asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if the words fair and current rates referred to in the letter issued by the War Office in connection with the engaging of Army bands are to be defined as the trade union rates of the organisations representing the civilian musicians which are based on the Ministry of Labour's index figures as representing the increased cost of living;

(2) if the words fair and current rates referred to in the letter issued by the War Office in connection with the engaging of Army bands for profit-making purposes are to be defined in accordance with the Fair Wage Clause of the House of Commons?

I regret I have no information as to the rates of wages now recognised by the Trade Unions representing civilian musicians; but, if the hon. Member will communicate to me such particulars, I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a Special Committee has yet been appointed, as recommended by Mr. Justice Darling's Committee on Courts-Martial, to work out the details of a scheme for appointing permanent legal officers in the Army; if so, whether their Report has received the approval of the Army Council; and how soon the appointment of legal officers will be sanctioned, seeing that it is now 19 months since the Court-Martial Committee's recommendation was made?

Yes, Sir; and the recommendations of the Committee have been approved in principle, but, as I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on the 15th March the extent to which they can be adopted requires further consideration on financial and other grounds.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue instructions that men employed on the construction of quarters for the personnel at the Weyhill Aerodrome, near Andover, should be exservice men, instead of withdrawing men, as is now being done, from housing construction in the adjacent towns and villages; and if he is aware that there are a large number of ex-service and disabled men, who have been trained at the Enham Village Centre, who are available for this work and whose services could be immediately utilised?

I have been asked to reply to this question. A large propor- tion of the men employed at Weyhill are ex-service men. I understand that the Enham Village Centre is a small private establishment at which a few men are being given some trade training while under medical treatment, and that it is not claimed that any of the men under training there are yet fully qualified. My hon. Friend is probably aware that the question of the employment of suit able ex-service men in the building trade is now engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government. Pending the settlement of this question, I am unable to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of taking steps to remove the anomaly which exists whereby, when an officer is discharged on half-pay, after taking a course on full pay, Article 1,496 of the King's Regulations precludes the repayment of expenses incurred except those connected with the conveyance of baggage?

The question of amending this Regulation has been under consideration quite recently, and I regret that I cannot undertake to make any alteration in this or the other Clauses of the Article.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, in view of the Admiralty's recent announcement that the Admiralty are desirous of doing all that is possible to support the status and position of chief petty officers, white woollen gloves have been added to the optional kit of chief petty officers and petty officers with over four years' service as such, and brown leather gloves to the optional kit of sergeants of the Royal Marines, observing that the equivalent rank in the Navy of a sergeant is that of a petty officer according to seniority in rating?

White woollen gloves were added to the optional kit of chief petty officers at the wish of the men themselves, as expressed in a request to the Welfare Committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the allowance of 11s. per week for each of the six children of the late Gunner James Timothy Fitzgerald, No. 338,796, Royal Garrison Artillery, of Hull, has been reduced to 2s. 3½d. per week for each child; whether, in view of the fact that but for the kindness of relatives, who can ill afford to keep these motherless and fatherless children, they would be destitute, he will reconsider the decision to reduce the grant; and if, under the circumstances, he will grant a sufficiently adequate pension for these orphans to be provided for?

Having regard to the very wide publicity which has been given to this case and to the serious charges which have been brought against the Ministry in connection with it, I trust that the House will permit me to make a full statement of the facts. Immediately before his death the late Gunner Fitzgerald was drawing pension at the total disablement rate for bronchitis due to service, the pension carrying the usual supplementary allowances for wife and children. He died in September last of tetanus, the result of an accident arising out of his civil employment. For that accident and for its consequences his employers accepted responsibility, and they have, in fact, paid into Court, for the benefit of the family, the sum of £300, that being the maximum amount of compensation payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act. It is not the fact, as has been stated in various quarters, and is implied in this question, that the Ministry first granted pensions to the children at the full motherless rate of 11s. per week for each child and then withdrew them. Pension at that rate could only have been granted on the assumption that death was due to service, and the circumstances of the death made that assumption absolutely impossible. It is true that for three weeks the Local War Pensions Committee erroneously made advances to the family at the rate of £3 per week, but they ceased making those payments immediately upon hearing that the employers had accepted liability. The present Royal Warrant contains a Clause which enables the Ministry to pay to the motherless children of a pensioned soldier, who has died from causes not arising out of his service, a small pension which bears some relation to the late soldier's pension, but is limited to a maximum of 13s 9d. a week, with certain additions for rank. That pension, which could not be granted under any previous Warrant, was not intended to provide for total maintenance. It is rather in the nature of a compassionate grant, given only in circumstances which involve no liability on the part of the State. Its purpose, moreover, was to relieve absolute destitution. It was not designed to meet cases where compensation for the death is being paid by a third party, and this Warrant, in fact provides that in such cases the compensation obtained must be taken into account. That can only be done by postponing payment of the pension until the compensation money has run out. In the present case the County. Court Judge has ordered the sum of £300 to be paid out at the rate of 7s. 6d. a week for each of the six children. For the present, therefore, the reduced pension under Article 17 of the Warrant must remain in abeyance. I should perhaps add that if the guardians of the children think that the father's death can possibly be attributed to his military service, it is open to them to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what increases, stated as a percentage, have been given to civil servants consequent on the scheme approved for the Civil Service for payment of rates of bonus; and how do these compare with the percentages above pre-War rates added to the pensions of officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force?

The bonus granted to civil servants varies at present from 165 per cent. for salaries not exceeding 35s. a week to 50 per cent. for salaries of £1,500 a year, and about 17 per cent. in the case of the highest salaries. The pensions of officers of the Navy, Army, and Air Force are not calculated upon pre-War scales plus an added percentage but upon revised scales fixed in 1919. The changes made in the basis of assessment by this revision vary too greatly for their effect to be expressed as a percentage of increase on the pre-War scales of Navy and Army pensions. No pre-War scale of pension existed for the Air Force.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions the number of cases awaiting a hearing before the Appeal Tribunal; whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction at the delay in hearing appeals; and whether arrangements can be made to expedite cases awaiting a decision?

I have been asked to answer this question. The total number of cases awaiting hearing by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales is 7,850, of which approximately 600 are cases in which the appellants have already been afforded one or more opportunities of having their cases heard, but have failed to attend. With regard to the question of delay, the tribunals for England and Wales are now hearing cases which reached them at the end of January and in the early part of February last. Two extra tribunals have recently been set up, but, owing to the continued large increase in the number of cases received, the question of appointing further tribunals is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether disability pensioners retained by Admiralty order in civil Government employment during the War have not received an increase of pension, whereas long-service pensioners similarly retained have received an increase of approximately £40 per year, observing that the reply to Item 8 of Admiralty Monthly Order 2,359/20 states that the intention was that all pensioners who were liable to serve in the Fleet should receive the revised rates of pension?

The request from the Welfare Committee in Item 8 of the Monthly Order quoted related to revised rates which had been granted only to long-service pensioners, and the, reply must be read in that light. The question of granting to pre-War disability pensioners who were liable for mobilisation the benefit of the improved post-War disability scales is, however, under consideration, and, it is anticipated, will shortly be settled.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of recruits obtained during the three months November, December, and January last for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, respectively?

The number of recruits who joined the permanent force of the Royal Irish Constabulary during the month of February, 1921, was 670, and the number who joined the Auxiliary Division, 107.

asked the Chief Secretary the total present strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

The total present strength of the permanent Royal Irish Constabulary is 13,616, and the total present strength of the Auxiliary Division 1,483.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of recruits obtained in February of this year for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, respectively?

The figures are as follow:—

Recruits to permanent force of Royal Irish Constabulary:

Recruits to Auxiliary Division:

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that about two weeks ago, in Kilkenny, between midnight and 4 a.m. three young men named Cody, O'Keeffe, and Drummond were taken from their houses fey armed and uniformed men and shots discharged over their heads; whether subsequently Drummond was forcibly brought back to his lodgings and a sum of money taken from his landlady; whether, on the same occasion, the house of an Inland Revenue officer was fired into and the shop windows of two local merchants broken; whether claims for compensation have been made; whether such claims, if awarded, will be levied on the ratepayers; whether three servants of the Crown have been arrested and charged with the offences; whether all or any of them have been identified; and whether it is proposed to put on trial the men arrested and charged with the offences?

I have inquired into these allegations, and am informed that five temporary constables have been arrested and are now awaiting trial by court martial. As the case is sub judice, I am unable, for the present, to make any further statement in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether James O'Donnell was arrested on the 15th January last, and has since that date been detained in Londonderry Prison; whether he has been charged with any offence; if so, what is the offence alleged against him; and when is it proposed to put him on his trial?

This man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in an ambush at Kincasslagh. Careful investigation was necessary, but O'Donnell has now been released.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the outrage in Belfast on Friday night last, whereby three members of the auxiliary police force were done to death by Sinn Fein gunmen, and of the fact that a similar fate befel certain members of the Royal Irish Constabulary on a recent date who were lodged in a public-house in the city, and who, like these members of the auxiliary police force, were there in the execution of a special duty, he is of the opinion that these men were shadowed by Sinn Fein gunmen for the purpose of assassination; and, if so, whether it is advisable that in future such members of the police force should be lodged in barracks and instructed as to the danger of parading certain quarters of the city, especially after sunset?

The following are the particulars of these murders:—At 9.43 p.m. on 26th January, 1921, three constables from the Royal Irish Constabulary depot, named Quinn, Heffron, and Gilmartin, on duty in Belfast, were attacked in their bedroom in Noddy's Hotel by a party of armed men. Constables Quinn and Heffron were shot dead, and Constable Gilmartin was dangerously wounded. At 8.30 p.m. on 11th March, 1921, Constables Mackintosh, Crooks, and Cooper, Royal Irish Constabulary Mechanical Transport drivers, Gormanstown, on duty in Belfast, and a civilian named Alexander Allen, were fired on and seriously wounded by five men outside the Empire Music Hall, Victoria Square, Belfast. The three constables and the civilian have died from the result of their wounds. My hon. Friend may be assured that all possible steps will be taken to ensure the safety of officers and men; but it would not be prudent to publish what arrangements are being made.

asked the Minister of-Food whether he is aware that 100 tons of sugar imported into Gainsborough by his Department last October are still at Farley's wharf rapidly deteriorating and paying rent at a warehouse; whether one of the local firms tried to purchase it for distribution in the town, but was informed that the sugar was sent for a special purpose and was not available at any price to any person or firm; and whether, in view of the fact that sugar has gone down, and is still going down, in market price and that this sugar will soon not be fit for grocery purposes, he will remove the embargo on its sale?

My information as to the condition of the 100 tons of sugar lying at Gainsborough does not tally with that of the hon. and gallant Member and I have no reason to suppose that the sugar is deteriorating. The sugar in question formed part of certain stocks held in reserve against an emergency. These reserve stocks are now being dispersed and this stock will be disposed of at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Food whether any considerable stocks of essential foodstuffs are still under the control of the Ministry; and what are the arrangements made with reference to them when the Ministry ceases to exist at the end of the month?

I would refer the hon. Member to the lengthy reply given on the 2nd March to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley), and to the reply given by the Prime Minister on Wednesday last to a question put by the hon. Member for Islington.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of cheese are made which have the butter fat extracted from the milk and in place thereof have ether fats and oils added; and whether he will take steps to have such artificially made cheese labelled and sold under a different name in a manner similar as margarine and butter are, from the same causes, differentiated?

I have been asked to reply. Under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, cheese of the type referred to in the question is required to be labelled "Margarine Cheese.'

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether stocks of corned beef, about 1,212 tins of chicken broth, and 31,480 bottles of Worcester sauce are now for sale at the supply reserve depot, Dept-ford; and why these goods have been held up for nearly two and a half years since the Armistice?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These stores represent the unsold residue of large quantities which were handed over to the Disposal Board for sale towards the end of 1919 and at the beginning of 1920. Every effort has been made by advertisement and by the circulation of tenders to complete the disposal of these stores as quickly as possible, but the capacity of the market is limited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Agricultural Costings Committee, attached to the Ministry of Food, will have completed a year's general farming costing by the end of this month; whether any action is proposed to continue this work and so avoid the expense already incurred being wasted; whether he is aware that an undertaking was given to the farmers who have cooperated in the scheme that they would be supplied with the result of the year's costing, and that, in consequence, some of them went to the expense of employing professional valuers before the commencement of the costing; and whether, in view of the fact that, if the work is not continued and use made of the information already obtained, these farmers will be reluctant to co-operate in any future scheme, the matter will have further consideration and arrangements made for the continuation of the investigations, and for the information already obtained being tabulated and made available to those concerned?

The Departments of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food have under consideration whether some measure can be found, consistent with the need for economy, that will enable the material collected by the Agricultural Costings Committee to be so far tabulated as to enable the co-operating farmers to be supplied with a financial statement of the results of their year's working.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has definitely refused to carry on the work of the Agricultural Costings Committee; whether, on the formation of this Committee, his Department agreed that it should be a permanent body and should pass under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture on the dissolution of the Ministry of Food; whether he is aware that the Committee has done very valuable pioneer work in a branch of agricultural economics hitherto almost neglected in this country; and whether this is the only body properly qualified to supply the information needed under the Corn Production Act with regard to the cost of production of cereal crops?

Owing to the urgent need for economy, it has not been found possible to retain the Agricultural Costings Committee and the staff in their present form. The Ministry of Agriculture hopes to arrange that the data collected and tabulated by the Committee will be handed over to the Institute for Research into Agricultural Economics at Oxford, which will be in a position to supply the Commissioners to be appointed in pursuance of the Agriculture Act with data relative to the cost of production of cereal crops.

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

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the high prices being charged farmers for artificial manures; whether raw material used in the production of these manures is still controlled; and, if so, will he press for decontrol and use every endeavour to encourage the use of artificial manures when agricultural produce has fallen so seriously in value?

I am aware that the prices of artificial manures have risen considerably since the beginning of the War, but this is mainly due to the increased cost of production and transport. None of the raw materials used in the production of these manures have been controlled since 1919, and accordingly the last part of the question does not arise. I may add however that every endeavour is being made and will continue to be made by the Ministry to encourage the use of artificial manures by British farmers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what is the cost of making, printing, and circulating the periodical return at frequent intervals showing the position with regard to land settlement; how often it is revised and published; what means are employed to circulate it to county councils and other local authorities; and will he either discontinue this expensive tabulated statement of figures or only publish it at long intervals in the interests of economy, which the Government has pledged itself to observe?

The return to which the hon. Member refers is revised and reprinted monthly. It comprises a summary of records which are obtained by the Ministry as part of its ordinary administrative procedure and which it is necessary to obtain having regard to the financial liabilities of the Ministry under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act. The return is distributed by post to county councils and councils of county boroughs and the total cost of printing and distribution amounts to £7 10s. a month, which expenditure appears to be thoroughly justified.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board has been in communication with the Somerset local education authority concerning the provision of secondary school accommodation for Weston-super-Mare urban district and neighbourhood; whether the plans submitted to the Board for the erection of a school have been approved; whether the building will be proceeded with; and, if not, will arrangements be made for the provision of the Accommodation so urgently needed by the erection of huts or other temporary accommodation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the authority's proposals for the provision of secondary school accommodation at Weston-super-Mare by means of huts are now under consideration by the Board. I understand that the local education authority desire to proceed with the work at once, and the Board will raise no objection to their doing so, provided that the details of the proposals are such as the Board can approve.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the final Report of the Adult Education Committee is out of print; and whether, in view of the continued demand for the document, he will endeavour to arrange for its republication?

I am aware that the final Report of the Adult Education Committee is out of print, but in order to cover the cost of reprinting it at the present time the reprint would have to be priced at 9s. a copy. I do not feel able in present circumstances to press for its republication.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schemes or instalments of schemes under the Education Act, 1918, have been submitted to the Board by local education authorities up to date; and how many have been approved by the Board?

The number of local education authorities who have submitted schemes, or instalments of schemes, is 66. An unimportant instalment of a scheme was approved in 1919. In the case of six schemes the portion relating to day continuation schools has been approved to the extent implied by the fixing of an appointed day for the purposes of Section 10 of the Act. No other scheme has received formal approval as a whole, and such approval has been suspended, in pursuance of the Cabinet decision; but, as explained in Circular 1190, the Board are very desirous that the preparation and discussion of schemes should proceed, and are prepared to entertain specific proposals for giving partial effect to schemes.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many voluntary day continuation schools, that is, those begun with the assistance, of employers, are being continued; and to what extent they are affected by the unemployment of the young people?

I am afraid it is not possible for me to distinguish in all cases between voluntary day continuation schools and other, but I believe there are at present about 50 voluntary day continuation schools. Two or three schools of this type which were held in 1919–20 have recently been discontinued. I am not in a position to estimate the effect of the present state of unemployment on the position of these schools.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons why, when municipal authorities are charging 20 per cent. more rent than for similar existing property, the Ministry should press that a further 20 to 25 per cent. be charged, thereby increasing the rents to an extent making it impossible for working people to pay?

I cannot agree that the rents proposed by my Department are too high for working people too pay. As the hon. Member is probably aware, if there is any difference between the local authority and myself as to the amount of the rent to be fixed, the question at issue has to be referred to an independent tribunal for decision.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Torquay town council have nearly completed 86 houses out of an estimated shortage of 650; whether the council have recently rescinded a resolution to build a further 50 houses, and adjourned consideration of housing for three months; whether the council have hitherto made the reasonable progress required by Article 3 of the Statutory Rules and Orders; and, if not, the steps he proposes to take to ensure that reasonable progress shall be made having regard to the unemployment prevailing at the present time?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is true that the local authority have deferred decision on a proposal to build a further 50 houses owing to financial considerations, but they have not abandoned the scheme, as suggested, and I hope that it will be possible to obtain reasonable tenders in the near future, which will enable the local authority to proceed with a further instalment of their scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the South Wales and Monmouthshire branch of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers have declined to hang doors in the St. Mellons rural district area made by Messrs. Halmstads, Halmstad, although that firm is recognised by the Manchester headquarters of the society and, in consequence, the contractor was forced to purchase English-made doors at an extra cost of £5 per house; and whether he can do anything to prevent this increase in the cost which must eventually fall on the tenants?

I understand that the facts are generally as stated, but further inquiry is being made into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether the canteen situated to the east of the bridge in St. James's Park is run at a profit or at a loss; if at a profit, what is done with the profits; whether rent is paid for this building; if so, what amount; whether a licence for the sale of alcoholic refreshments is held or has been asked for; and whether the equipment of this canteen, namely, utensils, crockery, cutlery, linen, and furniture has been provided and maintained by the State or by private enterprise?

The canteen has been, and is at present run at a small profit, which forms a reserve fund and is not distributed. No rent is paid, and no licence has been asked for. The equipment was supplied and is maintained by the Office of Works.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the pensions building at Acton is expected to be completed; and what is the approximate number of staff which it is contemplated to house there?

As far as can be foreseen the first portion of the building will be ready for occupation in June next, and the remainder by the end of the year. The building will accommodate approximately 5,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is offering the women who are employed on audit or awards employment in a women's branch of the Ministry as soon as they are available for transfer; and whether any women have been discharged from the audit and awards after satisfactory service without being given an opportunity of availing themselves of this promise?

Competent women employed on audit of awards or on awards work who are not due for discharge under the terms of the Lytton Report will be offered employment in a women s branch of the Ministry. Some women whose retention was not justified under the recommendations in that report, have been discharged under the substitution scheme from the Audit of Awards Section and Awards branches.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the canteens in temporary buildings occupied by his Department are run at a profit or at a loss; whether rent is paid for the canteen premises; if so, to whom; and whether the equipment of these canteens in the shape of crockery, utensils, cutlery, and linen is supplied and maintained by the State or by private enterprise?

The canteens referred to in this question are run by committees representing the staff of the Ministry with the object of providing the staff with meals in accessible places and at a reasonable price. No rent is paid for premises. An initial grant is made by the Treasury for the purchase of equipment and a small annual grant towards maintenance. In other respects the canteens are entirely self-supporting.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is now in a position to state what progress has been made towards the final settlement of the pension scheme for the staff of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland?

A pension scheme under Section 52 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, has now been made by the Congested Districts Board with the approval of the Treasury. The details as to the officers and persons entitled to benefit thereunder are at present being considered and will, it is expected, be settled very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Mr. W. C. Bartlett, who during the War was employed in the War Risks Insurance Department and reached the position of a clerk of Grade I. at a weekly salary of £5 6s., and who was appointed in September, 1919, to the audit staff, in which he travelled all over Great Britain auditing aircraft insurance accounts for the Government, was the second man in his Department to attest voluntarily under Lord Derby's scheme of enlistment, being passed in Class A for military service at the age of 39, but was prevented from serving in the Army by peremptory orders to the military authorities that his services were required by the Board of Trade; whether on the 30th of September, 1920, Bartlett was dismissed to make room for an ex-service man and since that date has been out of employment; whether, nevertheless, no ex-service man has been appointed to fill his place; and whether, in view of the fact that if Bartlett is not an ex-service man it is entirely owing to the action of the Government and through no default of his own, he will see that Bartlett is restored to his former employment under the Board of Trade or is found employment of equal value on the same footing as if he had served in the Army as he desired to do?

I am aware that Mr. Bartlett was discharged on 30th September last, but the reason for his discharge was the termination of the work he was engaged upon and not for the purpose of replacing him by an ex-service man. In view of the policy of His Majesty's Government on the question of the employment of ex-service men in temporary positions, I cannot hold out any hope of re-employment for Mr. Bartlett.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a resolution from the conference of employers' associations and trade unions, representing that all branches of the lace, embroidery, hosiery, glove fabric, and fabic glove industries are of opinion that the present depression from which they suffer is being accentuated by the unfair competition in our home market of countries on the Continent of Europe whose exchanges are so materially depreciated, and affirms that it is impossible to compete in price with either France or Germany in the above-mentioned goods, having regard to the low exchange value of their currencies, and further representing that such conference calls upon His Majesty's Government to proceed with all despatch to put into effective operation such temporary measures as will enable our manufacturers to meet an abnormal situation and place our competitors on more equal terms with British manufacturers in the home market; and whether he proposes to take action in the direction indicated at the earliest possible moment?

I have received a copy of the resolution in question. As has been already stated, the measure dealing with this matter will be introduced and proceeded with as soon as possible after Easter.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the case of Walter Conniff, 18, recently convicted at the city police court, Worcester, of theft, against whom two previous convictions were recorded, who admitted that he had never worked and who was stated by the chief constable to be drawing 29s. a week unemployment pay; and whether he will inquire if the necessary measures for protecting the public purse against fraud have been taken in the case of this youth?

I am having inquiries made in the case referred to and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are more out-workers at Nottingham than in any other city in the United Kingdom; that there is considerable distress among them at present; and whether the Government will reconsider its decision not to include them in the Unemployment Insurance Act?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my Noble Friend the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck) on 2nd March, of which I am sending him a copy. I do not think it would be practicable to apply Unemployment Insurance to out-workers, and in any event this could not be done without fresh legislation?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce into the Railways Bill suitable machinery for dealing with the conditions of service of the railway police?

I regret that I cannot add anything to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Southwark, Central (Mr. Gilbert) on 20th December last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that 80 children residing at Clowne, and attending the Netherthorpe grammar school, Staveley, have to leave Clowne at 7.32 a.m. each morning, arriving at Staveley at 7.50 a.m., and to wait until 9 a.m. for the commencement of school; that in the evening the children have to wait until 6.35 p.m. for a train home, arriving at 6.50 p.m. at Clowne; and whether he will approach the Midland Railway Company with a view to an improved service?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter; but I am having inquiry made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardship to owner-drivers of cabs, who cannot afford to put down a lump sum of £18 for an annual licence, in charging them £18 for the licence renewed quarterly; if this £3 is out of proportion to the additional cost of issuing the licences quarterly and levying 20 per cent. extra taxation on those least able to afford it; and will he consider making a rebate in cases where the licence has been issued during the whole year?

I am unable to admit that the new tax for motor vehicles presses unduly on motor cab owner drivers. On the contrary, it would appear that they are less severely taxed than when the petrol duty was in force. The issue of quarterly licences is in itself an important concession, and involves a loss of revenue and a considerable increase in administrative work, and justifies a higher rate of charge. The issue of such licences on payment of 30 per cent. of the annual duty was approved by this House, and included in the Finance Act, 1920, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has no power to grant further concessions to any class of owner.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the fact that certain employés of some of the great railways have received no recognition of any sort for special services rendered during the air-raid period; and what steps are going to be taken to rectify this omission?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will remember that he recently made representations to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport in favour of some extra payment being given to certain grades employed on a particular section of railway who have been required to be on duty during air-raids, and that it was explained to him that this request could not be granted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in consultation with the Secretary for Scotland, he will arrange for a conference between representatives of the local authorities in Scotland and representatives of the Ministry of Transport during the Easter Recess, and that meantime the habit of communicating direct with road surveyors and not through the local authorities may cease, so that county council road committees may be able to lay the position of the financial burden on the rates before those who are responsible for the allocation of the money grants?

My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, is now in communication with the Secretary to the County Councils' Association of Scotland relative to grants to be made to the Scottish local authorities out of the Road Fund towards the cost of the maintenance and improvement of roads, and in a letter dated the 17th instant offered to receive deputations from Scottish local authorities. A reply has not yet been received. It is not customary to discuss matters of policy with the surveyors to local authorities, but in certain cases it is necessary that detailed technical information should be furnished to the Roads Department of this Ministry by the technical officers of the authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, since the tenth Report of the Road Board recently issued states that Scotland for the last ten years has not received a fair quota of financial aid for road maintenance, since there are 24,908 miles of road in Scotland and 152,085 miles in England and Wales, or the equivalent of 14 per cent. he will see that the grant of £568,616 out of the £8,398,975 is increased for 1921?

I cannot find that the Report referred to makes the admission suggested by the hon. and gallant Member The mileage of roads in a particular area is not in itself an appropriate basis to work upon, when allocating monies from the Road Fund, as the character of the roads has also to be considered. The principles upon which grants have been made have been identical throughout the United Kingdom. The grants to be made in the next financial year will be upon a classification basis applicable to the whole country.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons desirous of availing themselves of cheap travelling facilities at Easter from Manchester and district to Penrith, Windermere, and Keswick by the London and North-Western Railway will have to travel on Thursday and return on the following Tuesday; and whether, in view of the fact that the general public have to re turn to business on the Tuesday, he wilt make representations to the company concerned with the view of allowing holders of excursion tickets to return by trains on the Monday?

The arrangements for excursions are the responsibility of individual railway companies, and I was not aware of the details of the facilities between Manchester and Penrith, Win dermere and Keswick. I find on inquiry, however, that only one excursion train will be run by the London and North-Western Railway Company at Easter between these districts; and the company have arranged for this train to return on Tuesday, the 29th instant, in order to suit the convenience of the majority of the passengers. The matter is not one calling for the interference of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of the Tanganyika territory have entrusted the selling of all enemy property in the territory to Mr. Moynagh, at a commission of 1 per cent., and an additional commission of 1½ per cent. for private sales; whether the value of the property is £5,000,000, or more; whether the contract was put up for tender before giving it to Mr. Moynagh; whether a well-known firm offered to do the sales for a commission of ¼ per cent., which is the usual commission on land sales; whether the power to the auctioneer to sell privately is open to the gravest objection; and whether he will have full inquiry made into the matter?

Inquiry has been made. The auctioneer named was selected by the Governor after due consideration of the offer of the firm referred to. The commission will be 1 per cent. on sale prices, but the auctioneer receives no additional commission on private sales. The system of calling for tenders was not considered suitable in the circumstances, as the number of firms available for the purpose was extremely limited, and as an essential condition of the selection was that the auctioneer should give up all interest in his existing business, in order to exclude the possibility of operation on behalf of private clients. In these circumstances, the rate of remuneration is considered to be reasonable. I am not in a position to state whether the estimate of the value of the properties is correct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the estimated number of Indians who have been imported into Mesopotamia since the British occupation?

The latest figures available show that the number of Indians employed in Mesopotamia in December last under the Labour Directorate was about 24,000, in the Inland Water Transport about 10,000, and on the railways about 19,000. With regard to other branches of the civil administration, the number of Indians employed in August last was about 2,200. It has since been reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Arab levies raised by the Military Commander-in-Chief in Mesopotamia; and whether these levies are officered by natives, and, if so, in what proportion?

The Arab levies in Mesopotamia were raised by the Civil Administration and not by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. As regards the number and composition of the force, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India on the 3rd November last to the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford. I am not in a position to give more recent details. The whole question of the levy force is at present under the consideration of the Provisional Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Government will have the House of Commons Paper, No. 93, of 1909 (National Income and Outgo), brought up to date and presented to the House?

The preparation of this return would involve considerable expenditure of time and labour, and I am not convinced that the return is of sufficient public utility to justify the outlay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Reports of the Ministry of Munitions Economy Committee will be published?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rotherham (Major Kelly) on Tuesday last.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the amount of subsistence allowance now being paid per week to clerks engaged upon the work of the Reparation Commissions in the various Continental capitals?

The clerks in question are in the employment of the Reparation Commission which is an Allied body. I will, however, endeavour to obtain the information required by my hon. Friend from the British delegate to the Commission and will communicate it to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Censor in Egypt refused permission to publish Zagloul Pasha's message of thanks to his fellow-countrymen for their cables of congraulation to him on the second anniversary of his imprisonment in Malta by the British authorities; whether this was due to the message declaring that the delegation could not support the official negotiations as at present planned and on the basis of the Milner Report without the amendments submitted by the delegation; and whether the suppression of this and other messages from Zagloul Pasha concerning the Milner proposals are designed to protect the Egyptian people from a knowledge of his views or the British people from the knowledge of his position as the leader of Egyptian opinion?

I can add nothing to my reply on this subject to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor), on the 15th instant.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a communication from the secretary-general of the League of Nations dealing with the control of armaments; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing the recommendations of the League on this subject?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am unable, at present, to make any further statement, as the Government has not yet had an opportunity of considering the proposals.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet had time to consider the Report of the Committee of this House, set up to inquire into the expenses of hon. Members; and, if so, whether the proposal for railway passes being granted may be put into effect before Whitsun?

I cannot add anything at present to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the late Leader of the House on the 23rd February on this subject, of which I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. I am sorry to say that, owing to circumstances which my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the Government have not yet been able to come to a decision on this matter.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the Outer Lobby contains two large mural paintings intituled, respectively, St. George for England and St. David for Wales; whether he has considered the claims of St. Andrew and St. Patrick to similar distinction; and whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment at present existing among meritorious artists, he will consider the desirability of placing commissions for the effective decoration of the panels which have, apparently, been reserved for these national saints?

I regret that I have no funds available to enable me to comply with the suggestion contained in the last part of the question, but if the hon. Member can find a donor to meet the cost of the decoration of she vacant panels, I shall be only too glad to see the series completed.

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of men employed in the City of London Police and the cost of the force to the rates and to the Exchequer in each of the years 1900–01, 1905–6, 1910–11, and 1920–21?

Prior to 1919 the cost of the City of London Police was borne by the rates, supplemented by a contribution from the Corporation funds, and it is only since 1919 that any part of the cost has been borne by the Exchequer. The figures are as follow: