal procedure of consulting Captain Oliphant's commanding officer in regard to his suitability for the appointment since no commanding officer had been appointed at the time. It was, however, considered that this officer's record of service indicated a reasonable probability of his being suitable, and he was accordingly offered the appointment. After three months' experience as adjutant, it was found that Captain Oliphant did not possess the requisite qualifications for his duties. His commanding officer and brigade and divisional commanders were all agreed on this point, and it became necessary to replace him It is to be regretted that this officer has lost a civilian appointment, but it must be pointed out that the acceptance of the appointment of adjutant rested entirely with him, and he must have been aware that his continuance in that appointment was dependent upon the duties being carried out to the satisfaction of his superior commanding officers. Since this officer has not proved suitable as an adjutant, it would not be possible to employ him in a similar capacity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that the weekly rates of wages at present paid to the civil employés at the ordnance stores, War Office Department, Carrick-fergus, in the county of Antrim, are respectively as follows: carpenters' foreman 74s., carpenters 70s., armourers 79s., saddlers 70s., cycle fitters 69s., tent repairers 62s., foremen 75s. to 77s., skilled labourers 60s., and labourers 58s.; whether he has now ascertained that the weekly rates of wages commonly recognised and now paid by employers and trade societies in this district where the work is carried on and in neighbouring districts are respectively as follows: carpenters' foreman 122s., carpenters 116s., armourers 100s., saddlers 95s., cycle fitters 90s., tent repairer;, 85s., foremen 99s. to 100s., skilled labourers 68s., and labourers 62s.; what is the reason or excuse for such or any violation of the Fair Wages Resolution of the 10th March, 1909, in regard to these civil employés; will he give, instructions that rates of wages in accordance with the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution, together with all arrears, be forthwith paid; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

The rates of wages at present paid to these employés are substantially as stated in the first part of the hon. Member's question. They have been carefully reviewed, and from the information at present before the War Office it is not considered that any increase is called for under the Fair Wages Resolution. The rates mentioned in the second part of the question appear to relate to establishments not in the immediate vicinity of Carrickfergus and in the main to work not strictly comparable to that performed in the depôt. For example, the rate mentioned as being the district rate for carpenters appears to be based upon a building trade rate, which, as I have already informed the hon. Member in correspondence on this subject, cannot be accepted as applicable to the work of an ordnance depôt.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Railway Returns for 1919 will show the separate market or Stock Exchange values at the mean of the highest and lowest prices during the three years to 31st December, 1913, of each class of stock and shares which, according to Sir William Plender's calculations, amounted to £1,131,636,697; and, if not, whether he will publish a separate statement showing the market value of each such class of stock and shares, in view of the fact that the cost of the preparation of these figures for presentation on behalf of the railway company before the Rates Advisory Committee will form a charge against the Government and therefore ought to be available to the public?

The railway returns for 1919 will not include any calculations based upon market or Stock Exchange prices, and it is not proposed to publish any separate statement such as that which the hon. Member suggests on account of costs involved. If, as I assume to be the case, the expense incurred by putting forward the railway companies' case to the Rates Advisory Committee and of preparing Sir William Plender's evidence was debited to working expenses, I will ask Sir William Plender, who is also the Government auditor under the railway agreements, if he will supply the information asked for and let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that Irish livestock traders' periodical tickets have been advanced to such a prohibitive price that large numbers of dealers and traders have refused to accept them on the terms offered; whether the arrangement as regards traders' tickets on Irish railways was arrived at against the wishes of the Irish railway managers; and, if so, will he instruct the Irish railway managers to revert to the old terms on which such tickets were issued?

The charges for all traders' season tickets in the United Kingdom were increased on the advice of the Rates Advisory Committee, who made their recommendation, after holding a public inquiry at which evidence was tendered on behalf of the traders as well as the railways, that they should be issued at 20 per cent, below ordinary season tickets. It was subsequently brought to my notice that the application of the revised arrangement resulted in some cases in Ireland in a very great increase and directions were issued limiting the amount of increase considerably. I gave the most sympathetic consideration to this complaint, and made special concessions from the considered advice of the Rates Advisory Committee, and in the existing financial position of the railways a reversion to the old terms on which traders' tickets were issued cannot, I fear, be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue instructions to Irish railway managers to have the system of through bookings of pigs resumed from inland stations in Ireland to stations in Great Britain; and is he aware that, although these head rates and wagon rates are in existence, Irish railway companies have refused for some years past to allow senders to take advantage of them?

I am having inquiries made in regard to the points raised and will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have the Regulation amended contained in the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1854, fixing the value of cattle (livestock) in transit at £15, and of pigs and sheep at £2 per head, considering the increase in present and past years in the value of these animals; and, pending the introduction of legislation, if he will set up an arbitration court, consisting of a railway official, a dealer of practical experience, and a lawyer, to determine the fair value to be paid to an owner in ease of loss?

The question of modifying the provision of Section 7 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1854, in respect of the limits of liability of railway companies as regards livestock has already been considered by the Rates Advisory Committee, a statutory body specially set up to advise on such matters. Their re- commendations on the subject after they had held public inquiry have been taken into consideration, in framing the Railways Bill, which is to be introduced into the House at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the £1,000,000 that was set aside for the developing of transport has been used; and, if any has been used, in what part of the country any such railway or means of transport has been laid?

In the urgent need for national economy none of the sum of £.1,000,000 voted by this House for the assistance of transport schemes has been so expended, and I am surrendering the entire provision. We cannot both practise rigid economy and spend money on schemes, even if desirable, at one and the same time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that solid rubber tyres are compared with pneumatic tyres immensely more injurious to road surfaces, he will secure the immediate rescission of the Regulation under the Heavy Motor Vehicles Act restricting the speed of motor vehicles weighing over two tons to 12 miles per hour, in so far as such restriction affects vehicles above that weight which are fitted on all wheels with pneumatic tyres; and whether he is aware that there is no corresponding restriction in the United States of America, where an appreciable percentage of goods traffic is borne on pneumatic-tyred lorries, to the benefit of transport and the saving of the road surfaces?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Simm) on 24th February, from which he will see that the whole question of the regulation of the speed of mechanically-propelled road vehicles is at present under consideration. The points raised in my hon. Friend's question have not been overlooked, but I must not be taken as accepting his statements.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is now possible to restore the passenger train service throughout the country equal to what existed before the War, as there now exists no shortage either of coal or man-power, but there is a surplus of both which can be drawn from to meet the requirement?

In the existing financial situation of the railways, and in view of the fact that the percentage of increase in wages and materials is much higher than the percentage increase in fares, very stringent economy in railway operation is necessary, and only such passenger services as are essential to carry the traffic offering should be run. I could not support the restoration of unremunerative services. The present time of trade depression and high railway costs is no time to give a more costly service.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a wages dispute has existed for some time at His Majesty's factory, Pembrey, and an agreement was come to by which the matter in dispute should be referred to arbitration under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, and that the Ministry of Munitions withheld its consent for the matter to be referred to the industrial courts for settlement, with the result that the dispute still exists; and will he take steps to see that the objection of the Ministry of Munitions is withdrawn, and that the matter in dispute shall be referred to arbitration for final settlement?

I have been asked to answer this question. The application of the award of the Industrial Court relating to the chemical trades, 4th January, 1921, to employés in the Ministry of Munitions depot at Pembrey was withheld on the grounds that the work at present performed is of a class to which chemical trade awards are no longer applicable. The Department is unaware of any agreement to submit the matter to arbitration under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, but they are prepared to pursue it by communicating with the union concerned with a view to coming to an agreement on the point at issue, and, failing which, that it should be submitted to the Miscellaneous Trades Trade Joint Council for consideration

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether an Order was issued early in 1916 providing that all persons engaged in the manufacture of T.N.T. should be allowed one day's holiday each week with pay; and, if such an Order was issued, what steps should be taken by a workman who alleges that he has not received the pay to which he was entitled?

I regret that I am unable to trace the Order in question, but if the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with further details of the case that he has in mind, I will make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the continued depression in the cement industry in Kent; that large numbers of men are being discharged; and, having regard to the world shortage of cement and its relation to the national building programme, will he make inquiries, as large numbers of men are affected?

I am not aware that a large number of men have been discharged. So far as housing schemes are concerned, supplies of cement are, generally speaking, satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the large; number of young ex-service men who, prior to joining the colours, had partially learned a trade, but who, since demobilisation, have been unable to obtain employ merit in their previous occupation; and whether he will consider meeting the claims of these men, either by an extension of the training scheme or by direct employment in Government factories?

So far as young ex-service men who were serving apprenticeships at the time of their enlistment are concerned, provision has been or is being made for about 44,000 under the interrupted apprenticeship scheme. Some 62,000 young disabled ex-service men are also being provided for under the industrial training schemes. So far as young fit ex-service men are concerned, the difficulty of obtaining employment is common at the present time to nearly all occupations. The main opportunity is in certain of the building trades, in connection with which negotiations are in progress between the Government and the building trade employers. Generally every effort is being made to provide alternative work at Government factories in order to prevent discharges.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of ex-service men unemployed in this country; how many ex-service men have applied for training; and how many have received training?

The number of ex-service men registered as unemployed on 11th February was 368,600. The industrial training scheme is practically limited at present to disabled ex-service men who are prevented by their disability from resuming their pre-War occupation. The number of eligible applicants for training at present on the waiting list is 16,141, while the number who have either beer, trained or are still in training is over 62,500.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the widespread unemployment, he would be prepared to prolong the period of training of ex-service men in cases where the labour exchanges certify that they would be unable to obtain employment if discharged, especially as their pensions, often of a high percentage, together with their unemployment donation would sometimes exceed the cost of continuing their training?

Arrangements have been made to keep in training in the Government Instructional Factories until March 31st those men requiring improverships for whom vacancies cannot be found at present.

asked the Minister of Labour how many women are registered at the exchanges for domestic service?

The number of women registered at the Employment Exchanges on January 7th for domestic service in private houses was 10,223, of whom 2,639 were registered for resident and 7,584 for non-resident service.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue directions to prevent hardship to those whose policies are lost in the hands of labour exchanges, and inquire into the case of Thomas Meiklejohn, care of J. Duncan, 111, Alexandra Parade, Townhead, Glasgow, whose policy was lost in the labour exchange, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, and who is refused benefit in consequence?

I will have inquiries made into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result. I should add that the donation instructions lay down the action to be taken when policies are lost.

asked the Minister of Labour the index number of the cost of living in this country on 11th November, 26th November, and for the latest available date?

The returns of prices which form the basis of the index number prepared in this Department relate to the first day of each month. I am unable, therefore, to give figures for the 11th and 26th November; but at 1st November the index number showed a rise, as compared with July, 1914, of 176 per cent., and the corresponding percentages at 1st December, 1st January and 1st February were 169, 165 and 151 respectively.

asked the Prime Minister what payments have been made by or on behalf of the German Government to the Allies since the Armistice; in respect of what each payment was made; and how it has been divided amongst the Allies?

The payments made by the German Government to His Majesty's Government under the Treaty of Versailles and the Armistice Agreements are as follow:—

(1) Debit monthly balances under the Clearing Office scheme, £9,509,783 6s. 6d.

(2) In respect of the British Delegation on the Rhineland Commission, £147,769 0s. 8d. and 1,340,000 paper marks.

(3) In respect of the British Army of Occupation, 346,000,000 paper marks.

(4) Deliveries in kind allocated to British Empire by the Reparation Commission:—

(a) 3,181 tons of dyestuffs of the value of £1,200,000.

(b) 304 ships, of which 162 have been sold for £13,600,000.

In my reply to the hon. Member for South Hackney (Mr. Bottomley) on the 24th instant, the number of ships sold was incorrectly given as 262. As explained in that answer, I have not the particulars required as regards payments to other Allied Governments.

asked the Prime Minister which of the Conventions reached at the Washington Convention the Government has ratified and which it has decided not to ratify, with its reasons for doing so?

His Majesty's Government has decided not to ratify the Maternity Convention, as the objects which this Convention has in view are already in substance secured by existing legislation. The Hours Convention involves considerations which are still under discussion with the Provisional Joint Committee of the National Industrial Conference, consisting of employers and employed persons. The other Conventions are now in course of ratification.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the burden of the rates and of the decreasing cost of living, he will allow the question of the payment of the additional police bonus to be left to the discretion of the local authorities, provided their police force is maintained in an efficient state?

If the cost of living continues to fall, the bonus will automatically disappear. The scheme has been adopted by the majority of the police authorities, and if the bonus is paid by some and not by others there is obviously danger of discontent in the forces who do not receive it. But I am aware of the difficulties in which local authorities are placed by the increasing burden on the rates, and I propose at an early date to bring the whole question before the Police Council, on which the police authorities and the various ranks of the police will be fully represented, in the hope that some solution of the difficulty can be found.

asked the Home Secretary whether, since neither the Home Office nor the British Board of Film Censors constituted by the cinematograph trade to examine films have any official authority to induce or order all films to be submitted for examination, he will direct or advise all local authorities to stipulate that licences will only be granted if a11 the films exhibited have passed the Board of Film Censors?

I have no authority to give directions to local authorities as to the exercise of their powers under the Cinematograph Act, 1909, but I have advised them from time to time to pay special attention to films which have not received the certificate of the Board of Film Censors, and I think they may properly require that films not so passed should be inspected by themselves or their officers before being publicly exhibited within their jurisdiction.

asked the Home Secretary whether the draft Regulations under the Dangerous Drugs Act provide that no prescription given by a veterinary surgeon could be dispensed; and what provisions were made in the Regulations enabling farmers and stock breeders to be in possession of the drugs for the purposes of administering them to their stock?

The draft Regulations provide generally for the issue of licences or authorisations in proper cases, and I propose to insert words in the Regulations expressly authorising the supply of the drugs for the purposes of the treatment of animals on the prescription of a veterinary surgeon. Further details as to the application of the Regulations to agriculture are under consideration in consultation with the representatives of the agricultural interests.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will refer the draft Regulations under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1920, to a committee of experts for consideration as a whole, so that the various suggestions for amendment from the professions concerned may be considered together before the Regulations are finally made?

I do not consider that this would be a desirable course, for reasons which I have explained in a letter to the bodies that have suggested it. I shall be happy to send the hon. Member a copy of the letter.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons are at present in gaol for advocating communist opinions; and whether one of them was convicted on the sole evidence of a police constable who attended a meeting, and admitted himself to be too ignorant of politics to understand the matters which he heard discussed?

No person is in prison for, and no person has been charged with or convicted of advocating communist opinions.

asked the Home Secretary when the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories will be circulated?

As I promised my hon. and gallant Friend last year, the Report is being expedited as much as possible, but I cannot yet specify the date by which it will be published.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make inquiries as to the action of the Commissioners of Police for the Metropolis in refusing the request of the Harrow-on-the-Hill Urban District Council to place a police constable on point duty at a dangerous corner at the junction of Peterborough Hill and Tyburn Lane; and whether he is aware that within 10 days recently three serious accidents have occurred at that corner?

I have made inquiry of the Commissioner of Police, and am informed by him that the question of placing a constable on point duty at this corner has been considered by him, but he came to the conclusion that the volume of traffic was not sufficient to justify the continuous employment of a man on traffic duty, and that the case would be met by the erection of conspicuous warning notices and by removing some of the growth that at present obstructs the view at the corner. No accident at this point has come to the notice of the police since the 28th September last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the widespread industrial depression and distress among workpeople, he will obtain powers for arrears of Health Insurance contributions to be remitted during the period of the present emergency?

An allowance of four weeks' unemployment and any weeks of sickness in each year is already made before an insured person is subject to any reduction of benefits for arrears under National Health Insurance, and if the arrears exceed this allowance, an opportunity is given to the insured person to make a comparatively trifling payment between July and November of each year in order to avoid any reduction of benefits. In these circumstances I do not think it necessary to make the exceptional arrangements suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to introduce the Bill to amend the Dentists Act. 1878?

I am not in a position to name any definite date, but if there is a general desire in the House that the Bill should be introduced without delay, and, if it will be treated substantially as an agreed Bill, the Government would be prepared to introduce it in another place at an early date.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many houses his Department has at the present time under construction for local authorities; how many more he has undertaken to construct; and what is the total estimated amount involved in each case, including the charges of his Department for administration, finance, risk and profit?

The Office of Works are at present engaged on schemes for local authorities covering the erection of 3,736 houses. In addition, negotiations are well advanced for undertaking schemes covering approximately 3,513 houses. It is not possible at the moment to give the estimated cost of every scheme, but the total cost of the schemes referred to above is estimated at approximately £7,200,000, which includes a percentage of 2·75 to cover all overhead expenses, including architectural and contractual services.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the nature of the arrangement between his Department and the Ministry of Health for the supply of materials for the erection of the houses he has contracted to build for the local authorities; and whether he has obtained competitive prices for the supply of such materials from other manufacturers and merchants as well as from the builders' merchant section of the Ministry of Health?

My Department works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health with a view to taking advantage or any contracts made by the Director of Building Materials Supply. In any cases in which supplies are not available under contracts made, the Building Materials Supply Department, or where, owing to local circumstances, it is not considered advantageous to obtain supplies under such contracts, purchases are made from the trade on the basis of competitive tenders.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, with reference to the erection of houses for the working classes by the Office of Works at the stated cost of £1,000 each, he can state if any are completed; if so, the actual accommodation and cost per house of each type to date, and the thickness of the outer walls; if any of the houses are not yet completed, when the first is expected to be complete; and the estimated value of the land for these houses and of the roads and sewers in cases where they are being constructed by local authorities?

The number of houses actually completed for local authorities is 116. The accommodation is of three types—

(1) Living room and three bedrooms.

(2) Living room, parlour and three bedrooms.

(3) Living room, parlour and four bedrooms.

The number of houses completed of each type is 36, 76 and 4 respectively. The actual cost per house cannot yet be definitely stated, as none of the schemes of which these houses form part is in a sufficiently advanced stage of construction to enable general charges for roads, sewers, transport, etc., to be allocated. The outer walls are of brick, nine inches thick. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not in a position to furnish the information, as these matters are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the terms upon which he has contracted with local authorities for the construction of houses; whether his Department has undertaken in any case to complete houses for a fixed sum; what percentage on the cost of the houses his Department charges for administration, finance, risk, and profit; and if he will lay upon the Table of the House full particulars of all transactions involved before the Supplementary Estimates for his Department are taken in Committee of Supply?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the position of the Office of Works. My Department does not enter into contracts with local authorities for the erection of houses. Where my Department undertakes the erection of houses for a local authority, they do so at the request of the Ministry of Health, and merely as the agents of the local authority. In such cases the Department proceeds either by direct administration or by obtaining a contract in the ordinary course. In the former case, an estimate of the cost of the scheme is submitted and approved by the local authority and the Ministry of Health. As the Office of Works merely acts as the agent of the local authority, there is no question of any profit, but a charge of 2·75 per cent, will be made to cover all overhead charges. With regard to the last part of the question, I shall, if time permits, lay upon the Table of the House a Return relating to the housing schemes referred to.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the British Government should pay 5,500 francs for loss of profits to the hairdressing departments of the hotels Astoria and Majestic, Paris; and whether this arises out of the after effects of war and should be included in the reparation clauses of the peace treaty?

The amount in question was paid as compensation for loss of custom incurred through the occupation of these hotels by His Majesty's Government. The second part of the question should be addressed to the Foreign Office.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how much the repairs to the roof of Westminster Hall has cost up to date; and when he expects the work to be completed?

The expenditure to date is approximately £68,000, and as far as can be foreseen, the work will be completed by the end of next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider means by which assessment to Income Tax in respect of investment income may discriminate as between inherited income and other income at present included as investment, with a view to relief being granted in respect of such portion of incomes as is derived from savings?

The question of the discrimination to be made for Income Tax purposes between incomes that are earned by personal exertion and incomes that are not so earned, was exhaustively considered by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax, whose recommendations on this matter were, as my hon. Friend is aware, given effect to in the Finance Act of last year. The proposal that differential treatment for taxation purposes should be extended to income derived from the investment of savings was specifically made too, and definitely rejected by the Royal Commission, who in paragraph 109 of their Report (Cmd. 615) expressed the view that "it would be unworkable in practice to attempt to decide how far income derived by a taxpayer from investments is in fact income derived from the saved portion of his earned income, and how far the income is derived from capital which was obtained from some other source, such as a speculation, a bequest, or the profit on an investment."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons subject to Income Tax have failed to pay the tax due for the years 1918, 1919, and 1920, respectively; and what steps have been taken to enforce payment in such cases?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. In cases of refusal or persistent neglect to pay, arrears of Income Tax are recovered in manner directed by law. In this connection I would invite the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the provisions of Part VIII. of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Whitley Councils in the Civil Service Departments were composed; whether anyone sat on these Councils to represent the tax-paying public; and whether the Councils consisted only of those who were themselves in receipt of salaries from public funds?

As my right hon. Friend is no doubt aware, Whitley Councils are composed of two sides, the one representing the employers and the other the employés. On the Councils established in the Civil Service Departments the official or employers' sides are composed of permanent heads of Departments and other Civil servants of high standing who are responsible to Ministers. Acting under the authority of Ministers, they represent the interests of the tax-paying public. The staff or employés' side is composed of representatives elected by the staff associations. Occasionally these representatives are full-time officials of an association, but, with this exception, the members of the Councils are all in receipt of salaries from public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the strong feeling engendered among the working classes of Northumberland and all over the country because of the suspension of the Education Act of 1918; and will he press for the immediate putting into operation of the provisions of that Act?

The Education Act, 1918, is not suspended. The principle on which the Board's administration of the Education Acts is being conducted under the present financial conditions is explained in the Board's Circular 1190, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) if he will make inquiries as to the normal requirements for household coal in the Westgate and St. John's dis- trict of Weardale, county of Durham; what quantity had been supplied to each station for that purpose between the period of 1st January and 18th February of this year;(2) if he is aware that great complaints are being made by the people in Weardale, county Durham, that they are not able to get coals for household purposes; and will he take steps to get an adequate supply of coal to meet their needs?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question X 133 of the 23rd instant. I am inquiring into the matter and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the total sum expended under the Pension (Increases) Act, 1920, in the actual payment of pensions and in administration, including the investigation into the circumstances of the pensioner, respectively; and whether the latter sum will be a recurring charge upon the Exchequer?

The cost of the increases to Government pensioners payable during the current financial year is in the neighbourhood of £1,000,000. In addition a proportion of the cost (as to which figures are not available) of increasing the pensions of ex-policemen in Great Britain will fall upon the Exchequer. It is impossible to give an estimate of the cost of administering the Pensions (Increase) Act because the work is for the most part carried out in conjunction with other duties and no records are kept of the proportion of each officer's time which is devoted to work connected with the Act. It is safe to say, however, that the cost of administration is an infinitesimal fraction of the total expenditure involved.

asked the Postmaster-General if, now the scale of telephone fees has been changed, he proposes to force old subscribers, whose yearly con- tracts may expire before the new rates come into force, to continue for three months on a contract which has been altered without their consent, or if he proposes to allow such contracts to lapse on the change of fees?

The agreements of existing subscribers are being determined as soon after 1st April as is possible under the terms of the agreement. The new rates will not apply to any particular subscriber until he has entered into a fresh agreement.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a telegram sent from Portsmouth to Paris on the 18th February was delivered in Paris. Rue de Castiglione, on the 20th, some 24 hours after the arrival in that city of the sender; and if he can in any way account for the delay?

Telegraphic communication with France was normal on the 18th of February; and a telegram from Portsmouth for Paris handed in on that date should have been delivered without material delay. If the hon. Member will send me precise particulars of the time and office at which the telegram in question was handed in, I will have further inquiry made and inform him of the result.

asked the Secretary for Scotland up to what date the indices of the registers of births, marriages, and deaths in Scotland have been printed, and are available to the public?

Indices for the year 1915 are complete and available, as are also parts of those of 1916. Those for the years 1917 and 1918 are in course of preparation.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the serious position resulting from the closing down of the lead mines Of Halkyn Mountain, in Flintshire; whether he is aware of the demand that the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the non-ferrous mining industry should be adopted, and that, if necessary, the statutory authority with the requisite powers to complete the gravitation drainage scheme should be set up in order to save this vital industry from extinction; and whether he will give this matter consideration?

The position in regard to the lead mines in the Halkyn District has been engaging my attention for some time, and I would refer the hon Member to the reply I gave to his question on 1st December last. A scheme is now being considered by which it is hoped the present difficulties which prevent the completion of the tunnel may be overcome and work thereon resumed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of incandescent gas mantles which have been imported during the last six months; and if many gas mantle factories in Wandsworth and elsewhere are on the point of closing down through want of orders?

The quantity of incandescent gas mantles, registered during the six months ended 31st January, 1921, as imported into the United Kingdom, was 46,938 gross and the value £101,973. This rate of importation—so far as the quantities are concerned—is small as compared with that which prevailed before the War. I am aware, however, of the difficulties now being experienced in this industry through lack of orders.