asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the money advanced to the Persian Government in view of the adoption of the Anglo-Persian agreement is regarded as a loan to be repaid in the event of the rejection or avoidance of acceptance of the agreement by the Mejliss?

The answer to the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement that General Dickson had been put in control of the Cossack Division and that we had accepted temporary responsibility for officering the Cossack Division, he can say when this responsibility terminated, when General Dickson resigned control of the division, and whether any British officers are at present serving with the Persian-Cossack Division?

The arrangement by which General Dickson and his officers were to assume temporary charge of the Persian-Cossack Division after the withdrawal of the Russian officers, was not carried out, and no British officers are serving or have served with the division.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether certain American interests had acquired before the War a concession from the, Ottoman Government for the construction of 1,200 miles of railroad through Asia Minor to the Persian Gulf, including all mineral rights in a zone 40 kilometres wide along the line of the railway; whether this line would pass through the region known as the Mosul oilfield; how this affects the interests of British oil companies in that area; and what is the attitude of the United States Government on this matter?

An extensive project of railway construction in Asia Minor was proposed by certain American interests and considered by the Turkish Government some years before the War. I have, however, no information indicating that any concession of the nature described by the hon. Member was granted by the Turkish Government.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many officers holding Consular rank in the British Service have had actual practical knowledge of trade matters; and how many vacancies there are still to be filled?

The Members of the Commercial Diplomatic Service in foreign countries and the Trade Commissioner Service of the Empire were appointed on the recommendation of Committees whose members included prominent business men. Of the 60 officers in these Services 33 had been in business and the remainder had acquired considerable knowledge of commercial intelligence in the Consular Service or the Board of Trade. As to the salaried Con- sular Service the scale of salaries which it is practicable to offer for the grade of entry cannot be expected to attract men already successfully engaged in business. Entry into this service is now, as before the War, governed by open competitive examination conducted by the Civil Service Commission for which candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 21. The next examination will be held in August when 20 vacancies will be announced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what concrete result has been recorded from the trade exhibitions which have just been held in this country; and whether the result justifies the outlay?

As the London and Birmingham sections of the fair only closed on Saturday last and the Glasgow section does not close until Saturday next, it is too soon to make even an approximate estimate of concrete results. Most of the foreign buyers will visit the fairs at Leipzig and Lyons before deciding where to place their orders. As regards the last part of the question, the charges made to exhibitors are designed to cover all the expenses of the fair itself, and to provide a contribution towards the cost of extra staff employed by the Department of Overseas Trade to cope with the work involved; but no charge is made against the fair for the services of the ordinary staff of the Exhibitions Division of the Department. It is for the individual exhibitor to determine whether his own outlay is justified, and the steady increase in the number of exhibitors from year to year appears to leave no doubt on the point. I may add that I would strongly deprecate any tendency to pronounce upon the utility of the fairs on the basis of immediate results in what is recognised to be a time of abnormal depression.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 11th June, 1920, Mrs. P. A. Douglas was informed that she would be given a free passage to the United States of America to rejoin her husband; whether this passage was arranged for her on the ss. "Baltic," sailing from Liverpool on 14th July; whether he is aware that Mrs. Douglas sailed in the ss. "Columbia" from Greenock on 16th June; whether he has received a claim for the refund of the passage money paid for Mrs. Douglas for her passage by the ss. "Columbia"; whether he is aware that the War Office refused this claim on the ground that the berth allotted Mrs. Douglas in the ss. "Baltic" could not be returned to the shipping fund concerned, that it went empty, and would eventually have to be paid from Army funds; that the shipping company now state that they were advised prior to the sailing of the steamer that Mrs. Douglas was not travelling with it and consequently the accommodation reserved in her favour was released; and whether, in the circumstances that this lady is a repatriated soldier's wife, that her passage money was paid by her father, and that no expense was placed upon the War Office for her passage, he will reconsider this matter and refund the passage money expended?

I am informed that the facts are as stated in the first four parts of the hon. Member's question. As regards the remainder of his question an explanation has already been given to the hon. Member in an official letter of 26th January last. The Military authorities undertook to provide Mrs. Douglas with a passage of which she did not take advantage but made her own arrangements. It has been found necessary to make a rule, and enforce it strictly, that in such circumstances no claim against public funds can be admitted. There is nothing in this case which entitles Mrs. Douglas to exceptional treatment. The fact that no charge has been preferred by the shipping company for the berth on the ss. "Baltic" in no way establishes her claim for a refund, and I regret that the decision cannot be reconsidered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply received by this lady was not to the effect that she would get a passage, but that she might get a passage, and that pending further communication from the War Office her father paid her passage money: that later she received a letter intimating that the passage money would be received: that the intimation coming from the War Office stated that they had actually paid for the passage and could not get a refund as the berth had been taken for the passage, but the statement of the shipping company was that the berth had actually been let to someone else because they were informed prior to the sailing of the steamer that Mrs. Douglas was travelling by another steamer, and in view of these circumstances and that this lady is the wife of a repatriated soldier will the right hon. Gentleman take the matter into further consideration?

One hon. Gentleman cannot expect to have an answer to all these questions. Any fresh matter had better be dealt with by consultation, or a further question should be put down.

These facts are in the question on the Paper. I am trying to elicit an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War which yeomanry regiments are now up to strength; and whether these regiments will be given precedence over those originally selected to remain as yeomanry in cases where the latter have not yet recruited their complement?

I should be glad if the hon. Member would await my statement on the Army Vote on Account, when I propose to go more fully into this matter than can be done in answer to a question.

Has it been definitely decided which regiments should remain?

My hon. and gallant Friend is now asking me to answer a question which I do not want to deal with by question and answer. I want to deal with it in Debate.

Is it proposed to give a day or part of a day to a discussion of the Territorial Army generally?

Hon. and gallant Members will have their opportunity on the Vote on Account, which I hope will be taken next week. It is for them to chose the subject, and not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Officer Commanding, Royal Engineers, Weymouth area, is circularising the civilian workmen employed in the Royal Engineers Department asking them if they are members of a trade union, and, if so, the name of the union they are members of; whether this circular was issued with his authority; and for what purpose is the information asked for required?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to the hon. Member for Spen Valley, in which I explained that steps are being taken to set up local works committees among War Department employés, in accordance with the Whitley Scheme for Government industrial establishments. I am informed that the information asked for by the Officer Commanding, Royal Engineers, Weymouth, is being obtained to enable him to arrange local conferences with the representatives of trade unions having men employed in establishments under his command. I may add that the procedure adopted is in accord with the views of the employés side of the War Department Industrial Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of the staff of the Cost Accounting Branch; what is the annual total cost of this new branch; and whether he is in a position to say what savings it is hoped will be effected by it?

The total staff numbers 1,380 and the cost for 1921–22 is estimated to be about £420,000. It is not possible to give an estimate of the savings which will be effected by it, but no doubt is entertained that it will produce far-reaching improvement in the economy of Army administration and the machinery of control of Army expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of motor lorries which it is proposed shall be subsidised by the War Office in the event of their being required for purposes of war?

The object of the proposed scheme was to secure rapid possession of 750 suitable heavy lorries and 100 light lorries. My right hon. Friend is causing the whole matter to be reconsidered, and, as I informed my hon. and gallant Friend yesterday, no final decision will be taken before the Debate on the Estimates.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Vote on Account.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to issue an Army Order giving effect to his predecessor's reply last Session that European officers and men who served in India during the War are entitled to the British War medal?

The second paragraph of Army Order 266 of 1919, which announced the award of the British War medal contains the instruction that the medal will be granted to those "who rendered approved service overseas.…between 5th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918." It is not considered necessary to issue further instructions as suggested in the question. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the Army Order referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilians and how many military officers now constitute the Army Council; and, if the civilians predominate, what steps he proposes to take to put a stop to this anomaly?

At the present time the Army Council consists of three Ministers, three civilians, and five military officers. For the reasons given in my predecessor's answer of 20th July last, I cannot accept the view that there is anything anomalous in the constitution of the Council.

If the right hon. Gentleman calls this an Army Council, will he make it an Army Council or will he call it a Civilian Council?

No, I shall not call it a Civilian Council. I call it the Army Council because that is its official name.

Have not these civilians been put on since the Esher Committee sent in their Report constituting the Army Council?

That is the question which was dealt with in the answer to which I have referred my hon. and gallant Friend.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman deal with that question very unsatisfactorily?

The hon. Member cannot expect me to admit that.

We cannot debate the matter now.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he will notify the fact that khaki drill uniforms of authorised pattern for Eastern stations can be procured by officers at the Royal Army Clothing Department at a cost of £2 1s. 6d. for a jacket and £10s. 3d. for trousers, and that officers proceeding to Eastern stations and India are advised to apply to the Royal Army Clothing Department for these articles and not to pay the high prices now being charged for them by military tailors; and whether he will simplify the procedure enabling officers to purchase uniform and equipment from the Royal Army Ordnance Department, so that officers who are entitled to a Government grant can obtain their uniform as a charge against that grant without the necessity of prepayment before they have received the grant as at present?

Information has already been communicated to commands that certain surplus stocks of officers' clothing (including khaki drill uniform) are available, at the present time, for purchase at the Royal Army Clothing Department. It is not the intention, however, to continue the sale of uniform to officers after these stocks have been used up. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that the suggestion would not in effect simplify the procedure, while it might result in delaying the payment of allowances to those officers who do not desire to make purchases from the Royal Army Clothing Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware I have instances in which young officers are entitled to a grant for uniform, but cannot get the grant until they produce a receipted bill, while the young officers have no money to pay the bill, and the Army Clothing Department refuse to give the uniform until they have got a receipted bill? Will the right hon. Gentleman get over that difficulty and let the men draw their uniform without prepayment?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me a statement of the facts, I will have it investigated.

These are the facts which I have stated. Will the right hon. Gentleman allow the men to get the grant?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to grave allegations concerning the Army of the Rhine which have been made by the Rev. W. Talbot Hindley, a Chaplain of the Territorial Force; and, in particular, whether there is anything to justify the statements that the conditions of life in Cologne make a death-trap for our soldiers; that 95 per cent. of one unit have been through hospital; and that there is a cemetery which is largely filled with suicides and victims of venereal disease?

My attention has been called to the allegations in question, and the Army Council are in communication with the reverend gentleman concerning them. There is no justification whatever for the statements attributed to him. During the period from 1st January, 1920, to 31st January, 1921, the monthly average of admissions for venereal disease was 1·4 per cent. of the total strength; there were 85 deaths from all causes, but none from venereal disease and only five from wounds self-inflicted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the fact that some thousands of women are now prevented from marrying their deceased husbands' brothers through a failure to give equal rights to men and women when the Deceased Wife's Sister Act was passed, and to the further fact that a great proportion of the women concerned are believed to be war widows in receipt of a large sum for pensions which would cease to be payable if the law was made equal for men and women in this respect, he will introduce a Bill to remedy the present condition of things?

The Government are unable to undertake legislation on this subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 8th November last.

As the War has accentuated this condition in the country, cannot the right hon. Gentleman see the advisability of doing something in this direction?

I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to make a recommendation on the subject?

I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Is the objection of the Government a moral or a legal objection?

It is neither. It is purely a question of time.

asked the Home Secretary how many further crimes of arson have been committed by Sinn Feiners in the Manchester area within the last week; what is the total amount of damage done by Sinn Feiners down to date in this area; and whether he will arrange for the formation of an auxiliary police force from among unemployed ex-service men in Manchester, in order to put an end to crimes of this character?

Since I answered a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend on the 23rd February, there have been four or five spasmodic attempts at arson in the Manchester area which were probably part of the Sinn Fein campaign, but fortunately the damage has been relatively small, and there is little to add to the approximate estimate previously given. I do not think it necessary or possible for me to arrange for the formation of an auxiliary police force. The regular police can be supplemented where necessary by the employment of special constables.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Town Clerks of Liverpool and Birkenhead have been in communication with him regarding his statement on the 20th December that, subject to the general control of the Home Office with regard to efficiency, the power of re-instating police officers who participated in the strike in 1919 is vested in the local authority; whether, in reply to these communications, he has now stated that regulation 7 of the Police Regulations precludes the re-appointment of constables who were dismissed in consequence of their participation in the strike; and whether, in view of the fact that in certain districts the local authority, which is most in touch with the opinion of the district, is prepared to re-instate the police strikers, he will adhere to his first statement and allow these local authorities to exercise their discretion?

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. As regards the third question, the local authorities have declined to re-instate the men who refused duty in 1919, and this is in accordance with the decision of the Government, to which I must adhere, and is the only course consistent with the maintenance of the discipline essential to the efficiency of the police.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement to a deputation from the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress on the 8th December last, that the Police Federation had refused to take up the question of the re-instatement of police officers who participated in the strike of 1919, and that this went to show that the body of opinion in the police force was not behind the move for re-instatement, he is aware that, although the Chairman of the Central Joint Committee of the Police Federation ruled the matter out of order, several forces have expressed their anxiety for the re-instatement of the men, and have even sent direct to the Home Secretary their opinion on this matter; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, the Government is prepared to reconsider the question as it affects the Metropolitan Police Force, and allow local authorities to act as they think fit with respect to provincial forces.

I am informed that Branch Boards in a few forces have submitted resolutions in the sense indicated; but the question of the re-instatement of the dismissed police strikers is excluded from the scope of the Police Federation by Section 1 (1) of the Police Act, 1919: and the Branch Boards concerned have been so informed. The Government considered the matter fully before deciding that these men ought not to be re-instated, and the question cannot be reopened.

asked the Home Secretary whether ex-Superintendent J. M'Carthy, formerly of the Criminal Investigation Department (Central), is now being employed in connection with the work of the director of intelligence at Scotland Yard; whether he is being paid for this work; whether, at the same time, he is in receipt of a pension as an ex-police officer; and whether this is a contravention of the pension Regulations?

The answer to the first three questions is in the affirmative, and to the fourth that the arrangement is perfectly regular and was followed in the case of hundreds of police pensioners who were temporarily re-employed during the War.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on one occasion the guillotine at Scotland Yard was broken while in use for the guillotining of bogus copies of the Moscow "Pravda" whether the repair of this machine was paid for out of public moneys; and, if not, who paid for it?

I have made inquiry, and find that nothing is known of this alleged incident.

asked the Home Secretary in what way he proposes to provide, under the Dangerous Drugs Act Regulations, for farmers to procure drugs coming under the regulations for the use of their cattle; whether he proposes that such cattle medicines shall be denaturised, and, if so, whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been consulted.

The whole question, including a suggestion as to the possibility of denaturing the drugs supplied for use by farmers, is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the decision of some local authorities in Scotland to abandon schemes for building houses meantime on the ground in some cases that the cost of building materials is still too high, and in other cases that the houses contemplated to be built should be reduced in number, owing to large numbers of anticipated occupiers emigrating, and also, owing to lack of employment, workmen will be unable to pay the rents demanded; and if, under the circumstances, he will advise all local authorities to reconsider their schemes with a view to modification?

I am aware that in a few instances local authorities have proposed to abandon or modify their approved housing schemes. Where high cost is the ground of the proposal it is usually found possible to secure the necessary reduction in cost. Where the reason is emigration or unemployment the Scottish Board of Health are prepared to consent to the modification of schemes in cases in which they are satisfied that a change in local conditions warrants it. Power to vary a scheme as circumstances may dictate is invariably retained by the Board in granting approval. I do not consider it necessary to advise all local authorities to reconsider their schemes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in at least one district in Lanarkshire, in a mining village, houses are about to be erected though the pits are almost exhausted, and in such circumstances is it a wise thing to proceed to spend money on the present site?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the case he has in mind I will be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will issue instructions to the officers making up the register of parliamentary and local government electors to insert a separate column stating the occupation of the elector?

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that in the interests of economy the omission of the occupation column was decided upon a little over a year ago. I may refer to what I said in answer to questions on the subject on the 25th November, 1919. The necessity for economy is even greater now than it was then; and I have no reason to suppose that the omission of the column in question has created any serious inconvenience. I am not prepared, as at present advised, to alter my previous decision.

Will there be a special column for occupations in the electors' register for Mesopotamia?

I do not quite follow the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many districts in Scotland it is Very difficult to ascertain the exact man whose name is on the list, because there are very many men of the same name and surname, and in one district there are 34 such cases?

If my hon. Friend will again give me particulars I will look into the cases in which he is interested.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that some uncertainty is felt by district agricultural committees in Scotland in respect of their powers and duties under the Agriculture Act, 1920; and whether he will now issue an explanatory memorandum to such committees for their guidance in these matters.

I am aware that a number of the committees in Scotland are in doubt as to their powers and duties under the Agriculture Act, 1920. A memorandum is in course of preparation which will be addressed to them at an early date and which will explain the nature of the powers and duties entrusted to them.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether district agricultural committees in Scotland, as at present constituted, have power to grant certificates in terms of the Agriculture Act, 1920, and generally to perform the duties imposed upon district agricultural committees by that Act; and whether he intends to introduce legislation dealing with the position of these committees during this Session?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Scottish committees will shortly be armed with powers following upon Regulations to be made under Section 11 (2) of the Corn Production Act, 1917, and legislation is accordingly unnecessary.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can give the names of the Members of the Committee on Rating of which Lord Dunedin is Chairman; and when it will commence its sittings; and whether it will sit in Edinburgh or in London?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to answer the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. If he will be good enough to put down a question for Thursday I hope to be able to give him a reply. As regards the last part, I should think that the Committee would sit mainly in Scotland, but this is a matter for the Committee to determine in accordance with the balance of convenience.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the regulations as to the employment of children issued by the Fife education authority have been modified so as to admit of school holidays being fixed at such times and in such a manner that children can be employed at harvest and at potato lifting in rural districts?

It is in the power of an education authority to fix the school holidays, or part of them, in such a way as to cover periods of special activity in agriculture of the kind referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. I may add that a bye-law containing provisions as to the exemption of children from attendance at school for the purpose of taking part in potato lifting and similar occupations, and dealing also with the number of hours during which they may be employed, has been submitted to me by the Fife education authority for confirmation and is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of persons, distinguishing between those permanent and temporary, employed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on 31st January, also stating separately the numbers at the head office in Edinburgh from the remainder in other parts of Scotland; and the number of officials receiving a salary of £250 per annum and upwards and the total amount of salaries, bonuses and allowances for the current year?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, with my right hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer referred to:

The total staff employed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on 31st January, 1921, was 297 permanent and 179 temporary. The number employed at the Head Office in Edinburgh was 386, and in other parts of Scotland 90. The number of officials receiving a salary, exclusive of bonus, of ( a ) £250 per annum and upwards was 91, and ( b ) under £250 per annum 385. The estimated total cost of salaries, bonuses, and allowances for the financial year ending 31st instant is £146,990, of which £12,060 is met from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why an officer of the Inland Revenue is stationed at the Bowmore Distillery, in the island of Islay, seeing that the distillery has not worked for five years, and in view of the fact that an ordinary Inland Revenue officer also lives in the village?

The staff of two officers of Customs and Excise stationed at Bowmore was reduced to one in January last. Although the Bowmore Distillery was not at work during the period referred to, an earlier reduction of the staff was not possible because of the large stocks of non-duty paid spirits stored in the distillery warehouse, deliveries from which were generally required by the distiller at short notice. The other officer at Bowmore could not attend to this work as his duties in connection with Excise licences and Old Age Pensions required frequent journeys, not only to other parts of Islay, but also to the neighbouring islands of Jura and Colinsay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the Post Office circular "Telephones for Farmers and Residents in Rural Districts," in which it is suggested that, with a minimum of two subscribers on each line and to each mile of route, the rental for each subscriber would be only £3 10s. a year; whether a rural party line was in this way arranged to be connected to the Cheveley Exchange, Newmarket; whether, lured by the Post Office circular, a sub- scriber at Gazeley agreed on the 1st November last to the installation for a surcharge of £4 and an annual rental of £4 18s.; whether, on receipt of notice that after three months a further and indefinite increase would be made, this sub scriber, in view of the fact that work had not been started on the line, applied on 4th January for a cancellation of the agreement and a refund of his money; whether the Norwich contract manager refused to return the money except on the condition that £1 surcharge and three months' rental be retained; and whether, in all those cases where, though contracts had been signed prior to notice of the new charges being sent out, but where the installation has not yet been made, he will give instructions to repay in full any deposit which may have been paid by subscribers who, under the new conditions, do not feel it possible to afford the service?

I find that the circumstances of the case referred to were somewhat exceptional, and as expense was incurred only on some preliminary work, I have arranged to waive in this instance the charge which it was proposed to make as a condition of cancelling the agreement.

Do I understand that the claimant will get his money back in full with no deduction?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the result of his inquiry into the accounting methods of the telephone service; and when he proposes to introduce some such simple system as is in force in other progressive countries so as to obviate the annoyance to subscribers and the excessive clericalism and cost which are involved in a multiplicity of accounts at varying dates?

The Select Committee on Telephone Rates approved a system proposed by the Post Office, under which the subscriber will receive each quarter a single account covering a quarter's installation rental in advance, and fees for local and trunk calls and telegrants in arrear. Existing subscribers will receive the first account early in July, and credit will be given in it for any unexpired portion of a payment made under the old agreement. Monthly accounts will be rendered for trunk calls on payment of a charge of 4s. a year, and a monthly statement of local calls will be furnished on payment of 10s. a year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many different kinds of accounts the telephone user will receive?

I must have notice of that question.

Is the suggestion the right hon. Gentleman makes any reform at all?

Certainly, it is a reform.

Do we understand that subscribers are to pay a fee for getting a statement of accounts?

If they want a special statement.

Will subscribers receive a monthly account for trunk calls a quarterly account for local calls and an annual account for rent?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not subscribers, are to pay a fee if they ask for a statement of their accounts?

The question is complicated enough already without proceeding further.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Controller of the London Telephone Service is insisting on the payment by private telephone users of the new charges for the next quarter in advance, in cases where such users have already paid the existing charges for many months in advance, and where the amount so paid in advance is in excess of the new charges for the next quarter; and whether he will give directions that credit shall at once be allowed for the moneys already so paid in advance instead of waiting till the end of the next quarter?

Subscribers at the old rates are not yet being asked to pay the charges under new agreements at the revised tariff. When accounts for the first quarter at that tariff are rendered, credit will be given for any amount due for return under the old agreements. If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any departure from these arrangements, I will have inquiry made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the telephone user is not called upon to pay twice over in advance charges which are already high enough?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that subscribers are getting accounts in at the new rate and that there is no statement on the bill that allowance will be made for the unexpired portion of their subscription?

I was not aware of it. If the hon. Member has any case in mind perhaps he will send it to me.

In future when accounts are sent out will the right hon. Gentleman have them made out in ink in a legible way? They are now written in pencil and are often illegible.

Certainly, I shall consider it.

Is the user called upon to pay these telephone charges twice over in advance?

No, Sir; of course he is not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the intention of Clause 14 of the general conditions of the new draft agreement for telephone exchange lines is to empower him to increase the quarterly subscription to any figure he pleases merely by posting to the subscriber a three months' notice running from the date of the notice and without giving the subscriber an opportunity of saying whether he assents to the increase or whether, if he does not assent, he wishes to terminate the agreement before the increase becomes operative?

A subscriber cannot be called upon, under the Clause in question, to pay an increased rate until the expiration of three months' notice. In the meantime he would have the option of terminating his agreement by similar notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Clause as drawn the Postmaster-General may wait until the last day before the three months and give notice to increase the charge, and that after the receipt of it it will be too late for the subscriber to give three months' notice to terminate the tenancy? In that way the subscriber will be compelled to pay any increased rate that the right hon. Gentleman chooses to impose.

I hope the hon. and learned Member does not assume that any kind of unfair advantage like that will be taken.

In case anyone might take, unintentionally, an unfair advantage, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in the new agreement Clause 14 shall be drawn so that no one can take an unfair advantage?

I will have attention drawn to the Clause.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that in the Birmingham post office, women, some of whom are relatives of dead soldiers, and were employed full time in the post office during the War on all kinds of duties, are now employed on sorting work in the evening only, when the heaviest mails have to be dealt with; that the hours worked range from 17 to 28 per week, at 1s. per hour; that if these women were not employed, full time permanent servants would be engaged on the work; that, in consequence of the women being employed a part of every day, they are not entitled to part unemployment benefit, although the wages earned are insufficient to maintain them and their dependants; that, being employed only during the busiest hours, of the day, the women are actually doing, within a period of four or five hours, the normal work of a full day; and whether he will make arrangements either to employ these women full time or increase their hourly rate of pay to enable them to earn a sufficient wage?

The facts are as stated in the earlier part of the question. The employment of the women obviates serious wastage of force that would be involved if the work were performed by full-time staff; but it cannot be admitted that the women perform the normal work of a full day. The duties are not arduous; and they are remunerated at the standard hourly rate. It would be impracticable to employ the women on full-time duties; and I regret that an increase in the rate of payment is not warranted.

asked the Postmaster-General what quantities of new and second-hand telephone and telegraph wire ordered for the Army during the War have been handed over since the Armistice to the Disposal Board for re-sale; and whether it would have been more economical for the Post Office to have retained the same for use in improving and extending the telephone and telegraph services in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his previous question of the 1st instant, which applies to telephone and telegraph wire, and to all other signal stores. Of the wire which was returned to this country as surplus to Army requirements, 110 tons of galvanised iron wire and 18 tons of copper and bronze wire were found to be suitable for Post Office use, and were retained for my Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many thousand tons were left in France and sold with the dumps there?

I must have notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister what Arab areas, if any, other than Mesopotamia, Aden, and Palestine, are within the British sphere of influence; and whether the cost of administering Aden will now be transferred from the Indian to the British taxpayer?

There are various parts of Arabia, outside the areas mentioned in the question, whose rulers have been in special Treaty relations with His Majesty's Government for many years past; for example, the Sheikhs of the Persian Gulf littoral and the Trucial coast. As regards the second part of the question, the question of the precise incidence of costs resulting from the transfer of the control over the Aden Protectorate to the Colonial Office is still under consideration.

Are there any great chiefs?

Not in that sense.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of instituting an inquiry into the cost and feasibility of a national compulsory unemployment insurance scheme embracing every worker below an agreed wage, under which beneficiaries could be sure of a subsistence and not merely a contributory payment?

I have been asked to reply. The only considerable portion of the wage-earning population not covered by the Unemployment Insurance Acts is that employed in agriculture and domestic service, and there is power to extend the Acts to agriculture and domestic service, if this is thought to be desirable. The only question that arises, therefore, is with regard to the weekly rates of benefit. Under the Act which became law last week, the rate of benefit was increased to 20s. for men and 16s. for women. Having regard to the very recent Debates in this House on the provisions of that Act, I do not think the inquiry suggested by my hon. Friend would serve any useful purpose at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before any new policy with regard to Mesopotamia is definitely adopted, the House of Commons will be afforded an opportunity of discussing it; and, if so, whether, before such discussion takes place, he will lay upon the Table of the House full papers dealing with the problems at issue?

Certainly; no new policy would be adopted without the knowledge of the House of Commons, and full information so far as possible would be given.

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Eric Drummond is undertaking the office of Secretary-General of the League of Nations at the rata of £10,000 per annum, including salary and allowances; whether he, in addition, claims to be provided with a house in Geneva; whether there are employed in the Secretariat approximately 86 persons at salaries of £500 per annum and over; whether the appointment of these persons rests with the Secretary-General; and whether their salaries are awarded at his discretion?

The remuneration of the Secretary-General of the League of Nations is 200,000 gold francs (about £10,000), of which two-fifths represents salary and three-fifths allowances. He is also entitled to be provided with a house in Geneva. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. In accordance with Article VI. of the Covenant, the staff of the Secretariat is appointed by the Secretary-General with the approval of the Council of the League.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of this 200,000 gold francs payment falls upon this country?

I certainly could not do so without notice.

Shall we have an opportunity of discussing this salary, and, if so, on what Vote?

There is a Vote for it—the Foreign Office Vote.

Is there available anywhere a list of the establishment and charges, and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having one made with a footnote explaining the achievements resulting?

I cannot promise that, but it may interest my hon. Friends to know that the question of the expenses of the League was carefully considered at a meeting in Geneva, and in this instance also economy was considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Council of the League of Nations has invited the Government of the United States of America to come into the next discussions upon A and B mandates; whether the British representatives approved this invitation; whether a similar invitation has been given to other nations which are not members of the League; whether, in view of the fact that the United States undertakes no responsibility in regard to the League, the invitation to discuss mandates places that nation in a privileged position; whether he will state how long the British Government intends to acquiesce in this privilege accorded to the United States; and whether he will give an assurance to the House that Great Britain shall not be placed in a disadvantageous position with regard to her Colonial policy by reason of her participation in the League

The League of Nations has not yet communicated the text of the reply which, according to reports in the Press, has been sent to the United States' Note about mandates. I am therefore not in a position to reply to the points raised by the hon. and gallant Member.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consult the British delegates to the League of Nations for an answer whether or not an invitation has been sent?

I have no doubt whatever that it has been sent, and with the concurrence of the British representatives.

Is it not a fact that these areas or territories were, by the Treaties of Versailles and Sevres, handed over, not to the League of Nations, but to the Allied and Associated Powers, of which the United States of America is one, and that until the terms of the mandates have been approved, the United States of America, as an associated Power, has international status in discussing their future?

In effect, what my hon. Friend says is true, and as the United States of America had a very considerable part in the War, it is quite reasonable that it should consider these mandates.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the building of new employment exchanges was deferred in deference to Parliamentary opposition to the expenditure, and that since that date it has been the practice of other Departments to purchase premises before the money has been voted; whether he is aware that negotiations for the purchase of premises in Underwood Street, Finsbury, are now in progress; and whether the Government will stop this unconstitutional practice?

Every effort is made to obtain Parliamentary sanction to individual purchases which are not covered by previous Estimates, but special emergencies do arise occasionally in which the disadvantage to the public service of delaying a purchase would be so serious as to justify the purchase in anticipation of Parliamentary sanction. I could not promise that in no conceivable circumstances would such a thing happen, but I will do my utmost to avoid it As regards Underwood Street, Finsbury, the Government are not negotiating for the purchase of any premises, but are endeavouring to acquire certain leases. Any expenditure would be chargeable to the Rents sub-head of the Vote which is not allocated to particular items.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make any statement as to the Government attitude towards the efforts now being made by the parties interested to secure the continuation of coal control beyond the end of this month?

I have been asked to answer this question. A statement of the Government's attitude in this matter will be made this afternoon in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Coal Mines (Decontrol) Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to certain notices issued by im- porters of German goods in this country, urging their customers to buy at once, as in the event of the proposed export duty of 12 per cent. being imposed the price of the goods, will be increased; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent what will be in effect the subsidisation of the German Government by the English consumer?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I have not seen any such notices, but I do not doubt that German exporters are always ready to find reasons why immediate orders should be placed with them. As regards the second part of the question, I am not prepared to admit that the imposition of such an export duty in Germany would necessarily, in present circumstances, raise prices to the English Consumers.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister if he can state when the exact conditions will be published under which purchasers of German goods will be required to pay 50 per cent. to the Exchequer, and whether these terms which have been imposed will in any way affect the proposed legislation in connection with the collapsed exchanges?

With regard to the first part of the question, a Bill will be introduced as soon as possible. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Will it be before Easter?

I am afraid that, unless there is a general agreement to take it without discussion, that will be impossible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that many farmers in the north of England find it impossible to sell their wool in consequence of the uncertainty in the minds of wool merchants and spinners as to the intention of the Government for disposing of the very large stocks of wool held by the Ministry of Munitions; and whether he can make a statement of the Government policy on this subject so that those concerned may know where they stand?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Harborough Division (Major Sir Keith Fraser) on the 21st February last. The policy of the Ministry of Munitions would tend to help rather than hinder the sale of the wool referred to.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Lord Tweedmouth, as First Lord of the Admiralty, in 1908, stated that the then Prime Minister held the very strong opinion that the political chiefs of the Navy and Army should be in the House of Commons, and that experience had convinced him that the Prime Minister was right; that Mr. Disraeli expressed the same opinion in 1864; that Sir James Graham gave it as his strong opinion to the Select Committee on Admiralty Administration in 1861; that the only other witnesses examined on the matter, Sir John Pakington and Sir Francis Baring, concurred in this opinion; and whether he can state why the unbroken practice for 13 years has now been departed from when the circumstances more than ever require the heads of great spending Departments to be in the House of Commons?

I have not been able to trace all the utterances quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend, but it is quite clear that they do not govern practice. Out of 16 First Lords who held office between 1861 and 1908, seven were in the Lords and nine in the Commons. The seven held office for 22 years, and the nine for 25 years. As regards the last part of the question, it would, in my opinion, be a great disadvantage to the public service if the Prime Minister in making his recommendation to His Majesty is not free to select the man whom he considers best for the post, irrespective of the House of Parliament in which he sits.

Is not the real point that the Estimates are exceedingly high now and that the House of Commons does control the expenditure, and that whenever this matter has been investigated by a Committee the general evidence has been in favour of the First Lord of the Admiralty being in the House of Commons?

That is probably true, but unfortunately there are many Departments in which there is spending, and if that were taken as the decisive factor, we should never have a Member of the House of Lords in the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of working overtime in various Government Departments, in the Board of Education, the Claims and Records Department of the Ministry of Labour at Kew, and in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office; whether he is aware that the staff of the Savings Bank Department, consisting of 1,500 women clerks, are at present working 12 hours per week overtime, and that they have worked an average of six hours per week overtime during the last year; whether numbers of temporary women clerks are at present being dismissed; whether the permanent staff are paid overtime rates averaging 2s. 6d. per hour, more than double the rate of the temporary clerk; and whether, in the interests of economy and also with a view to alleviating the distress due to unemployment, he will forthwith abolish overtime and reorganise the work so that the temporary clerks may be retained in employment?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that it is still necessary to work overtime in certain Government Departments, including those mentioned. Every effort continues to be made to reduce the amount of overtime required, and in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office it is at present much below the figure of 12 hours a week. Temporary women clerks are not at present being discharged from the Departments mentioned except when competent ex-service personnel is available to take their places. The rates of pay, including the overtime rates, of established women clerks are higher than those of temporary women clerks, who are recruited and graded on a different basis, but I regret that, owing to the fact that much of the work to be done requires a considerable degree of experience and to difficulties of accommodation, it is not practicable wholly to abolish overtime by re-organisation of work and increase of transfer of staff.

May I ask whether this practice is not very expensive to the taxpayer and very detrimental to the health of those who work in these offices, and whether it is not possible, by arranging a system of short time, to absorb a great number of temporary women clerks?

As far as expense goes, our experience is that short time does not result in saving, but one of the difficulties we are up against in this particular Department is accommodation, and that, of course, is a great deal more expensive. It is hoped that the necessity for overtime will have disappeared before long when all the arrears will have been caught up.

On the question of overtime, could not the girls work to a certain time and then let the others come in? There have been the most tragic cases of overwork in this Department, and there is great feeling among the women, and does it not seem to be a very poor national policy to overwork women clerks in this way when you are discharging hundreds of others, and is it not better in the national interest to give the other women the overtime work? There are hundreds of them who are ready and fitted for the work.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, beyond a compassionate grant, no provision has been made for the wives and dependants of civilians killed in enemy air raids during the War; whether he will consider the desirability of giving such wives and dependants a first claim on any indemnity received from Germany; and if he will say to what Government Department representations as to those who are now in want because of the death of the bread-winner killed by enemy aircraft should be addressed and their needs met until an indemnity is forthcoming?

In reply to the first and third parts of the question, the wives and dependants of civilians killed in enemy air raids during the War received grants from public funds following generally the principles of the Workmen's Compensation Acts in pursuance of the undertaking given by my predecessor on the 28th June, 1917. Any such dependant who has not received a grant and wishes to apply for one should write to the Ministry of Health. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for the Ladywood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain) on the 4th May last.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to reappoint the Select Committee on National Expenditure; and whether in that case he will undertake, before the House rises, to give legislative effect to recommendations they may make and which may be approved by the House for the curtailment of national expenditure?

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the conclusion of the discussion now proceeding with the representatives of all parties in the House on the form of expenditure committee to be set up. I am sorry to say that, owing to the pressure of business caused by the Inter-Allied meetings in London with the German delegates, I have not yet been able to have a meeting of the gentlemen whom I have asked to-help me.

asked the Chancellor of Exchequer whether the figures published by the Board of Trade for the 10 months ending 31st January, 1921, show the revenue accruing from the ad valorem tax on imported cigars to be approximately £235,000, as against the revenue for the same period in the previous year of £700,000; whether there will be a deficit upon his Budget estimate of £1,000,000; whether he is aware that a large proportion of the turnover of many thousands of tobacconists consists of Havana cigars: and whether the imposition of the present ad valorem tax is acting to the prejudice of this trade as well as involving great loss to the national revenue?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue was received from the taxation of imported cigars for the last 10 months as compared with the corresponding periods of the two previous fiscal years; and what proportion of the 1920–21 figure is due to the extra taxation of the last Budget?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the yield of the 50 per cent. ad valorem duty on imported cigars has so far been actually less than the yield of a lower duty in the last financial year; and whether the object of the imposition of the 50 per cent. duty was to increase revenue or to reduce consumption?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the fact that in his last Budget he anticipated a revenue from the duty on imported cigars to amount to £1,300,000; whether he is aware of the fact that the revenue will not be more than £300,000, which is roughly £500,000 less than he received before he put on the added duty; and whether, in view of the lost revenue as a result of the increased taxation, he will abandon the added duty in his next Budget, particularly in view of the fact that the only way he can get revenue is by not restricting but by increasing the selling of the commodities he taxes, and that the extra duty, which he placed last year on imported cigars has caused such diminished sales that he has lost half a million of revenue which he might otherwise have obtained?

The net receipts from imported cigars for the first 11 months of the financial years 1918–19, 1919–20, and 1920–21 were £523,300, £811,700, and £313,300, respectively. The ad valorem duty represented 39 per cent. of the last-named figure. As regards the object of the tax, I can add nothing to what I said last year, and as regards its future, I would ask my hon. Friends to await the coming Budget discussions.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is allowing free play in his own mind to these striking figures in formulating his Budget proposals?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cost of the administration of the pensions, including sums expended on rent of premises, cost of purchase, construction or alteration of premises for the use of the Ministry and its provincial offices, falling under the Vote of the Office of Works.

I have been asked to reply to this question. The expenditure on all the services mentioned, including that which falls on the Vote of the Office of Works, will be approximately £7,000,000. This figure includes a nonrecurring sum of £1,100,000 for capital expenditure on buildings.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when ex-officers re-enter hospital for the treatment of wounds received in war, maintenance of 4s. 6d. per day is stopped out of their disability pensions; whether, in the case of pensions up to about 40 per cent. this means the stoppage of the whole pension, and in the case of a 20 per cent. pension a payment of 15s. 9d. per week for being restored to health which had been lost in the service of the State; and whether, seeing that officers' families have in many cases to be supported out of the pensions while the pensioner is in hospital, he will either drop the 4s. 6d. per day maintenance or, alternatively, will raise the pension during hospital treatment to the rate of 100 per cent. disability?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to have been misinformed. Unless the officer draws salary or sick-pay from his civil employment while in hospital his retired pay is raised to the maximum rate, under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant, and it is from this maximum retired pay that the maintenance deduction is made.

Am I to understand that discrimination is made against an officer who is in receipt of a salary as against an officer who enjoys private means, and why should this £210 limit apply only to the officer in receipt of salary? Why should the State in that case wriggle out of its obligation, and why should it meet its obligation where there are private means?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The State is not seeking to wriggle out of its duty, as I think my hon. and gallant Friend, on inquiry, will find.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as a matter of fact, the State does pay this disability pension to 100 per cent. without question if £210 is reached by means of private income, as opposed to salary? Is that the case?

That is the case.

Then is it not the case that you are discriminating against salary in favour of private income, and can the right hon. Gentleman say why?

This question is receiving my attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Estimates for the administrative Departments can be so presented that they show the total expenditure of each Department, including sums expended by other Departments in their behalf?

The information is already given in the statement appended to the first page of each Estimate. I have already given directions that there shall be added in the Estimates for 1921–22 a line giving a total figure including the cost of the services rendered by other Departments

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will adopt the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Income Tax and grant to a British subject residing abroad the same relief which he may grant to a British subject resident in the United Kingdom; and whether, having regard to the hardships imposed on British subjects residing in the Colonies under the existing Act, such relief may be made retrospective?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to have overlooked Section 24 of the Finance Act, 1920, which deals with the relief from Income Tax claimable by British subjects residing abroad, and which precisely carries out the recommendation made by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax in regard to this subject in paragraph 65 of their Report.

asked the Minister of Food the cost of the Scottish Costings Committee; and whether it is intended to continue this Committee by transferring it to any other Department after the termination of the Ministry?

There is no separate Scottish Costings Committee. If the hon. Member refers to the Scottish staff of the Agricultural Costings Committee, the annual cost, including travelling expenses, was about £4,100. It is not proposed to transfer this staff to any other Department on the termination of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Food if he proposes to take further action in the case reported by the Assistant Commissioner for enforcement for Divisional Food Commissioner, London and Home Counties division, on 16th November, 1920, of gross neglect by the Horsham Urban District Council in allowing four stacks of wheat, barley and oats, respectively, to become unfit for human consumption as a result of not thatching these ricks, although plenty of straw, to the extent of two and a half loads, was sent to the stables; and, in view of the bad example set to farmers or landed proprietors, will he again consider the gravity of this case?

No, Sir. The matter formed the subject of correspondence between the Divisional Food Commissioner, London and Home Counties, and the Horsham Urban District Council. The necessary steps were taken by the Council in November last, to avoid the possible recurrence of damage to cornstacks, and I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by reopening the matter.

May I ask whether "the necessary steps" mean local authorities or farmers are instructed to employ thatchers and so save the food of the country, or are they still allowed to do without thatchers because of a dispute over a ½d. an hour?

The trouble in this case was that the local district council did, in fact, neglect to thatch certain stacks of wheat and barley, and damage was sustained in consequence. The matter was fully, gone into, and the local district council have given satisfactory assurances as to the steps which they propose to take in order to prevent any recurrence of damage of that kind. If the hon. Member wants me to let him have full particulars of what the council have promised to do, I shall be very glad to let him have them, if he will give me notice.

asked the Minister of Food if any steps are being taken to reduce the price of foreign tinned milk imported into this country, which rose to 1s. 4½d. per tin when sugar and milk advanced in price and has not been reduced pro rata since these foodstuffs fell in price?

Control of the prices of condensed milk was removed a year ago, and I do not propose to reintroduce it. It must be remembered that some time must necessarily elapse before the reduction in the cost of the raw materials can become effective.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what procedure has been adopted for the guidance of farmers who want their wheat prices adjusted to meet the new guaranteed price, and what instructions have been given to the millers?

The procedure is set out in a statement which is somewhat lengthy, and accordingly, with the permission of the House, I will have it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.