asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the consignments of false "Pravdas" despatched by the Director of Intelligence to be forwarded by the Admiralty were addressed to or through the British Vice-Consul at Helsingfors, or by name to Mr. Le May, Mr. Lenstrend, or Mr. Boyce holding this position; was His Majesty's Foreign Office aware of this work being carried out by gentlemen holding the position and commission of His Majesty's Vice-Consul; and was the Finnish Government informed of the despatch of these forged documents through His Majesty's representatives at Helsingfors?

So far as I am aware, no copies of a forged edition of the "Pravda" have been received by any official of His Majesty's Consulate at Helsingfors. Last October a parcel addressed to the British Commissioner at Riga was received by him, and, on being opened, it was found to contain some hundred copies of a faked edition of this newspaper. These copies were kept at Riga under lock and key by the British Commissioner.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Home Secretary admitted that this was sent to Russia, and was His Majesty's Foreign Office consulted as to this use being made of His Majesty's agents?

I went into that matter myself, and it is not the custom of the Foreign Office to censor parcels that go in the Foreign Office bags to His Majesty's representatives. I should add that there is no question of any of His Majesty's Consular officers being in any way implicated.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in accordance with the provisions of the preamble of the Russian trade agreement, instructions have been issued to the Director of Intelligence that he and his staff shall refrain from giving any assistance or encouragement, whether discreet or indiscreet, to persons engaged in propaganda, direct or indirect, against the institutions of the Russian Soviet Republic?

All necessary instructions have been given to Government Departments and others concerned in accordance with the preamble to the agreement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can indicate the source of recent misleading reports of the downfall of the Russian Government?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the publication by the Government of facts relating to the scope and purpose of Bolshevik propaganda in Afghanistan and India, he will consider the desirability of suspending the putting into operation of the Trade Agreement with the Soviet Government until he is able to satisfy this House that such propaganda has been discontinued?

Under the Preamble to the Trade Agreement, the Soviet Government expressly undertakes to refrain from propaganda against British interests in India and Afghanistan, and under Clause 13 of the Agreement, all infringement of this condition entitles; His Majesty's Government to determine the Agreement if any default be not remedied. The letter handed to M. Krasin states the action required to be taken by the Soviet Government as an essential corollary of the Trade Agreement.

Were the Government satisfied that the propaganda had in fact ceased when they signed the Agreement?

We were satisfied that the Soviet Government pledged itself to cease propaganda.

Supposing that this Agreement as to India is not kept, what Government Department will take cognisance of it?

His Majesty's Government will take cognisance of it.

Was not the action against Afghanistan, and so on, taken prior to the signing of the Agreement, and is not our best defence against further action of that sort the opening up of satisfactory and solid relations with Russia?

I would sooner state the arguments in favour of the Agreement, rather than have them stated for me by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is it not a fact that M. Lenin has declared his inability to control his agents in the Middle East and Afghanistan?

I have no information of that.

Is Persia provided for as well as Afghanistan?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the agreement, which has been published, he will see.

May we take it as certain that the agreement will be cancelled if proof be forthcoming that they have in any way broken their promise with regard to propaganda?

It was an essential condition of the signing of the agreement that any hostile action, if any had been taken, should cease.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Milner Mission to Egypt emphatically urges that the Treaty should not be allowed to come into force unless it had been approved by a genuinely representative Egyptian assembly, and that it was rather for the Egyptians than for us to say what kind of assembly would be in the truest sense representative, His Majesty's Government proposes to arrange for the appointment of Egyptian delegates without regard to the national delegation admitted by Lord Milner to speak in the name of the nation?

It is not for His Majesty's Government to arrange for the appointment of Egyptian delegates. This is for the Egyptians themselves to settle.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of protests from Egyptian representative bodies against the proposed method of appointing a delegation to enter into formal negotiations with the British Government on the ground that a delegation so appointed would be unrepresentative of, and would not have the confidence of the Egyptian people, His Majesty's Government will give an assurance that the Egyptian people shall settle their own method of selecting representatives?

I have already given such an assurance in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor) on the 14th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether free return railway tickets are being issued to Egyptians by the Government in Egypt in order to induce them to thank the Sultan for his actions in regard to the proposed official negotiations with His Majesty's Government; and whether he is aware that pressure is being put upon Egyptians to force them to thank the Sultan?

I have no information confirming the suggestions contained in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Separations Commission has recently presented a demand to the Austrian Government for the surrender of 6,000 cattle; whether the British representative refused to sign the demand; and whether, in view of the large sums spent by the Government in the purchase of milk for the children of Austria, representations are being made to the Powers who have signed this demand?

The question of the delivery of cattle, in accordance with Annex 4 of Part 8 of the Treaty of St. Germain, was brought up before the Vienna Section of the Reparation Commission on 4th March. The Section were in favour of presenting to the Austrian Government a demand for delivery, the British representative alone dissenting. The matter will have to be referred for final decision to the Reparation Commission in Paris, and in view of the fact that the Allied and Associated Governments have been discussing the desirability of postponing all liens on Austrian State assets, it is probable that the decision of the Vienna Section will be withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the cadet force, how many of these are under the Territorial force associations, and how many under other organisations; and what steps are being taken to perfect the organisation and administration of the cadet force and to encourage enlistment in it?

The present strength of the cadet force is 120,000. All of the cadets are under the administration of the County Territorial Force Associations, about 45 per cent. of them being raised by large voluntary organisations. The reorganisation of the cadet force on a county basis is proceeding and new regulations are being framed. County commandants and county cadet staffs are being appointed as well as civil committees to aid the movement. A grant for each qualified cadet of 1s. to the Territorial Force Association and 1s. to the officer commanding has recently been authorised; and issues of drill pattern and miniature rifles, camp equipment (on loan), clothing (at cheap rates), etc., are made. Training facilities have been improved and five national competitions for miniature rifle shooting, boxing, games, physical drill and general efficiency, have been arranged for 1921.

Have these arrangements been lately brought into force, and have they done anything to increase the number of cadets?

I cannot say yet.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to hand over the road, Park Lane, Netherton, which was closed for public use by the military authorities during the War; whether he is aware that a letter was forwarded to the War Office on the 7th January regarding this matter and that no reply has been received; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused by the continued closing of this road to the public during certain hours, he will give this matter his favourable consideration?

It is hoped that the road referred to will be re-opened on 1st April next.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will define the exact difference between acting and temporary rank; and why regimental officers who have all the hard and unpleasant work to do in war should only be acting while the staff are usually temporary?

Temporary rank is held by an officer filling a vacancy on a war establishment, while an officer holding acting rank is not filling a vacancy, but is acting in the absence of the officer holding the appointment. Temporary rank could not be granted without reference to the War Office, but acting rank, which was given more freely, could be granted by General Officers Commanding in the field. In the case of the regimental officers, as they were more exposed to the risks of war, the higher acting rank was conferred immediately without the formality and delay which preceded the grant of temporary rank.

Is it a fact that the rank of temporary officer entitles them to take a pension from the time acting rank is granted?

I shall require notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the Army at the different treatment of majors holding command of regiments; whether those majors appointed prior to April, 1919, become acting lieutenant-colonels, with rank and pay as such, but those appointed afterwards remain majors and only receive major's pay, apart from the command pay which both obtain; whether this means a loss of £250 per annum; and whether, in view of the fact that both sets of officers do precisely the same work and have the same responsibilities, he can place both on an equal footing?

April, 1919, marks the reversion from rules specially set up for War conditions to those that apply in peace. The exigencies of War rendered it necessary to give the rank of lieutenant-colonel to the officer who was actually in command, whatever his substantive rank. In peace, during the absence of the lieutenant- colonel for any reason, the next senior officer assumes command without any enhancement of rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it is necessary to retain in the remount service 154 officers as compared with 19 officers in January, 1914; could the Army veterinary service carry out all the duties now allocated to the Remount Department; would the saving thus effected enable him to retain the four cavalry regiments he proposes to disband; and will he state the total annual cost of the Remount Department, including the administrative and clerical staffs, and all charges for officers and other accommodation in January, 1914, and in January, 1921?

The answer is a very long one, and I hope the hon. and gallant Gentleman will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with his advisers as to the desirability of getting rid of the boarding-out system altogether as being expensive and useless, thus saving the taxpayer?

I am not quite sure that immediately arises out of my answer, which has not yet been circulated.

The following is the answer prepared: The dates quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend, namely, January, 1914, and January, 1921, are apt to be misleading, because in April, 1914, 85 district remount officers were added to the establishment for the purpose of classifying the civilian horse population of the country for military purposes. This work had, up to that time, been done by adjutants of the Territorial Force, but this system was abandoned because these officers had not the necessary special knowledge, and the work took them away from their proper duties.

These figures will, however, be reduced during the years by the following:—20 retired officers and 67 other ranks, whose places will be taken by the civilians enumerated. This shows that the actual establishment of the Remount Department is less now than it was before the War, with the exception of the civilians. The increase in the number of civilians is due to the five remount depots which have, since the Armistice, been added to the establishment for the purposes of the Territorial Army boarding-out scheme. This scheme covers for the present the pre-War subsidy scheme, which cost £47,000 per annum in registration fees. As regards the cost of the Remount Department, any comparison between 1914 and 1921 would be entirely misleading, owing to the outbreak of War in 1914, and owing to the fact that the cost of the Department for 1921 is not yet known. Taking a hypothetical cost based on the month of April, 1914, for the year 1914, the cost would have been approximately £82,000 for the administrative and clerical staffs. The estimated cost for the year 1921, based on the figures of January, is approximately £156,000, but the reductions which will, as stated above, be effected during the year will reduce this figure by £18,000. The question of the amalgamation of the Army Veterinary Service with the Remount Service is not a new one. I am informed that it would not be practicable for the Army Veterinary Service to perform the duties of the Remount Service in addition to their own duties, and it is not considered that a saving would accrue from a combination of the two services, even if this was feasible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that John Carroll, late Royal Army Veterinary Corps, No. 33863, was discharged in January, 1919, but has received no settlement of his accounts; that, although the field disbursing officer at Poona was, according to the paymaster at Woolwich, advised to render an account on the 24th August, 1920, it has not been received; if he will make inquiry into the cause of this delay of over two years; and if, considering that the ex-soldier is seriously ill and has a wife and child dependent on him, he will cause a telegram to be sent, and, if any amount is due to Carroll, payment of such amount will be authorised by telegram?

Mr. Carroll has received a settlement of his accounts, which leaves him in debt £3 14s. 11d. A statement of accounts from the field disbursing officer at Poona has been received, and the only items which are questioned as not in agreement with the soldier's pay book are so small as not materially to alter the result.

Is there any reason why, after two years, a complete settlement should not be obtained?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask what is to become of the wife and child in the meantime?

I am not quite sure that I heard all the hon. Gentleman's question, but I gather that he was complaining of delay in the settlement of these Indian accounts. There has been great delay, and no one regrets it more than those in charge of the War Office. We have sent out an officer to deal with these matters. At the same time, during the War there was great pressure, and all Europeans were taken away for other duties, and native help had to be taken on instead. From that arose the great difficulty in disentangling the accounts.

When will this officer arrive in India, and when are we likely to hear any result of his efforts?

There has been considerable result. Hundreds of cases have been settled since he arrived in the autumn.

Can I have an answer to my question, what is to become of the wife and child in the meantime?

I must have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether household troops are generally ordered to change barracks or stations each year; and whether, with a view to economy, he will consider the advisability of units being kept for a longer period without change of quarters or stations?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the large proportion of the units of the household troops stationed in or near London, annual changes of station are necessary in order that they may be given periodical facilities for field training and relief from guard and other ceremonial duties.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much the change costs?

No, I cannot do so without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his decision to abolish four cavalry regiments, if he would consider substituting one or two of the household cavalry regiments for a similar number of line cavalry regiments proposed for abolition, in view of the fact that, strength for strength, household cavalry cost the taxpayer more, and that as they are stationed for about two-thirds of the time in London they have much less opportunity for cavalry training than most line cavalry regiments; and whether also the lighter class of cavalryman is considered more suitable for modern warfare?

As I have already explained to the House, the most thorough consideration has been given to the selection of the cavalry regiments to be disbanded. Military expediency and justice to the regiments concerned have been carefully weighed, and I am unable to recommend any departure from the decision arrived at.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer that part of my question as to whether household cavalry does not cost more than line cavalry regiments, and as to whether the former have less opportunities for training in London?

Certainly they do cost more than a line regi- ment; my answer to the previous question by my hon. and gallant Friend dealt with the question of training.

Are heavy cavalry considered is useful in modem warfare as light cavalry?

That, I think, would be a good subject for debate.

Would it not be better, instead of abolishing particular units entirely, to reduce all cavalry regiments by one squadron?

That was considered, but it does not have the effect of reducing the cost to the same extent.

Would not that be the case if composite regiments were made up of separate squadrons?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army Order 52, 1921, dealing with fuel and lighting allowances, is still in force; and, if so, whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider whether the allowances might be considerably reduced without hardship to those concerned?

Yes, Sir; Army Order 52 of 1921 is still in force. I do not consider that the rates can be reduced in view of the present high prices for fuel and light.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter was brought to my notice by an officer who expressed the opinion that the allowances were excessive?

I shall be very glad to hear in what part they are considered excessive; if the hon. Gentleman will give me the district we will see about it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that 10s. 3d. is an excessive allowance?

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of abolishing these allowances altogether and substitute for them consolidated pay?

asked the Secretary of State for War why a soldier has to be 26 years of age before he is eligible for the marriage allowance under Army Order 357, of 1920; and, having regard to the hardships caused, whether he will have the Order reconsidered with a view to any married soldier being eligible for the allowance irrespective of age?

The grant of a marriage allowance to the regular soldier in time of peace was a great concession. The Government fixed the conditions for the three Services after very full consideration, and I can hold out no hope that it will be changed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the position of the Territorial soldier separately, and is he aware that his position is totally different to the regular soldier?

Yes, Sir, that is so; and it is a matter that during the discussion on the Estimates I promised to look into.

Seeing that many of these men enlisted and served during the War and that they had a right to the marriage allowance, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it unfair to take that right from them; they served, and have remained in the Army?

I am very glad to have the opportunity of correcting that misapprehension; that right has not been taken from them. They have a perfect right to continue at the old rates of pay and the old separation allowance; but if they get a higher rate of pay they have to give up the separation allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many and, if possible, which actions took place during the late War about which no information in the shape of despatches or official accounts have been available to the public?

No official accounts have been made available to the public of the following operations during the War for which the Imperial Government was responsible:—

Italy, operations from April to November, 1917;

East Africa, operations from August, 1914, to December, 1915;

Nigeria, operations from January to May, 1917;

Togoland, operations from August, 1914, to January, 1915; and

The Cameroons, operations from August to September, 1914.

How is it proposed to communicate the official accounts of these actions to the public, or is it proposed not to say anything about them?

Well, shortly after the time they took place it was obviously not possible to make any public statement. Now, of course, the interest has to some extent evaporated, but no doubt they will be included in the Official History of the War.

Now that the War is over, cannot the despatches be published at once?

That I will consider.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether 150 men of the Cameron Highlanders stationed at Queenstown have refused to re-enlist on their periods of service terminating as a protest against the duties they have been compelled to perform in Ireland?

No information of this nature has reached me, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the forces in Egypt and Palestine are expected to continue to cost £6,250,000 a year; if so, for how long; whether the. Difference between the cost of the pre-War garrison of Egypt (£1,450,000) and £6,250,000 is to be regarded as the cost of accepting the Mandate for Palestine; and, if so, whether there is sufficient reason for accepting a Mandate in this behalf?

It is intended that further reductions should be made in the garrisons of Egypt and Palestine as circumstances permit. The reply to the third part of the question is in the negative, and the fourth part, therefore, does not arise.

Is the acceptance of this Mandate a condition of the Treaty of Versailles, or has this country the option to decline to accept if if it proves expensive—as apparently it will?

I do not think that question arises out of the question on the Paper; besides I do not think it should be addressed to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached to substitute for the proposed subsidy a system of register for motor lorries the services of which may be required by His Majesty's Government?

The subsidy scheme has been postponed for the present, and the question as to what steps should be taken in the matter during the current year is under consideration.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is able to give statistics, or if he will acquire the same, as to what extent the action of Belgium and Germany in combining certain trade associations in the steel, glass, and iron trade to utilize certain financial facilities given by this country to Belgium have operated against the British manufacturers in respect to trade of this type in Great Britain?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information in support of the suggestion contained in the hon. Member's question, but if he will furnish me with any further particulars that he may have in his possession, I shall be happy to institute enquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what was the value in sterling of coffee imported from Central America into Great Britain in 1920 as compared with 1913?

I have been asked to reply. The value of coffee (including roasted or ground) imported into the United Kingdom, consigned from Central America, registered during the periods specified, was as fOllows:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps have been taken to put commercial travellers of foreign nations entering the United Kingdom on the same footing as regards the payment of licences, taxes, and fees as British commercial travellers are placed on entering foreign countries?

No steps have been taken, or are in contemplation, to impose any special charges on foreign commercial travellers entering this country.

Is it not only fair that foreign commercial travellers entering this country should be placed on the same footing as British commercial travellers entering foreign countries?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman has raised this question before, and it was then explained that it would be impossible to impose the restrictions which, he suggests in his question without denouncing a very large number of treaties which exist between this country and other countries.

What special Clause in any treaty prevents this being done?

The common form of the most-favoured-nation Clause in the Treaty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has received Reports from the British Commercial Attachés in Latin America as to the growth of German trade there; and whether German goods are as yet seriously entering into competition with British goods?

Statistics showing the current volume of German exports to Latin American Republics are not available, but reports have been received from Commercial Secretaries and from other sources which indicate that German trade is beginning to develope again in South America, and that Germany may again be regarded as a serious competitor in Latin America both for public and similar contracts and in some lines of commerce.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, whilst many women with dependants are being discharged from the War Office, whatever their efficiency and length of service, other women with private means are being retained; that some of the women to be discharged have sat for establishment examinations, but in consequence of the fact that the results of these examinations are not to be issued until the results of the men's examinations are available, they are placed at a disadvantage until they know whether they were successful or not; and whether he will give instructions that all women who have sat for the establishment examination shall be retained at least until the result of the examination is known?

It would be contrary to the instructions of the Government on the Lytton Report for temporary women clerks to be retained indefinitely unless they fall within the exempted categories or their retention can be shown to be essential in the interests of the public service. It has therefore been necessary to fix a limit beyond which retention based on grounds of hardship alone cannot be allowed and this date in the case of the War Office is 31st March. There are eight temporary women clerks with more than nominal private means at present employed in the War Office. Of these, two are being retained pending the provision of suitable substitutes; three are being retained for the present in the interests of the public service, but the cases of two of these will be reviewed at the end of March; one is due to be discharged on substitution at the end of May; and two are due to be discharged on reduction of staff, one at the end of March and the other in about two months' time. As regards the suggestion that temporary women clerks should be retained pending the announcement of the result of the recent examinations, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Tottenham, North, on 21st February last, and to the hon. and gallant Member for Battersea, South, on 24th February last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that some of the men parading the streets and begging for public charity are men drawing Army pensions or other forms of benefit from public funds; and on what grounds these men are permitted by the police to beg in the public streets?

Collections on behalf of the unemployed are permissible in the Metropolis under the Regulations governing street collections. There is nothing to prevent persons who are not themselves in need of assistance acting as collectors, provided the funds collected are properly used for the benefit of the unemployed.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information that the money is so properly applied?

Yes, so far as we can watch it, I think it is.

They are watched?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been repeatedly pointed out that it is impossible for ex-service men to live on the pensions granted; in view of that, will the right hon. Gentleman increase the pensions so that the men can live in decency?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary how many controls were in operation in the Metropolitan Police Area between a.m. 19th March and p.m. 21st March for the detection of dangerous driving and for detection of cases of exceeding the speed limit, respectively; and how many police were employed and with what result?

During the period quoted there were no controls expressly to detect cases of dangerous driving. There were nine controls to detect infringements of the Motor Car Acts generally, other than speed offences, eight officers being employed, and no cases of dangerous driving were reported for prosecution. In addition, there was one control to detect cases of infringement of the speed limit, three officers were employed and five cases were reported for prosecution.

Are any controls employed near Brighton.

I cannot answer that offhand.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in respect of pensioners dying since the Pensions (Increase) Act was passed, but before arrangements had been made to commence paying them, the arrears due at the time of their death are payable to their widows?

I do not think the widow of a deceased pensioner is entitled to claim any payments which might have been made to her husband under the Act, but I have advised police authorities that it is within their discretion to make such payments to the widow if they think fit.

Was not the Minister in charge of the Bill asked if these people would be entitled to claim back payment, and did he not say distinctly "Yes"?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the authorities like to wait long enough—until all the pensioners are dead—they need pay nothing.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Health has issued an Order applying The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, to all pensions paid under The Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act, 1896, and that the terms of this Order have been communicated to all Poor Law authorities, he proposes to issue a similar Order applying the Act of 1920 to all persons in receipt of pensions under The Police Act, 1890, and The Police (Scotland) Act, 1890, the terms to be similarly communicated to all police authorities in England, Wales and Scotland?

An Order applying the Act to the police was made on the 11th October last, and circulated a few days later to all police authorities in Great Britain.

May I take it from that answer that all police authorities will be compelled to apply the Act?

That is too general a question for me to answer.

In cases where they have already refused—Worcester, for instance—will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to compel them to apply the Act?

If my hon Friend will bring any particular cases to my notice I will look into them. I cannot say off hand.

I asked the right hon. Gentleman at the commencement of the Session if he would give me a list of the counties that had refused to apply the Act. He answered that he would as soon as possible. I have not yet received it. It is well known what counties have refused. Will he take steps to compel them to apply the Act?

I will look into any case brought to my notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the Worcester case?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary what is the present position with regard to the Grand Juries (Suspension) Act, 1917; whether inquiries have been made from Judges and others as to the effect of the Act upon the administration of justice and with what result; and whether he proposes to take any, and what, action in the matter?

The matter has already been dealt with by Section 4 of the Administration of Justice Act, 1920, which will come into operation on the expiration of the Grand Juries (Suspension) Act, 1917. This Section was drafted after taking the opinion of all the King's Bench Judges, who were unanimously in favour of the provision contained in Sub-section(1).

When will the Act come to an end?

On the termination of the War.

Is there any official period for that?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has taken any, and what, steps to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee which reported upon the employment of women in the police service; and whether he will inform the various local authorities what has been done in the Metropolitan area?

I issued a circular to all police authorities on the 17th instant. I will send the hon. Baronet a copy.

Has the Home Secretary yet made up his mind as to whether he is going to accept the recommendations of the Report with regard to the power of arrest?

No, not yet.

asked the Home Secretary whether a police constable who retired prior to 1914 is only allowed to earn an income of £143 per annum, making £200 with his pension, under penalty of losing a portion of his pension should he earn more, whereas a police constable who retires under the 1920 scheme can augment his income to any extent without penalty?

The statutory restriction formerly imposed on the amount which a pensioner might earn in addition to his pension is now repealed, and a police pensioner is free to earn as much as he can whether his pension was granted in 1914 or 1920.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the school at Cowdenbeath, estimated to cost £44,000, is to be proceeded with, or is the erection of this school one of the works which is to be postponed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Department has instructed one of His Majesty's inspectors to report upon the situation with regard to this school, and directly his report is received the Secretary for Scotland will reach a decision in the matter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will repeat his question immediately after the Easter Recess he shall have a reply.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether negotiations are still proceeding with the Campbell-Orde and Balranald Estates in North Uist with a view to meeting the claims of ex-service men and others for small holdings, and for additions to existing holdings; and whether the Board of Agriculture are speeding up land settlement in that island?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the Board are making every effort to expedite land settlements in this area.

Is there any likelihood of a settlement being reached with regard to these applications, of which I understand there are a large number, before the spring work commences in that part of the country?

I am sorry I have no personal information on that point, but if the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question I will inquire.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what progress has been made with the settlement of recent claims by ex-service men and others for small holdings in South Uist?

Negotiations were proceeding at the instance of the Board with a view to land settlement in South Uist. Owing, however, to illegal action, which I regret to say has been taken by certain applicants for small holdings there, these negotiations have meantime been suspended.

In other parts of the Highlands has not illegal action been taken and has not the Board of Agriculture done something?

That is new matter. I am not aware of any cases of the kind.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this question on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the arrangement his Department made in 1915 with the inhabitants of Weston-by-Welland, near Market Harborough, for a joint telegraphic and telephone extension, but owing to the War it was not installed; whether he is aware that in 1919 the promise was withdrawn; will he state the reason for such, which has caused great dissatisfaction and inconvenience, particularly to farmers and business men; what are the reasons that telegrams for Weston cannot be telephoned through from Medbourne thereby saving great delay; what steps does he intend to take to carry out the pledge of 1915; and, in the meantime, is he prepared to arrange for telegrams for Weston to be telephoned through from Medbourne?

The offer of a joint extension of telegraph and telephone facilities to Weston-by-Welland in 1915 was not accepted within the period specified, namely, three months, and further consideration of the matter was deferred on account of the War. In 1919, as a result of re- newed applications, telephone facilities only were offered and accepted under guarantee, and the installation of a telephone call office is proceeding. The prospective receipts from telegrams do not now warrant the establishment of telegraph facilities at Weston-by-Welland, and in the absence of such facilities I regret that the transmission of telegrams by telephone from Medbourne to Weston and delivery thence by messenger would not be practicable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not see his way to reconsidering that decision in view of the great importance of getting telegrams more quickly?

If there is no probability of loss on the service it shall be considered, but we have to deal with these questions on general lines.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Manx House of Keys has appointed a committee whose terms of reference include the advisability or otherwise of purchasing the Manx telephone service from the British Government; whether he has already offered to sell the service to the Manx Government, and, if so, at what price; whether he will indicate the reasons for such negotiations being set on foot; and whether the House will be consulted before any further steps are taken in the matter?

The Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man was recently informed, in connection with the application of the revised tariff, that, as the telephone system in the island is self-contained, it is not essential that it should be administered by the Post Office, in common with the telephone system of the United Kingdom, and that a proposal for the purchase of the system on reasonable terms by the Insular Government would be considered favourably. The price to be paid, in the event of a sale taking place has not yet been discussed and is now the subject of investigation. If the Insular Government decides to apply for a licence for the conduct of telephone business, the provisions of the Telegraph Acts will apply generally, and I am advised that legislation is not required.

Is the service run at a loss to the Post Office?

I cannot answer that without Notice.

asked the Post master-General how many men are employed by him who are electrical fitters, scientific instrument makers, and engineering fitters; how many of these were qualified journeymen on being employed by him; and how many of these men, respectively, are employed under Post Office conditions; under trade union conditions; and under trade union conditions, less five per cent. for Post Office privileges, in accordance with their options under the findings of the Holt Committee Report (Tradesmen), 1914?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster General whether he has sanctioned a new Regulation excluding from the parcel post to India and other parts of the British Dominions the sending of parcels the contents of which exceed in value £120; whether parcels to the same parts can be sent from the Continent, irrespective of value; and whether, considering that this new Regulation is prejudicial to the interests of British jewellers and art dealers, he will at once give instructions for the same to be cancelled?

It has recently been found necessary to restrict the value of any single parcel of jewellery sent by the foreign and colonial parcel post to the maximum amount for which a parcel can be insured with the Post Office in the service to the country concerned; if there is no Post Office insurance system, the maximum value is fixed at £400. The limit of insured value for India is £120 per parcel. This restriction is necessitated by the occurrence of a number of thefts of parcels of jewellery of high value from the foreign mails. The parcel post is not intended or adapted for the carriage of parcels of very high value, for which proper safeguards cannot be provided except at a cost which the low rates charged for Post Office parcels do not warrant. I am not aware of any similar Regulation in any Continental parcel post service; there is nothing to prohibit any other postal administration from adopting a similar restriction if the conditions are considered to justify it. Jewellery in excess of the value admitted by post can be despatched to destinations abroad through shipping companies' services, and I am not prepared to cancel the new Regulation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the charge of the shipping companies for transmitting jewellery from this country to the Colonies is in the nature of 6 per cent.; and is he aware that that will absolutely handicap the trade of the British jewellers; and has he received a number of complaints from insurance companies in regard to that; and will he, under the circumstances, reconsider the matter and take into consideration the fact that no loss by this falls upon the Post Office?

I have been in touch with the trade in regard to this matter, and it is time that I have received a considerable number of communications in regard to it, but it must be remembered that these parcels are easily portable and are very valuable, and there is great temptation caused by them, and after a great amount of consideration we thought it advisable to stand by the Regulation.

Has any loss fallen upon the Post Office, and has the right hon. Gentleman received a considerable number of complaints from insurance companies on this matter?

I shall be glad to give any information that I can to the hon. Member.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the approaching discharge of about 150 temporary postmen employed in the East-Central District, he will now state whether he will receive a small deputation from the men concerned, in order that they may put their case before him?

These men were engaged during the War in substitution of members of the regular Post Office staff serving with the Forces; and now that normal conditions are being restored, I regret that they must give way to the regular staff who have returned and to other ex-service men who are being engaged to fill vacancies. The Post Office is pledged to give all available posts to ex-service men, in accordance with the policy of the Government, and I am afraid that no useful purpose would be served by receiving a deputation. It may, however, be found possible to retain some of the men for a short time after the expiry of the notices of discharge.

asked the Prime Minister who is the official of the British Treasury who has been selected to serve on the committee appointed by the Council of the League of Nations on 21st February, 1921, to consider all factors connected with the organisation, number, salaries, and allowances of the permanent staff of the secretariat of the League of Nations and the International Labour Office?

Colonel R. A. Johnson, C.B.E., an Assistant Secretary, has been nominated to serve on the committee referred to by the hon. Member.

Will this Gentleman receive a salary and allowances for serving on the committee?

He is an Under-Secretary in the Treasury. Obviously, he will have to have his expenses. I cannot say more without notice.

I will put down another question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Lord President of the Council has accepted the Chairmanship of the Special Commission of 11 members of different nationality appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to consider amendments to the Covenant; whether this Commission will meet in London or at Geneva; and whether the Commission has been requested to report on the amendments already suggested by 1st June, 1921?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The first meeting of the Commission will probably take place at Geneva in April. It is hoped that it will be possible for the Commission to submit its first report to the Council by the 1st June.

Are we to understand that the Lord President of the Council is going to remain abroad all the time?

No, Sir, I certainly hope to see my right hon. Friend long before then.

Will it be competent for this special Commission to consider the principle of equality between negligible nations and great Powers, or will important questions like that be excluded from the purview of its operations?

My hon. Friend will, I am sure, agree that I ought to have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Union of South Africa, New Zealand and India are among the 27 States, members of the League of Nations, who, in addition to Great Britain, have signed and ratified the protocol of the statute for the permanent Court of International Justice in the form approved by the Assembly of the League at Geneva on 13th December, 1920; and whether any information has been received as to whether Australia and Canada are now prepared to take the same step?

The Governments of the States mentioned in the first part of the question had signed, but had not, up to the 3rd instant, ratified the protocol. Arrangements are in hand for ratification by Great Britain. It is understood that signature on behalf of Canada is contemplated. No information is available as regards the intention of the Commonwealth of Australia.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the recent conviction and sentence of a pensioner named Benjamin Paul, who, at Tower Bridge Police Court, was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining some £60 for treatment and travelling allowances; whether he is aware that in his defence the accused stated that hundreds of other men did the same thing, and paid a man 6d. to sign their cards; whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to whether, as is very widely stated, similar laxity exists in the signatures of unemployment cards, thereby throwing heavy loss upon the tax-paying public; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, will he have the necessary instruction issued so as to make the practice of fraud more difficult?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In the case mentioned the fraud of the pensioner was facilitated, as the magistrate pointed out, by the failure of the local War Pensions Committee to keep in touch with the hospital to which they sent the man for treatment. This is not, however, an isolated instance of fraud in connection with out-patient treatment, and the question is already under consideration with a view to the issue of more stringent regulations. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, that he has no grounds for thinking that applicants for unemployment benefit hire other persons to personate them in attending at the Employment Exchange and signing the register. He will, however, consider any facts which my hon. and gallant Friend may be able to put before him.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many, if any, of the women now being removed from the Audit Department are ex-service women as defined by the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee; and how many, if any, are the widows of men who lost their lives in the War?

Of the women in the Audit Department, four are ex-service women and three are widows of men who lost their lives in the War. As I informed the hon. Member for Dartford on the 9th instant, these women will not be removed from their present work until men have been trained to replace them, and will then be continued in employment in a woman's branch of the Ministry without loss of salary.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that allegations that the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which has contracts with the Air Ministry, has recently written to women formerly in its employ, who have regular work elsewhere, asking them to return to the company to work on Government contracts, whilst men formerly employed by the company are unemployed, have been made; whether the Air Ministry has some duty with regard to the firm's conduct; whether such action, if not a breach of the spirit of the Fair Wages Clause, is in direct opposition to the general policy of all Government Departments with their employes; and will he have inquiries instituted and, if the facts are found to be as stated, a communication made to the company in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. As I stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on 17th March, the Ministry gives orders to this firm, and is satisfied with the manner in which the work is carried out. The Ministry is in no way responsible for the firm's conduct of their private affairs, so long as the conditions of labour conform to the ordinary standards of the Fair Wages Clause. The Ministry are, however, making inquiries in order to reassure themselves on this point.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have come to any conclusion as to the future of Osborne College; and whether the aviation or any other Department is likely to take it over?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Admiralty have no further use for the property, of which they are only tenants, and as soon as the buildings, etc., have been cleared on the closing of the Royal Naval College at the end of this term, the intention is to hand them over to the coming Departments (the Office of Works and the Office of Woods and Forests). I understand that various projects for their future use are under consideration, but no decision has yet been given.