asked the Chief Secretary whether members of the armed forces of the Crown in Ireland attempted to victimise an Irishman for having given evidence to the Labour Commission: and what action he proposes to take?

If the hon. Member will give me particular of any such case, I shall have inquiries made about it.

asked the Chief Secretary how many Irish persons have been carried as hostages in military vehicles in martial law areas and outside martial law areas; under what authority, statutory or common law, have persons been carried as hostages in districts where martial law did not exist; whether the practice has led to a diminution of attacks on vehicles; and what precedents are there in the practice of Great Britain or other civilised states for the carrying of hostages on military vehicles, whether in regular war, in the holding of an occupied country, or in suppressing rebellion?

It is impossible to give the numbers asked for by the hon. Gentleman. In the martial law area these persons are carried under the powers of the officer administering martial law. Outside the martial law area it is competent for the military authorities to convey persons so required from place to place. Only prominent and well-known members of the rebel organisation are used for this purpose, and the effect has been a diminution of outrage, and from captured documents it is clear that it has had a restraining effect. There is, so far as I am aware, no precedent for a state of affairs such as exists in Ireland to-day.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds Captain A. H. Daniel, commanding N company, Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, has been suspended; whether this officer was absent on duty when certain members of N company engage in looting in a raid or Robinstown; and what action has been taken with regard to this officer?

Yes, Sir. Captain Daniel has been suspended from his command, pending the completion of the investigation instituted to inquire into certain serious charges of looting on the part of members of the company under his command. Until that investigation is complete, I must decline to make any further statement in regard to this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary the result of the inquiry promised on 13th December into the case of the arrest and internment of James Harlin, of Assye, Kilcarn?

Mr. Harlin was arrested, as stated in the hon. Member's question of 13th December, and was detained at Collinstown while the necessary inquiries were being made. These were conducted with all possible speed, and as soon as they were completed, as they proved satisfactory, Mr. Harlin was released.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the inquiries which were still proceeding on 2nd December as to the destruction of creameries at Ballintubber, Ballymote, Nenagh and Littleton, have now been completed; and if he will make the results known to the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Consett Division on the 21st ultimo.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received the report of the inquiry to which he referred in this House on 6th December into the Croke Park incidents; and what were the findings?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I must repeat, as was fully explained by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his speech in this House on the 15th ultimo, that, under the conditions which at present exist in Ireland, it is un desirable that the confidential reports of these inquiries, which are held for the purpose of informing the Government and enabling them to take appropriate action, should be made public. All that I can say in this case is that the court, after a very exhaustive inquiry, formed the conclusion that the firing was started by certain civilians in the enclosure and that fire was opened by other civilians upon a detachment of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were approaching one of the entrance gates.

asked the Chief Secretary whether on the night of 22nd February the armed forces of the Crown damaged and looted many houses and shops in the town of Donegal, including the premises of William Britton, James Gallagher, Hugh Britton, Thomas M'Ginty, John M'Gahern, Mrs. O'Neill, Christopher Britton, Bernard M'Ginty, Francis Campbell, Mrs. Dunlevy, Mrs. Charles Doherty, P. J. Ward, Thomas Doherty, Mary Anne Meehan, Mrs. M'Closkey, Ambrose Kennedy, Joseph M'Closkey, John Maguire, Anthony Gallagher, Mrs. Hegarty, Fergus Britton, Mary Ellen Ward, Joseph Martin, Bernard M'Goldrick, Hugh Doherty, Hugh Day, Bridget Quigley, and Mr. Gallagher; is this an official or an unofficial reprisal; if unofficial, will the Crown compensate the injured parties; who was responsible for the burning of the Inver Creamery, near Donegal; is this an official or an unofficial reprisal; will the Crown compensate the owners; and can he give any assurance to the people of Donegal, many of whom have fled from the town, that discipline has been restored amongst the forces for which he is responsible, and that they may safely return to their homes and resume their avocations?

Inquiries into these matters are still proceeding, but if the hon. Member will repeat his question on Thursday I will endeavour to give him a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any further information, in addition to that which he gave on 25th November, as to the murder of James O'Neill and Patrick Blake, who were acquitted by a court-martial in Dublin on 19th November and murdered on their arrival in Limerick on 20th November; if any arrests have been made in connection therewith; and what steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice?

The military court of inquiry in lieu of inquest held into the deaths of James O'Neill, one of two prisoners who were tried by court-martial in Dublin on the 17th November last on a charge of murder and acquitted, and Michael Blake, a brother of the other prisoner, found that these men were wilfully murdered by unknown persons on the 20th November. No arrests have been made in connection with this crime.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has yet received the Report, promised on 1st December, on the outbreak on the part of the Crown Forces at Ballylongford, County Kerry, on 29th November, when the premises of John Collins, the school house, and the residence of Daniel O'Rorke, schoolmaster, were set on fire; and if he will make known to the House the result of the inquiry?

According to the police report called for with reference to these alleged occurrences there is no school teacher named Daniel O'Rorke in Ballylongford, and neither the school house nor any teacher's residence in that place has been set fire to or interfered with in any way. The other premises referred to are stated to have been destroyed on the 22nd November last following an ambush of police in the village of Ballylongford on that date, but there is no evidence to show that any members of the Crown Forces were responsible for this outrage.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether an application for a grant from the King's Fund has been received from Mrs. Mary Kelly, Main Street, Stranorlar, County Donegal (reference D 26/57); if so, whether it was refused; and, if so, in view of the fact that several similar applications in that locality have been granted, will he reconsider Mrs. Kelly's application?

The application referred to was carefully considered by the Council of the King's Fund on its individual merits and was refused. I regret that as the Fund is now closed it is not possible to reopen the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British Wool Federation refused to supply the Sub-Committee on wool profits of the Central Profiteering Committee with information concerning the firms' total and net profits for the period under investigation; whether he can compel the British Wool Federation to produce the figures required; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent firms in the trade making a profit of 88·8 per cent. after paying excess profit duty?

The Report on the top-making trade prepared by a Sub-Committee of the Central Committee established under the Profiteering Acts is now with the printers and will be published at an early date. I would therefore ask the hon. Member to defer any questions on this subject until he has had an opportunity of seeing the Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will explain why the Report of the Uniform Clothing Committee established under the Profiteering Acts has not yet been published, although it has been in the hands of the Board of Trade for six months?

A Report on uniform clothing was received by the Board of Trade on the 6th October, 1920. As I informed the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers) on the 1st December, I asked the Central Committee to consider certain facts which were brought to my notice in connection with the matters on which they had reported. Since that time the Committee have been going into the matter and hearing additional evidence, and the Report in its final form has not yet been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to enforce the findings of the soap sub-committee of the Central Profiteering Committee of the Central Committee on Profiteering on the Soap Trust?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson) on the 23rd February, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Greek merchant ships were lost during the War; and how many have been lost during the last six months?

168 Greek merchant ships were reported to have been lost through enemy action during the War. According to information published by "Lloyd's List" 41 Greek merchant ships were lost through all causes between 5th August, 1920, and 20th February, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet made any appointments on the Development Committee for the Dyestuffs Industry; and when the Committee will commence its work?

No appointments have yet been made on the Development Committee to be set up under the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, but its constitution is being carefully considered and an announcement on the subject will be made as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what parts of locomotives were imported from America during the six months ending December, 1920, with their quantities and values; and what industrial or economic conditions existed in this country to make such imports necessary?

In respect of parts of locomotives other than axles, tyres and wheels, the values only are required to be returned by importers, and no separate returns are required in respect of different classes of such locomotive parts. During the six months ended December, 1920, the registered imports of parts of rail locomotives into the United Kingdom, consigned from the United States, were valued at £186,992. During the same period no imports of axles, tyres or wheels were registered as consigned from the United States. It is conjectured that the parts imported were probably the more complicated and highly-finished component parts of locomotives having a high value compared with their bulk.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any emissary of the Communist Government of a part of Russia has reached this country with a view to continuing the discussion on the re-opening of commercial relations between the two countries; and whether any re-opening of such discussions will be based on the Communist Government either recognising the properties and rights in oil and other mines possessed by British subjects when the Communist party assumed power, or else their buying out the holders of such mines and concessions on adequate terms?

M. Krassin, the representative of the Soviet Government, arrived in this country at the end of last week. The draft of the agreement proposed by His Majesty's Government has been published, and the President of the Board of Trade stated in the Debate in this House at the end of last Session the attitude of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is his intention to give effect to the Report of the Merchandise Marks Committee, which sat last year, by bringing in a Bill in order that the present measure may be considerably strengthened?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Hood) on 21st February, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the scheme for the financial reorganisation of the British America Nickel Corporation provides that over $4,500,000 of the new First Income Bonds are to be issued to the unsecured creditors of the corporation?

The answer is in the negative. It is proposed that $1,500,000 should be issued to secured creditors in order to release their security, and that $2,500,000 should be issued to raise cash, part of which will be used to pay unsecured creditors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement published in the Seventh Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, Session 1920, with reference to the contract for the purchase of nickel be- tween His Majesty's Government and the British America Nickel Corporation; whether the British America Nickel Corporation has failed to carry out the terms, of the contract; and what steps, if any, have been taken by His Majesty's Government to enforce, cancel, or otherwise deal with such contract with a view of carrying out the recommendation of the Select Committee that no further liability be incurred in the matter?

A scheme has been put forward by the British. America Nickel Corporation one of the terms of which provides for the contract referred to being cancelled without any liability on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it has been brought to his notice that a considerable proportion of the existing first mortgage bond holders in the British America Nickel Corporation are opposed to any further bonds being issued in priority to their bonds?

I am aware that certain first mortgage bond holders of the British America Nickel Corporation are opposed to the issue of any further bonds in priority to their present holding. They represent about one-tenth, of the present issue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if an estimate of the loss incurred by the various strikes that have taken place since 1918 can be issued as a White Paper?

The number of workpeople involved and the working-days lost on account of trade disputes are published each month in the "Labour Gazette," and a summary of the figures for 1919 and 1920 was published in the January issue of this year, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend. To attempt the roughest estimate of the total loss arising from trade disputes would entail a considerable amount of labour, and the calculations would be so largely a matter of guesswork that I do not think it advisable to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that various co-operative societies in the country are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of coal to meet the demand of their members; that the coal supplied to them is of inferior quality; and, in view of the fact that thousands of miners are out of work or working short time, will he take steps to see that the co-operative movement is supplied with all the coal it requires for its members, and of such quality as is desired?

I am not aware of the inability of co-operative societies generally to obtain sufficient quantities of suitable coal to meet their needs. A few complaints have been received regarding short deliveries of household coal. Those have been due to the accumulation of inferior coals for which there is no market; this necessarily reduces the out-put of the best coal from the collieries, since one cannot be raised without the other.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the ordnance depot at Bramley, near Basingstoke, where the regulation is that only ex-service men are to be employed, a large number of men from Reading and other districts who took no part in the War have received employment by irregular methods; that at the depot there is a system of uniform rate of pay for both skilled and unskilled labour, and that the skilled men could be absorbed by housing contractors who urgently require skilled labour, thus affording employment at the depot for many ex-soldiers resident in the district; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As regards the Royal Army Ordnance Corps at the depot at Bramley, the number of civilians employed is 666, of whom 641 are ex-service men. The employés under the Chief Inspector of Ammunition number 102, and are all ex-service men. The Royal Engineer subordinates number 186, of whom 88 are ex-service men and 21 are boys; all the skilled men are employed at their trade. No men have been taken on by irregular methods. The rates of pay vary accordang to the class of work and grading of the men; only unskilled labourers receive the rate of pay for unskilled labour. Preference is always given to the employment of ex-service men at the depot.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has succeeded in his efforts to get the Rutland County Council to acquire land in order to satisfy the demand on the part of ex-service men for small holdings at Uppingham?

As a result of the action of the Ministry's District Commissioner, one landowner at Uppingham has offered 28 acres, while another has intimated that if the county council will indicate the land which would be suitable for the ex-service applicants he will endeavour to accommodate them and do his best to arrange with the existing tenants for early vacant possession to be given. The county land agent has been instructed to make all inquiries necessary and report to the meeting of the Small Holdings Committee which is to be called for the 10th instant, at which meeting the Ministry's District Commissioner will be present. It is hoped that as a result land will be provided for the applicants at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the result of his inquiries into the application that was made on 7th July, 1919, by the Furness and Lake District Federation of Allotment Associations to the Lancashire County Council to meet the demand for small holdings; that, in November, 1919, the land was surveyed by the county land agent and that selected by the applicants considered satisfactory; that, in February, 1920, the county council stated the matter was still being considered; that, in March, a further request from the applicants received a bare acknowledgment; that, in May, a representative of the county council again investigated the matter; that, in July, application forms from the county councils were signed by the applicants and returned to the council; that, in August, a further investigation took place and a promise of land made; that, in November, in response to a further request by applicants, the county council replied that negotiations were in progress; that, in January, 1921, the same reply was given; and when land will actually be provided for these ex-service men?

The Ministry has had inquiries made as a result of the hon. Member's question of 23rd February. It appears that the Lancashire Small Holdings Committee in June last endeavoured to lease 36 acres of land in Greystone Lane, Dalton, in order to satisfy the demand for small holdings in the district. Failing to acquire the land by agreement, the Small Holdings Committee decided in August to serve a compulsory hiring order in respect of this land. The Ministry has not yet been able to obtain from the Lancashire County Council a statement of the reason why this order was not actually made. Arrangements are, however, being made for the matter to be brought before the Small Holdings Committee at its next meeting, when the Ministry's District Commissioner will attend and urge that the land in question be acquired forthwith.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the advisability of extending the period of time for training clerks under the scheme for training disabled men to 18 months where necessary, having regard to the fact that under-trained and inefficient clerks have very little chance of obtaining suitable employment, and that it takes equally as long to train men to become proficient in accountancy and shorthand alone as it takes to train men to become proficient in tailoring and other trades for which two years' free training is provided under this scheme?

The normal period of commercial training given by the Ministry of Labour to disabled ex-service men is nine months, which can be extended to 12 months in certain circumstances, e.g., absence of trainee owing to sickness; slowness in learning by reason of disability; or other reason not within his control. Special inquiries have recently been instituted with a view to determining the ability of men so trained to obtain employment upon the completion of their training, and it has been found that, providing suitable care is exercised in choosing trainees for this particular occupation, no difficulty has been found in placing these men because their training has been insufficient. In fact at least 85 per cent. of those trained in this course are known to have been placed in employment. In the circumstances it would not appear that any general extension of such training is necessary. But I will gladly consider any individual case known to my hon. Friend, if he will furnish particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether no provision is made in the Royal Warrant for pensions and allowances to the widows and children of men who were married after the receipt of wounds or injury, in consequence of which they were discharged and which caused their deaths; whether instances have come under his notice of those widows and children being left in destitute circumstances; and whether he will consider an alteration in the Regulations of the special grants committee to meet exceptionally hard cases, particularly of widows who were married and had a child or children previous to the Armistice?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As stated in reply to previous questions on this subject, it would not be practicable to remove this restriction from the Warrant. With regard, however, to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I may inform him that the Special Grants Committee can assist the widow, in a case of exceptional hardship, if the marriage, although subsequent to the receipt of wound or injury, or removal from duty, took place before the soldier's dischargé.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of rebates on Excess Profits Duty that have been applied for up to the latest available date?

No record has been kept of the total amount of applications made for rebate of Excess Profits Duty. In a great many of the cases no relief is found to be due, and the matter is disposed of by the local inspector of taxes without coming directly before the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The actual amount repaid between the 1st April, 1920, and the 3rd March, 1921, is approximately £10,800,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is able to give the approximate amount received during the financial year from agricultural societies in respect of Entertainment Duty?

Owing to the method of collecting Entertainment Duty, it is impossible to determine the amounts received from particular classes of entertainments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, as the whole basis for levying Income Tax was altered by the Finance Act, 1920, which in Section 18 provides that the first £225 or £135, as the case may be, shall be free of tax, and in Section 23 that the first £225 of taxable income shall be at one-half the standard rate, namely, 3s. in the £, the Board of Inland Revenue refuses to repay the whole tax on these amounts deducted at the source on production of satisfactory vouchers, and will only repay somewhat less than one-half; and whether he will give the necessary directions that full repayment shall be made forthwith and that, in future, repayments shall be made in full as soon as vouchers are produced showing the deduction of Income Tax at the source or, at all events, as soon as conveniently possible?

In accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax, the work of dealing with claims for repayment of Income. Tax has been devolved upon Inspectors of Taxes, and as soon as the new arrangements are in working order claims will be dealt with in the manner which my hon. and gallant Friend desires. It will, of course, be necessary for the claimant, when making his claim, so furnish a statement of his total income in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Spenborough war memorial has in part taken the form of a local fund administered by publicly elected trustees for the purpose of providing financial and other assistance to widows and dependants of the men who fell in the War and also to disabled men; that grants are being made to aged people from the fund who are in receipt of old age pensions, and that the pension authority rules that payments from the fund in these cases must count as income in respect of the qualifications for old age pensions in view of the fact that the operation nullifies in a great measure the advantages derived from the fund, advantages which the subscribers sought to effect and secure; and, having regard to the fact that the fund takes upon itself a liability which, in a greater or lesser degree, would otherwise have to be carried by the State, he will take such steps as will ensure the benefits derived from these funds being made exempt from the income qualification of the Old Age Pension Acts?

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

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the terms of the Old Age Pension Act, 1919, persons in receipt of pensions forfeit the same on entering rate-aided institutions; whether, in the event of an individual in receipt of a war pension in respect of the death of a son killed in action entering a rate-aided institution, the pension to which she is entitled may be given to the local authorities in relief of the rates, since, under the present arrangements, the national obligation of the State to such an individual is entirely remitted and the whole burden is borne by the local ratepayers; and whether, in view of the present high rates throughout Scotland, he will inquire whether some relief from this source can be made available for the local authorities?

Under the provisions of the Old Age Pension Act, 1919, an old age pension is suspended if the pensioner enters a rate-aided institution except for the purpose of obtaining medical or surgical treatment. In the event of an individual in receipt of a war pension in respect of the death of a son killed in action entering a rate-aided institution (other than a lunatic asylum), the Ministry of Pensions may agree with the authority running the institution to pay the whole or a portion of dependant's pension to the authority; this rule does not apply, however, to lunatic asylums. I have no power to alter the statutory provisions; but, in any case, I see considerable difference between a pension awarded for the loss of a son who would probably have contributed to maintain his parent, and a pension awarded to an aged person for the very reason that he or she was insufficiently supported.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the timber trade in Scotland is being much restricted owing to the large increase of railway rates charged upon timber; and if he will consider the advisability of imposing a maximum increase per ton upon the railway carriage of timber as has been done in the cases of coal and agricultural produce?

Representatives of the Scottish home-grown timber trade met the railway companies in conference in January, and I understand that, as a result, a revised scale of rates for the conveyance of home-grown pitwood between stations in Scotland has been quoted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the evidence given before the Colwyn Committee is now available for Members?

Yes, Sir. Copies of the evidence given before the Colwyn Committee are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government has arranged with the railway companies to give effect to the recommendation of the Bates Advisory Committee re workmen's trains, wherein it is laid down that it would be better to recognise that any person travelling by such trains is entitled to do so at the reduced fare; and, if so, why it is that some travellers by these trains have to get a note from their employers to say they are entitled to a workman's ticket for work making it necessary for them to travel?

The recommendation of the Rates Advisory Committee has been communicated to the railway companies, but it was not thought necessary to issue a formal direction requiring them to alter the condition upon which it has hitherto been their practice to issue tickets at cheap fares to workpeople travelling by workmen's trains. Presumably the hon. Member refers to workpeople who are on short time and require to travel from their work at times other than those by which the tickets usually apply and outside the statutory hours. In such cases the companies have generally met this demand by allowing workpeople to return by other than the recognised workmen's trains on production of a certificate from their employer as to the circumstances of the case. This stipulation is a necessary one for the protection of the railway revenue.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to introduce the Railway Re-grouping Bill?

I hope that it will be possible to introduce the Railways Bill soon after Easter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether only the North Eastern and Barry Railway Companies have expressed themselves as being favourably impressed with the grouping scheme proposed by the Ministry of Transport, whilst in the opinion of every other single railway company in the country the alternative scheme of grouping put forward by the Railway Association is considered not only practical, but equally effective in bringing about a situation that will give an efficient service with reduced cost; and whether the Ministry of Transport propose to urge the Government to ignore the representations of the Railway Association and force on the country a scheme which the railways themselves condemn?

The proposal is being carefully considered, but I cannot anticipate the provisions of the forthcoming Railway Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the criticisms of the statements and figures put forward by the Scottish railways, the Scottish chambers of commerce, and other representatives of Scottish traders, the Ministry of Transport are in favour of the purchase and use of foreign-made rails or British rails; whether at any time since the railways came under Government control could rails be purchased at £12 per ton, and, if so, from what source; and whether any allowance is made by the Ministry of Transport that railway companies in submitting figures for maintenance costs are bound to consider the prices prevailing at the time the work was ordered, and not that in force when it may be carried out?

I regret that I do not quite understand the hon. and gallant Member's point, but I shall be glad to give him any information if he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the statement of the Thames Police Court magistrate that a Dutchman, not even naturalised, is drawing out-of-work pay out of the English taxpayer's pocket; and whether he will take steps to ensure that aliens are not maintained at the expense of overburdened English taxpayers?

I have made inquiries and find that the man to whom this statement apparently refers has been drawing unemployment benefit through his trade union in accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Acts. Under the contributory scheme contained in these Acts no distinction as regards nationality is made either in the liability to pay contributions or the right to receive benefit. I should add that out-of-work donation is not payable to a person who is not a British subject unless he served with His Majesty's forces during the War.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is contemplating the appointment of 26 trade boards, or what other number, in the various trades-connected with the distributing trade; whether he is authorised to form such boards without any further authority from Parliament; whether any estimate has. been made of the numbers and cost of the staffs required in connection with such boards and what those estimates are; and whether, in every large shop and store, it will mean that the several employés will be under different boards and probably subject to different rates of wages and other conditions?

As regards the first and third parts of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hulme (Major Nail) on 2nd March. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

The answer to the second part is in the negative. The Trade Boards Acts can be applied to a trade only by Special Order which must be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and may be annulled on presentation of an Address by either House. The employés in any establishment would be affected by the determination of more than one trade board only in cases in which, in fact, more than one distinct trade was carried on in the establishment, as, for example, establishments in which the trades of grocer, butcher, and draper, are carried on in separate departments by specialised staffs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the confirmation of the rates fixed by the Laundry Trade Board for women workers on the 13th January, 1921; whether he is aware that these rates were originally proposed by agreement on the grounds of the decision not to establish district rates, and of the ruling that the guaranteed weekly rates previously established were ultra vires; and whether, in view of the recommendation of the trade board that these rates should come into operation as from 1st March, he is now prepared to confirm the decision of the trade board.

I have given careful consideration to the rates fixed by the Laundry Trade Board for women workers, and have examined all the relevant circumstances which led to the fixing of the rates. I have come to the conclusion that, taking all the factors into account, I have no alternative but to refer the rates back to the Board for further consideration. I have accordingly taken this action yesterday, and in doing so have drawn the Board's attention to the fact that in the earlier stages they were of opinion that there should be a differentiation between the rates payable for London and the country. I have invited the Board, in reconsidering the matter, to give particular attention to this aspect of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a great deal of feeling in the grocery and provision trade against wages being fixed by the Board of Trade, and that such action has a tendency to create unemployment; and what the future policy of the Board in this matter is likely to be?

I have been asked to reply. No doubt my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the Trade Board established under the Trade Boards Acts for the grocery and provisions trade. This Board is a representative body consisting of employers and workers in the trade, together with five independent persons of standing. It is empowered by Statute to fix minimum rates of wages for workers in the trade which, if confirmed by me, become legally binding upon the trade. After long discussion, the Grocery Board proposed rates of wages which were duly circulated to those engaged in the trade for criticism. The Board has considered the objections received, and has forwarded to me for confirmation scales of rates for shop assistants and porters, modified in the light of those objections. These are at present receiving my consideration. The future policy of the Trade Board, which, as I have stated, is a body representative of the trade, rests with the Board itself, and it may be safely assumed that they will have full regard to the welfare of the trade they represent. 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 Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to statements in the Press to the effect that Article 297 ( g ) of the Treaty of Versailles gives a right to British subjects to recover in specie their confiscated property in Germany, but that between 10th January and 30th January, 1920, the Law Officers came to the conclusion that it was not the intention of the Treaty that British subjects should have such a right; that the Law Officers thereby let down British subjects; what are the rights of British subjects under the Treaty in respect of their confiscated property in Germany; and what is the proper mode of enforcing these rights?

My attention has been drawn to a letter in the "Times" of the 26th ultimo, to which I assume the hon. Member refers. The rights of British subjects under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles in respect of their property in Germany which has been subjected to exceptional war measures or measures of transfer, are as follows:

In so far as that property has not been transferred British nationals are entitled to restitution.

In so far as that property has been transferred in German territory, British subjects are entitled

(1) to the proceeds of sale of such property in marks converted into sterling at the pre-War rate of exchange;

(2) to compensation in respect of damage or injury inflicted upon their property.

The proceeds of sale are paid by the British Clearing Office, set up under the Treaty, out of the proceeds of German property in their hands. Any dispute concerning the amount of such proceeds and claims for compensation in respect of damage inflicted upon the property are adjudicated upon by the mixed Arbitral Tribunal. The Law Officers had to consider whether they could support a claim that British nationals are entitled to the return in its original form of their property which had been sold. After full consideration, involving conference with those concerned in the preparation of this part of the Treaty, and reference to the records of the proceedings in Paris, the Law Officers came to the conclusion that such a claim could not be made good. That particular remedy had in fact been deliberately abandoned.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Council of the League of Nations, now sitting at Paris, have deferred the further consideration of the draft mandates submitted to them by the British and French Governments to the meeting of the Council to be held at Geneva in May; whether the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League has been appointed; and, if so, whether the Permanent Mandates Commission will meet to advise the Council on the drafts put forward and to receive any representations made by other members of the League on the published drafts?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am unable to say whether the Council will invite the Permanent Mandates Commission to state its views upon the draft mandates. The functions of this Commission are primarily to receive and examine the annual reports of the mandatories.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a custom exists in Hong Kong by which girls and children are transferred by their parents or natural guardians to the care of another household in return for a money payment, and responsible residents in the colony allege, that girls thus transferred are not infrequently resold at a profit; and, seeing that it is an undesirable thing that under British rule a girl or child should be sold and resold for a money profit without any interference from either the British or Chinese officials responsible, will he take steps to prevent this custom?

I have already described in this House the custom to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. I am not aware whether re-transfer, for a larger sum than that originally paid, is common. The position is at present the subject of correspondence with the Governor of Hong Kong, but it may be well to repeat what I have stated before, that the law of the colony, which is the law of England, does not recognise the transaction as conferring any right or title whatsoever on the employer as against the girl.

asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to entirely decontrol sugar and wheat?

Sugar was completely decontrolled as from 28th February. Decontrol of wheat is dependent upon the termination of the agreement under which the flour mills are controlled. Negotiations are in progress with the millers with a view to terminating this agreement at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Food whether, upon the decontrol of bacon, he intends to take precautionary measures to ensure that there will be no shortage of stocks in the hands of merchants?

The answer is in the affirmative and the necessary measures have already been taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that bee-keepers' associations have expressed the opinion that the Bee Disease Bill should be passed into law in order that the spread of the disease may be prevented; and whether it is proposed to pass this Bill into law this Session?

The Minister is aware that many of the bee-keepers' associations are in favour of legislation to control the spread of diseases, though it appears that many bee-keepers are strongly opposed to the proposals contained in the Bill introduced last Session. As already stated, for reasons of national economy, no further progress will at present be made with the Bill. In the meanwhile, it is hoped that bee-keepers will take steps to organise themselves in order to arrive at a means of expressing an agreed opinion on the measures to be taken for the protection and furtherance of the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the resentment throughout the country in regard to the traffic in worn-out horses to the Continent to be used for food purposes; what steps, if any, are being taken to stop this traffic; and if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation whereby treatment may be less brutal to these worn-put creatures and compatible with reason?

The trade in horses between Great Britain and the Continent is now under review by the Ministry. At present an inspector is carrying out a special inquiry into the conditions of horses from Great Britain as they arrive at the Continental ports. On receipt of his report the Ministry will consider what further steps—if any—are necessary to carry out the objects of the Exportation of Horses Act of 1914, which were to prevent the export of horses unfit to travel or to work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be able to issue a detailed statement as to the means proposed to pay farmers the difference on their wheat up to 95s. a quarter as arranged?

A statement on this subject has already been issued, and I am sending a copy to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a syllabus on the hygiene of food and drink, reprinted this year for use in schools; and whether, seeing that it is open to criticism, coming from a Government Department, on the ground that it is in certain respects a tract on behalf of total abstainers against the use of alcohol, he will have it withdrawn from circulation?

The syllabus referred to, which is a revised and expanded version of the Board's temperance syllabus of 1909, was reprinted by my instructions. I will gladly consider any specific criticisms or suggestions for its amendment, but I am not prepared to withdraw it.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to close down the Department of the Director of Building Material Supplies, the salaries of which he stated on 22nd December amounted to £69,570; whether he is aware that the continuation of this Department is threatening the existence of a number of old established and reputable firms engaged in the sale of building materials; and whether he will consider if opening the market for building materials would facilitate and hasten housing construction in all parts of the country?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 22nd February to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies), of which I am sending him a copy

asked the Home Secretary whether it is necessary to register sporting rifles in London; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, whether any fee is chargeable for such registration?

Under the Firearms Act, 1920, firearm certificates are required in respect of all firearms other than smooth-bore shot-guns, air-guns, and air-rifles. The fee for the grant of a certificate is 2s. 6d. if the firearm belonged to the applicant at the passing of the Act; otherwise it is 5s.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what work is being performed by the 1,000 extra people employed by his Department at the present time who were not employed on the 1st July, 1914?

The additional staff is engaged entirely on the increased work necessitated by the growth of Government staffs consequent upon the creation of new Ministries such as the Ministry of Pensions, Ministry of Labour, Air Ministry, and the Ministry of Transport, and the expansion of other Ministries; and by the addition of new services arising out of the War, such as the equipment and maintenance of training institutions for disabled and other ex-service men, the provision of sanatoria for tuberculous ex-service men, the building of some 8,000 houses on behalf of local authorities, and the management of housing estates transferred from the Ministry of Munitions. It is estimated that the work of the Department has unavoidably been increased by about 200 per cent. during the period in question.