asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case of Anthony Higgins, whose business premises situated at No. 1, Great George Street, now Washington Street, Cork, were blown up by the military on the 20th January; that the notice served on Mr. A. Higgins stated that the premises of Anthony and Patrick Higgins were to be destroyed; that these premises are owned solely by Anthony Higgins; that the upper part of these premises was let to a tenant named Humpries, an Englishman; that the officer in charge was informed of this fact and refused permission for the furniture to be removed; and whether, in view of these facts, he will have inquiries made into this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Waterson) on this date.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Macari, 23a, Washington Street, Cork, whose premises were destroyed by military on the 20th January, 1921; is he aware that the proprietor of this shop is an Italian citizen, and has never taken part in Irish politics; and will he have immediate inquiries made into this case?

I am informed by the Commander in Chief that the premises in question were destroyed as a military operation, in consequence of its having been established beyond doubt that fire had been directed from them on the forces of the Crown on the 15th January last. It was also clearly proved that the premises had been extensively used as a meeting place for Republican extremists. I would point out that if the subjects of other nations permit their premises to be used for the purpose of furthering rebel activities, the military authorities have no alternative but to mete out to them the same treatment as that applied to British subjects in like circumstances.

asked the Chief Secretary the result of the official inquiry into the murders of William Loughnane and Laurence Hickley and the attempted murder on the same occasion of men named Regan, Griffin, Leahy, and Lupton, all of Thurles?

I have not yet received the Report of the Court of Inquiry in these cases.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of the Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest into the murders of the mayor and ex mayor of Limerick?

Yes, Sir. The Court find that the bodies were those of

( a ) George Clancy, male, aged 40, married, of Limerick, mayor of Limerick.

( b ) Michael O'Callaghan, male, aged 41, married, of Limerick, ex-mayor of Limerick.

( c ) Joseph O'Donoghue, male, aged 24, single, of Limerick, manager, British Argentine Meat Company.

1. That deceased, Clancy and O'Callaghan, died on 7th March, 1921, at Limerick.

2. That deceased, O'Donoghue, died on night of 6–7th March, 1921, at Limerick.

3. That cause of death was shock and hæmorrhage due to gunshot wounds.

4. That shots were fired by persons unknown.

5. That such persons are guilty of wilful murder.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Captain Hardy, of Dublin Castle, has been under arrest at any time subsequent to the Drumcondra murder, and, if so, on what charge?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the South Down Division (Mr. MacVeagh) on the 17th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary the result of the court martial on two soldiers stated to have acted in a disgraceful manner towards a woman resident of Thurles?

I am informed by the Commander in Chief that he has not yet received the report of the court martial Perhaps the hon. Member will kindly repeat the question at a later date.

asked the Chief Secretary the total number of prisoners unarmed who have been shot dead within the last two years on the allegation that they were either attempting to escape or were resisting arrest?

The number of prisoners who have been killed within the past two years while attempting to escape from custody is 49.

asked the Chief Secretary where Cadet Hart is at present?

This prisoner is in detention at Cork. As I have previously stated on two occasions, he is detained there pending the completion of inquiries into another crime. As soon as his presence is no longer required in Cork he will be sent to Broadmoor. The order for his transference to Broadmoor has already been made out.

asked the Chief Secretary the total deposits of the Irish joint stock banks for the years 1914, 1919, and 1920?

The following were the amounts of the deposits and cash balances in the Irish joint stock bank on the 31st December in the years specified:

asked the Chief Secretary the birth, death, and marriage rates, respectively, in Ireland for the years 1910, 1914, and 1920?

The figures are as follow:

1910—Marriages, 504; births, 233; deaths, 171.

1914—Marriages, 541; births, 226;deaths, 163.

1920—Marriages, 618; births, 222; deaths, 149.

Rates per 1,000 of population.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the enlisted strength of the Shropshire Yeomanry and the 4th battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 18th March, 1921?

The strength of both these units was up to establishment on the date mentioned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if the labourers employed at the ordnance depot, Carrickfergus, Ireland, are only receiving a weekly wage of 58s., whilst the district rate is 65s. 6d. per week; that the women employed at the depot are not receiving the customary rate for women in the district; and if he will take steps to carry out the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution of 10th March, 1900?

As regards the male labourers, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 28th February last to the hon. Member for East Antrim (Mr. Hanna). I am not aware that the rates observed by private employers in the district for comparable work are such as to require the Department to pay more than the 58s. at present in force. As regards the women, in- quiries are already in progress, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the general order of 9th January, 1858, issued by His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief cancelling, by command of Her Majesty the Queen, the Adjutant General's letter of 8th April, 1799, disbanding the 5th Royal Irish Regiment of Dragoons and commanding that the 5th Royal Irish Dragoons be restored to its place among the cavalry regiments of the line; whether, under the circumstances of this special restoration, the 5th Lancers can now be stated to be a junior regiment; and, if not, will he cancel the present order for their disbandment?

The selection of the 5th Lancers for disbandment was carried out with full knowledge of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and the original documents connected therewith were carefully studied. I am unable to recommend any departure from the decision arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he is still retaining possession of the Vrongoch Distillery, near Bala, North Wales; when these premises will be evacuated; what rent is payable in respect to them; and what is the weekly cost of guarding them?

This distillery was retained pending the sale or removal of certain plant and machinery, which had been handed over for this purpose to the Disposal Board. I understand that the Board has recently disposed of this plant, and instructions have accordingly been issued to the local military authorities to surrender and vacate the premises and to deal with any reinstatement claim which the owner may put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the public importance of what is known as the Hartley Report into the chemical plants and factories in that area of Germany visited by a commission under General Hartley, he will agree to publish the Report as a White Paper at an early date; and, if not, his reasons for not doing so?

The introduction to the Report of the British Mission appointed to visit enemy chemical factories in the occupied zone of Germany will be published as a Command Paper at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty Whether it is proposed to transfer a large number of cadets from Osborne to Dartmouth next month; whether the cadets so transferred will for the next two terms have to sleep in overcrowded dormitories containing less than the cubic air space necessary for the maintenance of healthy conditions; whether, in view of the terrible experience at Osborne during the War, when 20 cadets were seriously ill and four cadets died from causes which were largely attributed to overcrowding, it is possible to take steps, either by keeping Osborne open during the summer or by sending Dartmouth cadets earlier to sea or otherwise, to prevent the chances of the recurrence of such a disaster; and whether the medical advisers of the Admiralty are opposed to the proposed overcrowding?

Under the arrangements for closing Osborne, 165 cadets now at Osborne will be transfererd to Dartmouth in May. The total number of cadets then at Dartmouth will be 589. The college, as built, was intended to accommodate 600 cadets, and it may be observed that during the War as many as 535 cadets were accommodated there without inconvenience. There is therefore no reason why the action proposed, which will result in considerable saving of expense to the Crown, should have the effect anticipated by the hon. Member, and the Admiralty cannot see their way to modify the arrangements they have already made. I may add that the number of cadets at Dartmouth will only be as high as 589 for the summer term, and by May, 1922, will have been reduced to 480. The dormitories at Dartmouth, not being on the ground floor, are more healthily situated than at Osborne.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that it is the practice of his Department to arrange for police constables to visit workmen in receipt of compensation allowance to inquire into their medical condition and other circumstances, and that considerable indignation has been expressed at the course adopted, seeing that such visits are altogether outside the duties of the police authorities; and whether it would be advisable, in the interests of all concerned, for such medical examinations to be carried out by properly qualified persons?

Medical examinations of workmen injured whilst in the employment of the Admiralty are always carried out by duly qualified medical officers, and the police are not used for inquiries of the nature suggested. It is necessary, however, in certain circumstances, to have independent evidence as to an injured man s earnings, and when other satisfactory means are not available this is obtained through the medium of the Metropolitan Police attached to an Admiralty establishment or, in the comparatively few cases outside the neighbourhood of the naval yards, through the local police

asked the Minister of Pensions if the appeal by Mrs. Tate, 36, Mafeking Road, E. 16, widow of the late Private Tate, No. 15763, 10th Essex Regiment, may be expedited; if Private Tate enlisted in September, 1914, and was severely wounded in the right lung and head in January, 1916, spent five months in Birmingham War Hospital, tuberculosis ward, and was transferred to the Scottish Rifles in May, 1916, again sent to France and severely wounded in the leg in September, 1917, discharged with pension for the leg wound in June, 1918, the medical board stating that they had no record of his lung wound, and died from pneumonia in Whipps Cross Hospital in May, 1920, 17 pieces of shrapnel being taken from his chest and lungs whilst in Birmingham Hospital; if he is aware that there are five children, and Mrs. Tate and her family are dependent upon Poor Law relief; and that the appeal has been pending for several months?

I have been asked to reply to this question. This appeal was made on the 20th October, 1920, and was received by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals on 26th January last. It is listed for hearing on 8th April (during the first week that the Courts sit after the Easter vacation).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether naval officers who were invalided out of the service before the War, but who served during the War, are to be included amongst the pre-War disability pensioners?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the judges of the permanent Court of International Justice of the League of Nations will receive an annual salary or remuneration calculated upon the time they actually sit for the trial of such cases as the parties concerned may voluntarily bring within their presumably world-wide jurisdiction?

In addition to the annual salary to be determined by the Assembly of the League of Nations upon the proposal of the Council, the President of the Court is to receive a special grant for his term of office, and the other judges similar grants in respect of the actual performance of their duties. A copy of the document, issued by the League of Nations, on the subject of the Permanent Court, will be found in the Library of the House.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is a condition of the Peace Treaty that Great Britain shall accept a mandate to administer Palestine?

Great Britain was selected as the mandatory for Palestine by the Principal Allied Powers in virtue of the authority entrusted to them to this effect by Article 95 of the Treaty of Sèvres.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Censor in Egypt has refused publication to a message from Zaghlul Pasha, in which he indicates that be will support the new Ministry on condition that martial law and the censorship are abolished, and that the official delegation to be appointed to confer with the British Government on the Milner proposals be placed under his presidency, with a majority of the members of his delegation; and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to see that this message is laid before the Egyptian people?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor) on the 15th inst., to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government that the monopolies granted by successive Ottoman Governments to the Ottoman Régie Tobacco Company should continue in perpetuity; whether he is aware that since the reoccupation of the Sudan in 1898 this company, relying on the provisions of its concession, has insisted on the prohibition of commercial tobacco growing in the Sudan, which before the War was alleged to come within the Turkish sphere of influence, and that, whilst the company has made no contributions to the Sudan budget, it has, in virtue of the exercise of this monopoly, seriously impeded the economic progress of the country; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the practicability of terminating this arrangement in restraint of trade at the earliest possible opportunity?

The operations of the Ottoman Régie Company have never been extended to the Sudan, and the company has consequently never had any jurisdiction in that country. Any measures restricting the cultivation of tobacco in the Sudan can only have been enacted by the Sudan authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether, without awaiting an opportunity to introduce legislation, he can arrange for an immediate cancellation of many vexatious orders and restrictions affecting the sale of alcoholic liquors, seeing that these restrictions are not necessary for the defence of the realm or for eking out the nation's food supply; and whether this cancellation can be ordered in time to take effect on Monday, 28th March?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given by me on Monday last to questions on this subject. The possibility of the suggestion contained in the last part of the question does not appear to be practicable.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for the Second Reading and subsequent stages of the Coroners (Remuneration) Bill in order that this Bill may be passed quickly into law?

The Government do not oppose the Second Reading of this Bill, but it must take its chance with other Private Bills.

asked the Prime Minister if he is prepared to give an undertaking that no person will be prejudiced in the Civil Service by reason only of any action that he has taken to supply information for the benefit of the Ministry of Munitions inquiry tribunal?

This is a question that will have to be discussed at the first meeting of the tribunal, which I understand is fixed for the 14th of April, but I have no doubt that the usual protection will be given to witnesses.

asked the Prime Minister how many people have been, during the last 12 months, firstly, proceeded against and, secondly, put in prison for non payment of Income Tax?

The information asked for is not available. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. G. Barker) on the 23rd February. I am, sending the hon. Member a copy of this reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a practice under which persons having war stock and selling it in order to purchase other securities are debarred from claiming abatement in respect of dividends from the war stock of the previous year because of their claiming abatement from the dividends of the new investment in the current year, on the ground that the allowance for the year had already been exhausted in respect of the war loan?

I am not aware of any practice in this matter which is not in accordance with the law, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case which has come to his notice, I shall be pleased to look into it. My hon. Friend may have in mind the provisions of Section 25 of the Finance Act, 1919, and Section 30 of the Finance Act, 1920, but these provisions are restricted to cases of conversion or exchange of Government securities, and have no application to cases of sales of Government securities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the world wide slump in trade and the repudiation of contracts by foreign customers constitute a specific cause under the Income Tax Acts which entitles the British firms affected to pay Income Tax on their profits, if any, in the latest trading year and not on the average profits of three years?

Subject to certain exceptions, which may arise under the statutory provisions dealing with changes of proprietorship, the answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a person assessed for Income Tax under Schedule E can choose whether assessment shall be made from the tax office in the district where he resides or whether he is compelled to be assessed from the office in the locality where his place of business is situated?

The Income Tax Acts do not afford the taxpayer assessable under Schedule E the opton which the hon. Member suggests. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Rule 18 of the Rules applicable to Schedule E of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the unprecedented fall in prices of produce, coupled with the refusal of the native firms in the East to implement their contracts, resulting in such scarcity of money as adversely affects firms on this side which are really solvent, and in view of the fact that to many such firms large sums are due on account of return of Excess Profits Duty, which cannot without considerable delay be repaid, the Government will consider the propriety of advancing, under proper safeguards and after such inquiry as may be necessary, half the amounts of the bonâ fide claims made, such being recoverable if the relative balance sheets show that losses to a lesser amount have been sustained; and whether he is aware that, unless the suggested relief or some other of the like character is speedily forthcoming, a crisis can hardly be avoided in the near future?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have no power to grant repayment of Excess Profits Duty until the applicant's title to repayment is established, and the necessary evidence in the shape of accounts etc. is furnished in support of the claim. When these steps have beein taken, repayment is made with the least possible delay; and where in such cases the precise amount repayable cannot be ascertained at once, although it is clear that repayment within certain limits is due, the Commissioners are prepared to consider an application for repayment on account pending final settlement of the claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of the sums asked for in the Supplementary Estimates for this year had already been spent by the various Departments when the Supplementary Estimates were presented?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on 22nd March to the. hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham East (Lieut.-Colonel Pownall).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can say what is the burden of the taxes per head of the population of England and Wales?

In 1919–20, which is the latest year for which an estimate of the tax revenue derived from England and Wales is available, the contribution per head is estimated at £22 13s.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the net Estimates for the Civil Services for 1921–22 is interest upon the National Debt; and how that figure compares with the payment made on this account in the last pre-War year?

The interest on the National Debt is not included in the Civil Service Estimates. It is a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund. The approximate charge for interest in 1913–14 was £17,000,000. In 1920–21 it is estimated at £338,000,000. The amount required for interest in 1921–22 will be reduced by the saving of interest on debt redeemed during the course of the current year out of revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of persons assessed for Super-tax during the financial year ending on the 31st March?

The number of persons, who by 31st March next, will have been assessed to Super-tax in respect of the year 1920–21 is estimated at 57,000. The whole assessment for that year is not yet completed, and further assessments will be made after the end of the financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the regular practice of many years' standing of permitting the Financial Secretary of the Treasury to sanction the expenditure of public money not already voted by the House of Commons is under review; and what is the total sum of public money thus sanctioned by the Secretary during the present financial year?

The practice is essential for the ordinary conduct of public business, subject to the safeguards indicated in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's answer to the hon. Member on Wednesday, the 16th instant, and I do not think I can add anything to that answer. I could not give figures without an exhaustive examination of all the Treasury files since the beginning of the year, which would involve an entirely disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the unexpectedly rapid fall in the cost of living and the fact that Parliament is taking action which is forcing a reduction of coal miners' wages five months before the date originally proposed for the end of control, he can propose a prompter revision of the Civil Service war bonus?

I do not consider that the circumstances to which reference is made justify an alteration of the dates under which, by arrangements agreed on the Civil Service Whitley Council, this bonus falls to be revised.

asked the Secretary of State for India the estimated cost of the Sutlej River hydro-electric scheme, indicating the anticipated outlay per yard of tunnel bored; and whether the attention of the Indian Government has been called to the latest developments in tunnelling apparatus which greatly cheapen the outlay?

I have no information as to the estimated cost of the Sutlej River hydro-electric scheme. I will communicate the hon. Member's question to the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to give the Indian Civil Services sliding scales of bonuses in proportion to the index figure of prices, the same as has been given to all classes of civil servants at Home, to meet the extra cost of living?

No such steps have' been taken. The particular expedient indicated by the hon. and gallant Member was carefully considered, and found to be impracticable. But the pay of the services in question has been permanently raised, and in fixing the extent of the increase sanctioned regard was had, inter alia, to the rise in the cost of living.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether numerous memorials have been received from members of the Indian Civil Service in the Bombay Presidency, supported by the Government of Bombay, praying for a refund of the four percent, contribution levied under Article 556 of the Civil Service Regulation with full retrospective effect, instead of with effect only from 1st April, 1919; whether similar representations have been received from a committee of retired members of the Indian Civil Service; whether the Secretary of State proposes to reconsider the whole position, in view of the effect on recruitment and on the working of the reforms scheme, of a decision which penalises the older men for the benefit of the younger, nullifies the policy of cheap encouragement for recruiting by discouraging retirements, and deferring indefinitely the normal promotion of young officers to posts of responsibility, and makes no adequate provision for the improvement of a pension system condemned in 1914 as inadequate for all, and peculiarly so for those retiring from high positions?

I am considering, in consultation with the Government of India, whether there is any ground for modifying the decision already reached in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether exchange compensation allowance will be granted to officers serving in India when the exchange value of the rupee falls below Is. 4d.?

I understand the grant of exchange compensation allowance has been revised in India owing to the fall in the exchange value of the rupee. I have inquired, but have not yet received full information, as to the officers to whom and the conditions on which this grant is now being made. On receipt of this information I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in addition to the increased duty on cotton goods, the Indian Government has introduced any other increased duties on merchandise especially supplied from this country; and in that case, what they are?

The great majority of India's imports have been subjected to increased duties. The increase in the general rate of duty from 7½ to 11 percent, ad valorem affects woollen and linen manufactures as well as cotton goods, apparel, chemicals, drugs and medicines, hardware and cutlery, most kinds of instruments and apparatus, paper and pasteboard, dyes, paints and colours, soap, etc. The 7½ percent, duty levied on motor cars and cycles, bicycles, etc., clocks and watches, musical instruments, silk goods and other articles of luxury has been increased to 20 percent. The duties on beer, spirits and tobacco have also been raised, and machinery and stores for cotton mills, which have hitherto been duty free, will in future pay 2½ percent. On the other, hand, the 2½ percent, duties levied on most descriptions of iron and steel, machinery and railway material have not beep enhanced.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will explain why it is that all the State rail ways of India have been re rated except the Oudh and Rohilkund; and will he give definite orders to the Railway Board to put the upper subordinates of the Oudh and Rohilkund Railway on the same rates of pay as those of the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway?

I am not aware that the upper subordinates on the Oudh and Rohilkund Railway have been treated differently from those on other State railways in the matter of increase of pay, but I will send an inquiry to the Government of India on the subject.

asked the Minister of Food how much Chinese flour was sold to Czecho-Slovakia, and at what price; and how much still remains to be used in this country?

About 15,000 tons of Chinese flour is included in the large quantity of flour, both home milled and imported, which has been contracted to be sold to the representatives of the Czecho-Slovakian Government. It is not usual to disclose the prices paid by foreign purchasers, but the whole transaction, including the terms of credit granted to the Republic, will, of course, be duly submitted to the Public Accounts Committee and to the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is not known how much Chinese flour is held on private account in the United Kingdom, but, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Croydon on 24th February, allocation of Chinese flour to millers was discontinued before that date.

asked the Ministry of Agriculture (1) if he will take immediate steps to conserve the sheep and lamb stocks of the country, which have been seriously reduced in numbers, by issuing strict orders forbidding the slaughter of this season's young lambs until, say, the 1st of August next, as no hardship would be placed on the consuming public, as less meat is needed during the summer months;

(2) if he is aware that no hardship or loss would fall on the breeders and feeders of lambs by forbidding their slaughter from 1st April to 1st August, as there is usually an abundant supply of green fodder during those months and the lambs would gain both wool and flesh rapidly, and so pay well for the longer keep and make more meat for the consumers; and will he take this into consideration?

The production and sale for slaughter of lambs is a recognised and important branch of the sheep breeding industry, and the main decrease in our sheep stocks has taken place in the breeds depending upon the sale of lamb and was largely due to the fixing of a flat rate price for both lamb and mutton. A prohibition of the nature suggested would, in the opinion of the Ministry, have the opposite effect to that which my hon. Friend has in view as it would further discourage the keeping of sheep of these breeds by removing the market which the breeder has in view. The production of lambs for slaughter is an economic method of using the food available and the Ministry does not consider that the consuming public would obtain a greater amount of meat if sheep breeders were compelled to keep their lambs for a longer period. The Ministry is of opinion that the restoration of our sheep stocks will be most effectively secured by leaving the industry unhampered by any controls and I therefore do not propose to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the draft regulations based on the committee's recommendations for a standard of condensed milk are at direct variance with the bulk of the evidence submitted by interests concerned; and whether the committee's report and recommendations will be published?

I understand that the standards recommended by the committee are not substantially different from those which were advocated by the majority of trade witnesses, except in the case of one variety (full-cream unsweetened), where a somewhat lower standard has been adopted. I am prepared to publish the committee's report if there is any general desire to that effect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the position in regard to the salmon fisheries owing to a large number of conservancy boards having found it impossible with their limited incomes to pay their water bailiffs an adequate wage and to provide a sufficient number of water bailiffs; and whether he will introduce on the earliest possible occasion the Bill announced in the King's Speech last year to remedy the disabilities under which the salmon fisheries' industry labours?

As regards the first part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Members for Torquay (Colonel Burn) and Kingston-upon-Hull on the 24th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to introduce this Session a Bill to deal with the question of bee disease; and, if so, when the Bill may be expected?

As already stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Dart ford (Mr. Mills) on the 7th March, for reasons of national economy, the Minister does not propose to introduce this Session a Bill to deal with the question of bee disease.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware of the inadequate postal arrangements at Barnard Castle which are embarrassing to tradesmen and business people, causing inconvenience and loss of trade far in excess of the increase in cost which extra postal service would entail; and will he view the arrangements from the standpoint of value comparatively to the people and give them a despatch with the last train?

As I have recently explained to the hon. Member by letter, a last despatch by train at 6.14 p.m. offers in my opinion reasonable accommodation, and in present circumstances, at all events, I cannot sanction additional expenditure for the purpose of making another and a later despatch by the train leaving at 9.36 p.m.

asked the Postmaster General how, under the proposed altered charges for telephones, the telephones used in the different Government Departments are to be paid for, namely, those for instance used by resident officials in His Majesty's dockyards and garrisons?

The telephones used by Government Departments will be charged at the new public tariff rates.

asked the Postmaster General when a decision in reference to a petition forwarded last December from members of the staff of the House of Commons post office in regard to a subsistence allowance will be arrived at; and is he now ready with a reply?

Inquiry is being made in the matter, and as soon as I am able to come to a decision I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is continuing to re- ceive protests signed by large numbers of telephone users protesting against his proposed new rates; and the numbers of such protests that he has received?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of these protests has not been recorded, but I do not think they are more numerous than was to be expected.

asked the Minister of Transport the policy of the railway companies with regard to the temporary surrender of railway tickets during the holder's absence from town; and whether he has laid down any instructions for their guidance on the subject?

I understand that the conditions under which the railway companies issue season tickets do not permit of the temporary surrender during the holder's absence from town. No directions have been issued from the Ministry to the companies in regard to the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now supply detailed particulars of the numbers of persons employed in the various grades by each railway company, as at 31st December, 1920, in similar form to the statement submitted in evidence by the Railway Department of the Board of Trade to the Royal Commission on Railways in 1914?

The information required is not yet available. It was represented by the railway companies that the month of March was the most convenient time to take a census of the staff employed, and arrangements were made for particulars showing the number of men in each grade to be compiled during the week ended 19th March, but some little time must necessarily elapse before the figures for the different companies are collected and tabulated in a form suitable for publication.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to receive representations from the owners of vehicles used for public hire in favour of the issue of quarterly licences without any increased charge for the convenience; and whether he will consider the dating of such licences from the day on which they are taken out and not from the beginning of the year or quarter, as the case may be?

I have been asked to answer this question, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 22nd March to a similar question by the hon. Member for St. Pancras, S.E. (Mr. Hopkins), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company to cease after 30th April next to carry on their canals, or on any canals connected therewith, any description of merchandise as common carriers or otherwise; whether he can indicate the reasons for this decision; whether all sources of revenue have been exhausted; whether, in view of the loss of employment which this decision will involve for numbers of men, he will consider the advisability of continuing this traffic in the national interest with the assistance of members of the present staff, some of whom have 20, 30, and more years' service; and, if not, will he authorise a full inquiry into the difficulties of the present position of this enterprise?

I have seen a statement in the Press that an extraordinary meeting of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company will be held, at which a resolution will be proposed to discontinue the carrying trade from and after the 30th April. The financial considerations which have led to this decision were fully explained at the recent annual meeting of the company and they were explained to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport personally by the chairman and some of the directors in a recent deputation when he discussed with them all possible sources of revenue. Though the Minister would regret the loss of employment on cessation of the carrying trade, he cannot press the company to continue an unremunerative service nor could he recommend that the service should be continued at the public expense. I do not think that such an inquiry as is suggested would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of persons now in training as continuation school teachers; what is the number of continuation schools now working; how many of the teachers now being trained for continuation schools can be absorbed in the schools that are now working; and how many are affected by the decision not to develop further continuation schools at present?

There are now in training as continuation school teachers 106 students taking specially planned full time courses and 40 students taking a specially arranged part time course. The total number of statutory and voluntary day continuation schools now working is approximately 85. The Board have no reason to suppose that those students now in training who satisfactorily complete their courses will fail to find employment suitable to their capacity as teachers either in continuation schools or other schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can issue a statement showing to what extent the Education Act of 1918 has been put into operation, and the number of local authorities which have put in force each Section of the Act?

The whole of the Act is in operation except Subsections (1) and (2) of Section 8, Section 10, Section 2 (iii), Section 14, and, in part, Section 51. Appointed days for the purposes of Section 10 have been fixed for the following areas:—London, Birmingham, Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon, Swindon, West Ham, Southend-on-Sea, and in Kent (so far as relates to young persons resident in Kent, but employed in London, who will attend London schools). Many of the Sections of the Act are permissive, and it would be impossible within the limits of an answer to indicate to what extent local education authorities have exercised the powers conferred on them by the various Sections of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many nursery schools have been started in connection with the Education Act, 1918, and the localities in which these schools have been started; and whether any schemes have been submitted but not sanctioned in consequence of the decision to suspend the development of nursery schools for the present?

Twenty six nursery schools have been established, but of these three, at Bristol, Leeds, and Manchester, have since closed.

The schools now open, or about to open, are situated in the following areas: —

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there are any males, other than ex-service men, being trained as elementary school teachers under the scheme which was instituted for demobilised soldiers and sailors only; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of limiting this scheme to ex-service men and allow all others to enter the teaching profession by the original channel only?

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

asked the Chief Secretary what grants have been made in respect, of primary and secondary education in Ireland in 1913–14, 1919–20, and 1920–21, respectively?

The grants voted by Parliament in the years mentioned have been, as follow:

For primary education—1913–1914, £1,737,396; 1919–1920, £3,172,636; and 1920–1921, £4,444,261 respectively.

For secondary education—£90,000 and £140,000 respectively.

In addition certain statutory non voted moneys have been available for secondary education, namely, about £31,000 per annum from Irish Church Funds and £46,567 per annum from the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in investigating claims of blind persons to pensions under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, instructions. have been issued by the Customs and Inland Revenue to pension officers to oppose the grant of any pension in the absence of a certificate of blindness from an institution for the blind or other similar body; whether, in fact, there is anything in the 1920 Act to justify such instructions; whether any certificate from a medical man or other satisfactory evidence is quite sufficient to justify the grant of a pension; whether the attention of the Ministry was called to this matter by the Norfolk local pension committee on 16th November, 1920, with special reference to cases where medical certificates had been obtained, stating that the claimants were too blind to do any work for which eyesight was essential, but, nevertheless, the pension officer had opposed the grant of a pension; and whether the Minister has taken any steps to arrange with the Customs and Inland Revenue for instructions to be given to pension officers to carry out the requirements of the Act?

Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, applies the Old Age Pensions Acts, and it is in pursuance of Regulations made under Section 10 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, that the instructions referred to have been issued. These instructions require the pension officer, in the absence of a certificate from an institution for the blind or similar body to appeal against the allowance of any claim unless he is personally satisfied that the claimant is totally blind. Arrangements have been made in my Department for assessing any medical evidence which is produced by the claimant, and where such evidence JS lacking or inconclusive, for medical examination of the claimant. I have received representations from the Norfolk Pension Committee such as are indicated in the question, and I am looking into the whole matter.

asked the Minister of Health what the rates are per head of the population of England and Wales?

The estimated amount of rates per head of population in England and Wales for the current financial year is £3 19s. 1d.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any recommendations for the conservation and allocation of the nation's supplies of potable water; and whether he proposes to take action to reserve sources of water supply for towns such as Rotherham, whose populations are certain to expand greatly, but whose areas do not adjoin any watershed unpolluted by industry or agriculture?

Recommendations on the subjects mentioned in the first part of the question are made in the Second Interim Report of the Water Power Resources Committee (Cmd. 79). These have been under my consideration, but it is not practicable to propose legislation on the subject at present.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his Department at any time gave a pledge to reserve the work of the Issue Office for women; and whether it is doing all possible to carry out that promise?

I cannot usefully add anything on this matter to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford East (Captain Loseby) on the 25th November last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I am still awaiting the Report of the Lytton Committee to which reference is there made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, when Government Departments terminate contracts for personal service on specific grounds, and those grounds are seriously challenged, it is customary for the Departments to shield themselves behind the formula that contracts for personal service are held at the will and pleasure of the Crown; whether he will consider the advisability of subordinate grade civilian contracts for personal service under the Crown being freed from this power of arbitrary termination without compensation; and whether he will take steps to initiate legislation to that effect, or, preferably, to the effect that no civilian contract shall be deemed subject to this power unless it is specifically stated thereon, and that when it is so stated provision should be made for the civilian alleging breach of contract by the contracting Government party to have the right of submitting his or her case to an agreed independent third party acting as arbitrator?

Employment under the Crown is constitutionally during pleasure. As, however, the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the practice in all Departments is to provide for due notice of discharge save in cases of misconduct justifying immediate dismissal. I do not consider that any modification is necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in connection with the recent decision to dismiss women temporarily employed in Government Departments to make way for ex-service men, any exception can be made in the case of widows whose husbands were killed in action and who have children dependent on them; and whether he is aware that numbers of ex-service men themselves have pleaded that War widows in this position, and now the breadwinners for families, should be retained in their present situations?

Preferential treatment is given to women in the position described.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government Departments are in existence which were not established on 1st March, 1914; what is the approximate number of their respective staffs; and what is the annual additional cost to the Exchequer?

has supplied the following:

asked the Minister of Health how many women are on each of the three substitute committees, as recommended by the Lytton Report to the Ministry of Health, to deal with the personnel of the Department?

One committee only has been set up in the Ministry of Health to deal with substitution, combining the duties which alternatively might have been assigned to three committees. This committee consists of a representative chosen by the Ex-Service Men's Association, a representative of the Temporary Women's Association and a member of the Establishment Division of the Ministry.

further asked the Minister of Health why, in the operation of the substitution scheme, women judicially separated or deserted by their husbands and who are not provided for will be treated as if they are married for the purposes of that scheme?

The women referred to in the question are treated, as regards the operation of the substitution scheme in the Ministry of Health, as unmarried.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. George Smellie, at the Middlesex Sessions on 24th November, 1919, was removed from the dock during his trial and placed in the gangway leading from the dock to the basement, from which position he could neither see the witness nor hear the evidence; whether Mr. Smellie has applied to the Home Office in the matter; and, if so, what action the Home Office proposed to take?

The case has received careful consideration. It appeared that Mr. Smellie was charged with ill-treatment of his daughter, and, when she had to give evidence, it was feared that she would be frightened and become hysterical if she saw her father. The Court therefore directed that the prisoner should be placed where he could hear the evidence without being seen by the witness. The legal question involved was brought before the Court of Criminal Appeal and was decided against the appellant. He afterwards made an application to the Home Office, but I was unable to find any ground for interference.

also asked the Home Secretary on what grounds he is supporting the action of the Tottenham Education Committee in refusing to grant the application of Mr. Ford for the custody of Mr. Smellie's children?

On the father's conviction the children were committed under the Children Act to the care of the Tottenham Education Committee by the Edmonton magistrates, who have power to revoke the Order if they are satisfied that it is in the interests of the children to do so. I understand that an application was made to the Court, and was heard by the Justices last December, when they declined to revoke the Order. After inquiry and careful examination of the circumstances, I felt unable to interfere with the decision of the Justices.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is still in controversy with the City of Sheffield concerning the payment of a standard salary to the chief constable there; whether adjacent boroughs give him any grounds to complain of ungenerosity towards their servants; and whether it is his settled policy to force local authorities to pay standard trade union rates of salary?

The only point still under discussion with the Sheffield police authority is the application of the new scale of pay for the Chief Constable from 1st April, 1919, in accordance with the recommendation of the Desborough Committee. This course has been adopted by every other police authority in England and Wales, and I hope that the matter is on a fair way to settlement at Sheffield. I have no complaint against any adjacent borough in the matter. The pay of the police is regulated by the recommendations of the Desborough Committee, which have been adopted by all police authorities and embodied in general regulations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a conference of members of the Central Profiteering Committee has been agreed to, to consider the value or otherwise of the middleman; if successive Ministers of Food have repeatedly expressed the opinion that retail grocers have rendered great service in distributing the food of the nation; if he is aware of the indignation of the trade at this slur on their reputation; and whether, in the interests of economy, the cost of this conference will be avoided?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Lieut.-Colonel Croft) and the hon. Member for the New Forest (Mr. Perkins) on the 16th March, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before the House rises, he can state the nature of the latest reports with regard to the industrial outlook in this country?

I am not, I fear, in a position to report any marked change in the industrial situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state in round numbers the number of foreign seamen now employed on vessels sailing under the British flag; and whether, according to his latest reports, preference is being given in making up all crews in this country to British seamen?

The estimated number of foreigners employed in trading vessels belonging to the British islands in 1919 was, in round figures, 17,000. The corresponding figure for 1920 is not yet available, but it is expected to be smaller, as the figures of engagements at United Kingdom ports during 1920 show a marked increase in the percentage of British seamen engaged and a marked diminution in the percentage of foreign seamen engaged

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of his statement to the effect that investigations have been made into the decorative needlework and textile smallwares trades with the view of setting up trade boards for those industries, but that he does not yet possess sufficient information on these matters, he will state how it is proposed to obtain the necessary information if the staff employed in these investigations have received notice of discharge?

It will be possible to complete the necessary inquiries with the investigation staff which has been retained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has recently been conducting inquiries into the catering trade; whether, from the information at his disposal, he can say whether it is the case that at Newcastle, while the women employed at the Co-operative Café receive 35s. per week and some other firms 28s. with meals, some cafés and restaurants are only paying wages of from 10s. to 7s. per week with meals; and if he intends setting up a trade board in the trade?

It has been represented to me that wages such as those referred to by my hon. Friend are paid at establishments in Newcastle. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, investigations are being continued into the conditions in the catering trade, but I am not yet in a position to arrive at a decision as to the action to be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if Richborough has been sold, and, if so, by whom; and, if not, what policy the Government has with regard to Richborough?

Richborough has been sold by the Disposal Board to the Port of Queenborough Development Company, Limited.