asked the Secretary of State for India what has been the result of his communication with the Government of India with regard to the cheapening of the cost of passages for Government officials to and from India?

The question is still under consideration in India. A telegram was sent last week to the Government of India, asking what stage the inquiry had reached. I await their final answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the number of bogus candidates who have been put forward at the recent elections in India, he will now consult the Government of India as to the advisability of requiring a deposit for each candidate for election to the imperial and provincial legislative councils, to be returned if the candidate secures a prescribed number of votes, but otherwise to be forfeited, the same as in the United Kingdom, and also as provided for in the new Constitution for Malta?

I will communicate my hon. and gallant Friend's question to the Government of India, who will no doubt review their original decision in the light of the experience since gained.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can make any statement on the extent to which native traders are refusing to meet British liabilities at any rate of exchange except 10 rupees to the £; and whether the Government is taking any action or can take any action to relieve the existing tension arising therefrom in commercial circles?

I understand that most of the important Indian piece goods associations have passed resolutions against the payment of drafts under a two-shilling rate of exchange. The Government of India have informed me that they do not consider that they can usefully intervene in the matter. At a meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India and Ceylon held last January the finance member of the Government of India strongly criticised the policy of refusal to meet contractual obligations, and I need hardly say that I entirely share his view of the position.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether an order for motor car chassis required by the Govern- ment of India has been placed in Italy; and, if so, will he state the number of the chassis so ordered and their value?

Orders for 144 motor vehicles of various kinds have been placed in Italy on behalf of the Government of India at a total cost of approximately £70,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that in times such as these the Government of India ought to have ordered material of that sort from Italy, seeing what the position of the motor car industry is in this country?

Is it the policy of the Government of India to buy cheaply or to assist in the employment of British workers?

The Government of India have to have regard to the interests of the Indian taxpayers. They would naturally prefer to buy here rather than abroad. The circumstances connected with this particular purchase, which I understand were ambulance cars, were that there was ready a surplus stock belonging to the Italian Government, and they were required to meet an urgent demand. British firms are going to tender for the remainder of the supply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these chassis were new ones or cars which had been used during the War?

I understand that they were surplus stock belonging to the Italian Government, as far as the majority of the cars are concerned. I am not sure whether they were new or had been used during the War, but if my Noble Friend will put another question I will ascertain.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that British manufacturers are preparing special designs for motor vehicles at the request of the India Office and submitting vehicles for trial in April; and will he, under these circumstances, see that the requirements of the India Office for motor transport in India are satisfied through British manufacturers?

Sample motor vehicles are being prepared by British manufacturers for trial in India. Provided that these samples prove to be satisfactory after trial, the High Commissioner will give the British manufacturers full opportunities of tendering for any supplies that may be required, and will give every attention to such tenders.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken by the Government of India to secure the safety and interests of the officials and non-officials in India who either prepared the cases or gave evidence against men who were convicted of conspiring and abetting the waging of war against the King in the late rebellion in the Punjab or who have manifested their loyalty in other ways, and who now, as stated in the Press, are being insulted, defamed, and attacked simply because they have a record of loyal service during the War?

I have seen the letter to which the hon. and gallant Baronet refers. I am addressing inquiries to the Government of India on the subject; meanwhile I am placing in the Library a list of those in the Punjab and Delhi whom the Government has rewarded or thanked for good services during the disturbances. The list, it will be seen, contains over 1,400 names.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the export duty on tea presses heavily upon an industry exposed at present to many adverse influences; and whether, in view of the comparatively satisfactory condition of Indian finances, the Government of India will abolish this novel additional impost?

My hon. Friend will have seen that the Government of India have found themselves under the necessity of raising additional revenue amounting to 19 crores in the coming financial year. In the curcumstances it is not surprising that they have not seen their way to proposing any remissions of taxation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give the House any information regarding action taken, or to be taken, upon the Esher Report?

I am not yet in a position to announce any conclusions on the recommendations of the Esher Committee, except on certain proposals in Part V., regarding which I hope to make an announcement shortly, as I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Melton on the 23rd February.

Is the position altered by the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly of India as regards the Esher Report? Does that resolution alter the position as regards the action to be taken upon it?

I am not sure to which resolution my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for India what decision has been taken as regards the Burma Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the Burma Reform Bill will be introduced; and whether he will give sufficient interval between the introduction of the Bill and its reference to the Standing Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament to enable the opinions of the various persons interested to be made public?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now able to state on what date he expects to introduce the Burma Reforms Bill.

I hope it will be introduced in another place this week.

Will it be referred to a Select Committee?

I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill Clause 36, expressed the definite opinion that in the case of members of the Indian services who felt that they could not usefully take part in the new reform schemes they should be offered an equivalent career elsewhere, or that they should be allowed to retire on proportionate pensions; whether, in consequence of this recommendation, members of the Indian Civil Service memorialised the Secretary of State with a view to securing such pensions; whether the Secretary of State, in his despatch to the Viceroy of October, 1920, stated that he would not consent to a scale of pensions which it would be open to any member of the service to claim as a matter of right on a mere statement that he found himself unable to serve under the new conditions; upon what grounds he has overridden the decision of the Joint Select Committee; and what is the present position with regard to members of the Indian Civil Service who desire to retire on proportionate pensions?

The despatch to which my hon. Friend refers does not in any way override the recommendation of the Joint Select Committee, which can be adopted without devising a scale of pension. I can assure the House that any case of the kind which comes before the Secretary of State in Council will be dealt with in strict accord with the recommendation of the Joint Select Committee and the pledges that I have given to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will take into consideration the hardship of many old well-tried Indian Civil servants who retired prior to 1913, and have not, therefore, benefited by the increased pension; and will he take steps to place these pensioners on an equal footing with their younger brethren, especially recognising the fact that their increasing years is a bar to other remunerative employment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education on my behalf to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton on the 28th October last. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in the instructions issued to the governors of Indian provinces or presidencies they are directed to safeguard all members of His Majesty's services in the legitimate exercise of their functions and in the enjoyment of all recognised rights and privileges, and to see that no order of the Local Provincial Council or of the Local Legislative Council shall be so framed that any of the diverse interests of, or arising from, race, religion, education, social condition, wealth, or any other circumstance may receive unfair advantage, or may unfairly be deprived of privileges or advantages which they have heretofore enjoyed; and whether he is responsible to Parliament to see that governors of provinces act in accordance with his instructions?

The hon. Member has correctly quoted parts of certain passages in the instructions issued over the Royal Sign Manual to the governors of "Governors' provinces." The answer to the last part of this question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that in the preamble of the Government of India Act it is expressly stated that the Imperial Parliament, in considering the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India, must be guided by the co-operation received from those in whom new opportunities of service will be conferred and by the extent to which it is found that confidence can be reposed in their sense of responsibility, he will inform the House whether Members of Parliament will be able to ascertain from the Secretary of State from time to time as to the manner in which the various provincial councils are dealing with matters committed to them so that Parliament may be guided as to its future action regarding the conferring of further responsibilities on such provincial councils?

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions in Section 84A of the amended Government of India Act for the appointment of the first Statutory Commission for the very purpose which he has in view. Parliament is, of course, fully entitled to seek information, but I trust it will not seek to intervene in matters specifically entrusted to Indian legislatures.

I understand that this Parliament can ascertain facts which occur in these legislatures or with regard to the action of the governors without interfering with what actually takes place?

I always desire to place at the disposal of the House any information of this kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was requested to take a question off the Paper to-day which related solely to a question of fact and nothing else?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Dr. A. D. Denning, of Stafford, entered into a contract with the Indian Government for five years' service in India; that at the end of three years the contract was terminated on medical grounds which were afterwards found to be erroneous; that subsequently it was claimed and upheld that, despite any contract, the services of a servant could be terminated at the will and pleasure of the Crown; that the India Office has since granted Dr. Denning £500, which is not sufficient to cover his costs in the legal action; and that consequently Dr. Denning is without compensation for the loss of his appointment; whether this case will have further consideration; and whether, in order that men of ability may be encouraged to enter into these contracts, he will consider the advisability of abandoning the claim that service can be terminated at the will and pleasure of the Crown?

The facts referred to in the first two parts of the question are generally as stated except that the medical grounds on which Dr. Denning's contract was terminated were not found to be erroneous. As regards the third part of the question, Dr. Denning subsequently brought an action for breach of contract or, in the alternative, for wrongful dismissal; the Secretary of State for India in Council contended that Dr. Denning's service was terminated in accordance with his agreement by which he undertook to obey the rules prescribed for his branch of the public service; these rules provide for the termination of an officer's duty on grounds of ill-health; but the case was settled on a preliminary point of law that no action can lie against the Crown for the termination of such service at the pleasure of the Crown; in view of certain comments made by Mr. Justice Bailhache on the form of the agreement (an old form which was altered some years ago) Dr. Denning was granted by the Secretary of State for India in Council £500 on account of his coats; I am not aware that this sum is insufficient for the purpose, nor that he has any claim, on the merits, to compensation for the loss of his appointment. I do not think that this particular case calls for further consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that it would be improper to introduce in the contracts referred to any words purporting to limit the right of the Crown to dispense with the services of its officers, but this right would naturally be used, if at all, only in very exceptional circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under our commercial institutions and industrial arrangements employers and workmen get equality so far as notice is concerned, and why are these civil servants to be treated in a different way from the industrial workers and employers in this country?

I am not familiar with private employment. Of course, analogies are always very dangerous things, and I should have to consider the exact application of the analogy which the hon. Member desires to make.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that Dr. Denning, by the action of the Government of India, has suffered very severely in prospects, and although £500 may go some way towards compensating him there are other considerations in his case which ought to be continually in the mind of the Government with a view to reinstating this man in something like the position he had before he took service under the Government of Bengal. Will the right hon. Gentleman look once again into these contracts and see if some Clause cannot be inserted safeguarding the interests of persons who take service in this way?

The form of contract has been altered since Dr. Denning signed with a view to obviating some of the difficulties. I would point out that the Council of India, in regard to Dr. Denning, have acted within the law in recognition of the difficulties of his position.

If the contract has been altered, has it been to the advantage of the civil servants?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the new form of contract and the old one, and then the hon. Member can see for himself. I think the new form makes the position quite clear.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether certain officers of the Indian State railways when the War broke out were given 20 months' work at Army Headquarters, Q Branch, India, then detailed for active service with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force; in 1916 were placed on recruiting duty for Mesopotamia railways, and embarked for Basrah July, 1916, and served with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force till 14th July, 1920; whether during the whole period such officers wore military officers' uniforms with badges of rank and were subject to military law; why they were given only relative rank and no commission and were debarred from holding their Indian volunteer commission, which lapsed from date of embarkation, although other railway officers in France and East Africa and other departmental officers, such as posts and telegraphs, were in Mesopotamia granted commissions; whether these officers have constantly made representations as to the unfair way they have been treated; and why, if officers of the Postal Department in Mesopotamia were granted commissions at an advanced date, the same course cannot be taken with railway officers, especially those who held volunteer commissioned rank in India?

I have no information on the subject, but will inquire of the Government of India.

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to get the information which will enable him to answer this question?

It is very difficult to get the information. I will see if I can obtain it by telegraph.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for India is it a fact that increased duties on imports to India are imposed from to-day, following the new India Budget; and are any steps being taken or likely to be taken by which Empire goods will receive preferential treatment in India?

Increased duties were imposed as from yesterday. Simultaneously an announcement has with my approval been made in India that a Commission will be appointed to examine, with reference to all the interests concerned, into the future fiscal policy of the Government of India, including the desirability of adopting the principle of Imperial Preference. The House will realise that no decision regarding Imperial Preference can be taken until the Commission reports.

Can we have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that he will be a whole-hearted supporter of Imperial Preference?

I am very anxious that in any fiscal arrangement devised for the Empire, India will take her place as a free partner in the British Empire following the general Imperial practice

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much prize money has been paid to officers and men of the Royal Navy to date what is the total amount of the prize fund; how much of this fund will be available for distribution to the Royal Navy; and is it intended to issue a balance sheet at an arly date?

The amount of prize money authorised for payment to members of the naval forces to date is approximately £4,750,000. A sum of £7,500,000 has so far been received for the Naval Prize Fund, but it cannot be stated how much more than the original appropriation of £5,500,000 will be available for further distribution, until the various Prize Court accounts are cleared up, and the total amount of claims ranking against the Fund under the rulings of the Naval Prize Tribunal has been ascertained. Meanwhile all the balance in hand is kept invested for the benefit of the Fund. The Prize Fund accounts are laid before the House annually in accordance with the requirements of the Naval Prize Act. That for the current year ending on the 31st March, 1921, will be completed at the earliest date possible.

Is it contemplated making a second distribution of prize money to officers and men of the Royal Navy?

May I ask whether, when it was seen there will be an extra sum in hand, something on account will not be paid to those entitled to it, in view of the fact that they are extremely short of money and many are out of employment?

I will consider what can be done in that matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the inhabitants of Hamble on account of the continued occupation of the river by motor launches; and, if these motor launches are to be disposed of, whether he will arrange that they should be moved periodically to other harbours so that more of the public may have an opportunity of seeing them, while, at the same time, less inconvenience would be caused to yachtsmen and the inhabitants of Hamble if the passage of the river were open?

The boats in question have already been disposed of by sale and are no longer the property of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say what will be the relative strength of America, Japan, and Great Britain in capital ships in 1924 and 1925 if the present building proposals are carried out, and if ships at present under construction are completed; and whether he can indicate how many ships in each case will embody the lessons learnt in the Great War?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

As regards the second part, the figures are as follow:

1924.
Great Britain.	U.S.A.	Japan.
1	18	8
1925.
Great Britain.	US.A.	Japan.
1	18	11

When will the Report of the Cabinet Committee on this question be issued?

I have no information on that point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why labourers at the Harbour of Refuge, Peterhead, Scotland, are the only men who have not participated in the award in accordance with the agreement of the building trades of 1920; and whether he will take action in the matter?

The agreement to which my hon. Friend refers is not applicable to the labourers in question. The labourers employed at Peterhead are paid not less than the district rate.

Is it not the fact that in all previous agreements arrived at between the building trade employers and employed the labourers in question have received the advantages conceded? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is rather hard on these men that they should not participate in the agreement arrived at in 1920, when at the same time craft union men are getting an advance of something like 4d. per hour?

My answer here does not apply to the labourers in question. The labourers employed there are paid not less than the district rate.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has been come to as to the building of capital ships for the Navy in the next financial year; and, if so, will he say what that decision is?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Are the Cabinet alive to the grave international importance of this question and its grave effect on the finances of the ensuing year, and can they not give us an assurance that before any Naval Vole comes on we shall know something of what their policy is going to be?

Naturally this subject, as I stated in answer to a previous question, will be discussed on the Naval Estimates which will be introduced in the next few weeks.

In view of the position which this question occupies internationally and financially, I beg leave to give notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment to-night.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the last two Navy Estimates were introduced the First Lord was unable to state what the policy was, and when is the Government going to reach a naval policy?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken. My right hon. Friend stated what the policy of the Government then was, and I hope it will be possible to state it again this year.

Is the House to understand that the Government is unable to say what is the use of a battleship?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that under the Trade Boards Acts it is not practicable to secure a reduction in a minimum rate fixed under a period of approximately nine months, whether he is aware that unemployment is caused and is likely to be caused thereby; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to remedy this defect?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension as to the length of time required by a Trade Board to effect a variation in minimum rates of wages. When the Amending Bill of 1918 was before the House, representations were made that too rapid fluctuations of wages were prejudicial to industry. For this reason it was decided that minimum rates of wages should not normally be varied by a Trade Board until they had been in operation for six months. Power was, however, reserved to the Minister in special circumstances to allow a Trade Board to propose a variation of rates at any time.

Is it not a fact that very strenuous efforts are now being made by employers connected with Trade Boards to bring about wholesale wage reductions in the trades affected by the Trade Boards Act?

I do not think that arises here.

It is a much larger question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the amount of unemployment which is being caused owing to the high cost of production, he will withhold his assent to any further increases in minimum rates which various Trade Boards continue to make?

In the consideration of the question of confirming rates of wages which may be submitted to me by Trade Boards, I shall, of course, have full regard to the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I may add that inquiry shows that the amount of unemployment in trades covered by Trade Boards is not appreciably greater than that in other trades.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is proceeding to set up 26 more Trade Boards for the wholesale and retail distributing trades; what will be the total additional expenditure for staffs in connection with these Boards; whether they are necessary owing to allegations of sweated conditions in these industries; and what are the 26 different trades for which these Trade Boards are required?

Having regard to the conditions existing in the distributive trades, I propose to apply the Acts to the distributive trades as circumstances permit. It is impossible to state the number of Trade Boards which it will be necessary to establish, but the addition to expenditure will be comparatively small.

What are the trades to which it is proposed to extend the Act?

I said "as circumstances permit." I have their case before me. I will give the hon. and gallant Gentleman early notice.

Is it not a fact that the Ministry has already given notice to 26 different trades that they are to be included? Is it a fact that 26 trades will not add to the clerical staff?

No.

Would it not be better to consult those industries first?

The closest and most careful consultation is made. I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend is right in saying it has been finally decided to establish trade boards in 26 cases. They are before me. I am giving all the consideration I can to them. I will raise the matter and let him know.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the minimum rates of wages fixed by Trade Boards for the dressmaking and millinery trade, large numbers of workpeople have been thrown out of employment; and whether he will suspend the operation of the rates during the present period of depression?

I should be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend would be good enough to supply me with specific cases of the kind described in his ques- tion, in order that inquiry may be made into the circumstances. The Trade Boards have power to propose variations of the rates, and I should be prepared to place before them such facts as my hon. and gallant Friend may supply. The only means by which the rates could be suspended would be by the withdrawal of the trades from the scope of the operation of the Acts by Special Order, and I am not prepared to contemplate such a course on the facts before me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the records of women n receipt of unemployment pay show the number who possess knowledge of domestic service work; if so, what that number is in each English county; and whether the officials of his Department do their best to impress on all these women with some knowledge of household duties the desirability of filling some of the innumerable vacant places which still await applicants?

There were 13,261 women in receipt of unemployment benefit on 11th February who were registered fur domestic service, including service in hotels, boarding houses, etc. Corresponding figures for each county are not available. The Exchanges make every effort to fill domestic service vacancies. One of the great difficulties is, however, that the chief shortage is of resident servants, while the supply of suitable applicants mainly consists of non-resident servants. For instance, on 7th January there were on the average six resident vacancies for every suitable woman on the register, and on the other hand six women on the register for every non-resident vacancy.

Is the Department going to continue the payment of this out-of-work donation to women who undoubtedly will not accept the employment placed at their disposal?

The Act makes full provision for that. Applicants for benefit must be capable of, available for, and willing to undertake suitable work. That is the law. If is for the Exchange to refuse or suspend benefit, and then the matter goes to the Insurance Officer, and the Court of Referees, and, if necessary, to the Umpire.

Does the Employment Department refuse to give this out-of-work donation, or does the Department over which my right hon. Friend presides so admirably treat it, not with that care and attention which naturally it should have, with the result that many of these women get the payment, and thereby stultify the desires of those who wish to give them employment?

Will my right hon. Friend state what is the policy of the Department in distinguishing between resident and non-resident applicants for domestic service?

In view of the great number of women who could be placed in domestic employment, what steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken to arrange for classes so that these women may be trained in domestic work?

This is becoming a Debate.

Cannot we have an answer to the question as to what is the Ministry of Labour's policy in distinguishing between, resident and non-resident applicants?

I am afraid I do not quite follow what my hon. Friend desires. Does he mean a classification of the applicants?

My right hon. Friend has distinguished between those who are applicants for resident and those for non-resident domestic service. I am asking him what is the rule of the Department in distinguishing or dividing such applicants into one class or the other.

In determining whether or not the applicant is entitled to benefit?

Yes

The rules are precisely the same. We have to carry out the law, and I trust that the officials do so with proper care and attention. The law says that candidates must be capable of, available for, and unable to obtain suitable employment.

You added "and willing."

Yes, and willing to take suitable employment. It is the duty of the local Exchange to question the right to benefit. It would then be referred to the Insurance Officer, and the aggrieved person has open to her the Court of Referees and the Umpire to determine whether or not the benefit should be awarded or forfeited.

In ascertaining whether the applicant is capable of performing the work, are the women questioned as to whether they have ever been in domestic service, or merely asked what their immediately preceding employmnt was?

I cannot compel an answer to any question. No doubt, if a question of that kind were put, and a candidate was disinclined to answer it, that would unquestionably raise the presumption that it was a case in which the right to benefit should be further examined.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I happen to be one of the Court of Referees, and practically the question does arise whether or not an applicant who has had partial domestic service and is offered complete domestic service and refuses it, is available for benefit or not. My question is, What is the regulation made by the Ministry of Labour to distinguish between these two classes?

I think that a definite question had better be put down on that point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the discontent caused by obliging women employed in domestic service in houses connected with business establishments to come under the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1920; whether a maid so employed who changes into domestic service in a private house would lose all benefits from the insurance money that she had paid; and whether he could see his way to remedy that injustice by exempting them from the Act as coming under the heading of domestic service?

Under Part II (b) of the First Schedule of the Act, employ- ment in domestic service in a trade or business carried on for the purposes of gain is compulsorily insurable. I am not aware of any widespread discontent with this provision of the Act. A domestic servant entering private service after paying contributions under the Act would retain the full benefit of these contributions for a year, and thereafter may at any time within five years from last paying contributions again secure the benefit of these contributions, if she re-enters insured employment and pays a further number of 12 contributions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that women in domestic service before the War are registering for out-of-work pay for their war-time occupations; and whether, in view of the great demand for domestic servants, he is taking any steps to make it compulsory for these people to state their pre-War occupations?

Women previously engaged in domestic service who paid Unemployment Insurance contributions during the War are entitled to claim unemployment benefit in respect of these contributions, provided that they satisfy the statutory conditions, one of which is that they must be available for work but unable to obtain suitable employment. Applicants for benefit are asked to furnish all necessary information for determining the occupation for which they are best suited. I have no power to compel applicants to answer questions, but any refusal to answer relevant inquiries would obviously lead to the suspension of the claim and its reference to a Court of Referees.

Is it a fact that many of these domestics are required to be reengaged in service at pre-War rates and can we get an assurance that they will not be requested to work more than 24 hours a day?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the strong feeling that exists among outworkers at their exclusion from the Unemployment Insurance Acts of 1920; and whether he will state why these workers are excluded, seeing that they are in certain industries a regular part of the machinery of production and that this was recognised by their inclusion in the Health Insurance Acts and in unemployment gratuity paid last year?

The nature of the employment followed by outworkers is such that it would in general be impracticable to check in any satisfactory manner the fact that outworkers are unemployed and unable to obtain work. It is for this reason that outworkers have been excluded from the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as they were similarly excluded from the Unemployment Insurance Acts of 1911 and 1916.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that gamekeepers and the employers of gamekeepers are both strongly opposed to his decision of 23rd December, 1920, to the effect that gamekeepers must come under the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1920; did he receive a letter, dated 6th December, 1920, conveying a resolution from the Gamekeepers' Association embodying their objections; and can he now state why he found himself unable to give effect to their objections?

A letter dated 6th December, 1920, was received from the Gamekeepers' Association. It did not, however, contain any grounds on which it was possible to except gamekeepers from the provisions of the Act. Under Section 10 (1) (i) of the Act, it is open for any person aggrieved by a decision of the Minister to appeal from that decision to the High Court.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great feeling of injustice that exists among the gamekeepers all over the country, on the ground that, while foresters and all agricultural labourers are excluded from the Act, gamekeepers have suddenly been included; and will he take steps to obtain from the Gamekeepers' Association the grounds which have been laid before the Department—I have done it myself—on which they desire exemption?

I have the grounds of exemption urged in the letter now before me. They are (1) the permanence of the employment; and (2) the fact that on change of employment they do not use the employment exchange. Those are not grounds on which I could act. In any case, however, the aggrieved person has the right of appeal to the High Court.

If it is not the wish of either the employers or the employed in a certain branch, are they still obliged to come in under the Act?

Certainly; insurance is insurance. We cannot allow anyone at their will to be relieved of the opportunities of contributing to insurance. If they are not established, and under no circumstances liable to be unemployed, then, if they are in an insured trade, we ask them to be insured.

To whom do the funds from the gamekeepers go?

They go to the Insurance Fund, so that if any gamekeeper is hereafter out of employment he may get the benefit.

rose—

We must not argue the question.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken by the Government to relieve unemployment amongst women; whether the institution by local authorities of training classes for unemployed women would come under the heads of works of public utility for the purposes of receiving public grants in aid; and whether Labour Exchanges, when dealing with unemployed men and women, have any system for notifying offers of employment in other areas than that for which the applicant is registered?

As my Noble and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, women are entitled to unemployment benefit subject to the same conditions as those applicable to men. The institution of relief works providing employment suitable for women is beset with difficulties, and has not hitherto been found practicable. The conditions governing public grants in aid for works of public utility do not enable such grants to be made in aid of training classes. As regards the last part of the question, vacancies which cannot be filled locally are circulated to all Employment Ex- changes throughout the Kingdom by means of the "National Clearing House Gazette," which is publicly exhibited in the waiting rooms of Employment Exchanges. At the present time, however, owing to the widespread unemployment, there are in general few opportunites for transferring workpeople from one district to another, and such opportunities as occur are greatly hampered by the shortage of housing, accommodation.

Could it not be considered whether training classes for women, such as are suggested in the question, could be instituted under Lord St. David's scheme?

That is a matter of the conditions under which Lord St. David's Committee make the grant. I will go into it, but the Noble Lord must not take it that I can give any assurance.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any records to show the present number of unemployed agricultural workers; whether he is aware that there is a great quantity of work available in country districts; and what is the cause of unemployment existing in agriculture when both work and workers are available?

The number of agricultural workers on the registers of Employment Exchanges on the 7th January, 1921, was 6,162, of whom 4,603 were farm labourers and 204 were women—a rate of unemployment of less than 1 per cent. The figures apply to the whole of the United Kingdom, and the number out of work in any district is not considerable. The number of applications from employers for workpeople at the same date was 285.

asked the Minister of Labour how the rates of unemployment pay per head per week in this country compare with the rates obtaining in the United States, France, Belgium, and Italy, respectively?

There is nothing in the United States, France, or Belgium comparable to the system of compulsory State insurance against unemployment which has been established in this country. I will, if I may, circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT information with regard to the rates of benefit obtainable at the present time under the compulsory State insurance scheme in Italy.

May we take it in consonance with the right hon. Gentleman's answer that we are the most generous of the Great Powers on the question of unemployed?

I have said that there is nothing comparable in the case of the States named in the question. My hon. Friend will draw his own conclusion.

Following is the information promised:—

Under the provisions of the Italian Unemployment Insurance System, as laid down in the Decree of 19th October, 1919, the weekly benefit is fixed as follows, varying according to the wage-scale of the contributor:

Earnings and Unemployment Benefit.

1. Not exceeding 24 lire—7.50 lire.

2. Above 24, but not exceeding 48 lire— 15.00 lire.

3. Above 48 lire—22.50 lire.

In no case may the benefit exceed one-half of the rate of earnings.

Strictly speaking, no comparison whatever is admissible with any foreign scheme except the above. As regards a comparison between the Italian scheme and that in force in this country the figures given below would, however, involve no very serious error. The benefit shown as payable in this country is that proposed under the new Bill:

(1) Wages of a skilled male operative (engineering) per full week are:

United Kingdom (about), 100s.

Italy (about), 160 lire.

(2) Weekly benefit.

United Kingdom, 20s.

Italy, 22½ lire.

(3) Proportion of Benefit to Wages.

United Kingdom, 20 per cent.

Italy, 14 per cent.

In view of the differing purchasing power of the currencies of the two countries a direct comparison between the commodity value of the benefit paid in one country and the other cannot properly be drawn.

asked the Minister of Labour, seeing that the Government are arranging for dilution in the building trade, if he is prepared to draft legislation to prevent unemployment in such industry; and, if not, what hopes has he that the men employed as dilutees will be able to secure a livelihood in the future?

Unemployment in the building industry at the present moment is of very small proportions, apart from those occupations which are either particularly liable to seasonal fluctuations in demand or have been specially affected by the shortage of craftsmen in the key trades of the industry. There appears to be no need for special legislation to be adopted for the building industry.

Am I to understand that these men, who have been put into the industry and trained somewhat at the expense of the taxpayers, will probably, in the course of two years' time, find themselves on the streets without any employment at all?

My hon. Friend is not to understand that at all, and he will understand this rather remarkable fact that, of all the crafts I know of, there are only two, even in the present grave state of industrial depression, where the number of vacancies offered is smaller than the number of men offered. Those two are the bricklayers and the plasterers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some thousands of men have been trained at the Government expense in the boot and shoe industry, and, having been trained, are now on the streets; and is he expecting a similar result from placing these men in the building industry?

I believe that the men whom the boot and shoe industry has very generously allowed us to train are suffering from the heavy weather which industry is at the present time experiencing, though not more than other classes—indeed, less, if anything, I should think, from the figures. What that has to do with the building industry, however, I do not know.

Has the right hon. Gentleman endeavoured to ascertain from the ex-service men now out of employment the number desiring to serve as apprentices in the building trade?

That is a question which ought to be put down.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the co-operative movement in Great Britain at the Armistice, and the number employed now?

According to the returns of the Co-operative Union, the number of persons employed in the co-operative movement at the end of 1918 was 164,383. The corresponding figures for the end of 1919, the latest date for which figures are available, was 187,535. It is known, however, that the number has considerably increased since the end of 1919.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed by municipal authorities at the Armistice, and the number at present?

According to the returns to the Ministry of Labour, the total number of persons employed in municipal gas, water, electricity, trams, and general services was 575,000 at November, 1920, as compared with 407,000 at November, 1918.

Does not this increase account to a marked extent for the great rise in rates?

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of persons in Ireland who are thrown out of work duo to the destruction of co-operative creameries and dairies?

I am unable to state the number of persons thrown out of work by the destruction of co-operative creameries and dairies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the destruction of these creameries £500,000 worth of trade has been lost, with consequent unemployment?

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the reproduction in a French journal of a translation of an article in the "Daily News" by a Mr. Masterman, in which it is stated that the Irish guerilla forces have captured many hundreds of policemen and soldiers and have treated them with uniform kindness and courtesy and after a time released them, while the British Government have immediately hanged all the Sinn Feiners whom they have captured; if he will state the number of policemen and soldiers murdered by the Irish Republican Forces in 1919 and 1920, and the number of captured Irish hanged during the same period; and if the Government will take steps to secure publicity in France of the real facts of the question to counteract the inaccuracies that are now being circulated there through the instrumentality of certain political organisations in this country?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has already called the attention of the House to the article referred to, and he made a subsequent statement to the House which will be within the recollection of hon. Members.

An apology!

Certainly, an apology. I do not want to minimise the apology he made. During the years 1919 and 1920 236 soldiers and police were murdered in Ireland. During the same period one man who was caught red-handed in a murderous attack on troops drawing bread from a bakery during which three soldiers were murdered was tried and executed.

The suggestion contained in the last part of the question is receiving most careful attention.

Will it not only receive careful attention, but will it be acted upon, in order that the same publicity may be given in the French papers to the statement now made by the right hon. Gentleman as was given to the article which appeared in the French papers under the signature of a Mr. Masterman?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French newspapers contain a good deal more news about Ireland, and truer news, than the English newspapers?

In the right hon. Gentleman's statement to-day he referred to a statement made by the Chief Secretary in which he expressed to Mr. Masterman on the 23rd of last month his profound regret for having made the statement referred to.

For having used his name.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who was responsible for this article?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this information shall be published in the French newspapers?

We will do all in our power to diffuse truth, not only in this country, but in foreign countries.

And in this House.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of adult workers reside at Barking who have to attend at the East Ham Employment Exchange to sign on and that at times the adults in question have to remain there some hours before they can sign on; that additional huts are about to be fixed up at the back of the existing premises in East Ham; and that there is a Juvenile Exchange at Barking; whether some arrangements will be made so that the adults can sign on at the Employment Exchange at Barking so as to relieve the pressure at East Ham; and if he will take action in the matter?

Barking residents have two Exchanges available for them, namely, those at East Ham and Ilford.

The Juvenile Exchange at Barking is situated in the premises of the local authority and cannot be made available for adult applicants. Some waiting is inevitable at present at the East Ham Exchange owing to the large numbers to be dealt with and the limited accommodation, but every effort is being made to expedite the provision of additional accommodation. I am advised that the congestion mainly occurs in the mornings owing to the attendance of applicants before the Exchange is opened. Before the close of the year I issued instructions that every endeavour in the way of acquiring additional premises and temporary staff must be made in thickly-populated areas, so that everything possible might be done to avoid delays.

Could not some provision be made so that men and women who are living at Barking would be allowed to register at the Exchange at Barking instead of having to walk 1½ miles in one case and 2 miles in the other?

East Ham Exchange is 1½ miles. That is a hardship, but I have great difficulty in getting other premises. We are doing all we can to pay these men as expeditiously and as smoothly as possible and with as little delay and inconvenience as possible.

Is not the Juvenile Exchange at Barking for people who reside at Barking?

That belongs to the local authority. I put it to those who help me this morning whether we could not ask for that.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Reparation Commission or any other body have stopped the migration of securities from Germany?

The export of capital from Germany is prohibited by various laws of the German Government, the chief of which is the Law of 26th June, 1918. I understand that the object of these laws is to prevent the evasion of taxes.

asked the Prime Minister the total amount received by Great Britain in money and goods from Germany up to date; what is the number of British troops in the Army of Occupation and the cost of the same; whether the cost is included in the reparation proposals or whether it is proposed to levy a separate and distinct charge to cover this; and will he state the amount of taxation per head of the population in Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke Newington on the 28th February. The total number of British troops in the Army of Occupation on the 1st February last was 12,909, all ranks, costing approximately £219,200 per month. The costs of the Armies of Occupation are the first charge on the amounts recovered from Germany, but are payable in addition to the sum payable by her for reparations. With regard to the last part of the question, the following estimate has been made of the total tax revenue per head in the countries named:

Germany	…	599	Marks.
France	…	390	Francs.
Italy	…	200	Lire.
United Kingdom	…	£22.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the sterling value of those figures on the present rates of exchange?

The hon. Member had better put that question on Paper.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have in their possession any information which would indicate the amount of indemnity which the Germans hoped to extract from this country and the method they intended to use to secure payment?

His Majesty's Government are not in possession of any official information of the kind referred to in the question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether consideration of the Mesopotamian Mandate has been delayed by the League of Nations at the request of the American Government; and, if so, whether he will publish the correspondence on the subject?

The decision of the Council of the League to postpone the consideration of the Mandates, including that of Mesopotamia, till its next meeting was taken independently of any request from the American Government, and was concurred in by the British representative. The decision regarding the publication of correspondence between the American Government and the Council rests with the latter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether consideration of the Palestine Mandate has also been postponed?

I understand so.

And the East African Mandate?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, approximately, when the next meeting will be held?

It will be in two or three months, but I do not know the exact date.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Mandates after agreement between the Government and the League of Nations will be submitted to this House in the form of Bills, or in what manner provision will be made to enable the House to amend them in regard to financial or other details?

I think that it is premature to answer this question until the Mandates have been dealt with by the League of Nations.

Will the Government take into consideration the precedent of the action of the Australian Parliament with regard to New Guinea, which is embodied in the New Guinea Act, recently passed?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that as the Mandate will not come to this House until after it has been accepted we shall, in some way or other, retain control of the expenditure that is necessary under the Mandate?

I do not think that I can say more than I have said in the answer to previous questions. It is obvious that the final control must rest with the House of Commons.

I want the right hon. Gentleman to go a bit further, and say that it is not a mere question of putting the Mandate before us as a whole and accepting it or rejecting it. We may want the Mandate with amendments.

I do not see how that could be done. What would happen would be this: Assuming that the Mandate is presented as a Treaty would be presented, if the House of Commons does not like it and says "we would prefer it in this form," the Government of the day would then re-present it in the form in which the House of Commons would like it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the Australian Government and Parliament did actually amend the forced labour clause of the Mandate with respect to New Guinea, and amended it in a progressive direction?

From what I have said it is obvious that this House would have precisely the same powers.

I had a private notice question addressed to the Leader of the House which was postponed from yesterday, whether he will inform the House what are the so-called international troops of the League of Nations to which Switzerland has just refused a passage through the Republic's territories to Vilna on the ground that more troops may have to be sent to protect the original troops which may find themselves engaged in warfare, in which Switzerland may become involved; whether such a danger is peculiar—

This question is too involved. I have not seen it. It appears to me that it is a question which should be put on the Paper.

This question was seen by Mr. Speaker and was called yesterday and at the request of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the House it was postponed until to-day. Therefore unless you rule that it is out of order I will finish the question.

I did not know that it was intended to ask it to-day. No doubt what the hon. Member says is correct.

The remainder of this question was, "Whether such danger is peculiar to Switzerland or common to other nations subscribing to this League of Nations?"

This subject is at present under consideration by the Council of the League of Nations and I am not, therefore, in a position to reply to my hon. Friend's question.

With reference to the information I have received, may I ask the Leader of the House whether he will state what are the so-called international troops of the League of Nations?

The so-called international troops of the League of Nations are troops derived from a variety of nations.

Risked the Prime Minister whether the Milner Report is to be discussed this Session; and, if so, whether he can give a date for the discussion?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Mansfield.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to save a large amount of expenditure by sending copies of the "Labour Gazette" out in thin wrappers instead of in the large stout envelopes, nearly two feet long and over a foot wide, at present being used?

Of that part of the distribution of the "Labour Gazette" with which the Ministry of Labour is concerned, amounting to some 10,000 copies monthly, about 9,900 copies are issued in thin wrappers and less than 100 in envelopes. The size of the envelopes generally used in these cases is much below that suggested by my hon. Friend. If, however, he will supply me with particulars of a recent case in which an envelope of that size has been used, I will have further inquiries made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of issuing the really essential information contained in this "Gazette" through the ordinary press channels and so save what is a very expensive and unnecessary publication?