asked the Chief Secretary whether he has yet completed the inquiries into the damaging to the extent of £2,000 of the co-operative creamery, and the assault on the manager, on the 18th October last at Abberdorney; if he is aware that the manager, Mr. T. O'Donovan, has made a sworn affidavit that the looting and firing of this creamery and the unprovoked assault on himself was committed by police in uniform; that, on the matter being raised in this House last Session, the dwellings of the manager and engineman were burnt down by forces of the Crown; and that the investigation ordered by himself into this outrage was conducted by some of the men who had looted and fired the creamery on the 18th October, 1920.

I have within the past week had further inquiries made into this matter by police who were not in County Kerry on 18th October last, when a store at the rear of this creamery was burnt. I am aware that Mr. Donovan, the manager, alleges that he was assaulted, and that the store was fired by Crown forces in police and khaki uniforms. I am also aware that his house and that of Mr. Twomey, the fireman, were burnt on 11th November. Mr. Donovan, however, declares himself unable to identify or give evidence against any individual for either charge; and the police are unable to find any person who can give evidence which will lead to the apprehension of the culprits.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the extreme hardship and financial loss caused to the motor trade in Dublin and other Irish towns by the curfew regulations and the orders restricting the use of motor cars to very limited areas; and whether he will consider the advisability of modifying the curfew regulations and extending the area for the use of motor cars?

No, Sir, I do not propose to modify regulations which have been made with the sole object of safeguarding the lives of law-abiding persons and rendering crimes of violence less easy of performance. The imposition of such regulations, unhappily necessary in the present state of affairs, does cause hardship, but that is inevitable as long as a state of rebellion exists.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state what report he has received from the court of inquiry into the murder of Alderman Thomas Haplin and Mr. John Moran, two highly respected citizens of Drogheda, who were taken from their homes on the night of 8th February by armed men and shot dead on a road outside the town?

The answer is in the negative. I hope to receive the report of the court of inquiry in the next few days.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Jeremiah Kinnane, who was seriously wounded by men in uniform on an occasion when two men, Ryan and Gleeson, were also visited and murdered in their homes by the same party, was removed by the police from Thurles hospital; and, if so, was it by authority and for what purpose?

I am informed that this man when interviewed by a police sergeant who visited the workhouse hospital on the 23rd ultimo in the course of his ordinary duty gave what was at once seen to be a false name and address and was therefore taken to the local police barrack for identification. On his identity being discovered he was at once released as he was not wanted for any offence. The whole incident lasted no more than 20 minutes and he suffered no discomfort or inconvenience during any part of the time.

asked the Chief Secretary whether members of the armed forces of the Crown entered the house of the manager of the co-operative creamery at Ballymacelligott, on the evening of Christmas Day; whether two men, Maurice Reidy and John Leen, found there, were both shot dead, though they offered no armed resistance; whether the house was subsequently set on fire by the Crown forces; whether any military inquiry in lieu of inquest has been held into the circumstances of the death of the two; and, if so, what were the findings of the inquiry?

A Military Court of Inquiry held into the deaths of these two men found that they were shot by the forces of the Crown, who fired in the execution of their duty, and that no blame whatsoever attached to the Crown forces. Both men refused to hold up their hands when called upon to do so, and one of them (John Leen) fired at the officer in charge of the Crown forces with a revolver loaded with dum-dum bullets. The house of the creamery manager in which this occurrence took place was thereupon destroyed by the Crown forces to prevent its further use as a rendezvous for armed rebels.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the conduct of the Crown forces recently in Carndonagh, County Donegal; whether he is aware that some members of the auxiliary forces, on the night of Wednesday, 23rd February, paraded the streets, under the influence of drink, holding up and searching residents at the point of the revolver, threatening to shoot young girls: whether more serious results were averted only by the action of the local police who took these drunken auxiliaries off the street; and what action he proposes to take in this and similar cases in peaceful districts in Ireland?

I have called for an immediate report with reference to this matter and shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat the question one day next week.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the conduct of the Forces of the Crown in the town of Clones; whether he is aware that on a recent Saturday night respectable young men on their way home were held up in the streets, and assaulted and kicked, without any provocation whatever; whether there have been any shootings or other troubles in the town of Clones, except an outbreak on the part of the Crown Forces, some members of whom had to be removed from the town for gross misconduct; whether it is the policy of the Forces of the Crown when they arrive in a peaceful district to molest and illtreat everyone they meet without any consideration as to parties, position, political inclinations, or otherwise; and the result of his inquiries into the matter?

I am informed that the police at Clones have no knowledge of these alleged occurrences. No complaints have reached them of men being interfered with in the manner described on any recent Saturday night. There have been no outbreaks on the part of any members of the regular Forces of the Crown in Clones and the only removals have been of men transferred in the ordinary course with the exception of one man who was dismissed for a breach of discipline committed before he was sent to Clones. The incident which the hon. Member would appear to have in mind was an outbreak of indiscipline on the part of a body of special constabulary from an adjoining county who visited Clones without authority on the night of the 22nd January and are alleged to have committed certain offences for which several of them have since been arrested and are now awaiting trial. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a booklet entitled, "Who Burnt Cork City?"; and what action he proposes to take to refute the accusations there made against His Majesty's forces?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part the ground has been already fully covered by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in Debate.

asked the Chief Secretary if it would be possible to pay Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners monthly, as a good deal of dissatisfaction exists about the present system of payment?

Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners who wish to receive their pension in monthly instalments can at present do so, and the great majority of them take advantage of this arrangement. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will consider the advisability of employing the Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners in Ireland in connection with the Census returns, taking into consideration the fact that large numbers of them are out of employment at present and also that they are used to the work?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the relative position of the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Chief of Police; what is the establishment of the Chief of Police Department and into what sections is his command divided; and what are the rates of pay and pension of these policemen compared with those of the regular Royal Irish Constabulary?

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary is an officer whose position and functions are defined in the statutes relating to that force. The Chief of Police is an officer without statutory functions, but appointed in the ordinary course of administration to assist the Lord Lieutenant in the general control of the Irish police forces which consist of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary, the latter including the Auxiliary and Veterans Divisions and the Special Constabulary. He has a small civilian staff to assist him in the ordinary secretarial work of his office. The Dublin Metropolitan Police receive pay and pension similar to those of the regular Royal Irish Constabulary. The Veterans and Special Constabulary receive the same pay as the regular Royal Irish Constabulary, but as their service is not pensionable they are paid a bounty in lieu of pension. The Auxiliary Division is also a non-pensionable force. Temporary Cadets are paid at the rate of a guinea a day and Royal Irish Constabulary allowances. No bounty is payable in their case.

asked the Minister of Health if a number of small five-roomed cottages, recently erected by a builder at Hurlingham, Fulham, are let at a rental of £85 per annum, exclusive of rates and taxes; how much each of these cottages cost to build; how much this builder received as a subsidy for each cottage; and whether the Ministry has any power to regulate the amount of rent charged for houses built where the subsidy is paid?

Subsidy of £260 a house has been paid under the provisions of Section 1 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, in respect of six houses, comprising two living rooms and three bedrooms, built by private enterprise at Fulham. I have no information as to the cost of these houses or the rents at which they are being let; and I have no power to regulate the rents of the houses built with the assistance of the private builders' subsidy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to introduce legislation extending the building subsidy from 23rd December, 1920, until 23rd December, 1921; and whether he has considered the possibility of extending the subsidy in a modified form to alterations and remodelling of houses so as to make them supply increased housing provision?

I propose to introduce a Bill extending the period for the housing subsidy. With regard to the last part of the question, I may remind the hon. and gallant Member that an Amendment to provide for subsidies in respect of alterations or enlargements of existing houses was considered on the Housing (Additional Powers) Bill and defeated on a Division.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a short Bill to amend the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, so as to give the Ministry discretionary powers to make a grant to persons constructing a house which complies with conditions laid down, but which is constructed by the use of walls or other parts of buildings which were in existence at the time of the passing of the Act in order to obviate the hardship which exists upon a person who has constructed a house, but who has used an existing wall or the like for its construction, and who at present is precluded from any grant?

In view of the practical difficulties which it would involve, I am afraid it will be impossible to deal with this matter by legislation, but such cases as do occur will be dealt with on their merits in the course of administration.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Isle of Wight rural district council have decided that 320 new houses are needed in that area and the medical officer of health added 80 to that figure; whether his Department are holding up the construction of these houses; and, if so, will he take steps to withdraw any restriction and give facilities for the work to be proceeded with?

This local authority originally estimated that 314 new houses were required in their district, but subsequently they reduced this estimate very considerably, to 91 houses. My Department have made every effort to expedite the Council's housing scheme and so long ago as last September made arrangements whereby the Council could take up a loan to finance their scheme. The Council would not accept this offer, but I understand that they have now done so and that they have undertaken to proceed with the erection of 48 houses as an instalment of their scheme.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is a strong feeling in the country that the immediate decontrol of building material is of great importance as a means of relieving unemployment, of bringing down prices, and accelerating housing schemes and private building; and whether the Government endorse that view, and will take steps to effect promptly such decontrol accordingly?

There is no control of building materials by the Government at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to introduce a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Business Premises; and whether his attention has been drawn to the opinion expressed by the Committee that there should be no delay, in view of the lapse of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, as it affects business premises and to the fact that the said Act expires one month earlier in Scotland than in the rest of the United Kingdom?

No, Sir. As the Prime Minister announced last week, the Government have decided not to introduce any legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he will refuse to sanction any further contracts for the erection of new houses in Bradford until the result is seen of the demand for the 1,132 houses already contracted for, as there is no reliable information as to the number of houses actually required in Bradford for bonâ fide occupation, and all the estimates of the need for 10,000 houses are guesswork, and if erected the present prices and rents appear likely to cost the taxpayers and ratepayers about £500,000 a year, besides a capital loss in addition?

Before further contracts are approved the actual requirements will be fully considered.

asked the First Commission of Works how many contracts have been made by his Department on behalf of local authorities; what are the local authorities concerned; what is the total sum involved in the case of each of such authorities; and if he can give figures enabling a comparison to be made between the cost of work undertaken by his Department and the same or similar work as tendered for by building contractors?

The only contract made by this Department on behalf of a local authority in connection with housing, schemes is that executed on behalf of the Poplar Borough Council on a prime cost basis. The total estimated cost of the scheme, which is now approaching completion, amounts to £121,800, including overhead charges. As none of the schemes now being executed by this Department has yet been completed it is not possible to make any comparison of cost with other schemes executed by outside contractors.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the number of public health officials employed on whole-time duties in Bromley, Kent, together with the nature of those duties; whether these officials have hitherto been controlled by a part-time medical officer; whether he proposes to substitute a whole-time medical officer to replace this latter official; whether he has received protests at what is locally considered to be an unnecessary expenditure of local funds to pay this official; and what action he is taking in the matter?

The whole-time Public Health staff employed by the Bromley Borough Council consists of two inspectors of nuisances and two health visitors acting under the general supervision of the medical officer of health. There are in addition certain officers employed on school medical services. The appointment of a medical officer of health rests with the borough council, and the original proposal to employ a whole-time medical officer of health came from them. In addition to performing the duties of medical officer of health, the officer in question will act as supervising school medical officer, and will be in charge also of the maternity and child welfare work of the borough. I am advised that the pro- posed arrangement would be both economical and useful, and I do not therefore see my way to withhold my general approval of the proposal. The only protest which I have received has been from my hon. and gallant Friend himself.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the departmental committee on the superannuation of persons employed by local authorities in England and Wales?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill making provision for superannuation for all local government officers, as promised in 1920; and, if so, when such Bill is to be introduced?

In view of the heavy charges which such a measure would impose upon the rates, the Government regret that they cannot proceed with the matter at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in giving effect to the promise made in his letter of 31st May, 1920, in pursuance of a previous promise of the Local Government Board to proceed with an Order to give security of tenure to whole-time medical officers and to his proposal to include sanitary inspectors and inspectors of nuisances in the Order on the same terms?

This matter has been under consideration. I am advised that legislation would be required to give security of tenure to existing officers, and the Order which will shortly be issued must therefore be confined to new appointments of the classes mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of medical men appointed as supervisors or inspectors of welfare centres during the last 12 months; the salaries at which they were appointed; the total annual cost of this service; and whether such officers have any authority for ordering supplies of foods for distribution at less than cost?

According to the latest available information 43 persons (of whom 25 were men) were appointed during 1920 specifically as medical officers of maternity and child welfare centres, the usual rate of remuneration not exceeding £1 11s. 6d. per session, and amounting in the aggregate to about £3,660 per annum. In addition 36 persons (of whom 10 were men) were appointed by local authorities during this period as whole or part-time medical officers for maternity and child welfare work generally, at salaries ranging from £150 to £750 per annum. Their duties include in every case more or less direct supervision of the work of centres, but it is not possible to make any apportionment of their salaries to that specific purpose, or to estimate even approximately what proportion of the total annual cost of welfare work is attributable to this branch of the service. Milk, and in special circumstances other food, may be provided at less than cost for expectant and nursing mothers and for children under five years of age, where such provision is certified by the medical officer of a centre, or by the Medical Officer of Health, to be necessary and where the case is necessitous.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the refusal of the Hexham Board of Guardians to grant the Civil Service scale of bonus to their relieving officers or to submit the question to arbitration after being repeatedly urged to do so by the Ministers of Health and Labour, he is prepared to take steps to cause the grant of £1,192 per annum, which the guardians of the Hexham Union receive under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1888, towards the cost of officers, to be withheld until such time as the guardians accede to the request of the Ministry?

I have no power to take the action suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Special Committee on Venereal Disease, recently published, and to its recognition of the value of immediate self-disinfection; and what steps are proposed to be taken by his Department in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is now under consideration, and all the relevant documents and evidence, including the Report mentioned, will be considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the advertisements of alleged cures for cancer and other diseases; and whether, with a view to protecting the public from the frauds and deceptions of these advertisers and from the ill-effects of their supposed remedies, he will introduce legislation to render such advertisements illegal?

asked the Minister of Health whether the British Consul at Geneva recently sent to the Foreign Office a communication calling attention to the new treatment for tuberculosis, known as the Henri Spahlinger's method; whether this communication has been referred to him; whether eminent medical specialists in Switzerland, France, and other countries have testified to the remarkable percentage of cures effected by this treatment; what, action, if any, the Department of Health have taken in this matter; and whether, in view of the attempts to stamp out this scourge, which levies such a heavy toll of lives in Great Britain and Ireland annually, he is prepared to say that a full and prompt official medical investigation of this new treatment will be held?

The Proprietary Medicines Bill, which was introduced last Session, was intended to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee which reported on this question in 1914. The Bill is now being revised to meet certain objections of the commercial interest concerned, and I hope it will be possible to re-introduce it during the present Session, but I am unable at present to name any definite date. With regard to the Spahlinger treatment of tuberculosis, I am aware of the communication to which the hon. Member refers. It appears that so long ago as 1913 to 1914 the serum in question was prepared and the matter was carefully explored by the Medical Research Council, and by independent physicians, but the trials have not been sufficiently exhaustive to justify any definite and reliable conclusions. If and when supplies of the scrum become available in this country, I will certainly see that its efficacy is exhaustively tested. But I understand that a supply of the serum is not likely to be available for this purpose for some months, and that, on account of the secrecy maintained as to its constitution and method of preparation, it has hitherto been found impracticable for the recognised research laboratories in this country to investigate its properties and effects.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to give a definite reply as to the continuance of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board; and whether any steps are being taken to draw the attention of the steel-making industry to the Report of the Board on this subject?

asked the Ministry of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Treasury to withdraw financial support from the Industrial Fatigue Research Board, and suggesting that any important work on hand might be transferred to industrial or voluntary organisations; whether he is aware of the valuable work done by the Board since its inception in 1918; that there are no organisations in existence capable of taking over the Board's work; that if the Treasury decision is carried out the last year's work of the Board will be wasted; that it will result in a set-back in the whole movement of the study of human efficiency, and will involve the discharge of about 20 investigators who have specialised in the work; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, the Treasury decision will be reconsidered?

The expenditure on the Industrial Fatigue Research Board is naturally being reviewed with all other public expenditure in the light of the imperative need for economy. The Board itself will in any case be continued, and I think I can safely promise that sufficient funds will be provided to secure its efficiency. The Government are very fully alive to the considerations mentioned by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills).

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated charge on the public of England and Wales in respect of pauperism and lunacy, distinguishing between the amount payable in the form of rates and imperial grants?

In the last completed financial year (1919–20) the expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales on the relief of the poor and on lunatics and lunatic asylums was borne to the following extent, approximately, by rates and taxes, namely: rates, £20,900,000; taxes, £2,600,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether, for the purpose of enabling the Census Order, 1920, to be carried into effect, he is prepared to give directions that the Registrar-General shall, so far as is practicable, appoint ex-service men to act as enumerators?

I have given very close consideration to the question of the use of unemployed ex-service men as enumerators and otherwise in connection with the census and have been in touch with organisations specially concerned in their interests. The difficulty as regards enumerators is that the arrangements for obtaining the large number required have had to be concerted well in advance of the census, though the period of actual employment will be for a few days only. The above conditions render the appointments generally unsuitable for offer exclusively to unemployed ex-service men as their efforts to obtain regular work in the interval before the census would be hampered and if, through having obtained such employment, they made default they would be liable to a penalty of £10, apart from any question of damage to the census. In the circumstnces I have thought that the arguments against using unemployed ex-service men exclusively in this way were conclusive and I have been confirmed in this view by the action of various ex-service men who applied for the employment but withdrew on ascertaining the conditions. I have accordingly confined myself to making the utmost possible use of them in other ways, as for example on the specially engaged headquarters staff.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many women are now employed in the Navy and Army Canteen Board's canteen of the Crowborough camp; why it is necessary to employ women rather than ex-service men; and whether he can arrange to replace some of the women by some of the many ex-service men living in Crowborough and now unemployed?

I am informed that the total number of women employed by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in the various institutes conducted by them at Crowborough Camp is 12 at the present date. The policy governing the employment of ex-service men and women in regimental institutes has been fully explained in previous answers given in this House, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Davison) on the 15th December last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that 50,000 building operatives are out of work, he will do his best to put as many housing schemes as possible into practice?

The hon. Member must be aware that the progress of housing schemes, which I am doing my utmost to expedite, is being severely hampered by a shortage of skilled labour, which is also in a large degree responsible for the unemployment to which he refers. The unemployed men in question are composed almost entirely of workers who could be absorbed if there were more skilled men available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employers of Darlaston are seeking to reduce the wages of their female employés; whether dispute obtains; whether the employers have locked out the men workers, though they have nothing to do with the dispute; whether applications have been made by such locked-out persons for payment under the Unemployment Insurance Act; whether benefit has been refused; and, if so, why?

I am informed that the facts are generally as stated in the question. In accordance with the provisions of Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, insured contributors who have lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute at the factory, workshop, or premises on which they were employed are disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit. This qualification appears to apply to the cases here in question, and unemployment benefit has been disallowed by the insurance officer. I understand that the Court of Referees has heard test cases, and has agreed with the decision of the insurance officer?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a number of complaints from a large number of ex-service men in Lewis, whose claims for out-of-work benefit have been refused by the Labour Exchange at Stornoway whether they were informed by the Government in October last that they would receive 20s. per week for 15 weeks from October, 1920, until 31st March, 1921; whether on lodging their claims they have been refused; whether he is aware that, as most of those men are fishermen, they do not come under the scope of the National Insurance Act, and, consequently, have no unemployment insurance cards to show at the Labour Exchange; and whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance?

In accordance with the ordinary procedure, the claims of these men have been reviewed by the local employment committee. In a number of cases donation has been refused on the ground that, having regard to the conditions normally applying to their occupation, the fishermen cannot properly be regarded as "unemployed" so as to be entitled to donation. Normally in intervals between seasonal fishing expeditions the men are engaged in repairing boats, overhauling nets, gear, etc. I should be glad to have inquiry made in any specific cases.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are at present unemployed in the agricultural machinery trade?

In the statistics of unemployment collected by the Ministry of Labour, makers of agricultural machinery are not distinguished from other machine makers and engineers generally. I am not able, therefore, to state how many persons are unemployed in the agricultural machinery trade.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue an Order to bakers insisting on the clean handling of bread after baking; will he suggest that bread must be delivered in clean paper coverings; and that the shelves, vans, handcarts, and baskets with which the bread is brought into contact shall be cleansed daily?

I have no information to show that bread is commonly handled in such a manner as to be likely to cause danger to public health, and I should be very reluctant to make any regulations which might add materially to the cost of such a commodity.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue an Order to the effect that no meat for public consumption shall be conveyed through public thoroughfares unless it is completely protected from any outside contaminating influences?

This matter is within the terms of reference of the Committee which I have appointed to advise as to the slaughter of animals and the distribution of meat. Pending the Report of the Committee I should not be disposed to take action in the sense suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to disband the Sugar Commission; the names of the members of that body at the present time; and meetings of the Commission were held during the year ending 31st January last; and the number of attendances made by each member of the Commission?

With regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth). The present members of the Commission and the number of attendances by each during the year ending 31st January, 1921, are.

asked the Minister of Food why the recent purchase of 100,000 tons of sugar by the Sugar Commission was made from Cuba, and not from an Empire source; what is the date of delivery of this purchase; what efforts have been made to obtain information in regard to the possibilities of delivery of Empire sugars in the same time; and whether, whenever a large purchase of sugar has had to be made by the Sugar Commission, it has always been, with very few exceptions, at times when no Empire sugar was available?

The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply was in close and constant touch with all the sugar markets of the world and the hon. Member can rest assured that all sources of supply were explored before any purchase was made. The sugar in question was purchased from Cuba because, in consequence of the financial difficulties ruling in Cuba, it was found possible to effect a purchase on exceptionally favourable terms. The date of delivery of the sugar is February-March, 1921.

asked the Minister of Food what stocks of timber, sugar, and wool the Government have in hand at the last known date?

The questions as to timber and wool should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, respectively. With regard to sugar stocks I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department is aware of the highly organised efforts now being made in the county of Bedford to prevent the acquisition of land for allotments by the employment of professional land agents to claim excessive compensation and to fight every reasonable endeavour to secure allotment land as provided by the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to coming to some arrangement to facilitate the working of the Act?

It is no doubt the case that in connection with the acquisition of land for allotments the owners and tenants of the land frequently engage professional assistance in connection with their claims for purchase money, rent, and compensation. In view of the fact, however, that full powers of compulsory acquisition are provided by Statute, and that if such powers are exercised the price, rent, or compensation is determined, in default of agreement, by an official arbitrator, it does not seem necessary to take any special action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the large amount of arable land now being sown down to grass by farmers in the county of Bedford, with a view to the wholesale reduction of labour; if his attention has been drawn to recent threats of a larger area still being so sown down; whether he is aware that the amount of purely rural unemployment is increasing at a rapid rate in that county; and will lie therefore issue instructions for the rigid application of the provisions of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, in that county, so that the unemployed landless men may grow food to feed their families?

The information at the disposal of the Ministry does not support the statements by the hon. Member, but if he will supply further particulars I will have inquiries made. As regards the last part of the question, the provisions of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act are being carried out as expeditiously as possible in this county. Up to 16th February, 1921, the number of applicants settled amounted to 521 including 45 civilians, and 7,471 acres of land had been acquired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the system under which officials of county councils are permitted to make a purely personal charge for the work involved in the transfer of land to registered small-holdings societies; that recently the ex-service smallholders in Bedfordshire have been charged and paid a sum of about £20 in fees to one of the county officials when their society took over a farm for small-holdings; if he will cause inquiries to be made and a return called for showing the total amount received in this way by officials of county councils; and if he will issue a circular that such charges should be prohibited?

The Ministry has no information with regard to the particular case in Bedfordshire referred to by the hon. Member, but the Ministry is aware that in that county it is the practice for a registered small-holdings society which is acquiring land under the county council either to employ their own valuer to settle the question of tenant right valuation or to arrange for the county land agent to act for them, in which latter case the usual fee for the work (which does not fall within the county land agent's ordinary duties) is properly payable by the society. If the hon. Member will furnish the Ministry with particulars of any other charges to which he takes exception the Ministry will consider whether it is necessary to take action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the attention of his Department was drawn last Michaelmas to the application of certain ex-service men at Colmworth, in the county of Bedford, for land for small-holdings, their live-stock at that time being grazing on the road side consequent upon eviction from church land in that parish; if he is aware that since the men have been offered land and threatened by the land officer of the county council that unless they pay £10 per acre compensation for some of the worst land in the district their application will not be proceeded with; and if, in such circumstances, he will instruct one of his officers to see that these men secure the necessary land minus threats and absurd compensation?

The Ministry is aware of a demand for small-holdings on the part of ex-service men at Colmworth, Bedford. It is understood that the county council have authorised the making of a compulsory hiring order for 22 acres of pasture land to meet the demands of the applicants who desired to obtain vacant possession of the land at Ladyday next. The county land agent pointed out that if the council exercised their powers of entering on the land at 14 days' notice, the present tenant would be entitled to claim a considerable sum as compensation, which might amount to £10 an acre. The Ministry is informed that the county land agent did not state that the men would have to pay this compensation, but expressed a doubt as to whether the council would consider the payment of such compensation justifiable, as it would result in the loss on the scheme being excessive. It was accordingly suggested to the men that they should be content with vacant possession of the land at Michaelmas. The only sum which the men were told they must pay on entry was for unexhausted manurial value. The Ministry does not consider the county council have acted unreasonably in the matter, and is not prepared to interfere.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing as regards present legislation affecting the allotment movement; whether, in particular, there is serious delay on the part of numbers of local authorities in providing land, both for small-holdings and allotments; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation making it compulsory upon authorities to provide small holdings and allotments within a stated period where land is available?

The Ministry is of opinion that existing legislation is ample for the provision of small-holdings and allotments, and that the local authorities concerned are providing land with as little delay as possible. It must be remembered, however, that the local authorities are unable to provide allotments unless there is a reasonable probability of the rents which the applicants are prepared to pay being sufficient to recoup all expenses incurred by the local authority in regard to purchase money, rent, fencing, etc. In these circumstances, the Ministry is not prepared to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the figure representing the cost of living at the time the present flat rate for disability pensions and pensions for widows was fixed, and what is the corresponding figure at the present time; what would be the total cost of revising such pensions so as to fix them at the same ratios to the cost of living as at the date when the present rate was determined; and whether he will consider the possibility of so revising the flat rate as a temporary measure until prices reach a lower level, in view of the fact that the persons concerned are the last whom the nation would willingly allow to suffer, and that the present rate is insufficient under existing conditions to enable them to live in moderate comfort?

In July, 1919, when the Government fixed the rates of pension shown in the present Royal Warrant, the cost of living stood at 210 per cent, of the pre-War cost, and it now stands at 251. To increase pensions and allowances in the ratio of 251 to 210 would involve an additional annual payment of £18,122,000. That figure does not include the administrative expenses involved in the re-assessment of over 3,000,000 pensions and allowances. With regard to the latter part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Davison) on Monday last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of a soldier who was passed into the service as fit for general service and served overseas and on discharge was declared by a medical board to be unfit for general service, the burden of proof as to whether the disability was attributable to or aggravated by service lies on the soldier or on the Ministry?

In the circumstances stated the burden of proof would lie on the Ministry rather than on the man. The fact that the man had gone overseas fit, and returned unfit, would raise a presumption that his unfitness was due to his service, and unless there was good evidence, on the facts of the particular case, that it was not so due, the Ministry would accept the liability.

asked the Minister of Pensions why men who belonged to the Royal Fleet Reserve and were invalided during the late War are not being paid the new service allowances from the 1st April, 1919, although their services have been recognised by their having been awarded life pensions?

The new service allowances are granted as compensation to men who, by reason of their being invalided, have been deprived of the oppor- tunity of qualifying for long service pensions. In the case of the men of the Royal Fleet Reserve, who were called up for service during the War, there was no loss of prospective pension, and therefore no ground for compensation beyond the pensions to which their services and their disabilities may entitle them.

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

I regret being unable to make any general statement on this complicated question, but from the particulars kindly furnished by my hon. and gallant Friend of the individual case he has in mind, I think it is one in which a concession can properly be made, and all individual cases will also be considered on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any indication of when it is intended to close the Crowborough Camp?

As far as can be foreseen at present, Crowborough Camp will not be entirely closed for about two years. Until the needs of the Army for skilled signalling personnel have been sufficiently met the overflow from the Signal Service Training Centre at Mares-field will continue to occupy part of the camp. All portions of the camp not required have been, or are being, handed over to the Disposal Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he can now state precisely the present position of the proposal of a War Office subsidy on motor lorries in the event of their being required for the purposes of war and the approximate total cost involved; and whether he will now give an assurance that no decision will be come to on this matter until this House has had an opportunity of discussing it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the house No. 12, Longport Street, Canterbury, now in military occupation, was bought by the present owner's deceased father to enable her to make a living by letting apartments; that the owner has been for a long period, and still is, deprived of the use of her property through its requisition for military occupation; that she was assured as long ago as July, 1920, that possession would be given to her in a few months: that, on the 16th February, 1921, she was told that for several more months she could not recover her property; that all this time the owner has been obliged to store her furniture, which is suffering depreciation in value in consequence, and to procure accommodation for herself elsewhere; what military exigency requires the deprivation of this lady of her property more than two years after the War; and, in the event of his being unable to issue instructions that possession of the premises be given to the owner forthwith, if he will undertake that full compensation shall be paid to her, based on an estimate to be made by an independent valuer of the profits she might reasonably expect to make by letting apartments, and including the loss occasioned by the storage of her furniture and the necessity for living elsewhere?

This property has been occupied by the military authorities as stated, but I have no information as to the circumstances in which it was purchased or as to the assurances stated to have been given. The house is required for accommodating the local officers of the Lands Directorate, until other accommodation can be found for them. I regret that I can give no undertaking of the nature suggested in the last part of the hon. Member's question. The Department has endeavoured to minimise any hardship caused to the owner. When she complained that the rent originally paid under the hiring agreement was inadequate the Department consented to terminate the agreement and refer the question of compensation to the War Compensation Court, so far as concerned the period subsequent to the termination of the agreement. The Court awarded a payment very closely approximating to that asked for by the owner, and in arriving at the amount the cost of storing her furniture was taken into consideration. If the owner desires that the award should be revised, application should be made to the War Compensation Court.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what terms a portion of the North Mole has been leased to coal merchants at Gibraltar; and whether the Admiralty will consider the leasing or sale of the whole dockyard under suitable conditions of priority for warship?

The Admiralty propose to lease the greater portion of the Western Arm and No. 1 Jetty of the North Mole to 15 firms of coal merchants collectively for a term of seven years from the 1st January, 1920, reserving, however, powers of complete resumption in case of national emergency, with a lien on stocks of coal in any emergency not involving complete resumption. The lessees would have also the option of renewing the lease, and also of leasing further accommodation if required, provided naval interests permit of this. The answer as regards the second part of the question is in the negative, the resources of the dockyard being required for naval work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to salve His Majesty's Ship "Glatton," sunk in Dover Harbour during the late War; and whether tenders have been, or will be, invited for the operations?

It is not intended to take any steps towards salving His Majesty's Ship "Glatton" at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Germany had an excess of imports or of exports, and in either case, of what amount, before the War; if there was an excess of imports, how that excess was liquidated; and whether Germany can now pay a great indemnity without creating an excess of exports?

In the five years 1900–1913 the average value of the imports into Germany was £493,000,000, and of the exports from Germany, £411,000,000. These values relate to the "special" trade, that is to say, are exclusive of transit and re-export trade, and include bullion and specie as well as merchandise. Further, the records include Luxemburg, with the German Economic Union, to which the figures relate. The earnings of German merchant shipping, and the return on investments and enterprises in other countries owned by Germans was far more than sufficient to cover the difference between these imports and exports. The payment of a large indemnity will involve, during the period of payment, an excess of exports over imports.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many German delegates are being entertained in London at the cost of the British Government; what is the number of their staff; how many typists and clerical assistants of the delegation are being accommodated in one of the most expensive hotels in London; and whether, in offering this costly hospitality to the subjects and servants of a State with which Great Britain was lately at war, due regard has been paid to custom and to the interests of the British taxpayer?

The total number of the German delegation to the Peace Conference is 71, composed of the Minister for Foreign Affairs with 7 other delegates, 29 high officials and 34 clerical and technical staff. It is essential for the work of delegations that all their members should be accommodated in the same place. In this connection the international amenities, even to the subjects of a State with which we were recently at war, have been properly observed.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how much public money was expended upon the Alexandra Park Aerodrome, Manchester, and if it is now unoccupied; whether this building and the Government's unoccupied tank sheds at Trafford Park were considered as potential storage accommodation for stationery before the purchase of premises at Hollinwood for £185,000; and whether any local experts were consulted as to the purchase?

I am unable to furnish information as to the expenditure incurred on the Alexandra Park aerodrome as these buildings were erected by the Air Ministry. I understand that the hutments are occupied at present as police barracks. These buildings, among others, were considered as possible premises for the Stationery Office, but were rejected as quite unsuitable owing to their nature and construction. Presumably the tank sheds referred to are the tractor sheds, Nos. 1 and, Trafford Park. These premises were inspected and would have been suitable as Stationery Office premises but they could not be secured as they were required for storage of goods in transit. Before an agreement was made to lease the Hollinwood factory, my technical advisers satisfied themselves that the value of the property was considerably in excess of the price agreed to be paid.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the total superficial floor space of the Hollinwood Stationery Department near Manchester; what is the area of land occupied by the premises; and on what authority were they purchased before the Vote had been submitted to Parliament?

The total site area of the property proposed to be acquired for the Stationery Department is 16¾ acres, of which about 7½ acres are built on. The area of the warehouse accommodation is approximately 300,000 feet superficial, all on one floor. There is a separate canteen block with 30,000 feet superficial and an office block with 10,000 feet superficial on two floors. Pending Parliamentary sanction the property has not been purchased for the Stationery Office, but taken with Treasury sanction on short lease at a rent of £12,000 per annum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many of the 3,604 staff existing on 1st January, 1921, are to be discharged at the end of this financial year, when the Ministry is closed; how many are transferred to other Government Departments; and if he can ensure that no ex-service men are discharged if others are transferred to other Government Departments?

Of the staff of 3,604 referred to, 1,054 have been, or will be, discharged by the end of this financial year. The claims of ex-service men for retention in Government employment are dealt with in accordance with the recommendations of the Lytton Committee on the employment of ex-service men in the Civil Service.

asked the Prime Minister what is the number of staff employed by the Ministry of Food at this date; how many are to be transferred to other Departments; which are those Departments; and for what purpose are they to be transferred?

asked the Minister of Food how many of the 2,154 staff existing on 1st January, 1921, are to be discharged at the end of this financial year when the Ministry is closed and how many transferred to other Government Departments; and if he can ensure that no ex-service men are discharged if others are transferred to other Government Departments?

I have been asked to reply. During the year 1920 the staff of the Ministry of Food was reduced from 10,480 to 2,154 and a further reduction of 25 per cent. will have been effected by the end of the financial year. The staff then remaining, of whom the vast majority will be accounting staff, will be transferred to the Departments which will become responsible for the liquidation of the Ministry's trading transactions, for the enforcement of Orders, and for the distribution of foodstuffs in the event of an emergency. The work of the transferred staff will be only of a temporary character, and in most cases will come to an end in a few months. My hon. and gallant Friends will understand that the work of liquidating stocks, book debts, and commitments in the neighbourhood of £100,000,000 cannot be abruptly terminated. The efforts made by the Department to safeguard the interests of ex-service men have produced satisfactory results, and they will continue to receive preferential treatment subject to the necessity of retaining officers whose special knowledge of past transactions is essential for the work of liquidation. The Board of Trade will be responsible for the bulk of the work transferred.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if No. 30, Belgrave Square has lately been taken over as offices for certain Government Departments; and, if so, whether he will state the rental paid and explain the necessity of engaging premises in so expensive a locality?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the rental is £600 per annum and, as I have already stated in answer to previous questions, no cheaper alternative accommodation was available, but I will look into the matter again.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Government Departments are employing on 1st January only 11·17 per cent. of disabled ex-service men and 36½64 per cent. of ex-service men, he will see if it is possible to employ a further number, bearing in mind the appeals of the Minister of Labour to private employers to do so?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley on the 2nd December last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any figures showing the volume of trade between this country and Russia in 1913?

The total values of the imports into the United Kingdom, consigned from Russia and of the exports of the United Kingdom produce and re-exports of foreign and Colonial produce, consigned to Russia, registered during the year 1913, were as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a German company, the Odol Chemical Works, was wound up during the War and a British company encouraged to carry on the manufacture of its products; whether British manufacturing chemists are now nevertheless restrained from manufacturing the preparation known as Odol on the ground that the full rights to manufacture that preparation and to sell it under the trade name of Odol have been restored to the German company; and, if so, whether it is a correct interpretation of the economic clauses of the Treaty of Versailles that such rights, forfeited on account of the War, should be restored to our late enemies to the detriment of British trade?

The business carried on in England by the Odol Chemical Works was wound up in 1917 and the stock in trade and machinery were sold to a British subject. The goodwill of the business and the trade mark "Odol" were not assigned to him nor was he specially encouraged to carry on the manufacture. As far as I am aware, no legal proceedings have been taken to restrain British chemists from manufacturing the preparation known as "Odol." The trade mark "Odol" has not, however, been removed from the Register and so long as it remains, the registered proprietor is entitled to take action to restrain other persons from using the trade mark on any manufactured goods. The original proprietor is dead, but I am informed that a German company has made formal application to be registered as subsequent proprietors of the mark under Article 306 of the Treaty of Versailles. This application, which will be judicially considered in the light of all the circumstances, has not yet been determined by the Registrar of Trade Marks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the activities of the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association are to be confined to the raw material; whether the association was concerned in the recent despatch to the United States of America of 915 bags of Australian-combed wool-tops, combed by F. W. Hughes, and originally offered for sale by auction in London; whether the tops were sent to the United States by a Bradford firm; whether in that instance the Bradford firm acted as the agents of the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association; whether they usually act in that capacity; and whether, in the interests of British wool-combers, whose machinery is not fully engaged, or of their employés, many of whom are either unemployed or underemployed, steps will be taken to stop the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association being engaged or concerned with dealings in semi-manufactured wool?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second, third, fourth, and fifth parts in the negative. The last part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what use has been made up to the present of the Government export credits scheme; and whether any of the initial difficulties of popularising it have been removed?

The advances sanctioned under the Export Credits Scheme amount to £1,850,527 17s., of which £360,455 7s. 9d. have been actually taken up. Since the percentage of cost to be advanced was raised from 80 per cent. to 100 per cent., the scheme has proved much more acceptable to the business community, and the amount of business done has considerably increased. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself are, however, actively engaged at this moment, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Hull yesterday, in examining the possibility of some further modifications in the scheme, and I hope that it may be possible to make an announcement very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the financial statistics of the industry for the quarter ending 31st December, 1920, will be published?

I hope to be able to issue these statistics early next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the terms of the Mandate to be assumed for the ex-German territories in South-West Africa contains a clause forbidding the imposition of forced labour on the natives excepting for works of public utility, and then only at an adequate wage; and whether it is intended to adopt this policy in all British Crown Colonies in Africa?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I presume that "forced labour" in this connection does not include services which a native is, under native custom, obliged to perform. On this presumption the existing practice in the British Crown Colonies and Protectorates in Africa conforms to the principle laid down in the Mandate for South-West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether during the War the imposition of conscription in Africa led to the migration of natives into British territories; whether such immigrants were interned, driven back over the border, or allowed to settle; what was the approximate number of such natives: and what is the present policy of the Government in similar cases?

It is the case that considerable numbers of natives—exact figures cannot be given—entered British West Africa from foreign territory with a view to avoiding conscription. Under special powers conferred by war legislation these natives were, so far as possible, induced or compelled to return to their own countries. These special powers have now lapsed—and it is not intended to renew them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the natives of West Africa object to the new silver coinage, and that the coins lose their colour and are also unsuitable for native purposes; and will he withdraw those issued and revert to the former standard of coinage, having regard to the price of silver?

I have had no information suggesting that the new silver coins, which are of the same fineness as the new United Kingdom silver coins, are unpopular or unsuitable for native purposes; it is not proposed to withdraw them. The issue of these silver coins has, however, been suspended for some time; new alloy coins being issued instead.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in order to simplify the working of the compulsory labour ordinances in Kenya Colony, he will give instructions that the declaration of a native that he has been engaged for three months in the year on his own gardens should be accepted as justifying exemption from the ordinances?

I will consult the Governor of the Colony on my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what form of machinery has been or will be set up before which the natives of Kenya. Colony will be able to substantiate their rights to exemption from the compulsory labour ordinances; and what, if any, provision will be made for legal representation of the defendants?

Under the Native Authority Ordinance, 1912, a native disobeying an order of a headman under the ordinance is liable to punishment on conviction before a magistrate or a native tribunal having authority over the native. I have no information as to whether the native can be legally represented at the hearing or whether the Governor has set up any alternative procedure to inquire into a native's liability for service, but I will make inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any control over the form of agreement which applicants for appointments under the Crown Agents for the Colonies are called upon to sign; whether he is aware of the case of Mr. C. S. Latham, who left employment upon a British railway to enter upon a contract for three years' service as an assistant rates clerk on the Uganda Railway; that 14 months afterwards Mr. Latham was dismissed on reduction of staff; that the agreement signed by him was a one-sided document in that, whilst it claimed his service for three years, it gave the Crown Agents the right to terminate the engagement at any time by three months' notice or one month's pay, plus free passage to England, within two months; that Mr. Latham has been refused reinstatement on either British or Colonial Government railways and his early training does not fit him for a post in the ordinary commercial world; whether he will have inquiries made into this case; and whether he will have the form of agreement in such cases revised and made more equitable?

Mr. Latham's agreement gave him the right to resign his employment on giving three months' notice and repaying the cost of his passage to East Africa. He arrived in January, 1914, and volunteered for active service in August. In October he was given notice of termination of his engagement on reduction of staff, but this was withdrawn in December, when his military service had been terminated through ill-health. He remained in railway employment until February, 1915, when he applied to be released from his employment and permitted to return to England, and three months' notice was again given to him. As the notice came from the Government he had the advantage of the free passage to England and the remission of the cost of the passage out. Mr. Latham applied for re-engagement in October, 1920, and his name has been noted by the Crown Agents for the Colonies for consideration with others when a vacancy occurs for which his qualifications fit him. I have no reason to suppose that any opportunity of re-employing him has been neglected, and I do not see that the form of agreement which he signed has been used to his detriment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the result of recent conferences with representatives of the Dominions respecting the settlement overseas of ex-service and other British men and women?

A Conference on State-aided Empire settlement was held at the Colonial Office on 28th January, 1921, and succeeding days. His Majesty's Government were represented by Viscount Milner and Lieut.-Colonel L. S. Amery, M.P., the President and Chairman of the Oversea Settlement Committee, whilst the Hon. Sir George Perley, K.C.M.G., Senator the Hon. E. D. Millen and the Hon. Sir James Allen, K.C.B., represented Canada, Australia and New Zealand respectively. It was agreed that the basis of the whole problem of Empire development was the settlement of primary producers on the land. The number of ordinary migrants who could be absorbed depended very largely upon the development of land settlement schemes. The Conference agreed that financial co-operation on the part of His Majesty's Government and the Dominion Governments was desirable. It was intimated that the amount of the assistance which His Majesty s Government could give would depend both upon the amounts contributed by the Dominions mid upon the financial position of the United Kingdom. Certain definite proposals were outlined as a basis for discussion at the forthcoming meeting of Prime Ministers in June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many native chiefs exiled from the Colonial dependencies without public trial are still in exile: to what territories have they been exiled; what period they have served in exile: and whether he will consider asking the Colonial Governors concerned what, in their opinion, would be the effect of the extension of clemency by His Majesty to those exiles?

The number of native chiefs in exile from British dependencies is six. Prempeh, ex-King of Ashanti, was exiled to the Seychelles in 1896; the question of allowing him to return was carefully considered recently, but the Governor of Gold Coast was of opinion that it could not be safely permitted. Musa Mollah, late King of Fullader, was exiled from Gambia to Sierra Leone in 1916 for enforcing slavery, and it would be premature to reconsider his case at present. Kabarega. ex-King of Bunyoro, Uganda, captured during the rebellion in 1899, is in exile in the Seychelles; the case was recently considered, but the Governor recommended that in the interests of the Protectorate he should not be allowed to return.Seyyid Khaled bin Barghash, Pretender to the Sultanate of Zanzibar, 1896, was removed with his family to St. Helena and will shortly be transferred to the Seychelles. The British Resident has recently expressed a decided opinion that he should not be allowed to return to Zanzibar. Sebe and Ayouls bin Mbaruk, sons of Sheik Mbaruk, who revolted in the Coast Strip (Zanzibar Dominions) of the East Africa Protectorate, 1895–96, escaped to German East Africa, and on the British occupation of that territory were removed to St. Helena. They will shortly be transferred to the Seychelles: and it would be dangerous to order among the coast Arabs for them to return to Kenya Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the instrument used for flogging the coolies of the North Borneo plantations is subject to any and, if so, what restrictions as to size and weight; and, if not, whether he will request the Chartered Company to produce one of these instruments for his inspection?

I am informed that under the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure which has been adopted in North Borneo, the instrument in question must be a light rattan not less than half an inch in diameter.

asked the Secretary of State for India what the estimated Indian trade balances for the years 1918–20 respectively amounted to; the dates upon which these balances were drawn, and the amounts in Council Bills and in Reverse Councils?

The net balance of Indian trade in respect of merchandise and treasure on private account and the amounts of Council drafts and reverse, drafts sold during 1918–20 were as follows. The figures are given to the nearest crore of rupees:

• 1918.—Net exports, 81; Council drafts, 41; reverse drafts, 5.
• 1919.—Net exports, 125; Council drafts, 33; reverse drafts, 2.
• 1920.—Net imports, 43; Council drafts, 2; reverse drafts, 47.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will issue a White Paper giving a summary of the recent central and provincial elections in India, showing the number of votes polled and the majorities in each case?

Yes, Sir; I hope to be able to do so in about a month's time.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the revenues of Aden are still accounted for in the Indian Budget; whether Post Office receipts at Aden on the sale of stamps to civilians are credited to the Indian Expeditionary Force; and whether it is now proposed to separate Aden financially and administratively from India and incorporate it in British Somaliland, or whether it will be made a separate Crown Colony?

The answer to the first part of the question is, pending further arrangements, in the affirmative: as regards the second part, I regret that I have no information; as regards the last part, subject to the assent of the Government of India, which is still awaited, Aden will be transferred to the Colonial Office, to which Department questions as to its future status should be addressed.

asked the Home Secretary if the police authorities are giving inducements to domestic servants to become policewomen; if he will endeavour, as far as possible, in future to recruit these women from the ranks of the unemployed; and will he say how many additional policewomen it is intended to engage?

The Metropolitan Police are certainly not offering such inducements, and I have no reason to think any county or borough police are doing so. The establishment of Metropolitan women police is at full strength, and there is no intention of increasing it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has agreed to receive a deputation from the pharmaceutical societies regarding the Dangerous Drugs Act Draft Regulations; whether he is aware that it is customary and essential for the proper care of stock that farmers should have in their possession mixtures and other drugs for immediate use in the case of sudden illness of their stock; whether he will bear in mind that in many cases the want of these and other specifics whose use and purpose are well known to the stockowner would lead to very serious losses; and whether he has given the fullest consideration to the views of Scottish agriculturists on the subject of the Draft Regulations?

The answer to all these questions is in the affirmative. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on Monday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury-St.-Edmunds (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness).

asked the Home Secretary the number of boys sentenced to be birched by the Juvenile Courts during the year 1919?

1599.

asked the Home Secretary the number of political prisoners at present undergoing sentence; whether these prisoners are being treated under Rule 243a; and, if not, the reason?

Prisoners are not classified according to the motives alleged to have prompted their crimes; and as I explained, in answer to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers), on the 23rd February, neither prisoners whose offences are due to political motives nor any other classes of prisoners are entitled to claim the benefit of Rule 243a.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will have a return made showing the quantities of spirits, beer, and wine sold on behalf of the nation by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in the City of Carlisle during the calendar years 1917 to 1920, inclusive?

I regret I cannot comply with this suggestion. It was stated in answer to several similar questions last Session that such a return is not desirable.

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated cost for England and Wales of the police force, distinguishing between the amount chargeable on the rates and the sums paid by the Imperial Exchequer?

The estimated cost for the year 1920–21 is approximately £19,500,000, of which one-half is contributed from Imperial funds, and the remaining half falls on the rates.

asked the Home Secretary the number of licences issued in respect of motor omnibuses, horse-drawn omnibuses, motor cabs, and horse-drawn cabs as at 31st December last within the Metropolitan licensing area?

The number of licences issued from 1st January to 31st December, 1920, is:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the new salary classification scale, or even the additional cost-of-living bonus, agreed to in April, 1920, has not been extended to the female clerical staff on Irish railways; whether the new scale has been extended long since to the male and female staffs on the railways in Great Britain and to the male staff in Ireland; and whether he will take immediate steps to have the new scale and the cost-of-living bonus extended to the Irish female railway clerks?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport came to the conclusion in January last (after consulting the Irish general managers) that, in the light of all the information then available, he would not be justified in conceding the claim made for the extension to Ireland of the revised rates of pay applicable to the female clerical staff on British railways. Some further information has now been supplied in support of the claim, and this is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can hold out any hope that the tax or regulations under which cars such as Fords are made to pay so high in proportion to the horse power they develop will be reduced or amended in the near future, in view of the heavy charges imposed thereby on those engaged in agricultural and other industries situated in the country, where such motors are essential for carrying on the business?

I regret that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is unable at the present time to hold out any hope of amendment of the existing formula for the ascertainment of horsepower of private motor-cars. The Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles strongly pressed the continuance of the Treasury (R.A.C.) Rating as the formula to be used for the ascertainment of horse-power for taxation purposes, and the Minister accepted their recommendation. English manufacturers have had regard to this formula for many years in the construction and design of engines. Engines such as those on Ford cars, which are built primarily for other than English markets, are constructed upon somewhat different principles, which undoubtedly result in the horse-power calculated in accordance with the R.A.C. Rating working out at a high figure. The officials of the Ministry are in communication with the Ford Company upon this question, but it is not possible to reduce the amount of tax payable upon these cars without an entire revision of the existing horse-power rating, a course which the Minister is not prepared to recommend at the present time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from Oxford complaints as to the inadequacy of the postal service in that city, and in particular the grave inconvenience caused by the alteration of the hour for the latest collection of letters; and, if so, whether he will give further and more favourable consideration to the wishes of those who are suffering inconvenience?

The final collection from the street posting boxes is made at 9 p.m. at Oxford, and compares favourably with the time of collection elsewhere in the provinces. There is no justification for treating Oxford exceptionally, and any general postponement of the collection would cause considerable expenditure which, under present conditions, I do not think can be warranted. Letters can be posted up to a late hour at the Oxford Head Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department have under consideration the acquisition of a block of valuable residential property in Stanford Road, Kensington, with a view to erecting a telephone exchange on the site; whether he is aware that the houses in this street are fully let valuable residential properties which will be seriously damaged by the erection of a telephone exchange; and whether, in view of the existing shortage of houses and the difficulty of securing accommodation, he will see that the proposed exchange is erected on one of a number of vacant sites which are available in the district, or, at any rate, on some less valuable and expensive property, which will not cause a substantial reduction in the rateable value of houses in the vicinity, to the detriment of the borough?

The acquisition of some property in Stanford Road with a view to the provision of a new telephone exchange is under consideration. If the property is acquired the telephone exchange will be erected on ground forming part of the gardens of the existing houses, which will not be disturbed. The exchange will front on to a back street; and the amenities of the neighbourhood will not be affected. It is essential for the economical working of the telephone service that the exchange should be located as near as possible to the telephonic centre of the district. In the case of the district in question an exhaustive search extending over a long period has failed to disclose any other site, vacant or occupied, suitable for the purpose in view.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there is any immediate intention to discontinue the payment to, or to reduce the war bonus of, Government staffs?

I have been asked to answer. The reply is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in paragraph 7 of the Report of the Civil Service National Whitley Council (Cost of Living) Committee, dated 8th May, 1920, it is stated that the Committee reserve for further consideration the question of the effect of the increase in cost of living upon the wages and salaries of employes and officers not covered by the Civil Service Arbitration Board's awards Nos. 84 and 101; whether such consideration has since been given; and whether it is now proposed to grant to these persons who have hitherto been wholly excluded from war bonuses such proportion thereof as appears equitable, having regard to any increases in cost of living since the dates of their appointment?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the terms of the paragraph. The consideration by the Cost of Living Committee of the question of further increase of the remuneration of the employés and officers in question has not been concluded, but the large majority of them have been granted an increase of remuneration as from the 1st March or 1st July, 1920, by the terms of the Civil Service Arbitration Board Memorandum of Settlement by Agreement A83.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount per head of taxes in Great Britain, France, and Germany, respectively, and of debt, internal and external, per head in the same countries?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave this information in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. B. Denniss) on the 17th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Gibraltar carried forward a balance of £193,490 on 31st December, 1918, and of £296,455 on 31st December, 1919; and whether he will examine the position of this and similar colonies where we maintain garrisons with a view to suggestion for annual contributions to the cost of the garrisons, having regard to the fact that those garrisons confer a considerable benefit on the Colonies?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question, but that it is anticipated that owing to additions to salaries necessitated by the increased cost of living, and necessary expenditure upon public works, the balance will be reduced to £60,000 at the end of 1921. As regards the latter part of the question, it is already the case that certain Crown Colonies contribute towards the cost of their garrisons. I will gladly examine, in consultation with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether this principle cannot now be further extended.