asked the Chief Secretary by whom is the prerogative of mercy now exercised in cases tried by a civil tribunal and cases tried by a military tribunal; and, in view of his statement that he was exercising this prerogative, can he say if there is any departure from the practice by which it has hitherto been exercised by the Lord Lieutenant on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor?

The exercise of the prerogative of mercy in Ireland rests normally with the Lord Lieutenant who gives his decision after consultation with such of his advisers as he thinks fit to consult. This is the position as regards persons convicted by military as well as civil court except in the martial law area where the military authority is necessarily paramount.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) the total amount of compensation awarded for malicious injury in Ireland during last year, giving the amount paid by the local authorities, the amount paid by the Treasury, and the amount still to be paid;(2) the total number of claims made for malicious damage in Ireland during the last year, giving figures as to those already decided upon; the number of cases dismissed; and how many are pending for final decision?

These particulars are not readily available, but steps are being taken to obtain them. In the case of local authorities who are not paying these awards, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness) on the 24th ultimo.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the incendiaries who burned the Bridgetown Co-operative Creamery on the 20th January, are stated to have come in military lorries from the direction of Killaloe, where a large force of the Royal Irish Constabulary and auxiliaries is stationed; that they were all armed with rifles and revolvers and spoke with an English accent; and whether he will cause further inquiries to be made immediately?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to a similar question put to me by him on the 23rd February, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Dingle peninsula and parts of West Kerry have been completely cut off by the forces of the Crown from communication with the rest of Ireland; and, if so, what steps he has taken to see that the non-combatant inhabitants of the country are supplied with food?

It is not true to say that Dingle Peninsula and parts of West Kerry have been cut off by the Crown Forces from communication with the East of Ireland as far as the supply of food is concerned. This district is mainly agricultural and pastoral, and its isolation would not, therefore, be likely to result in any food shortage, but, in any case, I am informed that there has been no embargo on the importation of foodstuffs.

asked the Chief Secretary whether during the period 1st January, 1920, to 12th February, 1921, exclusive of armed republicans killed in conflict with the forces of the Crown, the military and police between them had killed 247 Irish civilians, of whom 7 were women, 18 were children, and 2 were. Catholic priests; and what sentences have been passed upon the guardians of law and order responsible for their death?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley) on the 17th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary, with refer- ence to the death of Andrew Moynihan, who was killed by the armed forces of the Crown between Killarney and Tralee on 23rd December, whether, after this man was removed from his home, 50 stacks of his hay, a hay barn, and several stacks of oats belonging to him were burnt?

I am making inquiries into these alleged incidents. As soon as I am in a position to do so, I will communicate the result of these inquiries to the Noble Lord.

asked the Chief Secretary whether several farmhouses with out-offices, hay, straw, etc., were burnt to the ground in the Ballywilliam district as reprisals for the shooting of Constable John Carroll, who was shot dead at Ballycommon; and what purpose an official reprisal of this kind is intended to serve?

Two farmhouses near Ballywilliam were destroyed by military order as a reprisal for the shooting of Constable John Carroll, who was taken from his father's house near that place and murdered in cold blood. Official reprisals of this nature are intended to act as a deterrent to crime.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make inquiries into the circumstances under which the house of a widow living at Caheroncen, Kinvara, was recently burnt to the ground by men alleged to be members of the forces of the Crown; whether seven men who were in the house at the time were stripped of their clothes, which were burned; and whether it is a fact that no attack has been made in that district on forces of the Crown?

My attention has already been called to this matter, and I am having full inquiry made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a party of armed and masked men entered the house of Mr. O'Brien at Garlough, Ballineen, and after an unsuccessful search for Mr. O'Brien's son fired several shots, with the result that Mr. O'Brien was severely wounded; whether, prior to their departure, they set fire to the house; and whether he has any information concerning the identity of these men?

I am informed that the local police have had no complaint as to this occurrence which was not reported to them. They are now making special enquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether the written formula, in regard to the negotiation with Sinn Fein, as published in the Press on 15th January, 1921, correctly represents the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to negotiations with Sinn Fein?

No such formula as is referred to in the question was ever adopted by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it has been the practice of his Department to stop the pensions of retired Post Office servants if for some reason, e.g., during the War, they have been temporarily re-employed; if so, why this is done by his Department, and not by the War Office and other Departments; and whether he is aware that so-called over-payments, i.e., excess of wages during temporary re-employment over the rate of pension, are now being recouped out of the increases granted under the Pensions Increase Act, 1920?

Under the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, a pensioned civil servant who is re-employed under the Crown cannot receive more in pay and pension taken together than the amount he was receiving at the date of his retirement. Retired Post Office servants, in common with all retired civil servants, come within the scope of these provisions if they are re-employed under the Crown. In a few cases over-payment of pensions has occurred in consequence of pensioners failing to report on their pension forms the fact of their re-employment under the Crown; and these overpayments are being recovered from increases granted under the Pensions (Increase) Act.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone instruments used by or ordered for the Army during the War have been handed over to the Disposals Board for re-sale; whether some, if not all, could have been adapted for use here in view of the delay in getting supplies since the Armistice; whether he will consider the possibility of buying back these instruments which, if broken up, will only realise a few pence each; and how many instruments have already been recovered from the Disposals Board after having been sent to them for sale?

Under the arrangements between the Post Office and the War Office, no telephone instruments which could have been economically adapted for use in this country should have been handed over to the Disposals Board, and I have no reason to suppose that these arrangements were not carried out. I am prepared to consider the question of purchasing any instruments in good condition which may inadvertently have found their way to the Disposals Board and been sold by them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the statement on page 3 of the Post Office Memorandum on the new telephone rates, which states that the annual charge will consist of an instalment charge of £7 10s. elsewhere than in certain specified districts, he can explain why Mr. S Pickering, of Kentford, near Newmarket, has received notice that he will have to pay £40 6s. for his telephone in addition to the message fee per call, instead of the payment of £25 15s. payable hitherto, and how he can justify such an increase, seeing that the lines are already installed and that no additional capital expenditure by the Post Office, therefore, appears to be necessary?

The installation charge of £7 10s. a year covers only a radius of one mile from the exchange. In the case referred to, the premises are 4¼ miles from the Newmarket exchange. The rental of £40 6s. includes a charge of £10 a mile for circuit outside the mile radius The new telephone rates are based on average costs of providing, maintaining and renewing circuits, allowing for the fact that a large amount of the existing plant was provided at pre-War prices It would be impracticable to base charges in individual cases on the actual prime cost of the plant in use.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has gathered recent information as to the means whereby cheap and effective rural telephone services are provided in agricultural countries competing with British producers; and what steps he is taking to give our agriculturists similar facilities?

For the benefit of agriculturists in this country a rural party line service is offered at a moderate charge. Every opportunity is also taken to provide public call offices in rural districts where this can be done at reasonable cost or where suitable guarantees are forthcoming.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the mileage of telephone and telegraph wires maintained by railway companies for the use of the Post Office and the annual sum paid by his Department to the railway companies in respect of the maintenance of such wires?

The mileage of telephone and telegraph wires maintained by railway companies for the use of the Post Office is about 61,500, and £63,000 a year is paid to the companies in respect of maintenance.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the northern mails from Dublin are leaving an hour earlier than heretofore, with the result that northern letters have to be posted before four in the afternoon; did the railway company obtain his approval to the earlier starting of the evening mail train; and has he considered the possibility of sending these mails by the later goods train?

The time of departure of the evening train from Dublin was altered by the railway company on the 31st of August last as a consequence of the introduction of "curfew" arrangements in Belfast. The Dublin Post Office was informed by the company on the evening of the 30th of August of the intended alteration, which was recognised as reasonable in the circumstances. The case of a goods train was considered at the time and found to be impracticable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a very large number of extra hours of duty are performed in the General Post Office; how many hours are so worked every week; and if he will utilise the services of the temporary postmen who have received notice of the termination of their appointments on 22nd April for the extra work and thus avoid a large addition to the ranks of the unemployed?

In the principal London sorting offices the number of hours of extra duty worked during a representative week last month averaged rather less than two hours per officer employed, which is appreciably less than in the corresponding weeks of recent years. The extra work is irregular in its incidence and would not warrant the continuous employment of full-time staff in order to obviate its performance on overtime. The temporary postmen under notice to cease duty on the 22nd April are civilians, whose places will be taken by ex-service men.

asked the Postmaster General whether it is intended to abolish the part-time telephone operators who work in telephone exchanges for three hours in the evening and to appoint full-time operators in their place; if so, what will be the extra cost; and whether the change will involve the dismissal of any of the present part-time operators?

The number of part-time night operators has recently been reduced; but there is no intention of abolishing the class. The principal object of the change is to increase the efficiency of the operating. It would be extremely difficult to estimate the cost as it forms one item of a complicated revision of duties. The revisions may involve the discharge of some of the part-time men, whose duties are abolished and whom it is not possible to employ on full-time duties.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present position of the Empire chain of wireless communications; and when will it be available for public use and at what charges?

The first two stations of the chain are being constructed at Lea-field, near Oxford, and at Abu Zabal, near Cairo, and will, I hope, be finished early this summer. The other stations are being designed by a small Committee of experts, on the general lines proposed by the Imperial Wireless Telegraphy Committee in their Report of May last, but it is impossible to say, even approximately, when the stations will be available for use. The charges have not yet been fixed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the agricultural costings officers will have completed a year's general farm costing by the end of March; whether, to make use of the information obtained, it will have to be tabulated; whether the headquarters staff of the Ministry is to be dispersed at the end of March, and thus the expenses involved in these investigations wasted; and whether, in view of the importance of these investigations and the necessity for continuing for a seven years' period an account of rotation of crops, consideration will be given to the advisability of making the necessary provision, and thus at the same time prevent the waste of the money already spent?

I have been asked to reply. The answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative. I trust, however, that the closing of the Ministry of Food will not involve the loss of the fruits of any expenditure already incurred. Important results have already been published, and I am informed that the work of tabulation will be continued under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Sugar Commission will be abolished upon the decontrol of sugar at the end of the month?

The Sugar Commission will for the present continue in existence for the purpose of winding-up its accounts and completing the disposal of its stocks of refined sugar, which amount to about 50,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food what is the quantity of flour stored in Stockton-on-Tees at the Tyne Tees Shipping Company's wharf and the corporation wharf; how long each parcel has been in store and the cost incurred for storing and inspection; and whether he proposes to clear the same before further deterioration of quality takes place?

The balance now remaining of the flour stored for Government account at the wharves referred to is 250 tons. The total charges incurred there since January, 1920, when a reserve was first constituted in this locality are £886 19s. 2d. In accordance with the policy of reduction of these emergency reserves (of which the hon. Member was informed on 17th February), the disposal of this balance will proceed as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Food the names and addresses of persons or firms with offices in Great Britain through whom the Government purchased flour or wheat from China, and the amount of such purchases in each case?

It is a most unusual commercial practice for a buyer to disclose details as to his sellers, and I do not at present see that any public interest would be served by departure from this custom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present composition of the Wheat Commission; by whom was it originally constituted; and what interests are represented on it and in what proportions?

The constitution of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies is at present as follows:

• The right hon. the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres (Chairman).
• The right hon. C. A. McCurdy, K.C., M.P. (Deputy Chairman).
• Sir George Saltmarsh (Vice-Chairman).
• Sir Thomas Hoyden, Bart., M.P.
• Oswald Robinson, Esq.
• H. P. Paul, Esq.
• A. E. Humphries, Esq.
• H. J. Forde, Esq.
• T. Parkinson, Esq.
• Sir Herbert Gibson, K.B.E.
• R. A. Love, Esq., C.B.E.
• Sir Laurence Halsey, K.B.E.
• W. P. Burton, Esq., O.B.E.
• A. W. Holmes, Esq., C.B.E.
• J. Begg, Esq.
• H. Hosegood, Esq.
• R. Reid, Esq.
• J. S. Bowles, Esq. (Acting Secretary).

The Commission was appointed on the advice of the Board of Trade by Royal Warrant dated 10th October, 1916. I understand that members of the Royal Commission as originally constituted were not selected on a representative basis, but rather on grounds of expert knowledge and executive ability, and that this principle has been followed whenever it has been found necessary to recommend His Majesty to appoint new members of the Commission.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the fact that representatives from his Department visit hotels and restaurants in various parts of the country, often in evening dress, and endeavour to catch the proprietors or their servants giving short measure of intoxicating liquors; whether these men are authorised representatives of his Department; if so, how is it that the Food Ministry are dealing with Excise matters; and under what Act of Parliament does the Ministry of Food investigate the measure of intoxicants served on properly licensed premises?

Duly authorised inspectors of the Ministry of Food visit hotels and restaurants in the course of their duty in order to test the prices charged for beer and spirits, which are controlled by the Beer (Prices and Description) Order, 1920, and the Spirits (Prices and Description) Order, 1920. These Orders have effect under the Ministry of Food (Continuance) Act, 1920 (10 and 11 Geo. 5, ch. 47). The Food Ministry is not dealing with matters of Excise. The investigation of the measure of intoxicants is for the purpose of determining whether the maximum prices fixed by the Orders are observed, and is made under the above-mentioned Act and Orders.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that rum and gin can be sold at prices less by one-half than the controlled price, and that many merchants are anxious to sell the same at such reduced prices, but are prevented from so selling owing to the existence of the controlled price; whether, in view of the exodus to America of the bulk of wholesome matured Scotch whiskies for medicinal purposes of the American people, only raw and inferior whiskies are left; and whether, in the interests of public health, he will remove the control over rum and gin, which are more wholesome and less injurious than the whiskies now sold in this country?

I am aware that rum and gin can in certain cases be sold at prices lower than the controlled maximum prices, but the fixed prices whether on sales of rum, or gin, or whiskey, are maximum prices only, and so far as my Orders are concerned there is nothing whatever to prevent merchants from selling at prices below such maximum prices. As the hon. and gallant Member has already been informed, I have no evidence that would confirm the suggestion made in the-second part of the question. The third part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that hops from British Columbia shall no longer be regarded by his Department as foreign in origin?

I have been asked to reply. The matter is now under discussion with the representatives of British Columbia, and it is expected that a method will be found whereby, so far as is consistent with the objects of the Hop Control, hops of Dominion origin will be admitted for sale in the United Kingdom without the restrictions attaching to forage hops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the power conferred by this Section referred to in Section 31 of the Agriculture Act, 1920?

The power referred to is the power of delegation which can be exercised by the Agricultural Committee, but not by a sub-committee of that Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why, under Section 2 of the Agriculture Act, 1920, in fixing the minimum prices the cost of production in Ireland is to be taken into consideration when this part of the United Kingdom does not come within the provisions of the Act?

In view of the fact that the figures of 68s. and 46s. suggested by the Royal Commission and adopted in the Act were arrived at after consideration of cost of production in Ireland as well as in Great Britain, the Commissioners may consider it desirable to give some consideration to cost of production in Ireland and, therefore, when the Bill was amended so as not to apply to Ireland it was not considered necessary to delete the provision enabling the Irish Department of Agriculture, if it so desires, to submit information to the Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture seeing that the repeal of Section 11 of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, by the Agriculture Act, 1920, will apparently deprive tenants, under notice to quit at Lady Day next, of compensation to which they were entitled under the Section already referred to, what action does he propose to take to remedy the matter?

Section 38 of the Interpretation Act, 1889, preserves rights and liabilities acquired or incurred under a repealed enactment and enables them in be enforced as if the repealing Act had not been passed. This seems to meet the difficulty suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the Mole and the Imber are claimed as belonging to the riparian owners, and leave to boat, etc., must be obtained; if the mills on these, two streams very largely account for overflows; and who is it that receives payment for ballast now being taken out of the Mole at a price of 20s. per yard?

The Ministry of Agriculture has no information as to the point referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question, but, as a rule, riparian owners own the bed of a river ad medum filum. With regard to the second part of the question, the Ministry is aware that there are mills on the Mole and Imber with weirs and sluices which are inadequate for the proper discharge of flood water. As regards the last point, the Ministry is informed that two riparian owners are dredging mud and ballast from the river where it adjoins their respective properties, and that the contractor doing the work is selling the ballast to local builders.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether is is aware of the grave delay in many instances of the final decision in cases of compulsory orders for the acquisition of land for small holdings; to what cause he attributes this delay; and whether it can in any way be obviated?

Yes, Sir, the Ministry is aware that in some cases of compulsory acquisition of land for small holdings delay occurs owing to it being impossible for the Official Arbitrator appointed under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, to arrange for the arbitration to be held immediately after the reference of the matter to him by the Reference Committee. The Ministry understands that the panel of Official Arbitrators under that Act consists at present of two persons for England and Wales, but the appointment of Official Arbitrators is not a matter which falls to be dealt with by the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that recruit- ing for the Volunteer forces is being retarded amongst eligible men, who realise that, although a pledge is given that in the event of war the Volunteer forces will not be sent out of the country except by the passing of a special Act of Parliament, it is recognised that in the event of war this special legislation would undoubtedly be forthcoming, which would mean that the Volunteers would be called up for service, and jobs and businesses would be taken by those who refused to volunteer; and what steps it is proposed to take to meet this objection?

The nation has accepted the policy of a regular Army recruited on a voluntary basis, supported by a voluntary Territorial Army, and I have no reason to think that the necessary recruits will not be forthcoming. The Territorial Army will only be required for service overseas in a grave and supreme emergency, and special legislation will be necessary. I feel sure that that opportunity will be taken to afford protection to the Territorial soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of the forces now employed in Mesopotamia; and what is the ration strength?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply on 22nd February to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Air Force and the railway staffs are included in the return of 220,000 ration strength in Mesopotamia?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether complaints are arising that men who signed on for two more years' service after the armistice are being, or likely to be, retained in the service against their will after their period of service has elapsed; and will he see that those men especially who are serving abroad are brought home to England punctually at the end of their terms of service?

During the present trooping season, such of these soldiers as were serving beyond the seas, were liable for retention in the service for an extra period not exceeding 12 months under the terms of their engagement, and have been held to serve overseas for all or part of the extra year in cases where they could not be relieved. They will be brought home for discharge before the expiration of the extra period to which they are liable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether designs have been submitted for the Territorial Force war medal; and, if so, when a design will be approved?

No, Sir; the design for this medal has not yet been approved, as precedence is being given to the preparation and issue of the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, but I hope progress will be made soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Sapper Gallagher, attached R.T.O., Aix-la-Chapelle, was brutally assaulted by Belgian police at the instance of a Belgian military officer; that inquiry was held; that no report had been sent to British quarters; and that there have been frequent complaints of rudeness to our soldiers on the part of the Belgian authorities; and, if he is not aware of the allegations made, will he have inquiry made and compensation awarded to Sapper Gallagher?

I am informed that this case has been investigated and it was stated by Sapper Gallagher's commanding officer and two Belgian officers that Sapper Gallagher when passing a sentry post at Aix-la-Chapelle declined to obey a local order whereby all persons passing a Belgian sentry step off the pavement. An argument ensued during which, it is alleged, the sapper struck the sentry who retaliated by striking the former in the face with the butt of his rifle. The sapper denied striking the sentry and no disciplinary action has been taken against him; but in the circumstances no compensation is considered possible in view of the conflicting evidence. The local order referred to has been withdrawn as far as British troops are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether regimental seniority lists for Territorial artillery units will be revived in the Army List in place of the general list introduced during the War?

The matter has been under discussion by a Committee which has been carefully considering what steps generally can be taken to reduce the cost of the Army List. No decision on the particular point has yet been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office to what address and to whom application should be made for a grant from the funds administered by General Byng to help in purchasing a hut for ex-service men?

Application should be made to the Organising Secretary, United Services Fund, 29, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, S.W.7.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the question of granting a site at Tid-worth for a club for ex-service men is still unsettled, although application was made as long ago as July last, and that great disappointment is felt by the ex-service men of this district over the long delay; and if he will inquire into the matter and induce the War Office Lands Department to come to some decision in the matter?

The club have been offered facilities to begin building operations, but I understand that the delay is due to negotiations as to the amount of ground rent that should be paid. A suggestion has been put forward on behalf of the club that they should pay only a nominal or reduced rent in place of the normal market rent.

asked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of the £123,000,000 voted for the Ministry of Pensions will be spent on administration?

The proportion of the £123,000,000 granted for pensions which is allocated to administrative expenses, salaries, and rents is approximately 1–25th, or £5,000,000. This proportion includes £2,173,000 for the administrative and clerical work of the Ministry, £1,851,000 for medical services, and £1,000,000 for local committees. I would point out that expenses for rent normally fall on the Vote of the Office of Works, but, in so far as they come out of the Vote of my Department, they are included in the last-mentioned figure.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the grave office delays which have occurred in the appointment of a secretary to fill the place of the secretary of the Local War Pensions Committee at Bromley, who was suspended from his functions and sent in his resignation in August last; whether the official who has boon performing the duties of secretary, who was recommended by the executive and the committee to fill the vacancy, has been appointed and confirmed in rank; and, if so, what is the date of this confirmation?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the former secretary was suspended from duty by the Local War Pensions Committee on 30th September last and dismissed on 16th December. On the 11th December I gave approval to the appointment as secretary of the official who performed the duties during the period of suspension. The approval had effect as from 16th December, but further consideration is being given to the question as to the date from which the increase of salary should be paid.

asked the Minister of Health if it is proposed to increase the remuneration of panel doctors, owing to the burden of increased work which is thrown upon them in connection with the compilation of the new medical records; and whether such increased remuneration will be met by larger insurance payments or smaller benefits, or whether it will fall upon the general taxation of the country?

The keeping of medical records has always formed part of the terms of service of insurance practitioners and was taken into account when the rate of remuneration was settled by arbitration last year. No question, therefore, of increasing the remuneration arises.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to expressions of opinion which have recently been uttered by medical men and representatives of the profession regarding the uselessness, in a statistical scientific view, of the information which it is proposed to collect from the new records of insured patients; and whether, in face of that adverse opinion, he will withdraw the new rules and so prevent further waste of taxpayers' money and medical men's time and the irritation of the working classes?

I am aware that some individual medical practitioners have criticised the form of medical record presented under the Insurance Terms of Service, but I would remind the hon. Member that nearly four-fifths of the members of the Departmental Committee, presided over by Sir Humphry Rollaston, which designed the form of record, were members of the medical profession, and had regard not only to the statistical scientifie uses of the records, but also and indeed mainly to their utility in the treatment of insured persons. The Panel Committees, which are the statutory bodies appointed to express the views and wishes of insurance practitioners, have decided, not unreasonably, to defer any formal expression of opinion in regard to the records until the insurance practitioners have had adequate experi- ence of the working of the arrangements. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Departmental Committee's Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has been urged by various societies of employers to close down the Department of Director of Building Material Supplies; and whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to close this Department down?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have recently received a few representations to this effect. With regard to the future of the Department of Building Materials Supply, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 22nd February to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies).

asked the Minister of Health the reasons why the London Housing Board refuse to co-operate with the Stepney Borough Council in acquiring Nos. 1 and 3, Church Row, Limehouse, for housing purposes?

These premises were found on inspection to be in such a bad state that it would have been wasteful to have acquired them and to have incurred the very heavy expenditure of putting them into proper condition.

asked the Minister of Health whether the salary of the Registrar-General is fixed by Statute at £1,250 per annum; what salary, excluding War bonus, is being received at present by the Registrar-General; whether he receives a War bonus or any allowances in addition to salary; and, if so, what?

The salary fixed by Statute for the post of Registrar-General is £1,200 a year; in addition, War bonus of £750 is payable. Under arrangements made with the Treasury the functions of the Registrar-General have been placed under the control of the Minister of Health and the duties of the Registrar-General have been assigned to one of the principal Assistant-Secretaries of the Ministry. This officer is on the scale of salary sanctioned for his grade, viz.: £1,200, rising to £1,500, with £750 War bonus. The salary allowed under the Statute to the Registrar-General is meanwhile in abeyance.

asked the Minister of Health whether a new Order has been issued to Poor Law Guardians prescribing a more generous diet, and banning margarine and foreign meat; and whether he has information to the effect that the majority of the taxpayers are able to afford real butter, home-grown beef, and home-grown mutton?

No Order of any kind to the effect suggested by my hon. Friend has been issued.

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, he is taking to investigate the Spahlinger cure for consumption in the interests of tuberculosis patients in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Wednesday last to the hon. Member for the Woodvale Division (Mr. Lynn), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the fact that in printing works throughout the country there is considerable machinery and plant standing idle, and printing firms are able to undertake all necessary Government printing, he will explain why further capital expenditure is being incurred at the Government printing works at Harrow or any of the seven other premises now occupied by the Government Stationery Office?

The Treasury, in sanctioning the establishment of the Government printing works at Harrow as a three years' experiment, based their sanction on an estimated capital expenditure on plant and adaptation to buildings during the three years of the sum of £200,000. No further capital expenditure at Harrow or at any of the four other premises now occupied by the Stationery Office printing works is contemplated, nor is it anticipated that the limit of £200,000 fixed by the Treasury will be reached.

asked whether, as the Government's own printing works at Harrow are being maintained for a period of three years' trial from June last, several five years' contracts, formerly held by contractors, who have the type standing, have been given to the printing works at Harrow; and if this has been done to provide employment in Government works or for any other reason?

The Stationery Office Press at Harrow, in common with other contractors, have tendered for certain five years' printing contracts, and in certain cases the tender received from the Harrow Press being the lowest, the contracts have been granted to that Press. Although the contracts in question are for five years, they are terminable by six months' notice in writing on either side after the first year.

asked the Minister of Health if the necessary forms of printed matter required for the forthcoming Census are all being printed at the Government's own printing works at Harrow; what is the estimated cost of this work; and why tenders were not invited from printing firms throughout the country before this work was entrusted to the Government printing works?

The total cost of printed matter for the forthcoming Census to date is approximately £20,300, of which £16,000 is in respect of paper. The suggestion in the third part of the question is unfounded. Tenders for such printing as did not fall under current printing contracts were invited from firms capable of undertaking the work. Of the tenders received, that of the Stationery Office Press at Harrow was the lowest for the portion of the work which has been entrusted to them. The remainder has been placed with Stationery Office contractors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why, in view of the urgent necessity of economy in State expenditure, the sum of £191,000 is being incurred by the Stationery Office at Hollinwood; whether it is proposed to use these premises for the storage of paper and printed forms or for any other purpose; and whether it would be possible to secure temporary premises or reduce stocks to pre-War proportions?

The premises at Hollinwood have been acquired by His Majesty's Office of Works for the Northern Area branch of the Stationery Office as offices and a store for plain paper for issue to printing and binding contractors and for office requisites, official stationery, and printed stock forms and books for issue to provincial branches of Government Departments in the north of England, and to a certain extent in Scotland and Ireland also, e.g., Employment Exchanges, Post Offices, Customs and Excise Offices, Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Surveyors and Collectors of Income Tax, Pension Offices, Old Age Pensions Committees, War Office and Admiralty Units, Factory and Mines Inspectors of the Home Office, etc. The following places previously used for this purpose were held on temporary leases or under the Defence of the Realm Act, and have as the result of the taking over of Hollinwood been vacated:—8-storey building in Peter Street, Manchester (floor space area 48,000 square feet), with the exception of the ground floor area of 6,000 square feet.Bayer Buildings, Bulford (floor space area 91,270 square feet).9 barrack rooms and Regimental Institute, Hollinwood (floor space area 50,000 square feet).Acorn Mills, Lees, near Oldham (floor space area 59,300 square feet).Further Hey Mill, Further Hey, near Oldham (floor space area 44,000 square feet).

asked the Postmaster-General what is the Telephone Directory costing at present, now that it is being produced at the Government printing works; and why tenders for its production were not invited from printing firms capable of undertaking this work?

The total cost (for printing and paper) of the first issue of the complete directories—London and provincial—produced at the Government Printing Works at Harrow was £71,702. For subsequent issues the cost will be approximately £48,900. After full consideration, it was decided that it would be more economical to print the Telephone Directories at the Government Printing Works than to give the work to a private contractor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much per head per annum is now raised by taxation in Great Britain, France, Italy, United States, and Germany; how much per head per annum was so raised in 1913; what is the expenditure per head per annum by the Government, both local and national, in those countries; and what was such expenditure in 1913?

The subjoined statement gives the latest particulars, so far as available, from Paper No. IV (Revised Edition) presented by the League of Nations to the Brussels Con- ference, together with the corresponding figures as d sired for 1913. I regret that

TAXATION AND EXPENDITURE PER HEAD.
—	Unit of Currency	Taxation per head.		Expenditure per head.
		1920.	1913.	1920.	1913.
United Kingdom	£	22·1	3·5	29	3·7
France	Franc	374·9	84·5	1,127	113·3
Italy	Lira	209·8	53·8	591	68·4
United States of America	Dollar	53·8	6·8	70	7·4
Germany	Mark	474·9	31·3	1,604	52·2

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the cost of the site offered by the Government to the University of London; and whether it is necessary, in the present state of the finances of the country, to proceed further with the proposed new buildings for that university?

The purchase price is £425,000. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 21st February, the proposed new buildings for London University will not be a charge on the Exchequer.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can name the educational areas for which the appointed day has been fixed in respect of day continuation schools; and in which of these areas such schools have now been established?

Appointed days for the purposes of Section 10 of the Education Act, 1918, have been fixed in the case of the following areas:Birmingham County Borough.Kent (in respect of young persons resident in the County, but employed in London, who attend Day Continuation Schools in London).London.Southend-on-Sea County Borough.Warwickshire (for young persons resident in the Borough of Stratford-

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Liverpool City Council on the 5th January last requesting him to cause an inquiry to be held into the railway system of the City of Liverpool and district, with a view to the better provision of transport facilities both for passengers and goods within and between the area of the city and the adjacent districts on both sides of the Mersey, and to make public as soon as possible the full report thereon; and what action he is taking, or proposes to take, in connection with the matter?

Immediately following receipt of the resolution from the Liverpool City Council a communication was sent to them asking for information as to the evidence of need for additional transport facilities which led them to request an inquiry, and as a result a meeting took place in Liverpool on the 24th February between representatives of the Liverpool City Council, of the Bootle County Borough Council, of the railway companies, and of this Ministry. It was decided at that meeting to set up a small committee, to be nominated by the councils and the railway companies, for the purpose of examining and reporting upon any need there may be for additional passenger facilities. To this committee the Ministry of Transport will render assistance. It was decided not to proceed at present with a similar investigation of facilities for goods traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport, if any and if so, what disciplinary measures have been taken in regard to those railway officials who were responsible for the recent railway accident near Abermule?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for the Harborough Division of Leicestershire (Sir K. Fraser).

asked the Minister of Transport whether the present cost of freight is making it impossible for the owners of small fishing boats to dispose of their catches in the London market, with the result that many of them are quite unable to earn a livelihood and have been reduced to a state bordering on destitution; and whether he can see his way to make such a concession as will enable these men to reap some reward for their labour?

I am not aware that the present level of railway freights is having the effect attributed to them by the hon. Member. The charges now in force are in accordance with the advice of the Rates Advisory Committee, who, before making their recommendations, held a public inquiry at which representatives of the fishing industry gave evidence. These charges are of an interim character only, pending a general revision of railway rates, but I cannot hold out any hope of a reduction in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, whereas private motor-cars built prior to 1913 are allowed a rebate of 25 per cent, of the tax, commercial lorries similarly built before 1913 are not granted this reduction; that many of these lorries are used for agricultural purposes, such as bringing produce to large cities or milk to railway stations; why such discrimination is made; and if, in the interests of agriculture, he will have the same or even more generous reduction made to commercial lorries as is how granted to the private cars?

I am, aware that there is a refund of 25 per cent, of the tax payable in respect of private motor-cars, in the case of those whose engines were built prior to 1913. This concession was granted because the tax in respect of private motor-cars is based on horsepower, arrived at according to the Treasury (R.A.C.) rating, and the application of this formula to old engines, owing to alterations in design and construction, gives a higher nominal horsepower to such engines than to engines of more modern type, though the latter may in fact develop a higher effective horsepower. Commercial vehicles are, however, not taxed upon horse-power, but upon their unladen weight, and the grounds for the rebate do not therefore arise. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, is unable to recommend any further preferential treatment of vehicles used for agricultural purposes beyond those already contained in the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1920.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the opinion of the advisers of the Ministry who have prepared the proposed grouping scheme, it is anticipated that the Scottish railways, if grouped together, can earn equal profits on equal scales of rates as the railways in the North-Eastern group; whether, in the event of undue profits being made by one group area, it will permit that area to reduce its rates; if not, will an exactly similar situation occur with the positions reversed that now enables Scottish railways to charge freight rates on a lower scale; and whether the fear of Scottish traders is not in having to pay the same rates on freight as for England but on a higher scale than the English, which will inevitably result from the Government scheme?

The railways of Scotland do not to-day earn equal profits to the north-eastern groups and I am not in a position to say that the grouping of the Scottish railways will enable them to do so, but it should materially improve their position. As regards the remaining part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question I must ask him to wait until the forthcoming Bill is introduced.

asked the Prime Minister when the promised Bill for the protection of British industries will be introduced?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham (Mr. Terrell).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the export of willows from Holland to this country is prohibited, whilst at the same time a large export of basket and wicker-work from that country to this is being carried on; and whether, in the interests of the industry in this country, he will make representations to the Dutch authorities regarding the embargo upon the export of willows?

The prohibition of the exportation of willow wood, including peeled or unpeeled osier twig and osier rods, from the Netherlands was withdrawn by an Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, which came into force on 2nd February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the growing British export trade to Cuba, and of the Cuban Government's proposal to raise the import duty on British goods by 40 per cent, as a protest against the 50 per cent, extra duty on cigars imposed in the last Budget, he will consider cancelling this cigar duty in the interest of British export trade, which is just beginning to compete successfully with United States of America imports, and which the proposed 40 per cent. Cuban duty would absolutely stifle?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Hood) on the 23rd ultimo.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all restrictions on the import of sugar are to be removed as from the 28th February; whether he is aware, if this is so, that thereafter the sugar refiners of this country will be subject to severe competition from the product of foreign countries enjoying advantages over this country in the matter of cheap labour and favourable exchange, as well as from British Colonial sugar enjoying the preferential rate of duty; and whether he will take some steps in the forthcoming Budget in respect of this essential industry, employing a large number of workpeople?

After full discussion with the refiners, the Food Controller removed on the 26th February all restrictions on the import of sugar. This step is an essential part in the declared policy of His Majesty's Government, that War control should be removed as quickly as possible. I think the apprehensions of my hon. and gallant Friend as regards foreign competition are, at any rate, premature so far as the sugar industry is concerned; and, in any case, I could not now make any statement as to future legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to remedy the housing difficulty in cantonments in India and to reduce the excessive rents that officers have hitherto been compelled to pay?

In order to mitigate to some extent the difficulty of the shortage of house accommodation the Government of India propose to build hostels containing accommodation for about 12 married and 22 single officers at certain stations where accommodation is most inadequate, beginning with Lahore and Rawalpindi. The rate of progress must depend on the financial situation. The Government of India are also purchasing suitable houses in cantonments as they come on the market. The rent charged for quarters so provided is limited to a maximum of 10 per cent, of the officer's salary.

asked the Secretary of State for India out of the 35 Indian Army appointments offered at the last examination for Sandhurst in November, 1920, how many of the successful candidates put down their names for the Indian Army and how many of these were King's India cadets?

The examination to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was one for admission to the Royal Military College, and although the number of Indian Army appointments is announced at the time of the entrance examination, it is not until cadets are in their last term that they are called upon to state whether they wish to enter the Indian Army or a British regiment. This applies to ordinary cadets as well as to King's India cadets, but I have recently decided that future nominations to King's India cadetships shall be conditional on the candidates expressing their intention of entering the Indian Army.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government to give effect to the Esher Committee's recommendations in regard to the amelioration of the lot of the British Army in India; and, if so, when these recommendations will come into effect?

As I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Melton (Sir C. Yale) on the 23rd February, I hope, to be able to announce a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in cases of the Chinese form of adoption of children in the colony of Hong Kong, a formal contract known as a deed of presentation is entered into by the parties; and whether a copy of this form can be laid before the House?

The form of contract referred to is, I understand, usually known as "sung tip" or "document of presentation." I will ask the Governor to forward to me a translation of the form in common use, and will show it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will obtain a Return from each of the Dominion governments and Crown Colonies setting out the existing liquor traffic, including all measures securing to the people of such countries the right of local veto?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars in somewhat greater detail as to the nature of the Return which he desires, I shall be happy to consider how far it is possible to meet his wishes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether during the past few years the administration and direct control schemes of the Central Control Board, regarded as a whole, have involved financial loss or profit to the State; what is the present position; and whether figures can be published which will give the results in a simple and concise form?

I am informed that the operations of the Central Control Board are resulting in a financial gain to the State, since the surplus annually accruing from the Board's direct control undertakings at Carlisle and elsewhere exceeds, and has for some time exceeded, the whole of the expenditure of the Board upon all other purposes or branches of its work whatsoever. The appended table, which covers the whole period of nearly five years from May, 1915, to 31st March, 1920, the end of the last financial year, shows that by that date the State had already benefited to the extent of some £270,000 as the net financial result of the operations of the Board since their commencement. It is premature to estimate the rate at which this figure will increase in the future, but, subject to the reservations necessarily attaching to any such statement, the present rate of increase may be provisionally put at about £100,000 a year.

asked the Attorney-General whether representatives of the German Supreme Court of Judicature have been summoned to this country or whether it is within the knowledge of the Government that such representatives propose to come to London; and their names and the object of their visit?

In substance I answered this question yesterday. The German representatives referred to are Councillor von Lewinski and Dr. Feisenberger.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what was the number of proceedings for drunkenness in Scotland during the calendar year 1913 to 1920, inclusive, distinguishing between proceedings against men and women?

The figures for the year 1920 are not yet available, but the number of proceedings for offences involving drunkenness (exclusive of offences for breach of the peace) for the other years mentioned is as follows:

Year.		Men.	Women.	Total.
1913	…	38,443	11,773	50,216
1914	…	39,306	11,859	51,165
1915	…	36,438	11,739	48,177
1916	…	24,388	8,713	33,101
1917	…	14,922	5,568	20,490
1918	…	9,168	2,395	11,563
1919	…	17,722	4,250	21,972

asked the Minister of Labour whether unemployment donation is being withheld from John Millar, of i, Tennant Street, Chorlton - on - Medlock, Manchester, hydraulic packer, on the ground that the Ministry of Labour described him in error on his card as James Miller; and whether he will expedite the correction of the card and the payment of arrears of donation from December last?

I have ascertained that all the benefit due was paid to Mr. John Millar on Friday, the 25th February. The delay in making payment, which I very much regret, was caused by a question raised in connection with the identity of the claimant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is number of the staff employed at Kew Gardens and whether they are required to work overtime; and, if that is so, if some additional staff could be taken on to give employment to ex-service men and women who helped during the War and are now out of employment?

The total number of staff employed at Kew Gardens is 220, comprising 36 administrative and scientific staff and 184 industrial (labourers, gardeners, etc.). The number of ex-service men already employed is 145. Overtime is reduced to the lowest possible amount, but it cannot be obviated entirely by the employment of additional stall owing to the nature of the duties to be performed.