asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a small number of British civilians, repatriated from Austria after the Armistice, brought with them amounts of enemy currency, which in many instances represented their entire assets, that in some instances this Austrian currency has been handed over to the clearing house for enemy debts to await the Allied liquidation of the Austro-Hungarian Bank; and whether, in view of the fact that many of the persons in question are more or less destitute, the Government will arrange to at once make them an advance, on the pre-War rate of exchange, in respect of the amounts of enemy currency deposited by them with the clearing house pending definite settlement of this matter?

The clearing office has been collecting certain currency notes issued by the Austro-Hungarian Bank. These notes will not form the basis of any claim which can be preferred through the clearing office, which is merely acting as a convenient channel for the collection and transmission of the notes to the competent authority for presentation in the liquidation of the bank, and His Majesty's Government are unable to make any advance to depositors of the notes pending the completion of the liquidation.

May I ask whether, in the case of people who have already deposited Austrian kronen with the clearing house, some advances may not be made to them pending a definite settlement?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to what has happened. The clearing office in this matter is merely assisting these people to make their claims by collecting the notes that have got to be sent to the liquidator of the bank. It is merely acting as agent on their behalf in order to relieve them of the trouble they otherwise would be put to in having each of them to present his own claim personally.

Will they not be advanced against trade notes they have deposited until the matter is settled?

Oh no. It is quite obvious that the clearing office, which is merely assisting these people by acting as their agent, could not give them an advance against documents.

Is there any chance of these people getting back their money at the old rate on the completion of the liquidation?

It is quite obvious that I cannot say what are the conditions of the liquidation of a bank which is being liquidated in Austria under the terms of the Peace Treaty, and the clearing office has nothing to do with this liquidation.

Will the hon. Gentleman do all he can to look after these cases, which are extremely hard?

I am doing all I can, and I am helping them in the most effective way possible to make their claims.

asked the Prime Minister whether British goods will be admitted duty free into the German districts occupied by the Allies so long as the occupation lasts?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir; British goods will be liable to the ordinary Customs duties leviable, which, I understand, will for the present be those of the German Customs tariff.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the Parliaments of Belgium, France, Italy, and Japan with measures to levy an import duty on German goods as a means of extracting reparations from Germany?

I am not in a position to add anything to the information which was given in M. Briand's speech.

May I ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that we do not all read the French newspapers regularly, and why have we this information from the French Prime Minister instead of the British Prime Minister? Was M. Briand speaking for Italy and Japan?

I get my information exactly from the same quarters as the hon. and gallant Gentleman. There is no official information at the present time. The speeches have appeared in English newspapers.

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, when I ask the Prime Minister a question affecting this country, to be referred to a speech in the French Chamber?

But it is a question about something which has happened in France.

Quite so; but cannot I have the information? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no!" and "Go to France for it!"]

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware whether the French have yet introduced a Bill on similar lines to those of our own German Reparation (Recovery) Bill, and has he seen the text?

That is the answer which I have already given.

No answer at all!

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet reached an agreement with the German Government with respect to the trial of German war criminals; and, if so, will he state whether it is proposed to make the conclusion of these trials coincide in point of time with the payment by Germany of the last instalment of the war indemnity?

I have been asked to reply. This question, as I understand, is one of the questions in respect of which sanctions are now being enforced.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the names of any of the leading prisoners who have been brought to trial, and say what sentences have been passed on them?

Names are rather difficult to remember, and still more difficult to pronounce. If my hon. and gallant Friend will look at an answer I gave about three weeks ago, he will get all the information he asks for.

Did not that reply deal only with subordinate people who had committed minor crimes? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that up to the present no notification has been received of any of the chief criminals having been brought to justice? Can he inform the House whether any have been?

No, Sir; my hon. and gallant Friend is a little forgetful. I said the exact opposite to that. What I said was that the seven prisoners on our list were the worst seven against whom we had clear evidence.

What is likely to be the date of the first trial?

1st April!

That is a matter entirely out of my hands. I can only say that steps are being taken to make the necessary arrangements, including the difficult task of collecting the witnesses and persuading them to go to Leipsic.

Does the right hon. Gentleman find any difficulty in remembering or pronouncing the name "William"?

What penalty will be enforced if these trials are still further postponed?

I can only repeat the answer I gave a few moments ago—that this is one of the questions in respect of which the sanctions are being enforced. With regard to the proper name mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, I do not think any difficulty will arise about that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the course of his conversations, he was able to elicit from the Russian Envoy the fact that the Communist Government does not recognise the right of any private individual or company to own or hold property; did he represent to the Envoy that the British Government stood with its French Ally in refusing to allow its nationals to be thus deprived of their properties in Russia; and what answer did M. Krassin give on behalf of the Communist Government?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade stated specifically in the Debate on the Appropriation Bill on 22nd December, with reference to debts and other claims of British subjects, that nothing was disavowed and nothing given up and that the arrangement was being made without prejudice to any claims which might be made against the Russian Government. Effect is given to this in the Declaration appended to the Trade Agreement.

As a matter of fact, does it not mean that at the present moment, at any rate, British property in Russia has been seized by this Soviet power?

I thought that was a proposition which did not require either question or answer to elucidate.

Would not the best way of getting this property for British subjects be to recognise the de facto Government in Russia, and to hold a regular peace conference, at which all these big questions could be discussed?

If British property has been seized by the Soviet Government, will it be handed back?

The trade agreement is perfectly specific in its terms, and the clause at the end dealing with claims is specific. It is perfectly plain, and it carries out absolutely the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade in this House on the 22nd December last, and if hon. Members desire to debate the matter further, they will have an opportunity on the Consolidated Fund Bill or on the Adjournment.

Might I have an answer? Could you not call a proper peace conference to discuss all these matters, including external debts?

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will assure the House that nothing in any trade agreement which may be entered into by the British Government with the Russian Soviet Government will prevent British nationals from having recourse to His Majesty's Courts of Justice to enforce their rights in the event of any of their property which may have been stolen by the Soviet Government coming within the jurisdiction of the Courts of Justice of this country, even though such property may have subsequently been sold by the Soviet Government, under the said Trade Agreement or otherwise, to another British national?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in any trade arrangement that may be made with the Soviet Government of Russia, he will make it clear that the jurisdiction of the courts of this country to adjudicate upon the rights of British subjects in regard to the stolen gold in the possession of the Soviet Government which may come to this country shall not be ousted or in any way interfered with?

I have been asked to reply. There is nothing in the Trade Agreement which prevents a British subject from bringing an action in the courts to enforce any rights over which British courts may have jurisdiction.

My question was not whether there was anything to prevent a British subject bringing an action, but what I desired to ascertain was whether anything in the Agreement gave recognition to the Soviet Government? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that these actions all turn on the question as to whether or not the Soviet Government has obtained recognition?

No, Sir; the Agreement, I think, speaks for itself, and the hon. Member will appreciate that it really would be impossible in question and answer to debate the whole question he has raised.

My question merely was whether the Government intended by the Agreement to give recognition to the Soviet Government. If so, these actions will all fall.

How can you conclude an Agreement with a Government which does not exist?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether British manufacturers and merchants doing business under the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement will have to look to themselves for the successful issue of any commercial undertakings on which they may embark; whether they can expect any assistance and, if so, from what consular or other British agents; whether they will, in case of default, be able to institute legal proceedings in this country or in Russia against the Soviet or its representatives; and what redress there will be for broken or unfulfilled contracts?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Under Clause 5 of the Trade Agreement, the British Government acquires the right to send official agents into Russia who will reside there for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out of the Agreement and of protecting the interests of British subjects. The question of remedy in case of default is a legal one, which is not dealt with in the Agreement.

asked the Prime Minister why, having regard to the matters outside the renewal of trade between this country and Russia that have been agreed on between the Board of Trade and the Russian commercial delegation, the signature of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs does not appear on the Agreement?

The President of the Board of Trade signed the Trade Agreement on behalf of His Majesty's Government, as he had conducted the negotiations on their behalf.

Why did the President of the Board of Trade also sign a letter exclusively having reference to affairs in India?

It was part of the negotiations that were being conducted.

asked the Prime Minister whether the official agents nominated to this country by the Communist Government of Russia will be recognised as the diplomatic representatives of that country by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, in what way will their status differ from that of the representative and personnel of the legation of our Polish ally in this country?

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

Supposing I desire to get a passport viséd to Russia, who is going to do it?

I will do all I can to assist my hon. and gallant Friend in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of capital held by the Government in the British Dyes Company; whether it is invested in debenture, preference, or ordinary stocks; if any dividends have been paid on these stocks; if so, what amount; and to what account of his Department dividends paid are carried?

The securities held by His Majesty's Govern- ment in the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, are £850,001 preference shares of £1 each and £850,000 preferred ordinary shares of £1 each. On the preference shares 7 per cent. has been paid down to 31st October last; on the preferred ordinary shares 8 per cent. has been paid down to 31st October, 1919, and a further dividend of 8 per cent. for the year ended 31st October, 1920, has been announced, but has not yet been distributed. Dividends on investments are paid into the Exchequer and are not brought into account by the Board of Trade. They are referred to in the Estimates for the Board of Trade as "Extra Receipts," for which the Department does not receive credit.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he has seen a balance-sheet?

I have seen a balance-sheet, but I think the most recent balance-sheet, to use an Irish expression, has not been issued. I have seen the balance-sheets which have been issued.

Is it not a fact that the market value of these shares is something under one-third of the amount the Government paid for them?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the National Council of the pottery industry of 8th January, relating to the urgency and importance of immediate legislation requiring all articles of pottery manufactured in the British Isles, or elsewhere, to be plainly and indelibly marked with the country of origin fired under the glaze; and, if so, what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to give effect to this request of the British pottery trade?

I have received copies of several resolutions in this sense. A measure on the lines of the Report of the Merchandise Marks Committee will be introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give the prices at which the present index figures of the cost of living are taken in in all cases of food supplies;

(2) if he will give the average prices at which, in the official index of the cost of living, it is reckoned that the various food commodities are bought at the present day?

I have been asked to reply. The average prices of the articles of food taken into account in calculating the index figure are published each month in the "Labour Gazette." A copy of the current issue has been sent to my hon. Friend, on page 131 of which the desired particulars are given for 1st March.

When the officials of the Board of Trade are collecting these figures as to the cost of living, do they at any time consult the wives of the wage-earners on the subject?

The officials of the Labour Ministry are responsible. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the "Labour Gazette," which shows how the figures are arrived at.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that vegetables are not included at all in the cost of living figures?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the number of persons and companies, and in the case of companies the aggregate number of shareholders, who are the owners of coal mines and collieries?

The number of persons and companies who are the owners of coal mines and collieries at the present time is 1,378. I do not know the aggregate number of shareholders in companies engaged in coal mining at the present time. This could only be ascertained from an examination of the returns made to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, which would obviously be a very laborious task.

asked the Minister of Transport how much money was received for quarterly licences for the taxation of motor vehicles for the first quarter of 1921; and how much for annual licences?

The gross amount paid from 1st January up to and including the 7th March into the Bank of England in respect of road fund licences is approximately £7,085,000. Detailed returns have not yet been received from all local authorities, but a preliminary analysis of those received so far gives the following percentages, which may be taken as approximately correct:

May we expect to see some of that money spent on the restoration of roads?

It is being allotted now, on the basis, subject to the Treasury, of 50 per cent. on the first class and 25 per cent. on the second class.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how much of that money has been received from Ireland?

I do not think that Ireland has contributed very much.

The roads there are in a very bad condition.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the great amount of irritation caused to motorists by the way in which the Motor Car Duty is levied; will he remove one cause of that irritation by attaching the licence to the owner instead of to the car, so that in the case of an owner changing his car during the currency of a licence he would not be under the obligation of taking out a fresh licence?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The whole question was fully investigated by a representative Committee before Parliament was invited to sanction the charge involved in attaching the licence to the vehicle instead of to the owner which it did by the Finance Act of 1920. I have no power to alter the law except by submitting legislative proposals to Parliament, but I am glad to say that the new scheme is working smoothly.

Would it not cause great irritation to attach a licence permanently to the owner on the off-side?

asked the Minister of Transport what has been done so far to give effect to the Report of the Select Committee on London Traffic?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill to carry out the recommendations with respect to London Traffic control contained in the report of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic; if so, when will the necessary legislation be proceeded with; and, if it is not intended to adopt the Committee's recommendations, what is the policy of the Government for dealing with this urgent problem?

The conclusions of the Select Committee were, as the hon. Member is aware, further considered by an Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Kennedy Jones), and a Bill for the establishment of a London traffic authority has been under consideration, but in view of the general need for economy, both of public and local funds and of Paliamentary time, it has been decided that it is not desirable to proceed with this Bill at present. Moreover, the proposal is highly contentious. I shall be glad, however, to consider any practicable alternative proposals put forward by the authorities concerned.

At any rate, could not some of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee be adopted?

I should be very glad to do anything I possibly could to solve this very troublesome problem, but the difficulty is that there are so many people with different views about it, and it is bound to cost money, and there is pressure on Parliamentary time, and the need of economy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the last 50 or 60 years various Committees have sat with regard to the question of London traffic, and are we to understand that the recommendations of the last two select Committees and the Advisory Committee are still to be put away in pigeon-holes and not dealt with?

I am aware that this matter has been considered over and over again, and I deplore my inability to deal with it. It seems impossible to deal with it until you have got rid of some of the contentious provisions of the proposal. It is highly contentious. The London County Council are dead against what is proposed, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will help me to find a solution I shall be very glad.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman agrees that the matter is one of increasing urgency?

Will the Government bring in a Bill, notwithstanding these contentious proposals, and let us discuss this question in the House of Commons and get on with the work?

It is a matter of finance and Parliamentary time. It seems hopeless to do this unless the Exchequer finances it, and that is a matter of great difficulty at the present time. With regard to getting on with the work, I should be delighted to get on with it, but I cannot see how to do it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company have issued notices that they are closing down the special railway service they recently reopened from Brixton to the City; whether he can press the company to reconsider their decision; whether he is aware that they have charged the public very high fares for this service, and that they have not reopened the intermediate stations which in pre-War days largely added to the traffic; and whether he will ask the company to try and supply a service similar to pre-War times for the South London public?

This service was, as the hon. Member is aware, re-introduced last October experimentally, and the fares charged were at the ordinary current rates. I have been informed by the company that, in view of the heavy weekly loss they are incurring, they have no alternative but to withdraw the service, and I am not prepared, nor, I think, would this House desire me, to press them to continue a service introduced experimentally, the experiment having proved unremunerative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for this short distance the railway company charge 5½d. for a single third-class ticket and 9d. for a return ticket, while the tram-car fare for practically the same distance is only 3d.? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that at these figures such a service could not possibly be made successful?

The tramways may or may not be run at a profit—I do not know. The railway has got to bear charges never contemplated by commercial concerns at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the attention of his Department has been drawn to the Augus system for the automatic prevention of railway collisions; whether any test of the value of this system has been made; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of securing reliable information relating to the possible advantage of introducing the system into this country?

A preliminary inspection of the Angus system of automatic train control has been made by the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways, and the system is one of those which are now being considered by the Automatic Train Control Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Ministry to erect road lighthouses at dangerous corners; and, if so, what amount of money it is proposed to expend on this scheme and from what source it is hoped to collect this money?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that beer as well as whisky has been allowed to be a medicine in prohibitionist America, he will arrange to relax the restrictions imposed upon the people of the United Kingdom under the Defence of the Realm Act and Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic)?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the whole of the county of Wilts remains a scheduled area under the Regulations of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), while the adjacent portion of the counties of Somerset, Berkshire, and Gloucestershire are unscheduled, and this although they are localities of exactly similar character to the adjoining district of Wiltshire, and any special reasons that may have existed for making Wiltshire a scheduled area have long since ceased to exist; if he is aware that very great feeling about this discrimination exists in Wiltshire among all classes of the population; and if he will prevail upon the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) to remove the county of Wilts from the list of scheduled areas?

The Government propose to deal with this subject at an early opportunity.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the great popularity of these medicines, and the indignation felt at the difficulty in obtaining them? Could He see his way to hasten the relaxation of these restrictions in any way?

Have the Government any real intention of dealing with this question at all?

Oh, yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether the convention for the establishment of a Permanent Court of International Justice has yet been ratified by His Majesty; what other countries have ratified; and whether the Government will use their best efforts to secure early ratification by 24 States so that the convention may come into force and the Assembly of the League may be able to proceed to the election of judges next September?

Steps are being taken for early ratification by His Majesty's Government of the Protocol establishing the Permanent Court of International Justice. So far, Sweden is the only country whose ratification has been notified to His Majesty's Government. The Council of the League has urged all Governments invited to sign the Protocol to give their signature and ratification without delay. The Secretary-General of the League has, moreover, been authorised to take steps if necessary on or after 1st April for obtaining a conditional nomination of candidates if the Statute has not been ratified at that date by 24 members of the League.

What jurisdiction, if any, will this Court have, and who will appoint the judges?

How can the hon. Gentleman expect me to answer that without notice?

Have any steps been taken to establish a code of international law for this international Court to administer?

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will put down a question?

asked the Prime Minister what steps, if any, are being taken by the League of Nations for the control of armaments?

I would refer the hon. Member to the recommendation adopted by the Assembly on the 14th December last. The text of this recommendation will be found on page 31 of the Special Supplement of the "League of Nations Journal" for January, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The Secretary-General of the League is in correspondene with the States members of the League on the subject of this recommendation.

Is the control and limitation of armaments of the Powers within the prerogative of the League of Nations?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that for about two years the present Government of Lithuania has been recognised as the de facto Government of the country, but that difficulties have been placed in the way of their entry into the League of Nations, which has denied them the opportunity of putting forward their national claims; and whether, having regard to the injustice to the Lithuanian people, whose friendliness to the Allies is unquestioned, he will consider the advisability of granting de jure recognition of the Lithuanian Government and thereby facilitate the negotiations now taking place with regard to the future of their country?

No difficulty has, so far as I am aware, ever been placed by the League of Nations in the way of Lithuania putting forward her national claims. At the present time a Committee appointed by the League is endeavouring to negotiate a settlement satisfactory to both Lithuania and Poland of the Vilna question, and pending a settlement of this question, the Allied Powers decided at the recent Conference to defer the question of the de jure recognition of Lithuania.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Anglo-Persian pact has been denounced?

The Anglo-Persian agreement has not been denounced. But, according to the latest information received from Teheran, the new Persian Government have no intention of submitting it to the Persian Parliament, in which case it may be held to have lapsed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he adheres to the pledge that no payment will be made to the British South Africa Company in connection with the pending negotiations without the consent of the House; and if his attention has been called to the statement made before Lord Cave's Commission on the 10th January that an agreement had been arrived at by which the Government pledge themselves to abide by the findings of the Commission as final and conclusive?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. The agreement referred to will be found in the Papers Nos. 3 and 4 of Cmd. 1,129.

If the Government has undertaken to abide by the findings of the Commission how will they abide by the findings of the House if the two differ?

That is for us to wait and see!

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there are many ex-officers and men who will shortly have completed their period of training in agriculture in accordance with the agricultural training scheme and who will be eligible for holdings; that the county councils have not yet available enough land on which to settle these men, who will therefore have to wait a long time, be out of employment, and in consequence seriously deplete the capital with which they intend to commence farming operations; and will he have provision made that those men for whom the county county councils have not got holdings available but who are able to secure land elsewhere may have the same financial assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture as those who obtain county council holdings?

I have been asked to reply. It is the case that many ex-officers and men are completing their courses of training under the agricultural training scheme and that a sufficient number of smallholdings are not available at present to provide for all of them. I would point out, however, that the agricultural training scheme was not designed to provide applicants for the smallholdings to be created under the Land Settlement Scheme. The number of fully qualified ex-service men who applied for smallholdings was greatly in excess of the number of holdings that could be provided for some time, and accordingly the applicants for training have frequently been told that no guarantee could be given that holdings would be available for them on the completion of their training, and that if they desired to farm on their own account they should endeavour to obtain land for themselves. At the same time the Ministry has urged county councils to expedite the provision of smallholdings as much as possible, and the county councils have been informed that they must undertake to provide holdings for any suitable disabled men who have been trained in their counties before they can share in the additional sum of £4,000,000 which the Government have agreed to devote to land settlement. If my hon. and gallant Friend will supply me with the names of any particular men who have been unable to obtain holdings, I shall be glad to have special inquiry made into their cases, but he will realise that the acquisition and equipment of land is a slow business, and that until the training courses are complete it is impossible to estimate exactly the number of holdings required. With regard to the last part of the question I may say that legislation would be required to carry out his suggestion, and in view of the urgent need for economy, the Ministry does not feel justified in proposing it.

Is it not the fact that these men were definitely promised land at the end of their training, and is it not also the fact that a large number of men have finished their train- ing and see no prospect of getting a holding?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government means to do everything it can to push this matter on, but you cannot accomplish impossibilities.

This is worse than the case of the bricklayers.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think it would be somewhat in the nature of an impossibility to punish those councils who, having expended all their money, will not receive any of the £4,000,000 to facilitate their work unless they provide something for the ex-soldier and the disabled man?

The answer I gave was a fairly long one, and if the hon. Gentleman will study it I think he will find it answers his supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the alleged attempt to prevent ex-service men acquiring land for allotments in the parish of Ridgmont, Beds?

One of the Ministry's Sub-Commissioners has interviewed a representative of the applicants and the chairman and clerk of the parish council, but before any final decision can be arrived at as regards the acquisition of the land it is necessary that the whole financial position should be explained to the applicants. With this object in view the Sub-Commissioner has arranged for such a meeting on the 30th inst., the earliest date on which all the applicants could attend, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result of the meeting.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great importance of the issues raised, he will consider the advisability of himself conducting the negotiations between the Egyptian representatives visiting this country in May, rather than leave these delicate negotiations to be conducted by a subordinate Department?

No decision has as yet been come to as to the precise method in which negotiations with the Egyptian delegation will be conducted when it arrives in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the feeling aroused in Canada by the reported statement at Vancouver of Captain Adams, of His Majesty's Ship "Aurora," that England is to-day paying 17 dollars per head for the great Navy that protects us, and that it is time Canada stepped into the breach and assumed a fair share of the burden; and whether he can allay this feeling by indicating these are proper subjects for discussion between His Majesty's Ministers of this country and of Canada in Imperial conference, and not for speeches by naval officers?

The hon. Member is correct in his view as to the proper method of discussion of questions of Dominion policy. The "Aurora" belongs to His Majesty's Canadian Navy, and the discipline is, therefore, the concern of the Canadian Naval Authorities.

Was it not a British officer that made the statement?

Yes, but he is under the discipline of the Canadian authorities.

[ At this point Mr. CHAMBERLAIN entered for the first time as Leader of the House, in succession to Mr. Bonar Law, and was received with cheers by Members on both sides of the Chamber. ]

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, has stated to the Minister of Labour that the corporation cannot allow a member of the Guild of Insurance Officials to hold a position of responsibility or trust in the corporation; that an industrial dispute is in progress on this question; that numbers of the employés have withdrawn their labour; that the guild has requested the Minister of Labour to arbitrate; and that the Minister has stated that the use of Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act would not be appropriate in a case of this kind; and will he introduce legislation to amend the Industrial Courts Act to enable it to be used in a dispute of this kind?

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misconception regarding the last part of the answer given on the 14th March to his previous question on this subject. The powers conferred upon the Minister of Labour by Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act to set up a Court of Inquiry are not inadequate, but, in this case, after very careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that their use would not be appropriate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the words of this question are taken direct from his own letter to the general secretary of this company, and will he give the House the reasons why the Department cannot interfere in this longstanding dispute?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the answer to another question to-day dealing with Courts of Inquiry; having read that, perhaps he will then, if necessary, put down another question.

But has the Ministry of Labour exhausted all its powers in this dispute?

So far as the Industrial Courts Act is concerned, yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great amount of unemployment at present existing in the country, the Government propose to take any steps to postpone the further 10 per cent. increase of rent allowed by the Increase of Rent Act of last year which comes into force in July; whether he is aware that the intention of the Act was that landlords should generally repair and restore houses occupied by tenants when rent increases were put into force; that very little repairs have been done to ordinary tenement property; and whether, in view of this fact, the Government will favourably consider as to postponing all further rent increases allowed for this year?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the replies which I gave on the 15th and 16th instant to questions asked by the hon. Members for Bedwellty and Smethwick on this subject. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of these replies.

asked the Minister of Health whether any legal proceedings have been instituted under Clause 8 of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act?

It does not fall to my Department to institute legal proceedings under the Rent Restriction Act, but I understand that a case under the Section to which my hon. Friend refers was before the High Court last week.

asked the Prime Minister whether women are being displaced in large numbers in favour of men in public offices and contrary to the policy deliberately adopted by Parliament of equal status and opportunities for men and women when it passed the Reform Act giving women votes?

I have been asked to reply. The policy of employing ex-service men as far as possible in Government Departments in substitution for non-service men and non-service women has naturally resulted in displacing a number of women employed in temporary capacities in favour of men.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will still hold and maintain its controlling interest in the Anglo-Persion Oil Company after the present issue of new capital is completed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government or the representatives of the Government on the League of Nations are responsible in any way for the action of the League of Nations Union; if so, whether his attention has been called to a document, purporting to be issued by the latter body, opposing the German Reparation (Recovery) Bill, and suggesting that the amount of the indemnity shall be referred to a tribunal appointed by the League of Nations; and, if not, whether such a document can properly be signed by a representative of any British possession?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The latter parts do not therefore arise.

May it not arise? Will the Prime Minister consider this as there is considerable misunderstanding in the country on it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is aware that Senhor Julio Cæsar Arana has recommenced his operations on the Putumayo for the exploration of rubber; and whether the Secretary of State is in a position to give an assurance that no British subjects are being employed under this notorious person?

I have no information on this subject, but will make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that the numbers of cattle looted by Jugo-Slavs in the Luma and Dibra districts of Albania in August and September, 1920, were sheep and goats 79,227, cows and bulls 4,584, and horses 1,552; whether these will be returned before any cattle are required for Jugo-Slavia from Austria;

(2) if he has any information with regard to the number of cattle looted by the Jugo-Slav forces in the Luma and Dibra districts of Albania in August and November, 1920; and if the quantity of cattle taken from Albania exceeds the number demanded from Austria by the Jugo-Slav Government?

In the course of disturbances which arose in these disputed border districts, a number of villages were destroyed. His Majesty's Government have received no reports as to what may have been done with the animals belonging to such villages. It should be observed, however, that part of the Dibra district, including the town of Dibra itself, is within the Kingdom of Serbia, and cannot be described as in any way a district of Albania, in whatever way that country and its boundaries may be at present denned. The answer to the second part of Question 51 is a matter for the Supreme Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state what arrangements have now been made regarding the levy of consular fees on invoice certificates, certificates of origin, legislation of bills of lading, and such like documents by British consuls abroad as are levied by foreign consuls in Great Britain, with a view to the provision of funds towards the improvement of the British consular service as well as to put British merchants in this country on an equal footing with foreign merchants abroad?

A fee is provided in the consular fee table for certificates of origin of goods, and an increase in that fee has been proposed and is now awaiting sanction. It has not, however, so far been deemed desirable to make the production of certificates of origin or of consular invoices compulsory in this country, except for the purposes of particular legislation, such as that which is now contemplated in connection with the Reparations sanction imposed on Germany. Proposals for a general increase in consular fees, including those for the legalisation of documents, are also complete, and it is intended that the increases shall come into operation at an early date.

Can the hon. Gentleman name a date?

Not at the moment.

When will he be able to do so?

Later on.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider the cases of members of the consular service who retired during the War on pre-War pensions, with a view to granting them some increase to meet the present high cost of living?

Consular officers who retired before war bonus was instituted in the Civil Service generally are in the same position as civil servants who retired in similar circumstances, namely, no increase of pension can be given except under the conditions laid down in the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920. The case of consular officers who retired after war bonus became payable in this country, but who were not in fact in receipt of bonus at the time of their retirement on account of the special conditions prevailing in the countries in which they were stationed, is on a different footing, and this question is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether representations have been made to his Department with reference to provision of land for unemployed for cultivation as smallholdings and allotments; and what action it is proposed to take thereon?

The Ministry has received from the National Union of Allotment Holders a resolution on the lines of the hon. Member's question. All possible steps are being taken to meet, the demand for small holdings and allotments, but the provision of land cannot be regarded as an effective remedy for unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many men have been unable to work in each of 20 weeks since the end of 1919 in consequence of ill-health; and whether he can take any action to provide that in such cases the local employment committee may recommend payment of unemployment benefit under the provisions of the latest Act?

The condition as to the employment in 20 weeks since the 31st December, 1919, applies to persons other than those formerly engaged in War service, and there is no provision in the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, under which this condition can be waived. I have no power to authorise payment of benefit otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the adviser in bee-keeping to the Ministry is the secretary to the British Beekeepers' Association, and also acts as lecturer, expert, apiarist, and manager to various associations and institutions; what are his duties as adviser to the Ministry; whether it is a whole-time appointment, what salary is attached to the position; and upon what scale travelling expenses are paid?

The Ministry's adviser in bee-keeping is the secretary to the British Beekeepers' Association, which is an honorary post. With the exception of a few lectures in Hertfordshire up to the end of March, which had already been arranged before his official appointment, he has given up all his other duties not connected with his work at the Ministry. The Bee Adviser's duties are to advise the Ministry on all questions arising out of the Ministry's schemes for improving the production of honey in this country. He is also responsible for giving advice to the Ministry's numerous correspondents on bee-keeping. The appointment is a whole-time one, and the salary is on a scale of £300 rising to £400 per annum exclusive of bonus. Travelling expenses are paid at the rate applicable to officers of his grade throughout the Ministry, namely, second class railway fares, but first class if no seconds are available.

Am I to understand that as this is a whole-time appointment this gentleman will no longer be able to act as lecturer?

Why was this gentle man asked to give up his other appointments? Is it not peculiarly appropriate that an adviser in bee-keeping should be a busy bee?

That follows what I said.

Is he an adviser on bonnets as well?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that a dump of over 5,000 tons of timber is rotting at Bideford; whether the local food office over a year ago suggested that the timber might be sold for firewood, as coal was then being rationed and was scarce; that that suggestion was not adopted; who is in charge of the dump, and at what cost; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

The timber in question being cordwood is raw material for the purpose of wood distillation, and the sale thereof as firewood would consequently prejudice the sale of the wood distillation factory as a whole. At the time of the coal strike this cordwood was offered for sale as firewood to relieve the shortage of fuel, but only a very small amount was purchased. A caretaker is in charge of the timber, and the cost of guarding involved is only the amount of the caretaker's salary. So long as there is any possibility of disposing of the factory as a going concern, it is considered inadvisable to dispose of the whole stock of cordwood separately, but the Board will be ready to entertain offers for any portion of the wood as fuel that is unlikely to prove serviceable to any prospective purchaser of the factory.

Are any negotiations proceeding now for the sale of this timber and factory?

Have tenders been invited for it?

I understand the factory has been offered for sale for a long time past. It would prejudice the chance of selling it if the raw material were sold separately. If after a length of time it is not sold and the wood is found to be no longer suitable, we shall be prepared to entertain offers for it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the House of Commons has yet sanctioned any expenditure in connection with the preparation of the official history of the Ministry of Munitions; what is the estimated total cost and on what Vote it was borne; and whether he will suspend all expenditure on this work until the matter has been debated in the House of Commons?

The House of Commons has sanctioned the sum of £11,676 for the salaries and fees of the staff engaged since 1916 on the preparation of the official history of the Ministry of Munitions. It should be explained, however, that the supervisory staff has throughout this period been engaged at the same time on other duties, and their work on the history has only absorbed a proportion of their time. I am informed that the cost of paper and printing is estimated at £3,000 which has been or will be met from the Stationery Office Vote. Of the £11,676 borne by the Ministry of Munitions, £6,677 was paid out of Votes of Credit before 1919, £2,490 was borne on the Vote of 1919–20, £2,509 on the Vote of 1920–21. The estimated total salaries and fees borne on the Votes of the Ministry of Munitions, or the Department responsible for completing the work of the Ministry, will be £12,906. The matter has been considered by each Minister of Munitions that has held office, and it has been decided in each case that, in view of the experience gained during the War, the history should be completed for use in any future emergency. Any question, however, as to the expenditure for the next financial year should be addressed to the Treasury.

Is it a fact that this history is never to be published, and, if so, for whose guidance will it be compiled? Further, can the hon. Gentleman say whether this matter has ever been discussed in the House of Commons at all, and, if not, will he, as suggested in the last part of my question, suspend any further expenditure upon it?

It is not for me to suspend any expenditure in the next financial year, because I shall be defunctus officio in the matter. With regard to discussion, a question was addressed early last year to the right hon. Gentleman who is now the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade, and was answered by him. The history will be for the benefit of those who have to provide the country with munitions in any future emergency.

May I ask whether, in view of the great financial stringency which exists at the present time, no further money will be spent upon an object which will not be useful unless we have another great war, which probably will not occur for another 50 or 60 years?

At the end of 50 or 60 years it might be useful. The sum which is required still to be spent is some £1,230. Whether that is to be spent or not does not rest with the present Minister of Munitions or myself, and questions on that point must be addressed to the Treasury.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what Department will be responsible next year, and how much will be in the Estimate?

As I have said, the sum is £1,230. The Vote on Account provides for a certain sum of money to be expended by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, but discussion on this point will be more relevant to the first Order to-day.

Will the hon. Gentleman place a copy of the history in the Library, so that Members can consult it, and save us the expense of asking further questions about the Ministry of Munitions?

I am rather afraid that there will be a good deal in that history which it would not be judicious to lay before everyone.

All of it!

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping if he will state the purchasers of the former German Hansa Line ships "Goldenfels" and "Crotanfels"; whether they have recently returned to Hamburg under a time charter to their former owners; whether they carry a supercargo; and, if so, what is his nationality?

The two vessels which are referred to have been sold to the firm of J. C. Ozanne, of Guernsey. I have seen a report in the Press that they have been chartered to the Hansa Company, but I have no official information as to this transaction and no power to call for it. I would, however, point out to the hon. and gallant Member that under the British Ships (Transfer Restriction) Acts no British ships can be transferred to a foreign flag without the consent of the Board of Trade for a period of three years after the termination of the War.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman reply to the third part of my question, as to whether they carry a supercargo and what his nationality is? If he is a German, and the vessels have been sent back to their original line under the German company, surely that is tantamount to their return to Germany, and breaks the agreement?

I have no information as to whether they carry a supercargo or not, but I must point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that they still remain under the British flag and are still manned by British crews. Therefore there is not really any serious injustice that I can see to British shipping.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the plans for new main roads near Manchester, prepared under the Town Planning Act, provide for the destruction of the avenue and gable of Hough End Hall and of the moat of Withington Old Hall; whether he is aware that the former building has existed since 1596 and the latter since 1200; and if he will take action to preserve the integrity and amenities of both these historic houses?

I have received representations with regard to these matters, and am now in communication with the Manchester Corporation on the subject. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that full consideration will be given to these representations before any scheme is approved.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state what steps he is taking to alter the food products, instituted in War days as substitutes, to a more nourishing type to protect the physique of the people, especially that of industrial workers and their children; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that local authorities have these matters under close and practical scrutiny?