asked the Secretary of State for War whether two bridges were recently blown up to the east of Tralee by the military; whether any other bridges have been destroyed by the Crown forces; and what is the object of this destruction of property?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has asked me to take this question. During the operations in the vicinity of Tralee, in which the rebels had been making considerable use of motor cars, two bridges were partially destroyed by civil police, as an incident of a military operation, in order to deny their use to rebel motor traffic. Care was, however, taken to ensure that sufficient road space was left available for ordinary country traffic, which has not been interfered with. No bridges have been destroyed by Crown forces, and no others have been damaged.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case Of Mrs. Ryan, Wexford, who was charged with refusing to post up Divisional Proclamation No. 4 on the windows of her residence as directed by the military authorities; if he is aware that her house was visited by the military at 12.30 in the morning on the 16th February and she was ordered to place those posters in the window, which she refused; that the officer commanding the troops issued instructions for her child, not nine months old, to be taken away from her; and that requests have been made to this officer to return the child, who has replied that he cannot accede to her request; and, in view of these facts, will he have immediate inquiries made into the case and instructions issued for the immediate return of the child?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 3rd instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a pamphlet entitled "A Plea for Justice," taken from a leader in the "Irish Homestead," giving particulars of the destruction Of cow operative creameries, and protesting against the injustice of requiring the ratepayers to make good damage inflicted by the forces of the Crown, has been suppressed as a seditious document; and if he will indicate which portions of the pamphlet contain seditious expressions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the women employed in Audit Departments were promised by the Director-General of Organisation that their services would be retained in that section?

It is, I understand, the fact, that in the autumn of 1919, when many changes were being effected in the personnel of the Ministry consequent upon demobilisation and the necessity of providing employment for ex-service men, the Director-General of Organisation informed the women in the Audit Departments that it was not intended that those changes should affect them; but the position was materially altered by the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee in August last, and the changes now in prospect are being made in order to give effect to that Committee's recommendations.

asked the Chief Secretary what will be the position of the ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity in Government offices in Ireland under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the rules in Part 11 of the 8th Schedule to the Act which deal with non-established officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the time has now come, in view of his admission on 1st March that £21,770 had been thrown away at Woolwich Arsenal through defective manufacture of the war medals and retreatment of the finish, when expert firms of medallists should be asked to share in the manufacture of further medals and so avoid further waste of public money; whether such an arrangement would incidentally reduce the number of years that otherwise must elapse before Woolwich can produce the enormous quantity of medals that have still to be struck; and if this course would also assist trade and relieve some of the unemployment during these times of distress?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the previous replies which have been given to questions on this subject. The ordnance factories are fully and efficiently equipped to produce war medals and the work provides useful employment for workers in the London area. No national advantage would be gained at this stage by distributing the manufacture of the medals amongst the trade.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the comparative cost of the pre-War garrison in Egypt and the Army maintained in Palestine under our agreement with the League of Nations; and if the latter exceed, when it will be reduced to the former figure?

The cost of the pre-War garrison of Egypt at present prices would amount to some £1,450,000 a year, exclusive of capital and pension charges. The annual cost of the numbers to which the forces in Egypt and Palestine are now to be immediately reduced would be £6,250,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it may be possible to end the disparity between the prices charged for railway tickets to sailors and soldiers travelling on leave, whereby it results that the latter pay double the sum required of the former for the same journey?

The soldier now enjoys the same concession as before the War. He travels at half fare for the double journey when granted leave for seven days or over. The sailor also enjoys the same concession as before the War. He travels at half fare for the double journey on leave irrespective of the period of leave. In view of the different conditions of service, and the extra cost to the State if the seven days limit for soldiers was abolished, it is not proposed to alter the concession to the soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the venereal disease admission rate of the Army of the Rhine which shows no reduction from the admission rate given by the present Secretary of State for the Colonies in May, 1920; whether this means that in six years admissions for venereal disease will have equaled the total strength of the force; and whether every possible effort is being made to reduce this rate, including the spread of information regarding self-disinfection?

I regret that the incidence of venereal disease in the British Army of the Rhine is not satisfactory and has been the subject of much anxious consideration ever since the area was first occupied. The figures given by my right hon. Friend the present Secretary of State for the Colonies in May last were approximate only, and the corrected figures now available show that during the first quarter of 1920 the ratio admitted to hospital for venereal disease was 45·81 per 1,000 of the strength. The ratio for the last quarter of 1920 was 40·22; and for the months of January last it was equal to a quarterly ratio of 37·80. These figures indicate a gradual improvement which, although small, is a tendency in the right direction. The suggestion in the second part of the question is not correct—the admission rate includes every case admitted to hospital, including relapses and re-admissions for further treatment as well as primary infections. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure the House that every possible effort is unceasingly being made to reduce the amount of this disease among the troops of the British Army of the Rhine. Included in these efforts is the spread of information regarding self-disinfection as followed in the United Kingdom where the incidence is now and was for the year 1920 at a lower level than at any time in the history of the British Army.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that men who enlisted under the age of 18 are, under the terms of Army Order 325 of 1919, not entitled to count service under the age of 18 on re-assessment for pension; and whether he will amend the Order so as to allow men who enlisted under 18, and whose fetal service, including boy's service, before the War, was over 21 years, to count their subsequent service during the War over 21 years as qualifying service to-wards a pension, and thereby to bring up their total qualifying service for pension to 21 years?

I am aware that service under the age of 18 cannot in any circumstances count for pension on the new scale. Where a man re-enlisted for the War, any service he may have given in excess of 21 years, before re-enlisting, is taken into account in reassessing his pension, but I am afraid it is not possible to add his re-enlisted service for that purpose. During that service he drew pension in addition to pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War what addition he calculates will be necessary to the Army Estimates as a consequence of the advance of the Army of Occupation into Germany?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. Barker).

asked the Secretary of State for Air what addition he calculates will be necessary to the Air Estimates as a consequence of the advance of the Army of Occupation into Germany?

I have been asked to reply. No increase in cost is involved, so far.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons for the delay in the ratification of the Treaty of Peace with Hungary?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I returned to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for White-chapel (Mr. Kiley) on 24th February.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Persian Government are applying to Belgium, France, and Sweden for various technical officers to assist them; what British nationals, if any, are being retained in the service of the Persian Government; what sum was advanced by the British Government to the Persian Government under the lapsed Anglo-Persian agreement; and whether such sum is recoverable from the Persian Government now that the agreement is concluded?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not able at the moment to reply to the second part. In regard to parts three and four of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend's question of 9th November last.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, if English subjects entering France are relieved, under the scheme now being considered by the French authorities, from the necessity of carrying passports, the Foreign Office will take immediate steps to grant reciprocal advantages to French subjects entering the United Kingdom?

I am not aware that any such scheme as is referred to is being considered by the French Government, and the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister what action was taken, if any, by the Council of the League of Nations at Paris to give effect to the recommendation of the Assembly of the League with regard to publicity?

The following Resolutions have been adopted by the Council:—

(1) The Council shall decide that a meeting is to be open to the public whenever it considers this course to be advisable or opportune.

(2) The Secretariat will ensure the immediate publication of Resolutions and Reports, and also of a short summary of the discussions which shall have been previously approved by the members of the Council.

I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that the documents containing all the Resolutions which have been adopted by the Council are to be found in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what date has been fixed by the Council of the League of Nations for their next meeting in May?

The date has not yet been definitely fixed.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the protest against the suspension of the Education Act passed at a recent conference held at Manchester University; and whether, in view of the feeling which this suspension has aroused, he will take immediate steps, by legislation if necessary, to bring the Act into full operation?

My attention has been called to the protest referred to. The Education Act of 1918 is not suspended. I would refer my Noble Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Cairns) on the 28th February by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, notwithstanding the denial of the National Union of Teachers that they had in any way stimulated the education authority of Erith to dismiss Mr. David, a teacher with 33 years' blameless and creditable record, and their asseveration that the dismissal was not countenanced by them, he is aware that the minute of 13th October, 1920, of this authority, page 538, No. 1,215, bears that Miss Murphy stated that a teacher in the service of the committee was not a member of the union, and that the secretary was instructed to institute inquiries and to warn the teacher in question that, unless he at once became a member of a recognised union, the committee would have no alternative but to dispense with his services; whether he is aware that Miss Murphy is one of the local representatives and chairwoman of the local branch of the National Union of Teachers; and whether, in respect of the fact that Mr. David's refusal to join a union was due to his belief that to do so was contrary to the commands of God and that love of liberty is a fundamental part of education, he will now see his way to have legislation introduced whereby the National Union of Teachers will be disbanded?

I have seen a copy of the minute referred to. I understand that Miss Murphy, who is a co-opted member of the Erith Education Committee, is a member of the National Union of Teachers and chairwoman of the local branch of that union, but I see no ground for concluding that the statement which is referred to in the minute was made by her in consequence of any instruction or suggestion emanating from the National Union of Teachers or its local branch. I have already stated that I regard this case as deplorable, but I do not propose to adopt the course suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is now the minimum number of sessions a non-provided public elementary school must be open in a school year to obtain the Government grant; whether, a local education authority has the power to fix a higher minimum than 400 sessions; and is such a local authority entitled to intimate that the salaries of teachers will be withheld if the managers of such schools refuse to open their schools 420 times in a school year?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board on the 8th December last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative. The third part puts a hypothetical question to which it would be difficult to reply without knowing all the circumstances of the actual case which the hon. Member has in mind, but, speaking generally, the managers of a non-provided school are under an obligation to carry out the directions of the local education authority in the matter. If they fail to do so, the local education authority may cease to maintain the school, and this would involve the discontinuance of the teachers' salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many persons are at present on strike in India as a result of industrial disputes; what are the chief points at issue; and what trades and districts are involved?

The latest information I have relates to the week ending 16th February. On that date there were ten strikes in operation in India. The number of employés involved appears to have been about 20,000. The disputes were generally about wages, but in one or two cases no economic demands were put forward and the causes at work may have been of a political character. The industries affected were railway workshops, tramways, motor works, a saw mill, a cotton mill, and oil installations. The areas affected were Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lucknow, the Punjab and Rangoon.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why the Scottish police are still not in receipt of the non-pensionable bonus as are the English police; why the new regulations affecting the police have not been adjusted and given effect to in Scotland, whereby a great discrepancy in such matters as rent allowance and the like is caused between, say, the London and the Liverpool and the Glasgow police; whether he has conferred with the Home Secretary, as enjoined in Section 14 of The Police Act, 1919, in reference to these matters; and, if so, how has it come about that the Scottish police, although their duties are not less arduous, are at so considerable a disadvantage with the English police in pay and conditions?

As stated in my reply to a question on the 9th instant by my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn (Sir J. Remnant), the matter of a non-pensionable bonus will be considered by the Police Council in Scotland at an early date. The Police (Scotland) Regulations, which were made on the 10th November last, are similar to the English Regulations, both generally and as regards rent allowances. These allowances are usually fixed by a Police Authority so as to cover a reasonable average rent (including rates) for the different ranks, having regard to the level of rents and rates in the district. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. I am in frequent consultation with the Home Secretary in connection with police matters. As regards the last part of the question, the scales of pay, so far as prescribed by the Regulations, are the same in both countries and the prescribed allowances are generally the same. Moreover, the Police Pensions Bill which is now before the House proposes new scales and conditions of pension which will be the same for both countries.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state when the application for a small holding by George Kennedy, able-bodied seaman, His Majesty's tug "Volatile," Rosyth, is likely to be considered; and what steps are being taken towards the utilisation of the recent grant of £1,000 towards the expediting of land settlement in Scotland?

With regard to the first part of the question, I understand that this applicant has been favourably reported on by an officer of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and that his application has been noted for consideration, along with others, when holdings on certain schemes at present in: course of development are allotted to new holders. In reply to the second part the Board are actively engaged in surveying the possibilities of settlement in Scotland with a view to ascertaining the districts to which the recent funds can most suitably and beneficially be applied. Inspections have been made of numerous farms, and schemes of settlement are being negotiated. Three proposals for the acquisition of estates have been submitted through me to the Treasury for approval, and others are in an advanced state of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health of all instructions drafted by the Ministry of Health regarding forms to be filled in for one purpose or another are invariably submitted to the Scottish Board of Health, or whether the Scottish Board of Health are brought into consultation when such forms are under consideration; and whether, should any difference of opinion arise, the matter would be left for the Secretary for Scotland to decide whether the desire of the Ministry of Health should apply to Scotland?

The Ministry of Health are not concerned with forms applicable to Scotland except in the case of forms prepared by the Department of Building Materials Supply, in regard to which the Scottish Board of Health are consulted. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing there is so much unemployment in the country, and also that large reductions in wages have already taken place and other reduc- tions are being sought, and also seeing that large increases of rent have already taken place in consequence of the rise in rates, in addition to the 20 per cent. increase which was put on previously, he will take steps to secure that the 10 per cent, increase authorised under the Rent Restrictions Act, 1920, shall not take effect?

I cannot undertake to introduce legislation for the amendment of the Act of last year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the operation of Section 15, Sub-section (3), of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage (Restrictions) Act, 1920, which enables a sub-tenant to set up against a landlord the terms of a sub-tenancy which may be collusive in that the rent may be even nominal or subject to the payment of rates, or other onerous conditions which make the sub-tenancy unjust and inequitable as against the landlord who has been no party thereto and has been powerless to prevent it; and whether, in view of the opportunities for fraud which this provision affords, he will introduce amending legislation without delay?

As my hon. and learned Friend is aware, the Sub-section to which he refers protects the sub-tenant only where the premises have been lawfully sub-let. I cannot undertake to introduce legislation to amend the Act of last Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government intend to introduce a superannuation scheme for local government officers, in accordance with the Report of the Departmental Committee on the superannuation of persons employed by local authorities in England and Wales?

As I have previously explained, in view of the heavy charges which such a scheme would impose upon the rates, the Government regret that they cannot proceed with the matter at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the date on which the Finance Bill for 1921–22 will be laid before the House?

I am not yet in a position to name a date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Excess Profits Duty that has been repaid from August, 1920, up to March?

The amount of Excess Profits Duty that has been repaid from 1st August, 1920, to 5th March, 1921, is approximately £8,400,000.

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the published statements that the Ministry of Food are holding about 20,000 tons of bacon in cold store in America valued at about £4,000,000 sterling which has become unfit for British consumption, whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a small joint committee of the House and export bacon importers to investigate the circumstances and determine the responsibility for the large losses involved?

There is no foundation whatever for the statements referred to in the first part of the question. The second part therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any proposals to fix standard weights and packages for fruit and vegetables; and is he aware that, owing to the use by growers of salesmen's empties of all sorts and sizes, the use of standard packages is impracticable, and that the variety of sorts of fruit grown by small growers makes it impossible for them to work to a standard weight in the stress of fruit harvest?

In order to place home-grown fruit, particularly apples, in a position to meet the competition of imported produce, which has gained its position in our markets largely in virtue of the standardisation of grading and packing enforced by legislation in the exporting country, the Ministry is endeavouring to obtain agreement among all sections of commercial horticulturists to a voluntary system of standards of grading and packing which will be guaranteed by an approved label. The application of standard packages and weights for vegetables is also under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the area of land under wheat in England and Wales in 1914, 1919 and 1920; and what efforts are being made to have full utilisation of the land in Britain, so as to absorb men on the land and supply food for the nation?

The area under wheat in England and Wales in 1914 was 1,807,000 acres; in 1919, 2,221,000 acres; and in 1920, 1,875,000 acres. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the powers to enforce the rules of good husbandry and to secure improvements in existing methods of cultivation which are contained in the Agriculture Act of last Session, and also to the educational work of the Ministry for which increased funds have been provided by Parliament. I may mention also the land settlement scheme under which over 12,000 ex-service men have already been placed on the land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the Ministry of Food ceases to exist, the Fair Trading Council set up to advise the Food Controller as to prices of commodities will also be abolished in the interests of national economy; and is he aware that the work of this Council is unnecessary, as it is being carried out by existing agricultural organisations?

No decision has yet been arrived at with respect to the future of the various Fair Trading Councils set up in connection with the Ministry of Food except that it is not proposed to incur any further expense in regard to them. These Councils deal with other subjects than those carried out by existing agricultural organisations and I am not aware of the existence of any other advisory body on which the interests of the producer or manufacturer and the various branches of the distribut- ing interests of the trades concerned are co-ordinated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a communication from the Guild of Insurance Officials requesting that a court of inquiry shall be set up, under the Industrial Courts Act of 1919, to inquire into the dispute between the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, and the Guild of Insurance Officials regarding the dismissal of some of their members; whether the original application for this court of inquiry was made on 8th December last; and what steps are being taken in this matter?

Since this dispute was reported the Department have endeavoured to see whether it was possible to arrive at an agreed settlement. Both parties have been seen, but it has not been found practicable to secure a joint conference, nor is the corporation prepared to accept the suggestion of my right hon. Friend that there should be a meeting with him between the general manager and the secretary of the Guild. My right hon. Friend has come to the conclusion that it is not possible to settle this dispute by way of conciliation, and as the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, he has no power to compel the parties to a dispute to adopt a particular means of settlement. As to the main point at issue, namely, the alleged victimisation by the corporation of members of their staff who belonged to the Guild, we have received an assurance from the general manager that the corporation is indifferent as to whether junior members of their staff join the Guild or not, but they state that they cannot allow a member of the Guild to hold a position of responsibility or trust in the corporation. This is not a matter in which the Ministry of Labour can properly interfere, and after very careful consideration, my right hon. Friend has come to the conclusion that the use of Part II of the Industrial Courts Act would not be appropriate in a case of this kind.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of unemployed women are registered at employment exchanges; what proportion of such women are married; what number of married persons are in receipt of unemployment pay; and whether it is proposed to continue unemployment pay to such women at the full rate without regard to the incomes of their husbands?

The number of women on the live registers of the employment exchanges on 25th February was 310,222, of whom about 270,000 were drawing benefit. In addition about 372,250 women were drawing benefit in respect of short-time working. Statistics distinguishing the numbers of married and unmarried applicants are not available. As regards the last part of the question, the position appears to be adequately safeguarded by the statutory conditions and disqualifications for benefit, which among other things require that applicants for benefit must be available for work and unable to obtain suitable employment. Further, before benefit can be drawn under Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, applicants must be normally in insurable employment, genuinely seeking whole-time employment and unable to obtain it; if any doubt arises as to this latter condition the matter will be referred to the Local Employment Committee, and one of the statutory Regulations giving directions for the guidance of Local Employment Committees provides that persons who though occasionally work as wage-earners are not ordinarily dependent on wage-earning employment for their means of livelihood shall not be considered to be normally in employment.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the inconvenience, and in many cases hardship, caused by the copyhold system of land tenure, the Government will at an early date introduce legislation on the subject in relation to this subject on the lines of the Law of Property Bill introduced in another place last year by the Lord Chancellor?

I have been asked to reply. Legislation on this subject is proposed by the Law of Property Bill, which has been introduced this Session in another place.

asked the Home Secretary if it has been decided to appoint a committee to inquire into street trading?

I am proposing to appoint a small committee to consider the question of the regulation of street trading in the metropolis, and hope to announce its appointment at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to publish the evidence and findings of the Departmental Committee on Legislation of the Adoption of Children; and whether, arising out of the recommendations, he proposes to institute legislation during this Session?

The Report of the Committee in its final form only reached me yesterday, and I have not yet had time to consider the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Home Secretary how many workhouses are now being used as places of remand and detention for juvenile offenders, and in how many petty sessional divisions the police authority has established remand and detention homes for juvenile offenders?

Outside the Metropolitan police district more than 100 police authorities have provided places of detention (other than workhouses). These are in many cases used by other police authorities who have not made provision for their own area. There are also more than 100 workhouses available for the purpose when there is no other accommodation; but most of these probably take only one or two cases in the Course of a year. The use of workhouses as places of detention is discouraged by the. Home Office, and is steadily decreasing. When workhouses are used the authorities are asked to see that the juveniles are separated from adult inmates.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the hardship and circumstances of widows of ex-police pensioners pre-1918; and if it is the intention of the Government to remove the hardship by making provision for the granting of benefits to the widows of pre-War police pensioners similar to those granted to widows of police officers retiring since September, 1918?

I have received representations suggesting that the provisions of the Police (Pensions) Act, 1918, should be extended to the widows of constables who retired before 1st September, 1918, but I regret I do not see my way to propose legislation for this purpose. The proposal was fully considered when the Act of 1918 was being passed, and it was decided not to include the widows of men who were no longer serving.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the wording of Clause 15 in the ordinary telephone contract form authorising him to increase the charges if he should desire to do so by giving three months' notice at any time; and whether, in view of the recent rises in telephone charges, he can give an assurance that he will not avail of the power given him under this Section to further increase the charges during the next 12 months?

I do not anticipate that a further increase in telephone charges will be necessary within the next 12 months. The object of the Clause referred to is to provide a ready means of meeting a marked rise or fall in costs without resort to the laborious undertaking involved in a comprehensive revision of the tariff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet ascertained the number of railway personnel employed in Mesopotamia?

The Acting High Commissioner, Mesopotamia, has been instructed by mail to furnish a return which will no doubt arrive in a few weeks' time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what discrimination in tariffs is made by Italy against English and French manufactured goods; whether there have been changes in favour of France since the Armistice; what are the reasons for any present discrimination as between England and France by Italy; whether any representations have been made to Italy on this matter; and what is their nature and result?

I have been asked to reply. The rates of Customs duty enforced in Italy on English goods are identical with those enforced on similar French goods. Such changes in the Italian Customs tariff as have taken place since the Armistice have for the most part been in an upward direction. Under the system of import restrictions prevailing in Italy, however, there are certain goods which are only admitted under licence if of United Kingdom origin, whilst if of French origin they are admitted without question. The following is believed to be a complete list of such goods:—

Artificial flowers.

Carpets of wool.

Spirits and liqueurs.

Fans.

Feathers, ornamental, dressed or not.

Furniture and frames of wood.

Furriers' wares (but not including made-up articles of fur).

Goldsmiths' wares (gold plate, gold watches and gold jewellery).

Glasswares, ground, cut, gilt or silvered.

Hats for women, trimmed.

Human hair, manufactured.

Perfumery (except perfumed soap).

Pianos.

Precious stones other than for industrial use.

Silver wares and silver jewellery.

Small wares ( "Mercerie" ) of a fine or luxurious character.

Toys.

Wine in bottles.

His Majesty's Ambassador was recently instructed to approach the Italian Government with a view to securing that licences shall not be required for the importation of these goods if of United Kingdom origin, and I am at present awaiting their reply.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can see his way to expedite the completion of the base for the Lincoln statute which was unveiled in July last so as to meet the expressed wishes of American donors and allow of its being placed again in public view not later than 1st May next?

I regret that owing to the difficulty which has been experienced in obtaining the large blocks of granite required it will not be possible to complete the base until the beginning of June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the terms of reference submitted to the Judicial Committee inquiring into the allegations against a certain official in the Ministry of Munitions have yet been settled; and if they are sufficiently wide to cover all the allegations made against F7 Department of the Ministry of Munitions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The terms of reference of the Committee are intended to, and do in fact, cover the allegations made by the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford East (Captain Loseby).