asked the Chief Secretary whether Colonel Latimer's case is still under consideration; who directed Colonel Latimer's suspension; whether his suspension was with the concurrence of his commanding officer; whether Captain A. H. Daniel, commanding N company, Auxiliary Division, has also been suspended; and whether an inquiry has been made into this case also?

Lieut.-Colonel Latimer is not now under suspension. He was suspended by the direction of the Chief of Police. Captain Daniel is still under suspension pending the result of an inquiry which is being held into alleged offences by a number of the members of his company.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the three members of the auxiliary division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, K company, whose services it was decided to dispense with after the Cork burnings on the grounds of their general unsuitability, were tried before they were dismissed the service; whether the cadets concerned in the Trim looting have yet been tried or punished in any way; and how they are now employed?

The three cadets referred to in the first part of the question were tried for specific offences alleged against them and were acquitted. Their services were subsequently dispensed with on the grounds of general unsuitability entirely unconnected with the charges for which they were tried. Their unsuitability was in effect inefficiency as members of a police force. The cadets concerned in the Trim Inquiry have not yet been tried and are still suspended from ordinary police duties. Seven of them are under close arrest, 24 are suspended from police duty. Summaries of evidence have been taken from 46 members of this company. The date of the court-martial will be fixed by the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Chief Secretary whether two school boys, Patrick Gibbons, aged 17, and Patrick Tobin, aged 16, of Enniscorthy, county Wexford, were sentenced to two months' imprisonment for refusing to give information against members of the Irish Republican Army?

No, Sir. These youths were arrested on suspicion of having stolen two bags of mails from a train. In view of their youth they were released on giving an undertaking to appear before a resident magistrate and give sureties for their good behaviour. They appeared before a magistrate, but declined to give sureties, and in default were sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

asked the Chief Secretary what court condemned the late Mr. Cornelius Murphy to death for the possession of a loaded revolver in a martial law area; and what court fined Mr. L. Fluffy, accountant in Messrs. Beamish and Crawford's brewery, Cork, £10 for the possession of a loaded revolver in a martial law area?

Cornelius Murphy was convicted by a military court under martial law; Mr. Fluffy by court-martial under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. The Executive have, of course, no power to direct military courts or courts-martial any more than they have to direct civil courts in this country as to the sentences which they shall impose, and I do not think it would be proper for me to discuss such sentences further than to say that, as, of course, the hon. and gallant Member is well aware, in considering the sentence which it will impose on a conviction for the unlawful possession of a revolver a court is bound to consider the use to which the revolver is intended to be put.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Rev. Dr. Irwin, Presbyterian minister, of Kilead, near Belfast, has been tried by court-martial on the charge of having in his possession a revolver, which was not in working order, and a sporting gun, and sentenced to two years', afterwards reduced to one year's imprisonment; whether he is aware that Dr. Irwin, having broken up and cultivated 60 acres of land in response to the appeal to grow more food, required to keep a gun to protect his crops; whether Dr. Irwin performed distinguished War service and was honorary chaplain to the Royal Air Force; and whether he can see his way to treat this as a technical offence, as similar offences in this part of Ireland have been treated, and use his influence to have the sentence remitted?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has remitted the remainder of the sentence in this case and the prisoner was released on the 15th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, prior to the assassination of Alderman Clancy, Councillor O'Callaghan, or Mr. O'Donoghue, they had received threatening letters from the Auxiliary Police, one of which contained a copy of the "Weekly Summary"?

I am informed that so far as the police have been able to ascertain there is no truth in this allegation. Mr. O'Callaghan received an anonymous threatening letter, dated 23/3/20; it bore Clonmel postmark, but there was nothing to give any clue as to the sender. There were no Auxiliaries in Ireland at that date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the following members of the forces of the Crown in Ireland have been convicted of murder or manslaughter or are awaiting trial on such charges: Cadets Harte, Watson, Redford, Jackman, and Courteney, of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary; Constables Pearson, Smith, Wilton, Colborn, and Reeve, of the Black-and-Tan Constabulary; Constable Lenihane, of the Regular Royal Irish Constabulary; Major-King and Captain Walsh, of the headquarters staff of the Auxiliary Division; and Captain Harding, staff officer of the Regular Army?

Cadet Harte has been found guilty of murder, but insane. Constable Lenihane has been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. No other of the persons named has been convicted of any offence. Certain of them are now awaiting trial, but I do not think it is desirable that I should give particulars at the present stage.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make known the result of the trial, which was promised on 20th December would take place, of the uniformed men who robbed the premises of Denis P. Mordaunt, St. Albans Road, Dublin, one of whom was captured and given into the custody of the police?

A private of the 1st South Lancashire Regiment was given into custody by Mr. Mordaunt on a charge of robbery. He was tried on this charge by field general court-martial and acquitted. There was no other arrest.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to notices received by the "Liberator" and the "Kerryman" warning the editors against publishing Lord Chief Justice Moloney's reference at the assize court regarding allegations against the Crown forces, namely, that they were responsible for the murder of a man named Houlihan at Ballyduff, and for burning a labourer's cottage near O'Dorney; whether the notices were signed by the president of the Anti-Sinn Fein Society; what steps have been taken by the Government for the suppression of this society; and is it composed of members of the Crown forces?

I have called for a police report with reference to this matter, and am informed that a notice of threatening character was in fact received by the editor of the "Liberator" and "Kerryman" warning him not to publish any report of cases heard at the assizes on a particular day. It is not known by whom the notice was sent, and the editor does not suspect any person in Tralee of having sent it. No members of the Crown forces are known to belong to an Anti-Sinn Fein Society, and the police have no knowledge of the existence of such a society. I may add that the editor himself does not appear to have regarded the notice as seriously intended. He published a verbatim report of the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice on all the cases heard on the date mentioned (the 9th instant), and no untoward consequences ensued from the publication.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of the late Mr. John Allen, Bank Place, Tipperary, who was executed in Cork on the 28th February, 1921, a reprieve was forwarded from London to Dublin, but that the authorities in Dubin omitted to forward the order for reprieve to Cork in time to prevent the execution; what explanation is given for this omission on the part of the authorities in Dublin; who was the official responsible; and what action is it proposed to take?

There is no foundation whatsoever for the allegation in the first part of this question and the other parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will give instructions that in all courts-martial and military courts of inquiry there shall be at least one member of the court with legal knowledge and experience?

In all capital cases at least one member of the court has always been a qualified lawyer certified by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland or the Lord Chief Justice of England to be a person of legal knowledge and experience. At each of such courts in addition to the qualified legal member there has been a Judge Advocate appointed by the Judge Advocate-General who has been a barrister of standing experience of criminal cases in civil courts. I cannot undertake to put a barrister in every court-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether further consideration has been given to the question of further reduction of the military establishment at Gibraltar with a view to converting the station into a purely naval establishment?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any proposal to convert Gibraltar into a purely naval establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if men at present stationed at Gibraltar, who enlisted for two years under Army Order 155, are being retained for another 12 months; and, if so, the reason for this action?

Soldiers serving beyond the seas who re-enlisted under Army Order 155 of 1919 are liable, under the terms of their engagement, for retention in the service for an extra period not exceeding 12 months. During the present trooping season such soldiers have been held to serve overseas for all or part of the extra year in cases where they could not be relieved. They will in all cases be brought home for discharge before the expiration of the extra period to which they are liable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the wagon-building department at Gretna factory is to be closed down; and, if so, in view of the present state of unemployment, will he reconsider this matter?

There is no wagon building department at Gretna, but the repair of wagons is being carried on there, and will continue as long as such work is available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the employés at Gretna factory agreed to the Government scheme of working short time on the understanding that it would help to relieve the present unemployment problem by finding work at this factory; and, if so, the number of persons that have been engaged since the starting of short time at this factory?

Short time was adopted at all national factories in order to spread the available work over a larger number of workpeople with a view of postponing further discharges and of engaging additional workers where possible. The agreement of the employees was not sought before the introduction of this policy. Thirty-three additional workers have been engaged at Gretna Factory under the short-time scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the quarry, or quarries, leased by the Joint Roads Board in Dorset have been returned to the owners; whether the large stock of stone obtained therefrom has been disposed of and, if so, the prices obtained for it, and on what terms the quarries were returned to the owners?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the quarry at Herston, near Swanage, which was taken over by the military authorities in October, 1918, and handed back to the owners on 10th March, 1919. The stone obtained from the quarry was used in the construction of the Tank Park at Studland and for other works. Owing to the lack of transport and railway facilities there was an accumulation of stone at the quarry, and this was sold to the owners as one of the terms of settlement. A payment of approximately £160 was made to the owners in full settlement of all claims and accounts in connection with the taking over and working of the quarry.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many military police are now employed in the streets and railway termini in London; what is the object of having these men on duty in London; whether in pre-War days it was usual for military police to be so employed in London; and whether, in the interest of economy, this service can be withdrawn?

The number of military police now employed in the streets and railway termini in London is 46. They are employed in the supervision of the conduct of the large number of troops who are constantly visiting or passing through London. Military police were similarly employed in London before the War, and it would not be in the interests of discipline or efficiency to withdraw them at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 300 Army chaplains are now maintained as against 117 in 1914, and 299 as against 19 Army education officers; and whether it is necessary now to entertain and maintain a large excess of chaplains and of staff educational officers?

The pre-War establishment of 117 Regular Army chaplains did not include those civilian clergymen, 40 or 50 in number, who were engaged to give their whole time to work amongst the troops and were paid the minimum rate for commissioned chaplains. These are included in the establishment of 300 for the Royal Army Chaplains' Department shown in the Army Estimates for 1921–22. This figure represents the maximum number which may be employed, but there are at present 278 and a further appreciable reduction will be made early in the financial year. The scattered distribution of garrisons at home and abroad necessitates, however, the employment of a larger proportion of chaplains than before the War. As regards the education officers, my hon. Friend is aware that education is now regarded as an integral part of the soldiers' training and as a preparation for his return to civil life, and for this purpose a larger number of officers are required. The 19 officers in 1914 were inspectors of army schools; under the new scheme there is an education officer in every large unit of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if an expedition consisting of 30 former officers of the Royal Air Force is leaving for Japan in order to organise a naval air service; and whether members of this expedition have been sent on courses to Royal Air Force stations in order that they may be conversant with the latest developments of British military and naval aviation?

I have been asked to reply. It is understood that a certain number of civilians have been engaged by the Japanese as flying instructors. No mission has been sent by the Royal Air Force. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether British Government aeroplanes and engines are being sent to Japan?

I have been asked to reply. The British Government have neither sold nor sent to Japan any aeroplanes or aero engines. It is, however, possible that the Aircraft Disposal Company—in which, as the Secretary of State for Air explained to the House on the 14th December, 1920, the Government have retained an interest—may have sold certain obsolete or surplus engines to that country.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it has been decided to issue clasps to the British War Medal to the Fleet; if so, the estimated number of naval clasps required; whether, in view of the great cost to the country already involved by the production of medals in the ordnance factories, opportunity will be given to expert firms of medallists to tender for the supply of these clasps; and whether steps will be taken to see that as economically and efficiently designed a clasp as possible, both as regards cost of production and method of distribution and attaching, be decided upon?

It has been decided to award Naval clasps to the British War Medal, and an announcement to that effect appeared in Fleet Orders and in the Press in July last. The estimated number of Naval clasps required is 2,450,000. The question of the production of clasps has not yet been settled, but full consideration will be given to the points raised by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any changes in the head-dress of naval ratings are contemplated; and whether he can give an assurance that the main characteristics of the existing patterns of head-dress will be preserved?

The Sennet hat has been abolished as an article of naval uniform for seamen. At home the uniform cap will be worn according to season, i.e. , blue cloth cap in winter and white cap in summer, on all occasions on which the Sennet hat has hitherto been worn. In H.M. ships and fleet establishments on foreign stations sun helmets will be worn as necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present strength of the Navy in the Black Sea; what was it during February; and what was it during the same period of 1920?

At the present time no vessels are employed in the Black Sea. During February, 1921, one light cruiser and two destroyers were employed in those waters. During February, 1920, the average strength was two battleships, three light cruisers, seven destroyers, and one sloop. This strength varied from day to day, according to circumstances. Ships stationed at Constantinople are not included in any of these figures.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the strength of the Navy in the Baltic during February and March this year as compared with the same months of 1920?

The strength during February and March, 1921, has been:

One Light Cruiser and

Two Destroyers.

The following vessels were employed during February and March, 1920:

February —

Three Light Cruisers.

One Flotilla Leader.

Four Destroyers.

One Depot Ship.

March —

Three Light Cruisers.

Eight Destroyers.

One Depot Ship.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it has been decided to regionalise the Scottish issue work of his Department and to put this in operation before the Committee of Inquiry into administration has had an opportunity of issuing it's Report?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. J. Davison) on the 10th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension of 3s. 6d. a week granted to Mrs. J. Hobbs, of Hedgerley Dean, Bucks, mother of the late Lance-Corporal Jesse Hobbs, No. 8,865, Royal Berks Regiment, killed in action, has been arbitrarily stopped; whether Mrs. Hobbs, being unable to read or write and incapacitated from leaving her room for seven years owing to illness, is unable to earn her living or any portion of it; and whether her late soldier son substantially contributed to her means of existence both when serving in India and up to the time of his death when serving in France?

The award referred to was based on the ground of pecuniary need. It expired on the 22nd February last and was not renewed because the household income was found to be such as to make a further award of a need pension inappropriate. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that there is no evidence of pre-War dependance upon the late soldier, and that no Army separation allowance was in payment during his service.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Sandhurst cadets have stated their wish to enter the Indian Army in their last term at the Royal Military College since the date of the Armistice: how many of these were King's India cadets; and how many Indian Army appointments were announced at the time of the entrance examinations?

Since the date of the Armistice 98 Sandhurst Cadets have joined the Indian Army, excluding those who entered for Quetta, but were trained at Sandhurst. Sixteen of these were King's India Cadets. The entrance examinations at which these 98 Cadets entered were held in November, 1917, March, July and November, 1918, and at these four examinations 95 Indian Army appointments were offered. In the last passing out list out of the first 17 in order of merit 10 were candidates for the Indian Army of whom 4 were Quetta Cadets.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether and, if so, why the Secretary to the Government of India in the Public Works Department is being paid a lower salary than that common to all other Secretaries in the Civil Secretariat of that Government?

The pay of the Secretary to the Government of India in the Public Works Department was fixed in 1905 at Rs. 3500 per mensem it being considered that the pay of the appointment should be fixed with reference to the rate of pay drawn by Chief Engineers in the Public Works Department and Secretaries to local Governments and not with reference to what was drawn by other Secretaries to the Government of India. On the recommendation of the Government of India and in view of the revision of the pay of the Public Works Department as a whole, I have recently sanctioned an increase in the pay of this appointment to Rs. 3750 per mensem.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial from the officers of the Public Works Department asking for an improvement in their rates of pay; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what action in the matter?

I am aware that such a memorial is being submitted to me through the Government of India. As soon as it reaches me with the recommendations of that Government, it will receive my careful consideration in Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the increased surcharge on railway and on water-borne inland traffic has any connection with the financial position of the railways; whether the Finance Member stated on the 1st March that the net income from railways was decreasing and that it was proposed as a temporary measure to increase the present surcharge; and what, if any, is the relation between the railway position and this surcharge?

The temporary increase of the surcharge on railway and inland steamer traffic is one of a number of measures for providing the additional revenue required to balance the Indian Budget of 1921–2. It has no direct relation to the decrease in the net income from railways which, in turn, is only one of the reasons necessitating the provision of additional revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the railway station at Gujranwalla is being moved some two miles away from the town and the present station, and that this change of position is alleged to be due to a desire to punish the town for riots which took place there two years ago; and will he inquire into this matter?

I have no information on the subject, but will make inquiry of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, and, if so, why, Dr. Kitchlew and Rambhaj Dutt Chandry have been put in prison?

In a telegram dated 7th March the Government of India in- formed me that, in consequence of violent speeches delivered at Lyallpur, Rupar and elsewhere, orders have been issued under the Defence of India Act requiring Mr. Rambhaj Dutt and Dr. Kitchlew to abstain from attending or addressing any public meeting in the province. It is clear, therefore, that at that time these men were not in prison. I have no later information.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Pathan raids there have been into the north-west frontier province of India in the six months ending 28th February last; how many persons have been refused a licence to carry arms in the same province in the same period; and will he give the same figures for the Campbellpor district of the Punjab?

In the five months up to the end of January there have been 174 transborder raids and dacoities in the province. I do not know if Pathans were the perpetrators in each case, and I have no figures for February. As to the rest of the question, I regret that I have no information.

asked the Secretary of State for India if and when the Report of the prison system in the Andamans will be published?

The Report was published in India on the 10th March. I propose to present it to Parliament and to publish it in this country as soon as sufficient copies are received from India. These are now on their way. Meanwhile, I will have copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses, together with a short summary of the principal recommendations of the Indian Jails Committee and of the action taken thereon.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Esher Committee Report recommended the adoption in India of the system in force at home whereby mounted officers are provided with chargers by Government, which also pays for their upkeep, he will impress upon the Government of India the desirability of carry- ing out this recommendation in full and not limiting it by simply permitting mounted officers in India to purchase chargers at concessional rates?

The Committee's recommendation has been carefully considered by the Government of India, but in view of other pressing military requirements of the present time they were unable to accept it in full. There would, moreover, be complications in a country where many stations are so distant from Remount Depots, in the care and disposal of Government horses when officers proceed home on leave. It was also considered that if the horses were the property of officers themselves, they would probably be better cared for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether William Hendry, a married ex-soldier, who served from August, 1914, to 1919, being four years in France, has been discharged from the post of clerk in the office of His Majesty's inspector of taxes at Finchley; if, while he has been under notice to leave, other men have been taken on; if married women whose husbands are in employment are retained; if the staff at this office have been and still are working overtime; and will he investigate and reconsider this case?

Mr. Hendry was engaged at the Finchley Tax Office for a period of three months to perform certain simple copying work of a seasonal nature. His period of employment was extended until 31st March next, and in view of the pressure of work it is proposed to extend it for a further period of three months.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the Committee on Employment of Severely Disabled Ex-service Men will be published; what recommendations are likely to be made in regard to the establishment of workshops either by way of direct State control or by the assistance of private workshops such as those under Lord Roberts's memorial scheme; whether there is a large number of severely disabled men who cannot be employed in the ordinary labour market by the very nature of their disability and who, for the same reason, are not capable of being trained for the ordinary labour market; and whether he is appreciative of the urgent need for immediate steps being taken to ensure that something definite will be done without delay for such men?

In September last I invited my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour to preside over an interdepartmental inquiry into the question of how far it may be necessary to do something more than has hitherto been done in the case of highly disabled men. The Report of the Committee has not yet been presented in its final form. When it is, as it will be shortly, I propose to take its recommendations into careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra duty he has collected in the present financial year through the increased duty on China tea from 10d. to 1s.; and how much duty was collected in 1920–21?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There has been no increase in the duty on China tea, but under the Finance Act of 1919 the duty on tea of Empire origin was reduced from 1s. to 10d. a pound. The duty collected on China tea in the eleven months ended February, 1921, was £178,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the result of the 50 per cent, ad valorem duty on imported cigars during the 10 months ending 31st January last shows a falling off in the revenue from cigars of over £400,000 as compared with the similar period in the year 1919–20; whether such duty has very seriously injured retail tobacconists; and whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing a tax which has led to such disappointing financial returns to the Exchequer?

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on the 8th instant on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider provisions by which the tax upon investment income in respect of individuals may be payable in two instalments instead of in one amount?

As at present advised I cannot see my way to adopt this suggestion. My hon. and gallant Friend is, of course, aware that the great bulk of investment income is received by the individual holders under deduction of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inform the House how much of the £34,500,000 difference between gross and net receipts of Income Tax collected in the first nine months of the current financial year are attributed to refunds, and how much to establishment charges?

The whole of the £34,500,000 is attributable to refunds to the taxpayers. All establishment charges are met out of the sum voted by Parliament to defray the salaries and expenses of the Inland Revenue Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has had its attention drawn to the report from the headquarters of the Japanese forces operating in Chientao against Korean settlers in this Chinese territory in which it is stated that 375 Koreans were killed or executed, 117 captured, and 1,558 surrendered; that 193 Korean houses, 13 Korean barracks, two churches, and five schools were burnt; whether His Majesty's Government has had brought to its notice the returns of the actual casualties from these operations by Japan in the territory of a friendly Power made by independent investigators, many of them Canadian Presbyterian missionaries of the highest repute, which show that in October and November last, 3,128 Korean inhabitants of Chientao were killed, 238 arrested, 76 women assaulted, 2,404 houses, 31 schools, and 10 churches burned, and about 818,620 bushels of grain were destroyed; whether His Majesty's Government, in the representations already made to the Japanese Government, were cognisant of the fact that these Japanese forces, numbering 15,000, are in Chientao against the wishes, and in spite of protest, of the Chinese authorities which had shown themselves able to preserve order in the area affected; whether His Majesty's Government will now state what steps they are prepared to take to secure the withdrawal of these forces from Chinese territory at once and unconditionally; and whether, in face of the evidence supplied by British subjects that discrimination has been shown against Christian Koreans and church property, steps will be taken to secure these Christian Korean settlers from this treatment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, to the second in the negative. As regards the third part, I have already informed the hon. Member on 21st December in this House that the Japanese troops did not, according to our information, amount to 15,000; and as for the Chinese authorities, so far from their having shown themselves able to preserve law and order in Chientao, our information is to precisely the contrary effect. Our information is that all Japanese troops have now been withdrawn from Chientao save two battalions, which are to be withdrawn as soon as the Japanese Government are satisfied that Japanese subjects in Chientao are no longer in danger. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer returned to the hon. Member for Leicester on 1st March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, relative to the imprisonment of Mrs. Stan Harding, British subject, recently returned from Russia, where she went with the permission of the Soviet Government as a correspondent of the "New York World" and was detained in prison for five months on the charge of being an agent of the British Intelligence Department, whether the allegation is untrue?

Yes, Sir; the allegation is untrue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the French Government has adopted a scheme for the rapid and complete development of French West Africa, which involves an expenditure of 1,255,000,000 francs, and that the allocation of the sum named and the details of the scheme have been published; and if he will consider the adoption and publication of similar development schemes in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the report of a speech by the Governor-General of French West Africa, which appeared in the Board of Trade Journal of 10th March. In that speech M. Merlin sketched a programme of development involving an outlay, over a period of 25 years, of the amount mentioned, indicating, however, that the money would probably have to be found in large measure by private capital. I am not sure that in the case of our Colonies and Protectorates there would be any advantage in laying out a programme for so long a period ahead, but, as I informed my hon. Friend on 9th March, large programmes of public works are already in hand or in contemplation in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. In Nigeria alone the estimated expenditure on railway and harbour works already decided upon amounts to over £12,000,000, or, at present rate of exchange, half of the total amount contemplated in M. Merlin's programme for all purposes for the whole of French West Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Section 48 of the Proclamation No. 4 of 1908, in the territory of North Borneo, whereby a contracted labourer who is absent from work for 24 hours continuously is subject to a penalty of imprisonment or whipping, not exceeding three months and 12 strokes, respectively, has been repealed?

The North Borneo Ordinance No. 4 of 1908 was repealed by Ordinance No. 9 of 1916, by Section 53 of which similar penalties are applicable to any labourer, under written contract, who, in the opinion of the court, deserts or attempts to desert. As regards the penalty of caning, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of 16th March on the same subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board for Ireland, a department administering public funds, has declined to approve of the setting up of a Whitley Council in its office unless the staff agree to exclude all reference to arbitration; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the advantages of arbitration which have been extended by the Government to all civil servants will also be provided for the staff of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland?

As the members of the staff of the Congested Districts Board, with a few exceptions, are not civil servants, and as their salaries are not voted for by Parliament, the Board are precluded from establishing a Whitley Council on the lines applicable in the Civil Service, a decision to that effect having been given by the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service. The income of the Board being strictly limited by Act of Parliament, and not having been increased since the outbreak of the War, the Board regret that they are unable, unless and until Parliament makes other provision, to commit their funds to indefinite liabilities by entering into any formal undertaking to submit questions of salaries and wages to arbitration such as is applicable in the case of civil servants, whose salaries are provided by Votes of the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the index figures of the cost of living for the four months July to October, 1920, give an average index figure of 158 and the index figures for the four months November to February an average figure of 165·1, showing a rise of 7·1; and whether the rule is that an increase of one twenty-sixth is to be given for every rise of five full points?

The average index figures are as stated in my hon. Friend's question, except that 165·1 should be 165¼. For the purpose of assessing the bonus, the average index figure is related to 130 (that being the figure of cost of living on the basis of which the bonus was first fixed in March last year); one twenty-sixth is added or deducted for every five full points by which the average index figure rises above or falls below 130, variations of less than five full points; in either direction being ignored. The hon. Member will thus see that average index figures of 158 or 165¼ involve increases of five twenty-sixths and seven twenty-sixths, respectively, to the bonus as fixed on the basis of a standard cost of living figure of 130.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it was agreed by the Whitley Council of the Civil Service that a special increment of £5 should be given on the 1st January to women clerks of 10 years' service or more in the grade; and, if so, on what grounds the payment of this money has been withheld?

The agreement entered into by the Reorganisation Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council provides that first and second class women clerks transferred to the clerical class shall receive on their next incremental date, as defined by that agreement, that is usually on the 1st January, 1921, a special increment of £5 if they had 10 years' service or more in the woman clerk grade at the date of the agreement, and the salary so arrived ant is not in excess of the point which would have been reached by service on the clerical scale from the age of 18. I am not aware of any cases in which this increment has been withheld from clerks entitled thereto under the terms of the agreement in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of civil servants in receipt of salaries of £500 and upwards who have, in the course of the last 12 months, received increases of their permanent salaries, apart from War bonus, distinguishing those in receipt of salaries from £500 to £1,000, from £1,000 to £1,500, from £1,000 to £2,000, and over £2,000, repectively; and the amount of increase of salary given to each of these classes?

The information asked for by my hon. and learned Friend is not immediately available. I am, however, arranging for the necessary details to be prepared, and will communicate the result to him in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the various grades of the Civil Service for the purpose of pay; what were the respective salaries appropriated to each grade; and what was the war bonus in respect of each grade; when first granted; and when and by what increments have they been advanced to the present scale?

It is not possible to enumerate in reply to a question the various grades of the Civil Service and the salaries assigned thereto, or to summarise the changes which have been made in the salaries of the various grades of civil servant prior to their being placed on their present scales. The scale authorised for each grade is shown in the Annual Estimates laid before the House. Civil Service war bonus is not calculated with reference to the grade, but to Salary. It was first granted to the Civil Service generally in September, 1916. The amounts then granted were;

Full-time male adult employés:

Salaries up to 40s. a week, 4s. a week.

Salaries over 40s. up to 60s. a week, 3s. a week.

Full-time female employés and full-time employés under 18 years of age, half the above amounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of Civil Service pensioners on the 1st July, 1914. and the amount of their pensions at that date; and the number of pensioners and the amount of their pensions of the survivors of that body on 1st January, 1921, who did not come within the scope of the Increase of Pensions Act, 1920?

I have no information as to the number and cost of civil service pensions on the 1st July, 1914. The number of pensioners provided for in the Estimates for 1913–14, however, was 22,600 and their pensions amounted to about £2,450,000, and these figures would be approximately correct for the 1st July, 1914. The remainder of the information desired by the hon. Member can only be obtained by a detailed examination of the pension lists of the Departments concerned, and I do not feel justified in calling upon them to undertake this examination, which would involve a great deal of clerical work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if every 1st and 2nd class women clerk in the Savings Bank Department is compelled to give three and a-half hours unpaid overtime every Saturday half-holiday even when a medical certificate exempts her from other overtime; and whether only a medical certificate can exempt any 2nd class woman clerk from other overtime?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Under an agreement arrived at by the Civil Service National Whitley Council, the ordinary working week of clerical staff in London has to be exceeded by three and a-half hours before overtime is paid for. At the present time, owing to pressure of work, the staff in the Women's Branches of the Savings Bank is working overtime. The question whether officers holding medical certificates exempting them from performing overtime should be regarded as exempt from the necessity of performing the additional three and a-half hours is under discussion on the Savings Bank Whitley Committee at the present moment. General exemption from overtime is granted in the Savings Bank whenever sufficient cause is shown, whether on medical grounds or otherwise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps are taken by his Department to see that the various Ministries are not provided with more accommodation than is absolutely essential for their work and health; whether such provision of accommodation is based on an allowance of cubic feet per person employed; and, if not, what basis is accepted?

I have established a system by which a very strict control over the utilisation of accommodation by Government staffs is exercised by a staff of inspectors specially trained for the purpose. Periodical returns of staff are obtained from Departments showing the numbers in each building, and from the examination of these returns, and comparison of the results with the space occupied, it is determined whether, and, if so, where, concentration of staff can be effected. Steps are then taken as promptly as possible to release surplus space, which is either surrendered or devoted to other purposes. The usual basis on which accommodation is allotted is the net amount of floor space per person in superficial feet, due regard being paid to the cubic content of the rooms occupied.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, as it is not proposed to remove the temporary buildings used by the Ministry of Shipping in St. James's Park when the Ministry ceases operations, they will be utilised by other Government Departments; whether the numbers and cost annually of the staffs which will occupy these buildings has been ascertained; whether the date on which these staffs will enter the buildings is known; and for what period will they be occupied by these staffs?

The space in the temporary buildings used by the Ministry of Shipping in St. James's Park, vacated by that portion of the staff of the Ministry which has been demobilised, is already occupied by other staffs, and the remaining space occupied by that portion of the staff of the Ministry which will be transferred to the Board of Trade will be re-utilised as the staff decreases. The premises are now occupied to their fullest extent, the numbers of staff now in occupation being:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will grant to all directly paid industrial employés in His Majesty's Office of Works a day's leave with pay, such as is granted to other established and temporary employés in this and every other Department of Government works on the birthday of His Majesty the King?

I regret that I am unable to adopt this suggestion, but I may say that the general leave conditions in my Department are more favourable in other respects than those obtaining in other Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will expedite the payment of the arrears of salary still due to Mr. D. W. Richardson, who terminated his engagement as branch manager of the Stokesley Employment Exchange on 30th November last, and who, notwithstanding his applications of 21st December, 3rd January, 8th February, and 3rd March, has failed to secure a final payment of the sum owing to him by the Ministry?

The amount due to Mr. Richardson in respect of remuneration could only be ascertained after his accounts and transactions had been subjected to a detailed check. A substantial payment on account was made to him on 6th January, 1921, and the balance since ascertained to be due to him has now been paid.

asked the Minister of Food whether any conditions were imposed by the (Sugar Commission, previous to its coming to a close, which directly or indirectly prevent the refiners of this country purchasing supplies of Empire sugar during the next few months; and, if so, to what length of time the restrictions so brought about apply, or are likely to apply?

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

asked the Minister of Food whether the sugar purchased from Mauritius by the Sugar Commission was re-refined in this country; whether this was done at the orders of or by reason of encouragement from the Sugar Commission; and whether the quality of the Mauritius sugar is that known as plantation white, which is entirely suitable for direct consumption without further refining?

I cannot agree with the hon. Member's description of Mauritius sugar. While some plantations manufacture a sugar that can be, and is, used for manufacturing purposes, the great bulk of the sugar cannot be disposed of for direct consumption. I may inform the hon. Member that the Mauritius crop was purchased for the express purpose of making the British refineries independent of Cuban sellers and thus helping to bring about a return to more normal prices. The remarkable fall in prices that has taken place in the Cuban market since the purchase was made seems to indicate that this policy was successful.

asked the Minister of Food the total cost of building and fitting the farina mills at Monikie; when the building operations began, when they were finished, and was the work done on estimates; have these mills been used for manufacturing farina or any other purpose; who were the original subscribers of, capital and what sums did each subscriber provide; have the private subscribers any interest in the mill now; if not, when did their interests cease; on what terms were their subscriptions met; are the mills for sale; and, if so, at what price?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Forfar (Mr. W. Shaw) on 21st February. With regard to the second part, I have no information as to the date when building operations began; the equipment of the mills was completed in March, 1920. The answer to the third part is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, the interests of private subscribers, whose subscriptions were not allocated specifically to this mill, was terminated in January last by re-purchase of their shares at par, and the mill is now for sale at the best price obtainable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the subject of a number of allotment holders at Imperial Road, Sir John's Road, and Rainham Road, Gillingham, Kent, alleged to have been evicted at the end of December last; whether this eviction was effected on the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture; whether the Ministry was approached by the owner without reference to the local council; whether it was understood that the land was to be used for building, whereas there appears to be no intention so to use the land; and whether the owner has permitted other people to use the land for allotments, and the former tenants complain that they have been unjustly removed to permit others to reap the benefit of their hard work?

The land in question, comprising about 100 rods, was taken for allotments while the owner was on active service. When he returned he desired to have the land to cultivate The Council were not apparently able to arrange this forthwith, and the ex-service owner rented two other allotments from the urban district council. On the 30th December, 1919, the council called the Ministry's attention to the anomalous position of an ex-service man who owned land for which no rent had been paid to him, and being forced to rent other land. On consideration of the special circumstances, and having regard to the fact that the owner was a man who had seen five years' active service, the Ministry decided to withdraw from possession on 30th February, 1920, the owner surrendering the other two plots he was renting. The Ministry considers that the owner has acted very reasonably and fairly to the ten plot-holders, having allowed them to remain in possession of the allotments until the end of 1920. He is now cultivating the major part of the land himself, and is allowing some dockyard and Army pensioners to cultivate the remainder rent free. In view of the fact that the plot-holders had the use of the land from 1917 to 1920, and vacated the land when the cropping season had practically ended, I cannot agree with the hon. Member's suggestion that they have been prevented from reaping the benefit of their work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now state the result of the inspector's inquiry into the general position as regards the demand for allotments at Bootle?

The Ministry's Inspector interviewed the Town Clerk yesterday and arranged to meet the Secretary of the local allotments association last evening. The Inspector's report on his inquiries has, however, not yet been received, but I will communicate the result to the hon. Member in the course of a few days.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps, if any, are being taken to replant with trees the denuded areas of Weardale and Teesdale; if the many acres of moorland of the same parts, now only used for the grazing of sheep and the rearing of grouse, have ever been considered by the Ministry as more useful for afforestation; and if he is aware that a large portion is most fertile and might be divided into small holdings and find useful work for men now out of work in both dales?

No steps have been taken by the Forestry Commissioners to replant with trees the denuded areas of Weardale and Teesdale, as they have not yet acquired any land in those dales. They have, however, acquired considerable areas of moorland and denuded woodland in Northumberland and Yorkshire, and have started planting there. Enquiries for further areas are proceeding, and any offers of suitable land will be carefully considered. With regard to moorland now used for sheep-grazing and grouse-rearing, the Commissioners have acquired 5,000 acres in Yorkshire, and are negotiating for additional areas. With regard to land suitable for agricultural purposes as small holdings or otherwise, the Commissioners do not propose to plant such land, and in this connection I beg to refer to Section 3 (3) of the Forestry Act, 1919. If the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish particulars of the land referred to in the last part of his question, the Ministry of Agriculture will have enquiries made as to its suitability for acquisition under the Government's scheme for the provision of small holdings for ex-service men.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the parishioners of Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire, have frequently expostulated with the Post Office in regard to the annoyance and inconvenience caused to them by the address being subsidiary to Stokenchurch, in Oxfordshire, which is subsidiary to Wallingford, which is in still another county, Berkshire; and whether he can alter this arrangement so as to avoid parcels and goods being sent to Wallingford and other places, thus causing great loss and inconvenience to the parish?

I have no knowledge of any general complaint. I fear that it will not be possible to alter the present arrangements at Bledlow Ridge without either increasing the expenditure or worsening the postal facilities for some of the residents. But I will have inquiry made and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether established telegraphists employed at the Central Telegraph Office, London, who are entitled to full pay during sick absence are being called upon to make up time lost during uavoidable illness, without pay; and, if so, the reasons for this requirement?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars of the cases which he has in mind I shall be happy to make inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is a duty imposed by Parliament that the council of every county and county borough shall, so far as their powers extend, contribute to the progressive development and comprehensive organisation of education in their area; whether the Board of Education have taken or contemplate taking any administrative action which will restrict or tend to restrict the progressive development of education ordered by Parliament; and, if so, on what authority the Board of Education are empowered to override, by administrative action, an Act of Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, in considering proposed developments for the purpose of their own administration of the funds placed at their disposal by Parliament the Board are responsible for determining what local expenditure is to be recognised as expenditure in aid of which Parliamentary grants should be made, and are bound to use their influence to secure that the most urgent and necessary developments should have priority. In Circular 1190 the Board have indicated the lines on which, in present circum- stances, they feel obliged to exercise their functions in this respect; but I cannot admit that in declining for the present to commit themselves to pay-grant in respect of particular items of expenditure the Board are overriding an Act of Parliament. No one regrets more than I do the necessity of refusing to aid items of expenditure which in other circumstances would be very desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can now make a statement as to the grants to training colleges for 1921–22?

The grant to training colleges for tuition, which in 1918 was £20 per student and for the year 1919–20 was increased to £25, will for the years 1920–21 and 1921–22 be increased to £30 for a man and £28 for a woman student. The grants for students' maintenance, which for the year 1919–20 were increased by 33⅓ per cent, as compared with the rates payable in 1918, will for the years 1920–21 and 1921–22 be increased by 50 per cent, as compared with the rates payable in 1918.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board will recognise for the calculation of grant expenditure involved by the payment of teachers in central elementary schools on the scale recommended by the Burnham Committee for teachers in secondary schools, or on a scale higher than the appropriate standard scale for teachers in elementary schools allocated to each area under the Report of the Burnham Committee?

I do not think that teachers should be paid on a scale higher than the standard scale appropriate to the area by reason only that they are giving advanced elementary instruction in a central school and not in an ordinary elementary school. Central schools are not denned in the Code and present great variety of character, and for administrative, if for no other reasons, I should be very reluctant to adopt or countenance a definition of this type of elementary school which would carry with it the payment of salaries on a Higher scale to all the teachers serving in such schools as a distinct and superior class of teachers irrespective of special personal qualifications or responsibility Where a central school achieves a high standard, both in respect of instruction and the length of school life, the Board would have no disposition at all to discourage its conversion into a secondary school, and it is possible that the solution of some problems of the local organisation of the public system of education lies in this direction.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that sanatorium benefit under the National Health Insurance Act, 1920, ceases in May, he will introduce a measure insuring that those tubercular eases now receiving sanatorium treatment will not be deprived of the same owing to the delay on the part of the Government in dealing with this matter?

The hon. Member has no doubt now seen the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Bill, which was introduced on Wednesday last, and which is specifically designed to meet the point raised in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Health the comparative costs to local authorities by the carrying out of building schemes of similar kind by building guilds, local authorities with direct labour, and by private contractors?

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses already actually completed under his housing schemes which have been built by the guild system and the maximum and minimum cost of such individual houses, even though no whole scheme has been completed; and how these figures compare with the cost of similar types of houses in the same districts built by private enterprise?

Only two houses have been completed by the guild at present, and the final costs of these houses are not yet available. As soon as I have reliable information, I shall be glad to give it to the House.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will require the rural district council of the Isle of Wight to cause their area to be thoroughly inspected within the next six months, or such shorter period as may be specified by him, with a view to ascertaining approximately how many houses in each parish therein are occupied or intended for occupation by members of the working classes within the meaning of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919; how many of those houses are not in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation; how many are actually fit for such habitation without reconstruction; and if, in the case of any default on the part of that local authority in complying with his requirement, he will cause the area to be inspected at the cost of that local authority by officers of his department with a view to ascertaining the above mentioned particulars?

As I have previously stated, I think the primary need at present is to press on with the instalment of 48 houses which the local authority are preparing to undertake. The number of houses necessary to meet the total requirements of the district will receive full consideration at a later date.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that the houses erected, and in course of erection, by the Southport corporation are of concrete; whether the houses built by the Vulcan Housing Society are of brick and superior in both design and construction; whether these houses have cost less per house than those built by the corporation; if so, what was approximately the cost of each house built by the corporation of the society;

(2) whether the houses built by the Vulcan Housing Society, Southport, are likely to be sold to people who are not residents in Southport and district, thus failing in any way to diminish the South-port shortage of houses which is keenly felt by the working people of Southport; whether there is a demand for houses for occupation among the employés of the Vulvan Motor and Engineering Company; whether 21 houses have been offered to the Southport Town Council at a price which would effect a saving of approximately £2,400, which would enable the corporation to let these houses at a lower rent than that of the inferior houses which the corporation are building; and what steps does his Department intend to take in the matter to assure that these houses will be utilised in the interests of the ratepayers of Southport and for the benefit of Southport residents who need them?

The Corporation of Southport have erected some brick houses by direct labour, and a certain number are being built in concrete for the corporation by contract. The houses built by direct labour cost approximately £1,050, and it is estimated that the final cost of the houses being built by contract will be about £1,070. I am informed that the houses built by the Vulcan Housing Society, which are of brick, cost £985, apart from the cost of land and street works. I understand that the houses are all of satisfactory type. I have no power to give any directions to the Vulcan Housing Society with regard to the sale of their houses, and, in any event, as a subsidy has already been paid for these houses, they would not be eligible for further Exchequer assistance if acquired by the corporation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to find time to pass the Bill recently introduced to repeal the Parliament Act, 1911?

It will not be possible to find time for this Bill.

asked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government will obtain from its representatives in the countries of the Mid-East, which are mainly affected, and also elsewhere, and will lay upon the Table of the House before Whitsuntide Reports showing I whether the Soviet Government is success ful in controlling its agents who have been hitherto carrying on anti-British propaganda?

The hon. Member may rest assured that watch will be kept upon the activities of the Soviet agents in the Middle East, though I cannot promise at this stage to lay reports on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the policy concerning the disposal of British aeroplanes and engines to foreign Powers; how many have been sold; and what prices have been obtained?

In view of the fact that all surplus Government aircraft was sold by the Disposal Board to a British company under a contract dated 12th March, 1920, I am unable to give the information asked for by the hon. Member. I may say, however, that sales of aircraft to foreign Powers are governed by International Regulations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Nurses' Co-operation, 22, Langham Street, is covered by Articles of Association approved by him; if so, whether he is aware that seven out of nine nurses who were members of the committee of management have been thrown off the committee because they made complaints with regard to the management, especially in respect of large sums of money paid out without their knowledge and consent; that three of these ladies, who were? elected by their colleagues to the committee of management to safeguard the interests of nurses, have been expelled from the organisation and deprived of their living because they asked for a meeting to be convened to hear their complaints; and whether he will make inquiry into this matter?

The Board of Trade in 1894 issued a Licence under Section 23 of the Companies Act, 1867 (now Section 20 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908), to the and approved the form of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. A letter has recently been received from one of the nurses with regard to the matters referred to in the question and the statements made in that letter are being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department, in considering the downward movement of the index cost of living, has formed any estimate of the percentage of increase as compared with pre-War figures which for the next few years will probably represent normality?

I have been asked to reply. The future course of retail prices in this country will depend largely on the operation of factors, the effect of which cannot at present be calculated. Any estimate which the Ministry of Labour might make of the level of prices in the next few years, therefore, would, in my opinion, be too conjectural to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that on 12th July, 1918, the then Home Secretary, Sir George Cave, promised to refer the question of amendments in the law of nationality to a conference of experts who would consider these matters and recommend legislation; when and how often did this conference sit; and whether it has yet reported and made recommendations for legislation;

(2) whether he is aware that on 12th November, 1918, 20th February, 1919, 10th April, 1919, 24th July, 1919, 6th November, 1919, 2nd March, 1920, 9th March, 1920, and 14th December, 1920, the Home Secretary stated that the question of amendments in the law of nationality was under consideration in consultation with the Dominions and India; what stage these consultations have reached; whether an agreement has been arrived at with any of the Dominions or India on any of the matters under consideration; and whether a Bill has been drafted and submitted for the consideration of the Dominions and India, and with what result?

As I stated in December last, a meeting of the Special Conference to which certain questions of nationality and naturalisation were referred by the Imperial Conference, was held in July, 1918, but shortly after the meeting most of the overseas representatives went away. Since then various letters and memoranda have passed between the home country and the overseas Dominions, but there has been no opportunity for another conference. The matter has not been lost sight of, and will be pursued at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the price of coal f.o.b. shipped from Great Britain to France, Italy, and Spain, respectively, during the quarters ending 31st March, 30th June, 30th September, and 31st December, 1920?

The average declared value f.o.b. of coal shipped from Great Britain to France, Italy, and Spain in the year 1920 was as follows:—

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the amount of coal exported from America to Europe during the year 1920, and the price of the same at the port of delivery?

During the year 1920, 13,379,265 tons of coal, including anthracite, were exported to Europe from the United States of America. The price of American coal at the European ports of delivery in 1920 cannot be stated, but the average declared value f.o.b. of coal exported to Europe from the United States in that year was 10·77 dollars per ton, to which an addition of 16 or 17 dollars for freight should be made. On this basis the average value of the coal imported into European countries from the United States during the year 1920 was approximately 27 to 28 dollars per ton at port of delivery.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the flooding of certain mines in South Staffordshire, to which his attention has several times been directed, is increasing to a serious degree, involving not only potential closing of the mines affected and the loss of vast stores of mineral wealth submerged therein, but also the imminent augmentation of the already heavy volume of unemployment in the areas concerned; whether he has yet investigated the Report of the Commission set up to examine the situation and submit recommendations thereon; whether he has now considered its findings and decided as to any appropriate action; and, if so, will he indicate his proposals, their nature, and how and when he will give effect thereto?

This matter is receiving the urgent consideration which its importance warrants. A scheme has now been prepared and is under discussion with the interested parties. An announcement on the subject will be made as soon as this can usefully be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to pay the rebate of 25 per cent, to which thousands of persons are entitled in respect of the motor-car duty; and whether he will consider the desirability of amending the present practice, and discontinuing in future years a method of collection which is at once cumbrous and unnecessary?

I have been asked to reply to this question. With the exception of a limited number of cases where the title to refund is in doubt, claims for the rebate of 25 per cent. in respect of pre-1913 engines are being paid within 3 or 4 days of their receipt in the Ministry of Transport. About 14,000 claims have already been paid by the Ministry and they are being dealt with at the rate of 500 a day. In addition arrangements have also been made whereby 37 local authorities are paying such claims without prior reference to the Ministry. Once a claim has been allowed, the claimant receives, with the remittance for refund, a voucher which will enable him to pay the net duty in future years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the House any particulars as to the manner in which the sum raised by the taxation of motor vehicles in January last is being expended?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to supply the House with the full particulars asked for at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in March, 1920, he sent out a circular asking for information from various unions as to the desirability of establishing a Trade Board in the sack and bag industry; whether, at a conference held on 20th May, he intimated his intention to set up a Trade Board in this industry; whether, on the 7th August, 1920, he issued a notice of his intention to set up a Trade Board in the sack and bag industry and circulated a draft special Order to representatives of the industry; whether, in October, 1920, he issued a special Order applying the Trade Board Acts to the trade; and whether he can state when it is proposed to set up this Board?

The facts are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend. As I stated in my general reply on 16th March, and again last night, it is proposed to proceed with the establishment of Trade Boards in trades in respect of which Orders have been made, amongst which is included the sack and bag trade.

asked the Minister of Labour the actual number of Trade Boards which have been established by the Ministry; the number of other Trade Boards which the Ministry anticipates will be formed; the actual number of employés of the Ministry of Labour employed in any capacity in connection with Trade Boards; the total cost of their salaries and expenses; and the annual cost, excluding salaries, of the administration of the Trade Boards Department, including the travelling expenses of members of Trade Boards and all representatives of employers and employés brought up to London to attend preliminary conferences at the Ministry in connection with Trade Boards that are being formed?

The number of trade boards established in Great Britain and Ireland by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour is 64. With regard to the number of other trade boards which may be established, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 16th March and last night. The number of employés of the Ministry employed full time in connection with trade boards, including administrative staff, secretarial staff, inspectors and minor clerical staff, is 131. In addition, 72 officers are engaged in investigation work mainly in connection with trade boards, and a number of unemployment insurance inspectors are engaged for some part of their time on inspection work under the Trade Boards Acts. The investigation staff is being considerably reduced at the end of this month. The expenditure for the 10 months ended January, 1921, was as follows:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the names of those trades in which preliminary investigations as to the desirability of establishing trades boards was proceeding in February last; in which of these the investigations have now been completed; and, having regard to the dismissal of the ex-service men investigators employed by him, how it is proposed to proceed with the investigations in question?

I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the trades under investigation in February last. It will be possible to proceed with this work in certain trades with a reduced staff. I would add that the inclusion of a trade in this list does not imply that it has been decided to apply the Trade Boards Acts, as such a decision obviously depends upon the nature of the facts discovered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any applicant for domestic service who is unwilling to live in and form part of the employer's household can, according to the regulations of the Act, draw unemployment pay; and whether any such cases have been brought to the notice of the Ministry?

I would draw the attention to my hon. Friend to previous replies on this subject, from which it will be clear that domestic servants are not ordinarily entitled to unemployment benefit, inasmuch as private domestic service is not an insurable occupation under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. An applicant for unemployment benefit who is qualified and suitable for resident domestic service but who is claiming benefit in respect of some other insurable employment would not be entitled to refuse a suitable residential situation merely because she is unwilling to live in and form part of the employer's household. There have been a number of cases of refusal of this kind in connection with unemployment benefit and out-of-work donation; in these cases payment of benefit or donation has of course been stopped, unless there has been some other sufficient ground for refusal. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the general memo- randum and covering letter to chairmen of local employment committees on the new Act.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the paper mills at Chartham, on account of depression of trade, are to be closed for 10 days at Easter, and after re-opening on the 4th April are to work alternate weeks only; that the employés are informed that it will be necessary for them to attend three times a week, when out of employment, at the exchange at Canterbury, in order to obtain unemployed insurance benefit or out-of-work donation; and, in view of the fact that Chartham is three miles distant from Canterbury, whether he can make some arrangement less onerous than requiring a six-mile walk three days a week for men and women, some of whom are elderly, as the only alternative to paying 11d. for railway fare for each journey?

I am informed that Messrs. Howard's Paper Mill at Chartham is to be closed for 10 days at Easter, but that the arrangements for working short time after the Easter closing are still unsettled. In accordance with the Regulations, claimants for benefit residing more than two, but not more than four miles by ordinary road from a local office are required to sign the unemployed register on alternate days. I understand, however, that the persons employed are in a position to make their claim through their association, and in this case only one attendance at the employment exchange is necessary, proof of unemployment and payment of benefit being arranged through the Chartham branch of the association.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a journalist, who is also a teacher of shorthand, law court shorthand writer, and reporter of sermons on Sunday, in which capacity he acts on his own account and not as an employé under any contract to serve, and who is also exempted from the operation of the National Health Insurance Act under Part II. ( g ) of the First Schedule of the Insurance Act, is compulsorily insurable because he also undertakes, as ancillary and subsidiary to his ordinary means of earning a livelihood, the duties of private secretary to a Member of Parliament at a salary, of £180 per annum; whether a private secretary, for the purposes of the Unemployment Insurance Act, is deemed to be a manual labourer; if such a person is not compulsorily insurable in respect of his duties as private secretary, why the Director of the Ministry of Labour refuses to issue him a certificate of exemption; and what is the meaning of Clause (3) of Leaflet U.I.A. 474, ordinarily and mainly dependent for his means of livelihood?

The answer to the first part of the question depends on whether the person concerned is ordinarily and mainly dependent for his livelihood on the earnings derived by him from the occupations which he follows on his own account. If he is ordinarily and mainly dependent upon those occupations for his livelihood, a certificate of exemption may, on application, be issued to him under Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. The application of the words "ordinarily and mainly dependent for his livelihood," which are those referred to at the end of the question as Clause (3) of Leaflet U.I.A. 474, must depend on the circumstances of the particular case, and these circumstances are carefully considered by the Depart- ment when an application for exemption is made. As regards exemption from Health Insurance under Part II. ( g ) of the First Schedule of the Insurance Act, it is assumed that the reference is to the special certificates of exemption from Health Insurance which may, under certain conditions, be granted to non-manual workers in receipt of a remuneration at a rate between £160 and £250 per annum. These special certificates of exemption have no application to Unemployment Insurance, where the limit of remuneration above which non-manual workers cease to be insurable on account of their rate of remuneration is in all cases £250 per annum. A private secretary to a Member of Parliament in receipt of a salary at the rate of £180 per annum would ordinarily be insurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, 1920 to 1921, unless there is some ground of exemption such as that referred to above. There is, of course, no question of a private secretary being regarded as a manual worker, but, as already stated, non-manual workers in receipt of a remuneration at a rate not exceeding £250 per annum are ordinarily insurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. If any person is not compulsorily insurable a certificate of exemption is not necessary.