asked the Secretary of State for War whether firing squads entrusted to carry out death sentences by courts-martial in Ireland are composed of volunteers or men specially instructed by the commanding officer; if the latter, is due regard paid to the age of the soldiers entrusted with the duty; and, if not, will he make representations to the effect that no young soldiers shall be allotted such duty because of the debasing effect on their lives?

I have every confidence in the Commander-in-Chief, and I am not prepared to interfere with his discretion in such matters.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the members of the so-called Irish Republican Army are known to observe the laws of war as laid down in The Hague Conventions or any other laws of war that have ever been recognised by a civilised community?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary how many soldiers whose period of service in the Army expired while serving in Ireland have joined the cadet corps or the auxiliary force in that country since their discharge?

112 officers whose period of service expired while they were serving in Ireland have joined the Auxiliary Divisions as cadets, and 59 other ranks have joined the veterans division, which is composed of temporary constables and is attached to the Auxiliary Division.

asked the Chief Secretary how many civilians were murdered and how many seriously injured by the forces of Sinn Fein during the months of January and February, 1921?

According to the police reports at least 28 civilians were murdered and 10 wounded by Sinn Feiners during the months of January and February, 1921. These figures do not include casualties accidentally sustained by civilians as a result of attacks on the Crown forces.

asked the Chief Secretary how many officers and other ranks of the Army, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and auxiliary police forces, respectively, have been killed or wounded whilst in the execution of their duty, or when off duty, during the months of January and February, 1921?

The following are the figures of casualties to the Crown forces in Ireland during the months of January and February of this year:—

Military.

Officers killed, nil; wounded 7.

Other ranks killed, 17; wounded, 38.

Royal Irish Constabulary.

Officers killed, 4; wounded, 3.

Other ranks killed, 48; wounded, 71.

Auxiliary Division.

Killed, 4; wounded, 28.

Special Constables.

Killed, 2; wounded, 2.

asked the Chief Secretary how many inquests have been held on non-combatant men, women, and children during the last three months; and how many of the deaths have been attributed to the forces of the Crown?

174 Courts of Inquiry in lieu of inquest were held during the three months from the 1st December, 1920, to the 11th March, 1921, on non- combatant men, women, and children. In 11 of these cases the deaths have been attributable to the forces of the Crown.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a party of Crown forces arrived at Crosshaven, Co. Cork, from Cove on Sunday in a motor launch, proceeded to hold up pedestrians and to search persons and houses, and shot dead a man named Thomas Hennessy; whether he can ascertain how and where the motor launch was obtained, by whom, and who travelled in it; and whether any arrests have been made?

I have not yet received the report of the Military Court of Inquiry in this case, which occurred in the martial law area.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been effected in connection with the discovery at the residence of Councillor Stephen O'Riordan, High Street, Cork, of 21 Webley revolvers, 1,600 rounds of ammunition, 11 bombs, 11 German automatic revolvers, 1 copy of the British Army Musketry Regulations, and 2,000 rounds of rifle ammunition?

No arrest has been made. Councillor O'Riordan is interned in Ballykinlar Camp. His house was unoccupied at the time the discovery was made.

asked the Chief Secretary, with reference to the case of Michael Barry, brother of Kevin Barry, the youth who was executed in Dublin in November last, what ammunition is alleged to have been found upon him or in the house in which he was at the time residing; and whether the house in which he was arrested is his usual place of residence?

Michael Barry was arrested at his usual place of residence. In the house two rounds of ammunition were found, the top of the bullet in one round having been flattened so as to inflict a more serious wound

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the burning of Vickery's Hotel, Bantry; and whether he can give the House any information as to why this establishment was selected by the Irish Republican Army?

According to a police report which I have received, this hotel appears to have been destroyed by members of the local Sinn Fein organisation, but the motive for its destruction is still obscure.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a lecture hall owned by the Presbyterian Church at Quigley's Point, county Donegal, was burned on the night of the 5th instant by Sinn Feiners because it had been recently occupied by military?

Yes, Sir, the facts are as stated.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary who escaped from arrest in connection with the death of J. Phelan has been re-arrested?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has yet received the report of the Court of Inquiry into the death of Michael McAuliffe, of Lixnaw, on the 3rd January last?

No, Sir, the Court of Inquiry has adjourned for further evidence. As stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 22nd February, this man is believed to have been wounded in an ambush upon Crown forces in November last, and to have died as a result of gangrene poisoning. No information was given to the police at the time, and the hon. Member will appreciate that in these circumstances it is difficult for the Court to obtain evidence.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Colonel-Commandant Cumming, D.S.O., who was killed in a Sinn Fein ambush near Cork on 5th instant; and, if not, what steps are being taken to bring his murderers to justice?

Eight arrests have been made in connection with the murder of this distinguished and gallant officer.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is the intention of the Irish Executive to rearrange the districts of resident magistrates; and, if so, whether he will undertake to consult the resident magistrates concerned and also to ascertain the views of the local justices before proceeding further in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In making the re-arrangement every possible consideration will be given to the resident magistrates concerned. The re-arrangement is part of a general scheme in connection with the revision of salaries and allowances under the Act passed last year. A large number of resident magistrates, including the officials of the Association of Resident Magistrates, have been consulted on the details of the scheme.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that a constable of the Dublin Metropolitan Police retired voluntarily from that force in 1915 after six years of good-conduct service and, within 20 days of retirement, joined the Royal Navy, serving in several battleships and destroyers right up to the time of demobilisation, receiving a good conduct badge in 1918; and that this constable has been re-appointed to the Dublin police, but is denied all credit for his previous police service and for his War service; and, seeing that members of the London Metropolitan Police have not been similarly refused credit for War service as the equivalent of police service, if legislation be needed for dealing with this injustice, will he hasten such legislation?

The constable to whom this question appears to relate resigned of his own accord from the Dublin Metropolitan Police in October, 1915, stating that he intended to join the London Metropolitan Police. He does not appear to have carried out this intention, but instead, after a short interval, joined the Navy, as stated. He was demobilised in March, 1919, and was re-admitted to the Dublin Metropolitan Police towards the end of 1920. In the actual circumstances of this case the constable is not eligible under existing enactments to have his naval service treated as police service, and there is, moreover, no power to give him credit on his re-admission to the police force for former service in the force. The question of obtaining power to enable past police service to be counted in such a case will be considered when a suitable opportunity arises, but I am unable at present to give any undertaking in this respect.

asked the Chief Secretary if his policy is continuing to produce the satisfactory results which he promised; and if he has any information as to how this policy is regarded in foreign countries?

As has been repeatedly stated in this House, the object of the policy of His Majesty's Government is to crush the conspiracy which exists in Ireland to establish an Irish Republic by means of a campaign of violence and assassination, and to bring into operation as early as possible the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act. Progress has been, and is being made, and I feel sure that this policy can confidently claim to have the sympathetic support of thinking people both here and abroad.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in the event of a meeting between the British Government and the representatives of the Irish nation, these members of Dail Eireann with whom the Government are prepared to negotiate, but who are at present in gaol, would be released;

(2) whether, in the event of negotiations taking place between the British Government and the Irish Republican Government, a safe conduct will be given to those members of Dail Eireann whom he was prepared to meet;

(3) whether he would give the names of those members of Dail Eireann whom he would refuse to meet in the event of negotiations with the Irish Republic?

The Government would be prepared as soon as definite proposals for a conference were made to name those members to whom they would not be prepared to grant a safe conduct. As regards the others, those in prison could be released on parole and a safe conduct would be given.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the interned prisoners in Ireland are allowed to receive visitors and to write and receive letters; if so, under what conditions; and, seeing that these men have not been convicted and have not even been charged with any offence, and that the executive has power only to intern, but not otherwise to punish, whether facilities will be given for receiving visits and for receiving and forwarding letters?

Persons interned under Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations 14 B. are allowed to receive visits for special reasons. For example, they may be visited by solicitors to discuss urgent business matters or by relatives in case of illness. They are allowed to write one letter not exceeding four sheets per week, and to receive any number of letters; but all letters, whether incoming or outgoing, are subject to censorship. The Regulation provides that persons interned there under shall be subject to the like restrictions and may be dealt with in the like manner as prisoners of war, and the restrictions and obligations imposed on them are in fact less onerous than those imposed on prisoners of war in this country during the late War.

asked the Chief Secretary if J. J. Fitzwilliam, a member of the Irish Transport Workers' Union, has been detained in Arbour Hill barracks since November last without trial; and if any evidence has been forthcoming to establish his connection with any criminal offence or to justify his further detention?

An internment order under Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations 14 B. has been made against this man, and he is being transferred to a camp.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has caused inquiry to be made into the treatment of political prisoners in Wexford military barracks; whether he is aware that, although they had not been convicted of any offence and had not even been charged with any offence, they were called upon to do menial labour; whether, when they refused to do so, a hose-pipe was turned on them on different dates between 1st February and 11th February, some of them having been forcibly stripped naked and the others being still clothed; whether dry clothing was refused to them; whether Lieutenant Sparks, Lieutenant Johns, Lieutenant Gibbons, Corporal Cooper, a soldier named Semon, and a sergeant-major have been identified in nine signed statements; whether any action has been taken in the cases of the officers concerned; and under what statute compulsory labour is sought to be imposed on prisoners who are untried and against whom no charge has been brought?

These events are alleged to have taken place in the martial law area; and I am informed by the General Officer Commanding in Chief that an enquiry is now being held into this matter. Until that investigation has been completed, I regret that I am not in a position to give the desired information.

asked the Chief Secretary on what date the auxiliary cadets committed the looting at Trim; and on what date it is intended to bring them to trial?

The looting is said to have taken place on the 9th ultimo. The date of the court-martial has not yet been fixed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Miss Muriel Hembridge, aged 17, was fired at by Crown forces at Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin, and riddled with pellets; whether she was treated at Monkstown Hospital, where an operation was performed by Surgeon Wheeler; whether the shots were fired by military, by auxiliaries, or by Black-and-Tans; whether any ambush is alleged to have taken place there; and what offence this young lady is alleged to have committed?

This girl was wounded by the fire of a party of auxiliary police who were ambushed near the Pavilion Gardens, Kingstown, Co. Dublin, on the 7th instant. The responsibility for her injuries rests with the miscreants who attempted to assassinate the police and not with the latter who only fired in self-defence. I am glad to say Miss Hem-bridge is progressing very favourably and will soon be completely recovered. Three pellets lodged in her back and one in each leg. She was not seriously wounded and was able to walk to the local hospital without any help.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, as deposed at a field general court-martial held in Dublin on the 10th instant, a raid by Sinn Feiners was made on the premises of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, Kingsbridge, Dublin, on the 19th July, 1920; that the guard was overpowered and military stores to the value of £4,869 were set on fire and destroyed, exclusive of the heavy damage done to the railway company's property; whether the Dublin fire brigade were summoned and attended, but on ascertaining that the goods were Government property refused to assist in putting out the fire; that the fire brigade are controlled by the Dublin corporation; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing commissioners to take over and exercise the functions of the Dublin corporation in consequence of their neglect of duty and, if necessary, introduce legislation with that object?

The facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question, but it is right to say that the Dublin Fire Brigade have, so far as I am aware, given rise to no similar ground of complaint since the date of the occurrence in question nearly 9 months ago, and the circumstances in that case were exceptional. I will deal with the matter raised in the latter part of the question in my reply to the question immediately following.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Dublin Corporation last year passed a resolution to recognise only the authority of Dail Eireann; that the public health committee of the corporation have not issued any summonses under the Public Health Act since August, 1920, and that an outbreak of typhus and typhoid fevers has recently occurred in the city of Dublin and the health of the citizens has thereby been gravely imperilled; and whether, having regard to the continued neglect of the corporation of Dublin to discharge its duties, he will consider the advisability of appointing commissioners to take over and exercise the municipal functions and, if necessary, introduce legislation with that object?

A resolution was adopted in May last by the Dublin Corporation pledging allegiance to Dail Eireann, and they have since broken off relations with the Local Government Board. The Board have accordingly no official information of the cessation of sanitary prosecutions, but the absence of such particulars in the Public Health Minutes after 24th August, 1920, to 2nd November, 1920 (the last received by the Board) would seem to support the suggestion contained in this question. A considerable outbreak of typhus fever took place in Dublin in October and November, and was investigated by the Board's medical inspector in association with the officers of the Corporation. Only occasional cases of the disease have since come under notice. There is no evidence that enteric fever has been prevalent, except some sporadic cases. It would require legislation to carry into effect my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in the latter part of the question, and this is not considered desirable at present. The citizens of Dublin have their remedy under Section 15 of the Public Health Act, 1896, if they choose to exercise it by lodging a complaint with the Local Government Board in case of default by the sanitary authority in enforcing any provisions of the Public Health Acts which it is their duty to enforce, and the Board, if satisfied after due enquiry that the local authority has been guilty of the alleged default, are empowered to make an Order limiting a time for the performance of their duty, and if such duty is not performed by the time limited in the Order, such Order may be enforced by writ of mandamus, or the Board may appoint some person to perform such duty.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Alderman Mrs. Kath- leen Clarke has recently been appointed to the judicial office of President of the Court of Conscience under the Dublin Corporation; whether her husband, the late Thomas Clarke, was sentenced to death as a dynamiter and liberated, after serving 21 years of his commuted sentence, in response to an agitation organised by Sir Horace Plunkett, and that he was subsequently elected first President of the Irish Republic and was executed for participation in the rebellion of 1916; whether Mrs. Clarke is a leading Sinn Feiner and has publicly declared her allegiance to Dail Eireann, and frequently acts as a despatch carrier for the Irish Republican Army; and, since she cannot be a suitable person to preside over a tribunal before which His Majesty's subjects are liable to be cited as litigants, will he say what steps he intends to take in the matter?

Alderman Mrs. Kathleen Clarke has been recently appointed by the Lord Mayor and Council of Dublin Corporation to the judicial position of President of the Court of Conscience under Dublin Corporation. Mrs. Clarke is the widow of Thomas J. Clarke, who was convicted for complicity in dynamite outrages in England in 1883 and sentenced to penal servitude for life. He was the first signatory to the Proclamation of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic issued on Easter Monday, 1916, and he took part in the actual fighting in the General Post Office. He was in the general surrender of rebels, tried by court-martial, and found guilty and executed. Mrs. Clarke is a leading Sinn Feiner, and has publicly declared her allegiance to Dail Eireann, but she is not known to the police to have acted as a despatch carrier to the Irish Republican Army.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the furniture taken from the Convent of Mercy, Longford, by auxiliaries has been restored to the owners?

The answer is in the affirmative. I am informed that the articles in question were taken for the use of the auxiliary barracks at Longford for a short time with the con- sent of the Mother Superior of the convent, who has since expressed a desire to have them back.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has yet received any official report with regard to the case of two brothers, named Loughnane, who were arrested by auxiliary policemen at Gort, County Galway, on 26th November, and whose charred remains were found in a lake on 12th December; whether he is aware that on 2nd December the bodies were seen in the ditch of the field occupied by the auxiliary police; that later in the day a large fire was lit in the field, and the two bodies were removed from the ditch; that when the bodies were recovered from the lake their skulls and legs were found to have been fractured; whether it was also found that the bodies had been soaked in petrol and the flesh and bones charred; and whether any inquiry was held?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question put to me with regard to this case by the hon. Member for the Chester-le-Street Division (Mr. Lawson) on the 8th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a young railway fireman named Michael Joseph Murray was shot dead in Cork a few days ago; whether the tragedy took place during curfew hours when only Crown forces were in the streets; and what action has been taken in the matter?

According to a report which I have received, this man was seen by a military sergeant attempting a violent assault upon a woman. The sergeant called upon him to put up his hands, but instead of complying the man advanced upon the sergeant with his hands in his pockets. The sergeant, apprehending an attack, fired and killed him. The Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest returned a verdict of justifiable homicide.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is in a position to state how many Protestant farmers have been murdered in the county of Cork during the last three months; and whether he is aware that, in connection with these outrages, Protestant farmers in that county are endeavouring to sell their farms in order that they may leave the country?

I regret to state that no less than eight Protestant farmers have been murdered in the county of Cork during the last three months, and that according to information I have received, there appears to be a general desire among the Protestant farmers of that county to sell their farms in order that they may leave the country.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the murder of Thomas Cotter, a Protestant farmer, of Curraghclough, Kilmurray, aged 55 years; if any arrests have been made in connection with this murder; whether this man had been, for a prolonged period, under police protection; whether that protection was withdrawn; and whether any other protection was given to Thomas Cotter in place thereof?

I regret to state that no arrests have yet been made in connection with this murder. In regard to the latter part of the question, I am informed that the murdered man received special protection during the years 1913 to 1916 in consequence of his having been threatened in connection with a dispute arising out of his interest in an evicted farm. The necessity for this protection ceased at the end of the year 1916, and it was therefore withdrawn.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been effected in the case of Charles Daly, an employé of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, who was taken from the parcels office at the Glanmire Station at Cork, on 28th February, by three disguised men and shot dead; and whether any protests have been received from the National Union of Railwaymen in connection with this outrage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received the report of the inquiry which he stated was being held into the murder of John Geoghan at Moycullen; and, if so, what is the result of that inquiry?

I have received the report of this inquiry, which is to the effect that Geoghan was shot by persons unknown with murderous intent. Police and military investigation into this case is being continued.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Corporal Bell, a native of Carlisle, was murdered in a Sinn Fein ambush at Partry, Ballinrobe, county Mayo, on 8th March; what is the present condition of the officer and two other soldiers who were severely wounded on the same occasion; and whether any arrests in the matter have been made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. One of the soldiers wounded is, I regret to state, still in a serious condition. The officer and other soldier were only slightly wounded and are progressing favourably. The last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the circumstances under which Signalman G. S. Bowden was murdered on the evening of 1st March; if he is aware that this gallant soldier was quite unarmed when four or five men, armed, and with blackened faces, sprang over the wall on to the road on which he was walking, ordered him to hands up, and then shot him dead; that he had been engaged on no Especial duties which would cause him to be singled out by Sinn Feiners; that his murder had caused the fiercest indignation amongst his ex-comrades; and if his murderers have yet been brought to justice?

Private G. S. Bowden, of the Royal Engineers, was murdered at Cork on the 28th February in the cowardly manner stated in the question. Five other unarmed serving soldiers were murdered on the same day in similar circumstances. There can, I think, be no doubt that these murders were perpetrated by members of the Irish Republican Army in revenge for the executions which were carried out at Cork on the 28th February. I regret to say that no arrests have been made in connection with this murder.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Captain Hardy, of Dublin Castle, is one of the men awaiting court-martial in connection with the murder of the two civilians at Drumcondra; and, if not, whether he can state if Hardy has been under arrest, on what charge, with what result, and if he has returned to the public service?

I have already deprecated in strongest possible terms and on grounds which I am sure commend themselves to this House any further inquiry regarding the case of the Drumcondra murders, in connection with which three persons are to be tried on the capital charge, while the matter is sub judice, but as the hon. Member has seen fit to refer to an officer by name in connection with this case, I am bound to state that there is no evidence whatever against this officer. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state who were the murderers of Alderman Clancy and Mr. O'Callaghan, mayor and ex-mayor of Limerick; whether the murders were committed during curfew hours, when only Crown forces were in the streets; and whether there is any difficulty in establishing the officer who was wearing the tortoiseshell-rimmed goggles that were torn from him by Mrs. O'Callaghan?

The finding of the military court of inquiry was that these men were wilfully murdered by persons unknown. No evidence was brought forward implicating any members of the Crown forces in this crime, and the suggestion contained in the latter part of this question rests upon an entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable presumption.

asked the Chief Secretary the circumstances under which John Shannon was shot dead at his own door by Crown forces at Moyasta, West Clare, on Sunday night?

This murder occurred in the martial law area; and I have not yet received the report of the Court of Inquiry in regard to it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been effected in connection with the murder of Mrs. Bridget Walpole, of Ballyea, County Kerry; and whether there is evidence that this assassination was the work of the armed forces of the Irish Republican Army?

Two persons have been arrested in connection with this murder, but, as the case is sub judice, I can make no further statement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an auxiliary postman was attacked by armed Sinn Feiners near Rathfirland, County Down, and an attempt made to rob him of the mails; whether he successfully resisted this attempt; whether any action will be taken to recognise his courage; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage?

According to a police report an auxiliary postman was attacked as stated and successfully resisted an attempt to deprive him of his mail bag. No arrests have been made in connection with this outrage, but inquiries are proceeding. I have brought this matter to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information respecting the kidnapping of a young girl in the town of Newry a few days ago by Sinn Feiners; whether she was subjected to threats of violence in order to force her to make an untruthful statement concerning alleged events of last December; and whether any person has been arrested for participating in this outrage upon a young girl?

A statement has been made to the police at Newry by a girl of 16 that she was kidnapped by two men for a period of four hours on the afternoon of the 2nd instant. One of the men produced a revolver when ordering the girl to get into a motor-car in which she was driven away. Exhaustive inquiry has been made in the matter, but owing to the girl being unable to furnish any particulars of the men or of the place to which she states she was taken, the police cannot take the case further at present.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the police constable whose assassination was attempted at Glin, County Limerick, on 9th March, is in a dying condition as a result of his wounds; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the affair?

I am glad to say that the constable in question is progressing favourably. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, on the 9th instant, a number of policemen in plain clothes were attacked at Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin, and several bombs thrown at them; and whether any person has been arrested in connection with this murderous attack?

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

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any information respecting the attempt to murder Sergeant Doyle, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, at Newry, on the night of the 5th instant; whether the house occupied by the wife and three little children of Sergeant Doyle was visited by a band of Sinn Feiners equipped with paraffin and petrol, who attempted to set it on fire but were dispersed before they could carry out their purpose; and whether any person has yet been arrested in connection with this occurrence?

The facts are materially as stated, but I am glad to say Sergeant Doyle's wife and children were not at his lodgings at the time of the outrage. The attackers induced the Sergeant to open the door and fired at him, slightly wounding him. A 2-gallon tin of paraffin was found after their departure. No arrest has been made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the kidnapping of George Horgan, an ex-soldier, of Cork, who was forcibly removed from his mother's house on or about the 9th December, 1920, by a band of armed men; and whether any information has been received as to his fate?

I regret to say that nothing has been learned of the fate of George Hogan, ex-soldier, who was kidnapped from his mother's house near Cork on the 9th December last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiry into the complaint that was made to the officer commanding troops, Thurles, by a woman as to the conduct of two soldiers; whether an inquiry was held; and, if so, what was the result?

I informed the hon. Member of the result of my investigation into this case when he put the same question to me last Thursday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps are being taken in regard to the greater safety of men engaged upon submarines; were all possible life-saving appliances ready and in use upon the late K7; if so, what were they; and will he see that every encouragement is given to inventive genius to devise means of greater safety in future to men thus engaged?

In reply to the first part of the question, I fear that there is nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 17th February. All apparatus in K.5 was ready and in use when she left harbour on 17th January and when she arrived at Torbay on that evening. She was not, however, fitted with any special life-saving device. There is no known appliance which would have been of any use, or saved any lives, when she was lost on 20th January. With regard to the remainder of the question, I can assure the hon. Member that the Board of Admiralty are always glad to hear of any inventions of this nature, and that every facility and encouragement is given to persons bringing forward plans or ideas that promise to advance this important question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is a medical staff of a surgeon and a sick-berth attendant to a remaining crew of 12 men in each of our river gunboats in China; whether he is aware that the American and the French river gunboats do not carry doctors; and whether the Board will consider the economy which could be made by relying on the missionary doctors along the rivers?

The Upper Yangtse has two gunboats with one medical officer and one sick-berth rating between them. The Lower Yangtse has eight gunboats with five medical officers and six sick-berth ratings. The West River has four gunboats with two medical officers and two sick-berth ratings. There is no information as to whether the American or French gunboats carry medical officers. It is not considered desirable or, indeed, practicable to rely on the services of missionary doctors for medical attendance on ships' companies of the gunboats on these rivers. The complements of the vessels vary from twenty-five to fifty-three, and are not as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. Owing to the climate and the difficulties as regards obtaining good vegetables, sickness has to be provided against as well as the possibility of casualties in local disturbances.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the accommodation in beds for patients of the British Royal Naval Hospital at Yokohama; what is the staff and the maximum and minimum number of patients accommodated in 1920 or latest year available; and whether any expense was incurred in 1920 in sending officers or officials to inspect or overhaul the hospital?

As regards the first part of the question, the particulars are as follow:—

Accommodation. —97 patients.

Staff. —1 surgeon-commander, 4 sick berth staff, 13 native employés (hired).

Maximum number of patients under treatment, 1920.—8.

Minimum number ditto. —Nil.

The answer to the last part is in the negative.

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 the reason for excluding acting sergeant-majors on the permanent staff of the Territorial Force from the advantages offered under Army Order 12, of 1921; is he aware that on the outbreak of war the non-commissioned officers referred to were not given the chance of promotion to warrant officers, first class, in the newly formed Regular brigades, these promotions being confined to junior non-commissioned officers serving with the Regulars and to pensioned warrant officers, first class, the latter drawing their pensions in addition to the pay and allowances attached to the rank and subsequent re-assessment of pensions on again retiring; and will he consider whether the Territorial permanent staff, who were retained with their Territorial brigades on account of the exigencies of the Service and did equally valuable work, should be considered for substantive rank and share in the privileges given to their comrades in the Regular forces?

Acting sergeant-majors on the permanent staff of the Territorial Force count their service in the acting rank for pension under the same conditions as any other soldiers in acting ranks. If my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is that these soldiers shall be treated for pension as though they had held substantive rank, I am afraid I cannot accept it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether retaining fees are given to owners of motor lorries for the use of their lorries on certain conditions; and, if so, what is the amount of the retaining fee and what are the conditions?

No retaining fees are at present being paid by the War Department to owners of motor lorries.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Sergeant-major F. Clifford Parry has not been able to get the pay due to him from May to November, 1919, and that he has written over 90 letters re same since he came from India; and what steps, if any, are being taken to have the said money paid?

I am glad to say that a cable has just been received from India to the effect that Mr. Parry's account is at last on its way home. In the meantime, the paymaster has made him an advance of £20.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Government has any pending contracts with the Bristol Aeroplane Company; if so, for what total amount; and what, if any, subsidies or payments has this company received from the Government during 1920, or will receive during 1921?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the monthly "Labour Gazette" for information as to Air Ministry contracts placed from time to time. I am not in a position to give details of contracts not yet entered into. With regard to the last part of the question, no payment of the nature of a subsidy has been made to this company by the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, if the Bristol Aeroplane Company is employed on contracts for the Government, he will inquire whether there are many men at Filton, the seat of the company's works, formerly employed by the company now unemployed; whether the company has written recently to women formerly in its employ, who had regular employment elsewhere, asking them to return to the company for employment on Government contracts; whether many have in fact done so; and if this method of dealing with unemployment has his approval?

I have been asked to reply to this question, but I must point out that the fact of the Air Ministry being in contractual relations with a private firm does not make the Ministry responsible for the firm's conduct in such matters as those referred to in the question. I have therefore not felt called upon to verify my hon. Friend's suggestions, and am naturally not in a position to express approval or otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain footpaths crossing the land occupied by the aerodrome at Polegate were closed under the Defence of the Realm Act during the War, and that the notice boards closing these paths are still in position, although the aerodrome has been vacated for over two years, and the public are thus deprived of their rights; and whether, in view of the fact that the local district council have repeatedly applied to the director of works and buildings at the Air Ministry requesting that these paths should now be reopened and no notice has been taken, he will give instructions for the matter to be dealt with forthwith so that the public are able to exercise their rights?

I have been asked to reply. The paths in question have not been re-opened as there are several obstructions which would be somewhat dangerous to the public. It is, however, expected that the buildings at Polegate will be sold for removal at a very early date, when it will be possible to reinstate the site. It is understood that a communication to this effect has been sent to the Eastbourne District Council within the last few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the intentions of the Department as regards the future of the aerodrome at Prawle, South Devon, long since derelict and dismantled, in view of the fact that the interests of local agriculturists and others are being gravely prejudiced by the long delay of a definite decision, several owners and tenant-farmers being concerned?

In view of the excessive cost which the physical reinstatement of banks and fences at this aerodrome would entail, Treasury sanction for the purchase of the area was obtained. Negotiations have been proceeding with the various owners concerned, but owing to the attitude adopted by certain of them it may be necessary to apply for compulsory powers to purchase in these cases. I may add that all buildings, stores, etc., on the site were sold on 25th January last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether all men invalided during the War will have their disabilities reviewed, their pensions re-assessed, and paid according to the policy and revised rates now obtaining?

The preamble to the present Royal Warrant of 6th December, 1919, provides that in the case of all soldiers whose claims to pensions or grants arising in respect of service during the War have been dealt with under previous Warrants, the terms of the present Warrant may, if more beneficial to them, be applied with retrospective effect from 3rd September, 1919. Similar provision is made in the Order in Council dated 11th June, 1920, for seamen and marines.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the Order in Council based on the announcement of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty on the 18th March, 1920, in respect of new rates of disability pensions will be promulgated; and is he aware that the settlement of conditions attaching to the Order in Council is holding up a number of cases, and that many of these pensioners are unemployed and enduring great hardships owing to the non-payment of the service allowance to attributable and non-attributable disability pensioners under the decision contained in Admiralty Monthly Order 2,359/20, Item 15?

Certain technical difficulties, which I hope will shortly be overcome, have arisen with regard to the issue of the Order in Council to which my hon. Friend refers. The delay in issue of the Order in Council is not, however, obstructing the process of award, and many of these new service allowances are now in payment. With regard to certain limited classes of case, the conditions of eligibility have not yet been finally settled, but every effort is being made to expedite the decision.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that a pre-War invalid with 10 years' service, who served upwards of four years during the War and was invalided with a non-attributable disability receives nothing for his War service, whereas a new entrant serving a similar period during the War and invalided with a disability attributed to his own carelessness or neglect can receive an allowance up to a maximum of £150, steps will be taken to remedy this injustice?

Men invalided and pensioned before the War who were called up for service were entitled to receive payment of their pensions while serving, and to count their further service for increase of pension. Allowances under Article 7 of the Royal Warrant and Order in Council were not intended for men of this class but for men who had no specific claim to compensation. The allowances are purely temporary, and only in very exceptional circumstances would the maximum, or an amount approximating thereto, be granted, and the receipt of a temporary allowance cannot generally compare favourably with the grant of a life pension or increased life pension. If in any very exceptional case it were clear that a temporary allowance under Article 7 would be more to the man's advantage than a life pension, this allowance would be paid to him instead of pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that William John Rogers, No. 14,485, Queen's Royal West Surreys, was under the care of the military authorities when he escaped and committed suicide whilst suffering from unsound mind caused by military service, and that, although the deceased had stated to the medical officer that he contemplated committing suicide, no effectual restraint was placed on him, and he was allowed to escape, he will consider the possibility of increasing the pension for his wife and five children from £2 16s. 2d., so that an allowance can be made for the fifth child born after the discharge of the deceased?

I am informed that this case has only recently been brought to the notice of the Ministry and that no decision as to whether the cause of death is connected with service has yet been reached. Pending completion of inquiries, however, advances at the full rate of £2 16s. 6d. a week are being made to the widow by the local committee. In view of the terms of the Royal Warrant, no allowance in respect of the child born after discharge could in any circumstances be authorised.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether under the Treaty of Versailles it is possible that Germany can build further submarines?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative. Such construction is not permissible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reparation claims against the German Government have been lodged with the Foreign Claims Office arising out of the sinking of the Elder-Dempster liner ss. "Abosso"; what steps have been taken on behalf of the dependants of those who lost their lives by enemy submarine action on this ship; and when will the claims be met by payments to those concerned?

I am asked to reply to this question. Claims arising out of the sinking of the ss. "Abosso" which have been put forward are registered in the Reparation Claims Department for submission, along with other claims, to the Grants Commission to be established to make ex gratia payments by way of compensation for damage by enemy action to individuals in accordance with the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Lady-wood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain) on the 4th May, 1920. Dependants of seamen who lost their lives by enemy submarine action are entitled to claim under the War Risks Compensation Scheme under which pensions to such dependants are being paid.

asked the Prime Minister the total amount collected from our German debtors and the total amount that has been paid over to Germany from debtor firms in England?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I assume that it refers to the payment of pre-War debts as defined by Section III of Part X of the Treaty of Versailles. Up to the end of February the total amount of the debts admitted by the German Clearing Office and paid to British creditors through the British Clearing Office is £17,384,233 Os. 3d. No amounts have been paid over to Germany by British debtors, but debts owing by the latter to the amount of £4,262,674 0s. 1d. have been admitted and credited to the German Clearing Office in account up to the end of last month.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, according to List 170 issued by the Board of Education in 1919, the Lindsey Education Committee had 90 intending teachers recognised for the first time during the year, while the corresponding number in the borough of Grimsby was one; that the Lindsey committee has consistently fulfilled its duties in the preliminary training of teachers, while the borough of Grimsby has not done so, and that the Grimsby committee is now offering salaries nearly equal to grade 1 of the Burnham scale, with the result that teachers trained by the Lindsey committee are being attracted to Grimsby; whether he is gathering data in connection with schemes of education authorities for their areas under the Education Act, 1918; whether, in view of the irritation caused between authorities, he will expedite the decision of the Board of Education on this and contiguous matters; and what is the present position?

I have received representations from the Lindsey County Council upon this subject. The Board have frequently urged upon local education authorities the importance of developing a supply of intending teachers from their own areas, and the matter will certainly not be overlooked in the discussion with authorities of the schemes submitted by them under the Education Act, 1918. In Circular 1190, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, local education authorities have quite recently been asked to prepare and submit their schemes.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total cost to the taxpayer of educating 25,000 ex-officers for part or whole courses and 60 Serbian youths for whole courses at British universities?

The estimated total cost of the Government scheme for the higher education of ex-service officers and men, so far as this cost falls upon the Vote of the Board of Education, is £8,500,000. The Board of Education are not responsible for the administration of the fund for the education of Serbian students, but I am informed that the estimated cost to the British taxpayer of educating 60 Serbian youths in Great Britain for the whole of their courses is £23,500.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would consider making some arrangement by which the parents of children who might obtain employment if they had not to attend continuation schools might apply for exemption to a care committee or other suitable body, such exemption being granted in cases of proved hardship to the parents and of proof that employment is available?

The Act of 1918 does not contemplate such an arrangement, and I do not think that legislation for the purpose suggested would be justifiable in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that several county councils have refused to adopt any of the scales laid down by the Burnham Committee; whether he proposes to withhold the Government grants to those counties; that at a recent conference held at the Board of Education it was stated by a high permanent official that these grants would be withheld in the event of county councils not adopting one of the scales of the Burnham Committee; was this statement made with the sanction of the Department; and has the Board any power to enforce it without the sanction of Parliament?

I understand that several local education authorities propose to take no action at present in the direction of substituting one of the standard scales recommended by the Burnham Committee for the provisional minimum scale. I cannot without further information identify the conference referred to. The officers of the Board, in their conversations with officers or members of local education authorities, are frequently asked hypothetical questions, and I can only imagine that the attribution to a high permanent official of the Board of a statement that the Board would withhold grants in the event of a county council declining to substitute one of the standard scales for the provisional minimum scale is due to a misunderstanding. As regards the general position, I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. T. Davies) on the 9th March.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to introduce numbers of teachers from overseas Dominions during the present year into schools under his direction; whether they will be reckoned as part of the staff of such schools; whether a corresponding number of teachers from schools in this country are to be sent overseas; and what will be the net annual cost to the public Exchequer of this arrangement?

No new proposal of the kind suggested has been made to the Board. A certain amount of interchange of teachers between this country and the Dominions takes place from year to year. Their positions in the schools depend upon their qualifications. I am not aware that any additional cost to the Exchequer is involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the standard of fitness for working horses, as defined in the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, and as drafted for the then President of the Board of Agriculture, is being maintained; what were the total shipments of horses under the Act in 1920; and what was the total revenue received in fees?

The instructions issued by the Ministry to the veterinary inspectors at the ports are that only horses capable of being conveyed and disembarked without cruelty, and capable of being worked without suffering, shall be allowed to embark for the Continent A staff of veterinary inspectors, under the charge of a senior inspector, is engaged in seeing that this standard is maintained, The total number of horses shipped to the Continent during 1920 was 58,378. The total amount received for fees was £14,594 10s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the cost of the veterinary inspectors employed by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, during the year 1920; how many inspectors are employed under this Act; and whether they work on their own authority or under the control of any one departmental head?

The total cost of the veterinary inspectors employed by the Ministry under the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, during the year 1920 was £4,006 16s. 6d. The number of inspectors employed under the Act is 20, of whom two are whole-time officers. The inspectors work under instructions issued by the Ministry, and are supervised by a senior inspector of the Diseases of Animals Branch.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is a shortage of basic slag owing to the short time of furnaces, of which it is a by-product; and whether the Ministry is making, or proposes to make, any arrangements to meet the needs of agriculture in this matter?

I am informed that there is no shortage of basic slag. It is true that there has been a fall in production during the last two months, but there has been a still greater fall in demand, with the result that considerable stocks have accumulated at makers' work. The stocks at the end of February were more than twice as large as those held on the same date a year ago. The Ministry have every reason to expect that the total supplies of phosphatic fertilisers, including superphosphate, basic slag, and ground mineral phosphate, which will be available for the British farmer during the forthcoming season, will equal, if not exceed, the supplies in any previous year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to be in a position to introduce a Bill for the consolidation and amendment of the existing Salmon and Freshwater Fishery Acts, which was referred to in the Gracious Speech from the Throne at the beginning of the Session of 1920?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Members for Torquay (Colonel Burn) and Kingston-upon-Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 24th ultimo.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that thefts from retiring rooms at Cardiff and other post offices continue to be a source of great annoyance and serious loss to the staff, and that many members of the staff are still without locker or other accommodation for their clothing during working hours; whether he will give an assurance that adequate safeguards and accommodation shall at once be provided; and whether compensation will be paid for losses which have occurred owing to his Department's failure to provide such accommodation hitherto?

I am aware that losses of private property from retiring rooms in post offices continue to occur from time to time; and that the supply of lockers is still in arrears owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining supplies. The question of meeting this difficulty by providing alternative means of safeguarding the property of the staff in post office buildings is now under consideration. As I have already stated, I cannot give any general undertaking to allow compensation in all cases; but each case is carefully considered on its merits.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the policy of the selective body of the telegraph department, Edinburgh, in passing over, for promotion to the supervisory class, experienced and efficient officers is causing grave discontent in the service; and whether he will have a searching inquiry made before the recent recommendations for promotion are confirmed?

I am having enquiry made into the matter; but the hon. Member may be assured that the claims and qualifications of all the eligible officers will be carefully considered before any promotions are made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of sugar has been imported from Germany each month since the Armistice, together with the price per month?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if hundreds of cheap German clocks are now being offered for sale in London bearing no mark of origin, and when he will introduce a Bill giving effect to the recommendations of the Merchandise Marks Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not yet in a position to

The quantities and declared values of the sugar consigned to this country from Germany are regularly published in the monthly accounts relating to trade and navigation of the United Kingdom, from which the attached Table has been compiled. It is highly improbable, however, that any of the sugar consigned from Germany was of German origin, the bulk being Polish (shipped from Danzig) and Czecho-Slovakian (shipped from Hamburg).

make any definite announcement as to the date on which the Merchandise Marks Bill will be introduced.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government has had an opportunity of acquiring gold as a basis of credit for the development of trade between this country and Russia; and if such opportunity has been taken advantage of?

So far as I understand the question, the answer to the first part is in the negative and the second does not arise. My hon. and gallant Friend will find in Clause 9 of the Russian Trade Agreement signed yesterday particulars of what has been agreed to in regard to the treatment of gold from Russia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many fire insurance companies are stating that existing fire policies do not cover risks due to the action of political agents; whether, owing to the recent incendiary fires in Lancashire and Cheshire, this action is causing very considerable alarm to large groups of fire-policy holders; and if he can see his way to make clear what is their actual position under the customary form of existing policies?

In the ordinary fire insurance policy there is a condition excluding loss or damage by fire occasioned by or happening through foreign enemy, riot, civil commotion, military or usurped power. The legal effect of such a condition is a matter which can only be determined by a decision of the Court. I am informed that most fire insurance companies are issuing special policies or are endorsing existing policies so as to cover loss or damage by fire resulting from riot, civil commotion, military or usurped power, in consideration of the payment of a small additional premium to cover those risks.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a conference was held at the Ministry of Labour on 7th April, 1920, respecting the establishment of a Trade Board in the textile smallware industry; whether investigations have been proceeding in this trade since that date; whether complaints have been received from the unions concerned as to the low rate of wages and, in particular, a letter from, the National Federation of Women Workers, dated 6th November, 1920, stating that certain women engaged on the manufacture of small silk tassels were receiving a wage of 12s. a week; and at what date it is hoped to establish a Trade Board in this trade?

The facts are substantially as stated in my hon. Friend's question. Owing to the varied character of the goods manufactured and to the distribution of the trade, a definition of its scope is a matter of great difficulty, for the settlement of which further investigation and consultation would be required. Further, while general representations have been made on behalf of the workers as to the necessity of a Trade Board, I am not yet in possession of sufficient information to justify the application of the Acts to the trade in existing circumstances

asked the Minister of Labour whether a Conference was held on Trade Boards at the Ministry of Labour on 20th January, 1919; whether the Minister circulated to the members of that Conference a list of the trades to which he proposed to apply the Trade Boards Acts; whether that list included decorative needlework and embroidery; whether, in December, 1920, he stated in a circular to the associations interested that he was anxious to set up a trade board in the embroidery trade with the least possible delay; and when it is proposed to proceed with the establishment of that trade board?

The facts are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend. A certain amount of investigation has already taken place in this trade, but I have not yet sufficient information to enable me to arrive at a final decision in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a Conference was held on Trade Boards at the Ministry of Labour on 20th January, 1919; whether the Minister circulated to the members of that Conference a list of the trades to which he proposed to apply the Trade Boards Acts; whether that list included distributive trades; whether he issued in July, 1920, notice of his intention to make a special Order applying the Trade Boards Acts to the fruit, flower, and vegetable distributive trades, and circulated a copy of a draft definition of the industry; whether on the 20th October, 1920, he issued a special Order applying the Trade Boards Acts to the above industry; and when it is proposed to set up this board?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a Conference was held on Trade Boards at the Ministry of Labour on 20th January, 1919; that the Minister circulated to the members of that Conference a list of the trades to which he proposed to apply the Trade Boards Act; whether that list included distributive trades; whether he is aware that in July, 1920, he issued notice of his intention to make a special Order applying the Trade Boards Acts to the fish, poultry, rabbits, and game distributive trades; that in October, 1920, a special Order was issued; and at what date it is proposed to set up this Trade Board?

In the reply on the subject of Trade Boards which I gave yesterday, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friends, I stated that it was my intention to proceed to make the Appointments and Regulations in respect of the fruit, flower and vegetable distributive trade and the fish, poultry, game and rabbits distributive trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, on the assumption that the figures as supplied by his Department show a decrease in the cost of living of 15 per cent. for the month of February, he will give the total percentage decrease for the months of October to February, inclusive; and will he say what effect this decrease would have on a railway employé whose salary is at present, including war bonus, £5 per week and a civil servant whose yearly salary with war bonus amounts at the present time to £1,000 per annum?

The index number relating to cost of living, as calculated by the Ministry of Labour, shows at 1st March an increase of 141 per cent. over the level of July, 1914, as compared with 151 per cent. at 1st February, and with 164 per cent. at 1st October. The period from 1st October to 1st February, referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, is not one which is used, as such, in calculating the wages of either railway employees or Civil servants; and it is not, therefore, possible to make the comparison which my hon. and gallant Friend desires. The wages of railwaymen are revised at quarterly intervals, on the basis of the latest index number published. They were last adjusted as from 1st January, when they were raised by 1s. a week for men in the traffic grades, and by 2s. a week (or £5 a year) for the clerical and supervisory grades, on the basis of the index number for 1st December, which stood at 169 per cent. above pre-War level. I understand that they will next be revised as from 1st April, and that the reduction in the index number to 141 per cent. at 1st March will then involve a reduction of 5s. a week for men in the traffic grades and 10s. a week (or £25 a year) for the clerical and supervisory grades. The present Civil Service bonus is calculated on the basis of the average of the cost of living index numbers for November to February last, i.e., 165. It is next due for revision on 1st September, when it will be re-assessed on the basis of the average of the index numbers for March to August. If no further change in the index number occurred until September next, the fall already recorded would of course result in an average of 141 for the months March to August. This would involve a reduction for 6 months, from 1st September next, at the rate of approximately £67 a year in the bonus of a Civil servant now receiving salary and bonus amounting to £1,000 a year. If there is a further call in the index number in the next 5 months the reduction will be greater.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to make a definite announcement on the question as to whether the concession given to ex-service men to make application for a grant to the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department after the normal period has expired, which concession terminated on 31st December last, has been continued; and, if not, on what grounds has it been refused?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the existing regulations already provide that ex-officers and men who have received medical treatment with allowances, may apply for Civil Liabilities Grants up to a period of six months from the cessation of such treatment provided that the treatment began within the normal period prescribed in the regulations. As to the cases not covered by the above, I regret that I am not yet able to announce a decision upon this matter, which is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his arrangements are now complete for the treatment of ex-service neurasthenic patients; and how many such men he has hitherto treated?

The facilities for the treatment of ex-service neurasthenic-patients have already been greatly extended, and the arrangements made by the Ministry are still in process of development. It would need a prolonged investigation to ascertain the total number of men treated since the formation of the Ministry. The number of officers and men at present under treatment is 9,921.

asked the Secretary of State for War what classes of men of British nationality who served with the British Expeditionary Force, or with the French army under a special agreement entered into between the Allied Governments, are being excluded from the special protection and advantages given by Departments of the Civil Service to ex-service men; and on what grounds?

For the purpose of substitution of temporary staff in Government Departments ex-service men are defined as men who served with His Majesty's forces for a minimum period, or overseas, or who have been discharged unfit for those forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that in many areas of the coal fields the miners have been idle since the 26th February, 1921, and also that they have only worked part time since December, 1920, he will issue instructions to the surveyors of such areas not to press for payment of Income Tax for the past three quarters until they have ascertained the position of each person for the financial year ending 5th April, 1921?

Instructions were issued some time ago to the local Inspectors of Taxes to use every effort to ascertain whether weekly wage earners, from whom arrears of Income Tax are due, are out of employment or working short time before proceedings for recovery of the tax are authorised. I would add that without waiting for an application by the taxpayer the assessments upon weekly wage earners for the earlier quarters are reviewed and repayment of tax is made where necessary, as soon as possible after the figures of the fourth quarter's wages have been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Labour how much has been distributed in unemployment pay since 1st January; how much in the same period has been paid out, or promised, from moneys of the Road Board; and how much similarly guaranteed by the Committee presided over by Lord St. Davids?

From the 1st January to the 11th March the approximate amounts paid in unemployment benefit and in out-of-work donation are £5,300,000 and £2,900,000 respectively. Grants towards the construction of arterial roads and the improvement of main roads have been promised since 1st January to the extent of £850,000. I should mention that the total amount of such grants since the beginning of November last is about £3,000,000. In addition, a sum of approximately equal amount has been made available for local authorities by way of loan. Over and above these figures there are, of course, the grants made from the Road Fund towards road works in the ordinary course, and without special reference to the question of the relief of unemployment. £764,545 has been sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee since 1st January. I ought to add that, with the help of the local authorities, in one way and another, productive work has been found for round about 100,000 men who would otherwise have been unemployed. Further, there are at present registered as wholly unemployed approximately 1,250,000 persons; and, in addition, there are 750,000 working short time, making in all, roughly, 2,000,000 people. Of this total there cannot be many more than about 100,000 who are not in receipt of benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 20s. a week for men, and 16s. for women, or smaller amounts if they are working short time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give detailed particulars of the miscellaneous receipts of the Exchequer, which in 1917–18 amounted to £52,149,000, in 1918–19 to £52,303,000, in 1919–20 to £280,829,000, and which for 1920–21 were estimated to yield £320,000,000, setting out the sources from which these miscellaneous receipts have been derived under specified heads, such as profit from shipping, profit from wool, profit from meat, etc., war stores, etc.

My hon. and gallant Friend will find the details of these receipts in the Finance Accounts 1917–18, pages 23–30, 1918–19, pages 24–30, and 1919–20, pages 24–32. Similar details will be given for 1920–21 when the accounts of that year are closed. The receipts in many cases do not represent profits; but the return to the Exchequer of the capital originally invested in trading operations. Accounts of these trading operations have been published (Cd. Papers 788 and 1062 of 1920); and further accounts covering the period to 31st March, 1920, will be issued almost, immediately.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the buildings on the aerodrome at Weyhill, near Andover, have hitherto been treated as temporary buildings and have not been assessed for local rates in the parishes of Andover and Abbotts Ann, in which they are situate; and whether he will issue instructions that these Government buildings should be valued for assessment and contribute to local rates in the two parishes named?

If the overseers of the parishes concerned will place themselves in communication with the Treasury Valuer and Inspector of Rates, the matter will be taken up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give instructions to the officials of the Treasury as to the advisableness, in the interests of national economy, of refraining from useless correspondence, as, for an example, in the case of Johanna Oppotz and Harry Langston, of Tilbury, fined £50 on 15th October last, the fine being payable within two months, in regard to which firm the Customs and Excise Department applied for payment on 25th October and subsequently, in spite of replies of the clerk to the justices explaining the position, applied again on 30th November, on 14th December, and on 22nd December?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow trading firms who, in response to the country's call, applied for War Loan, to charge as an ordinary trade expense any loss sustained in realising such War Loan, seeing that the application helped the successful flotation of the loan and the realisation of the stock was due to a cause beyond their control, namely, the call for extra working capital to meet expansion in values?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any representations have been made to him by any committee competent to speak for the co-operative societies of England and Scotland regarding any alternative form of taxation to that of the Corporation Tax; and, if not, whether he is still willing to receive such a committee and consider any serious proposals they may submit before the Budget is framed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As I have stated before, in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I am ready to confer on the matter in question with any representatives whom the co-operative societies may authorise to make proposals on their behalf.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can fix any approximate date for the introduction of the Budget?

I am not at present able to name a date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of taxation to national income in England and in Germany?

I am not aware of any basis on which estimates of national income, either in the United Kingdom or in Germany, could be framed with any approach to accuracy at the present time, and I am not prepared to give official support to any of the estimates which have been published of the national income of this country.