asked the Secretary of State for India whether the possession of Bolshevik money has been made illegal in British India?

The possession of any rouble notes in India Was made illegal by ordinance in 1919 and 1920, and the operation of the ordinance was continued by Act No. XXX. of the latter year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to recommend the Government at home to pass a like ordinance or law?

In view of the trading agreement which has been signed with Russia, will this Regulation be released in regard to bonâ fide merchants trading with Russia?

I think that would depend upon whether we have evidence of a cessation of Bolshevik propaganda in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the main and fundamental recommendations of the Esher Committee have yet come before His Majesty's Government after consideration by himself in Council?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Army in India has already been reduced by 6,000 British and 7,500 Indian troops under pre-War strength; and, if so, whether the safety of carrying out such large reductions in the Army in the face of the agitation and unrest now rampant in India has been considered?

The present proposals of the Government of India, if they are eventually sanctioned, will have the effect of reducing the fighting units of the Army in India approximately to the extent mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. The proposals have been made by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, after full consideration of all the factors in the situation, of which not the least important is the improved mobility and equipment of the Army in such matters, for instance, as the establishment of the Air Force and the provision of armoured cars, which to a large extent compensates for the reduction in personnel. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the whole question is to be considered by a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Are we to understand that these reductions have already been carried out?

It is not accurate to say that the reduction in the British forces has been sanctioned; what has occurred is that a considerable number of British forces in India left India for War purposes and have not yet returned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the agitation and unrest now rampant in India would not be more speedily reduced by cutting down expenditure rather than by the keeping up of unnecessary expenditure at a time of such great economic trouble in India?

I do not think that anyone wants unnecessary expenditure, but what we are determined to see is that the armed forces of the Crown in India are adequate for the protection of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any information regarding the negotiations with Afghanistan now being carried on at Kabul.

The negotiations, which have as their object the conclusion of a treaty of friendship, are proceeding I am not at present in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India who is the present Director of Wireless Telegraphy in India; whether the wireless expert to the Government of India, originally sent out from home, has since resigned, on appointment as director of the Marconi Company; whether the wireless system in India required for military purposes is complete; if not, what steps are being taken to make it so; and whether the complaints in the Indian Press as to the unsatisfactory condition of commercial wireless are justified.

Colonel A. Simpson, who was appointed Director of Wireless Telegraphy in India in 1919, resigned last year, and subsequently joined the Board of the Marconi Company. In his place I have appointed Commander R. L. Nicholson, D. S. O., late R. N., who is leaving for India next week. So far as I am aware, the wireless system in India required for military purposes is complete as regards internal communication. The complaint as to the unsatisfactory condition of commercial wireless, to which the hon. and gallant Member probably refers, is too vague for me to say whether it is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will call for a Report on the habit of shikho as performed in Burma, finding out what is thought of this custom both by British officials and educated Burmese, with a view to introducing into Burma methods less redolent of an oriental theocratic monarchy of the pre-Christian era?

The custom of shikho, according to the best of my information, is an observance or mark of respect incidental to religion as well as to etiquette among Burmans. It would be contrary to the policy definitely laid down in 1858, and consistently followed since, for the Government to attempt to change the usage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a number of British officials in Burma who are so disgusted with the habit that they will not allow it to be done to them?

No; I am not aware of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries about this custom, which is causing great unrest in Burma at the present time?

I will bring my hon. and gallant Friend's question to the notice of the Government of India.

asked the the Secretary of State for India whether, in deference to the demand from Burma, any steps are being taken to change the style and title of the Viceroy to Governor-General of India and Burma?

This matter will, I hope, be considered in connection with the Government of Burma Bill. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the recently published correspondence on Constitutional Reform in Burma which shows my hope that the change may be effected.

Will the question as to the separation of Burma from India be considered?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many riots and disturbances have occurred in India since the 1st of March; what number of casualties have resulted to the civil population and to the servants of the Crown; how many of such outbreaks have been due to the influence of Gandhi or his policy; in cases where the outbreaks were not due to his influence or action, if he will state what causes they were due; and whether the rebels tried subsequently to take advantage of the situation.

I have received reports of ten riots and disturbances during March. In six of them there were no casualties reported. In one tea garden riot some persons attacked were injured, not seriously; and in a faction fight in Southern India one person was killed. In the remaining two cases 13 rioters were killed and 25 wounded by police fire, and some police were injured, not seriously, the number not being given. It is very difficult to assign one definite cause, for there are usually contributing factors, but three of the disturbances were of the nature of labour troubles, and three of religious disputes; one arose from agrarian grievances and in one prisoners broke out from jail. The other two were brought on by a strong agitation against liquor shops, which is ascribed in part to a genuine temperance movement and in part to the general non co-operation programme. I have no doubt that attempts were made by ill-disposed persons to take advantage of the situation.

Is it not a fact that most of these riots were owing to political agitators and the agitation got up by them?

I do not think that my hon. and gallant Friend would ascribe the disturbances to anything but agrarian causes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get, or has he got any report on the shooting at Majpur that he can communicate to the House?

I think—I speak from memory, because my hon. and gallant Friend has not given me notice of the question—that communiqués, based on every telegram I have received, have already been published; but if there is anything further, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

Were not the Rae Bareli riots primarily due to political agitators?

I think I am right in saying that the Rae Bareli riots were due entirely to agrarian causes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what information he has with regard to the warship building programme of Japan; how many capital ships are under construction; and what is the proposed displacement, speed, and armament of these ships?

From time to time the public Press has provided the following information. The Japanese programme of construction extends to the financial year 1927–28 inclusive. The residue remaining to be completed on 18th January, 1921, was:— Battleships 7 Battle Cruisers 8 Cruisers of 7,000 tons and over 4 Light Cruisers of under 7,000 tons 22 — 26 Destroyers of 1,000 tons and over 36 Destroyers of under 1,000 tons 34 — 70 River Gunboats 5 Submarines Not known. Auxiliaries Several. Five capital ships were under construction on 18th January, 1921. Their displacement, speed and armament are reported in the Press as follow:— One ship: 33,800 tons, 23 knots, eight 16-inch guns and eight torpedo tubes. Two ships: 40,600 tons, 23 knots, eight or ten 16-inch guns and eight torpedo tubes. Two ships: 43,600 tons, 33 knots, eight 16-inch guns and eight torpedo tubes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the various Superannuation Acts applicable to industrial servants appear to make no special provision for the amplification of Admiralty instruc- tions and letters issued relative to the present peculiar economic circumstances in His Majesty's dockyards, and that where an established employé reaching the age limit of 60 years in the first half of a pensionable year is not afforded facilities for continuing in the service beyond the above-mentioned age to permit of him completing a full pensionable year over and above the age of 60 years, or of him being credited for pension with the amount of time in periods of less than a full pensionable year, for which periods the employeé is mulcted of weekly sums, but is not assessed for pension upon such sums, instructions can now be issued for established employés under such conditions to continue in the service until a full pensionable year has been completed, or be permitted to retire on pension at such a period as between 59 and 61 years when a full pensionable year has been completed?

It is not permissible under the Superannuation Acts for a civil servant retiring on account of age to be awarded a pension until he actually attains the age of 60, nor can an award be assessed upon uncompleted years of service. A dockyard workman who, when he reaches 60 years of age, requires three months or less to complete another year's service for pension may be retained to complete that year. It is regretted that any proposal for the extension of this concession cannot be entertained.

Did not the Minister, in reply to that part of the question, where an employé reaching the age limit in the middle of the year was not permitted to finish the year, and received nothing for those months, say that he would see an opportunity was extended for such cases to complete a full year, and thereby receive pensions for which he had paid?

I will look into that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships and battle-cruisers were detached from the Grand Fleet from time to time between 14th August, 1914, and the Armistice for the purpose of dry-docking; and on how many occasions this was due to grounding, collision, mining, torpedoing, and gun fire, respectively?

The number of individual dry-dockings of battleships and battle-cruisers of the Grand Fleet during the period 14th August, 1914, to 11th November, 1918, was 254. The reasons for docking were: — Battleships. Battle-Cruisers. Grounding 4 Nil. Collision 7 3 Mining Nil. Nil. Torpedoing 1 Nil. Gunfire 3 4 Other reasons, such as refits, fouling propellers, etc. 179 53 Total 194 60

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any and, if so, how many torpedoes were fired from battleships at the battle of Jutland; whether the retention of torpedo tubes is considered necessary; and whether the space occupied by them would be better used if converted to wings and water-tight compartments?

The numbers of torpedoes fired from battleships and battle-cruisers, respectively, during the battle of Jutland were five and seven. It is not in the public interest to give the further information asked for.

Are the Admiralty not satisfied that every opportunity for firing torpedoes with any chance of success was taken in the battle, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain what the number fired could have been?

I could not answer that without notice

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as reported in the Press, the new battleships are to be armed with guns of 18-inch calibre and 75 feet length; whether such guns can be manufactured at the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich, with plant now existing there; and, if not, what outlay is entailed in adding to the plant to enable this Government factory to manufacture them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated cost of the new capital ships, including armament, to be laid down by the Admiralty; and whether details of size, speed, armament, and protection can be given?

It is not in the public interest to disclose information on these matters at present.

When can we have information about the cost of the new battleships?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Government to lay down the new capital ships in the royal or private yards; if the matter is not yet decided as to all four ships, will he give a promise that one of the new ships to be laid down immediately shall be laid down in Devonport Dockyard; and, if unable to make such a promise, will he give his reasons?

The dimensions of the slips at the royal yards are at present not adequate for the construction of capital ships of the new type. The question of the time and cost of alterations to enable this construction to be undertaken at the royal yards is being investigated, and the results of the enquiry will be taken into consideration when the time arrives to place orders for the new ships. It is, in any case, unlikely that the Admiralty will be in a position to place orders for three months.

Are steps to be taken immediately to lengthen these slips, or is it merely that there is an investigation by the Admiralty?

The question of enlarging the slips is being investigated.

Are steps being taken immediately, at Devonport we shall say, to enlarge these slips or is it only an investigation at the Admiralty?

There is an investigation at the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by what date will the accounts of the prize fund for the year ending 31st March, 1921, be completed; by what date the various prize court accounts will be cleared up; and when it will be possible to state how much more than the original appropriation in respect of prize money for the Royal Navy will be available for distribution?

It cannot at present be stated at what date the accounts of the Naval Prize Fund for the year ending the 31st ultimo will be ready for presentation to Parliament, or when the various court accounts will be finally cleared. As regards the amount available for the final distribution, it is hoped that the necessary figures will be obtainable by the end of this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that there exists a desire on the part of some officers and men to retire on pension at the age of 55 or over, in particular those who have returned from overseeing and surveying duties; and whether he will issue instructions to allow of these special cases being considered and forwarded to the Admiralty for approval?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to dockyard officers and workmen. Pensions can be awarded only in accordance with the Superannuation Acts, and under these Acts men under 60 cannot be retired with pension except in cases of invalidity or abolition of office; therefore, even if it were thought desirable to do so, it would not be possible to meet the hon. Member's wishes in this matter without further legislation.

Seeing that we are discharging so many men from the dockyards, would not it be possible to retire those men, who are willing to retire before their time, instead of others being discharged, thereby effecting a saving to the nation?

I understand that when there are reductions a certain number of workmen are given the option of retiring before their time on pension, though subject to liability to recall to service if there is again an enlargement of the establishment.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty can take steps to abolish the Royal Naval Hospital at Yokohama as a needless source of expense?

The Royal Naval Hospital at Yokohama is required for the reception of convalescent cases from Hong Kong to remove them from the period of hot and damp weather experienced there. Its abolition would result in a larger number of cases being invalided home from the China Station, with the consequent inconvenience and expense. I am therefore unable to agree with the view of my hon. and gallant Friend that the hospital is a needless source of expense.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, though this hospital has something like 80 or 90 beds, in the year 1920 not a single patient was accommodated, and the maximum number accommodated was only eight in recent years; and is it not ridiculous to have such expense maintained?

I noticed those figures, and was struck by them, but I understand that the reason was that the hospital was not open last year at the time, when patients from Hong Kong are usually sent there; but I will inquire further into the matter, and see if any economy can be effected.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been come to with regard to the granting of marriage allowances to officers of the Royal Navy on the same lines as to officers of the Army; and, if not, when he expects the decision to be arrived at?

I regret that I am unable, at present, to make any statement on this question.

When will the hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement?

I cannot say yet.

Is the matter under consideration at present?

Certainly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the policy of the Admiralty to set the pace in respect to increasing the size of naval guns; and, if so, whether he will, looking to the future, at once arrange for plant being installed in the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich, to manufacture guns of 24-inch calibre and 90-feet length?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if Irish prisoners are conveyed from Ireland to Portland in destroyers and sloops; what accommodation is provided for these prisoners, especially in the destroyers; and whether the prisoners are allowed between decks in bad weather?

One light cruiser, one sloop, and two twinscrew minesweepers have been used for conveying prisoners from Ireland to Portland. Destroyers have not been employed on this service. Prisoners have been given accommodation between decks in each case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now aware that John O'Connor, of Gloundaeagh, Tarranfore, County Kerry, was arrested on 15th December last whilst on his way to church and driven away in a motor lorry; that he was beaten while in the lorry, thrown from the lorry into the road, fired on, and wounded; that civilians then carried him into the house of Thomas Brosnan, Threegneves, Currow, Tarranfore, where he was tended by the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, of Killentierna, Tarranfore; that four officers returned from Tarranfore, to which place the lorry had proceeded, in a motor-car, and on ascertaining from the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan where O'Connor lay wounded, entered Brosnan's house and murdered O'Connor by firing three revolver bullets into his head; whether he is aware tha the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, Mr. Brosnan, and other eye witnesses are prepared to testify to the foregoing facts on oath; whether an inquiry has been held; whether these witnesses were called; what was the finding; what action, if any, has been taken; and whether any compensation is to be paid to the widow and seven children of the murdered man?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary regrets that he is not yet in a position to reply to this question. The Court of Inquiry is still sitting.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the committee which has so far sat has declined to call some very important witnesses, including a Protestant gentleman who witnessed the first part of the occurrence, that it has not yet taken the evidence of Mr. O'Sullivan, and that when the widow asked "Why not?" she got no answer? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman also aware that his right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has full details, and will he make further inquiries?

Certainly. I will communicate my hon. and gallant Friend's statement to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can now say if the stores of the Kiltoghert Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society were, with its stock, burned out on the night of the 8th March; if he can give any information as to the perpetrators of this outrage; and what steps he proposes to take to have a full inquiry and to bring them to justice?

According to the police reports these stores and their contents were completely destroyed by fire on the night of the 8th ultimo. The matter has been specially investigated by a senior police officer, who has interviewed the manager of the stores and the owners of several other properties in the neighbourhood which were destroyed or damaged on the same night, but no evidence has yet been forthcoming as to the persons by whom the outrages were committed.

Will the inquiry be continued?

Yes.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if the Press were excluded from the inquiry into the alleged murder of Christopher Reynolds by forces of the Crown yesterday in Dublin, and if means will be taken to prevent the recurrence of any such action?

I put this question on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. O'Connor), who requested me to apologise to the Attorney-General for the somewhat short notice given.

On the re-opening yesterday morning of the court of inquiry into the death of Reynolds, the President stated that Counsel for the relatives of the deceased person would be admitted, but that no other members of the public except those who were called to give evidence could be present. This statement was made under a misapprehension, and as soon as the attention of the Government was called to the matter it was corrected, and the court, which had not meanwhile sat, was adjourned until to-morrow.

Does that mean that the Press will be admitted?

Yes, Sir.

Will their reports be published, without any supervision of any kind by the President of the inquiry?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of Irish police pensioners under 60 years of age who retired prior to 1st April, 1919, and who are debarred from receiving any benefit under the Increase of Pensions Act, 1920?

The number of pensioners who retired prior to 1st April, 1919, in the case of the Dublin Metropolitan Police is 151. An exact figure is not available for the Royal Irish Constabulary; but it is estimated that the number in the case of that force is about 2,300.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a great many of these pensioners are in a state of hardship now, and will he see that something is done to help them?

I am quite aware of the hardship, but recently the matter has been considered by this House, and the Act of 1920, though it applied to certain persons, did not include these men.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman not show some practical sympathy with these men?

I will communicate my hon. Friend's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman not make another appeal to the Treasury?

asked the Secretary of State for War why Colonel-Commandant R. O'H. Livesay, C. M. G., D. S. O., recently relinquished command of the Kerry brigade, and how he is now employed?

Colonel Livesay was relieved of his command on military grounds, which I do not think desirable to make public. He is now unemployed and on half pay, but will again be employed should a suitable opportunity offer.

Is it not a fact that he was relieved of his command because he disapproved of the Government methods of governing Ireland?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given.

asked the Minister of Labour how many trade unions and how many friendly societies have made arrangements to administer the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as provided for in Section 17 of the Act; and how many persons are entitled to receive their unemployment benefit through the trade unions and friendly societies and how many through the labour exchanges?

Arrangements under Section 17 of the Act are in operation with 185 trade unions and 20 friendly societies. The number of insured persons entitled to claim, State unemployment benefit through the associations having such arrangements is estimated to be rather more than 2,500,000. There are thus about 9,500,000 who can obtain benefit only through the Employment Exchanges, but for various reasons a certain number of the members of the associations referred to also obtain their benefit through the Exchanges; in particular this is so in certain cases where the arrangements have been completed very recently.

asked the Minister of Labour, if he can give figures showing how the extent of unemployment in this country compares with that of the principal European countries and the United States of America?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to replies, of which I am sending him copies, given by me on 14th and 21st March to similar questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Waterloo, and the hon. Member for Stratford, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the treatment of ex-service men at the hands of rebels in Southern Ireland, resulting in the refusal of employment, and causing great distress to these men and their families; whether he can state the number of ex-service men who have been provided with employment under the special grant recently made for public works in Ireland; and whether he will confer with other public Departments in Ireland with a view to ensuring that, as far as possible, ex-service men shall be given a preference for employment in all works undertaken by these Departments, and that all contracts for public works shall contain a clause binding the contractors to give such preference?

I have no precise information on the points raised by my hon. and learned Friend. I am, however, obtaining a report from the Irish Department of the Ministry of Labour, and will communicate further with my hon. and learned Friend.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give any of the details asked for?

No. I would rather get them direct.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Portobello Farm, near Potton, Bedfordshire, has been specially acquired through his Department for the provision of land for small holdings for ex-service men; whether, when the whole-of this land has been allotted, there will still be a large number of landless ex-service applicants in this part of the county; whether recently the county committee let some 10 acres to a civilian, who already has a fair acreage; whether this land has been let at a less rent than that demanded from ex-service men; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the possibility of having this land transferred to ex-service applicants who are still awaiting holdings?

The farm in question, which has been acquired by the Bedfordshire County Council, consists mainly of high class market garden land, but also comprises a proportion of low-lying meadows. The major portion of the farm has been sub-divided into 105 small holdings to provide ex-service men who served overseas, and who reside in the Parishes of Sutton and Potton with market garden land, but in order to let the house, buildings and certain of the meadows to the best advantage it was necessary to create one, larger holding of about 50 acres. This holding, which contains 10 acres of arable land, the area to which the hon. Member presumably refers, has not yet been let, although the council have made every effort to find an ex-service tenant for it. Meanwhile, in order that the land may not become derelict, the 10 acres are being cultivated temporarily on behalf of the council by an ex-service man, under the superintendence of his father, a local surveyor, but as there is no tenancy no question of rent arises. It is not considered advisable to take this 10 acres away from the 50-acre holding, as to do so would spoil the letting value of the holding. So far as the Ministry is aware there are no Sutton and Potton ex-service applicants who served overseas who have not been provided with land, and steps are being taken to acquire other land to satisfy the demand from any approved ex-service applicants in the neighbouring parishes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the sense of grievance felt by the 113 ex-service men who passed the qualifying examination for positions as officers of Customs and Excise in December last and who are still without appointments; and whether those ex-service men whose careers were interrupted by the War will be given employment in priority to fresh candidates at competitive examinations who were at school or in civil employment during the War?

I have been asked to reply. The qualifying examination of December, 1920, was the last of a series held for the post of officer of Customs and Excise under the Reconstruction Regulations by which competitive selection among ex-service men was substituted for the normal system of open competitive examination. Of the 168 men who passed the qualifying examination last December and attended for interview, 55 were recommended by the Selection Board for appointment in the vacancies reported by the Board of Customs and Excise. The unsuccessful competitors at the numerous competitions which have been held under the Reconstruction Scheme for a variety of posts have no claim to appointment on the ground that they qualified to appear before the Selection Board. No arrangements have yet been made for the future recruitment of officers of Customs and Excise.

May I ask whether we are to take it then that these new competitors passing examinations are to be put into the service at the expense of ex- service men who have already passed something in the nature of an examination?

No. The point is, I think, clear that passing a qualifying examination only entitles to proceed to the Selection Board and gives no claim at all. A candidate is not successful until he passes the Selection Board. As the hon. Member no doubt knows, the Selection Board always gives due weight, and it may be said preeminent weight, to the ex-service qualification.

What I want to know is whether these ex-service men are to be kept out of this service while young fellows are being pushed in from school?

My information is certainly to the contrary effect.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause inquiries to be made into the delay in the erection of cottages at Ridgmont, Bedfordshire; whether the plans have been passed for the same by the rural district council; and, if so, will he instruct the local authority to speed up the erection of those decided upon in view of the scarcity of cottage accommodation in that parish?

I understand that plans have been adopted for six houses in this village and I will have inquiries made as to the present position.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the average number of bricks laid per day by the bricklayers on the Gorton Mount estate, Manchester; whether houses built by direct labour on this estate are costing £120 less than precisely the same house let to builders by contract; whether some explanation will be given to the House as to why contract dwellings carried out under the supervision of the Ministry are so needlessly expensive; and if he will state what steps are being taken in the public interest to bring about a revision of the existing contracts?

Complete information as to the number of bricks laid per day on this scheme is not available, but such information as I have indicates that an average of about 500 per day is being obtained. No houses have been completed by direct labour and no final costs are available for any houses on this site. A comparison cannot therefore be made at present between the costs of the houses being erected by direct labour and of those being built under contract. I am not prepared to accept the implication in the latter part of the question and I am personally going into the matter at the earliest opportunity.

As I have already got the information, would the right hon. Gentleman like a copy of it?

I should be very pleased.

asked the Minister of Health whether grants at the rate of £260 per house, the bonus payable by the Ministry for the erection of brick or concrete houses, have been paid or authorised for the erection of wooden houses built of green unseasoned elm or other unseasoned wood; and under what circumstances?

The grant of full subsidy in respect of houses constructed of hard woods was agreed to on the advice of a Committee appointed by my predecessor to advise the Department in regard to new methods of construction. The houses must comply with the specifications laid down by the Department for timber construction. The question of seasoning does not affect the quality of the timber used, but only its shrinkage, and provision is made in the construction to meet this. I am proposing to go into this question afresh.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why, apparently, a larger grant is made for the erection of houses of unseasoned wood than the grant authorised in respect of the erection of houses of seasoned wood? Is it not probable that unseasoned wood houses will be less serviceable?

I am going into the whole question. So far, I have not had time to go into it, and I cannot answer the hon. Member's question.

Is the same grant given for the erection of four-room houses as for six-room houses?

No, certainly not.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet ascertained any comparable figures as to the relative day's work in bricklaying in this country and in Belgium?

Inquiries have been made in Belgium but no comparable figures of bricklayers' output appear to be available.

asked the Minister of Health whether women are to be allotted not more than 50 executive posts upon re-grading; and whether he will undertake that the 66 first-class women clerks and 210 second-class women clerks now in the service of his Ministry shall be respectively posted to the executive and administrative grades in all cases where they are now performing the duties appropriate to such grades?

The reorganisation scheme for the Ministry of Health is still before the Treasury, and the number of executive posts available for men and women is unknown. I am therefore unable to give the undertaking which the hon. and gallant Member desires, but I can assure him that the claims of the first and second class women clerks now in the Ministry will receive the fullest consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many of the 3,948 second division male clerks in the Civil Service on 1st October, 1919, had failed to pass the efficiency bars in their scale, and how many of the 5,038 assistant clerks (male) in the Civil Service on the same date had failed to pass the efficiency bars in their scale?

I regret that I have no precise information on the subject, but I should estimate that the number of second division and assistant clerks in the Civil Service on the 1st October, 1919, who had failed to pass the efficiency bars in their respective scales would not exceed 2 or 3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will amend the wording of the Lunacy Acts in order to substitute the terms patients and mental hospital for pauper lunatic and pauper lunatic asylum?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my predecessor to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Lincoln on the 10th March.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is taking any action, in accordance with the recommendations of the interim Report of Lord Cave's Committee, with reference to the disposal, in the interests of hospitals, of the surpluses of approved societies?

A copy of the Report has been sent to every approved society with a covering letter, in which the society is urged to give its serious consideration to the question of using part of its disposable surplus (if any) in making payments towards the cost of the treatment of its members in hospitals. The right hon. and gallant Member is, of course, aware that this is only one of many aditional benefits which it is open to societies to provide.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether at the forthcoming public sales of ex-enemy property in Tanganyika territory the provisions of Article 7 in the draft East Africa Mandate will be adhered to, and no racial differentiation will be imposed upon bidders?

The answer is in the affirmative. All persons will be eligible to bid at the forthcoming sales except ex-enemy subjects and persons acting on behalf of ex-enemy subjects or in their interests.

asked the Prime Minister what is the number of the staffs of the Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Food, and Ministry of Munitions that have been transferred to other Departments owing to the closing of those Ministries, and to which Departments they are transferred?

The staff of the Ministry of Food transferred to other Government Departments on1 the closing of the Ministry numbered: Headquarters Staff 1,317 Ex-Headquarters Staff 359 Total 1,676 Of these, 70 were transferred to the Departments of Agriculture and the remainder to the Board of Trade.

Particulars of the staffs transferred from the Ministries of Shipping and Munitions to the Board of Trade and Disposal and Liquidation Commission, respectively, are given in my reply of yesterday to the hon. Member for Wood Green.

Is it not rather a farce, then, to say that these Ministries have been wound up?

asked the Prime Minister what is the salary, and what are the duties, of the late Minister of Health on his appointment as a Minister without portfolio?

asked the Prime Minister what is the salary of the Minister without portfolio; what are his duties; whether he has attached to him in a secretarial capacity any civil servants or others whose salaries are paid out of public funds; and how long it is proposed to continue the office of Minister without portfolio?

The Minister without portfolio receives a salary of £5,000 per annum. He has attached to him two civil servants' drawn from the Ministry of Health. He will discharge duties analogous to those performed by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Member for the Gorbals Division of Glasgow (Mr. G. Barnes) when they held a like post. In the present pressure of public business there is definite need for a Minister of Cabinet rank unburdened by Departmental duties, and the work of our colleagues in that capacity was most valuable. No time has been fixed for the duration of the appointment.

Is it consistent with the speech of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to create posts of this kind at the present moment?

The first consideration is the efficiency of government. Without efficiency, there can be no economy. This is really required in the public interest.

Will there be a Supplementary Estimate for this sum, seeing that no sum is taken in the Estimates already presented to Parliament for the Minister without portfolio?

There must be an Estimate certainly. What I am not quite certain about is whether it takes, technically, the form of a Supplementary Estimate, or an additional Estimate, or the presentation of a revised Estimate. I am having inquiry made.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgent need for economy, he can state the grounds upon which he has appointed the right hon. Member for Shoreditch (Dr. Addison) Minister without portfolio, and the right hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. McCurdy) and the hon. Member for Reading (Colonel L. Wilson) Joint Patronage Secretaries of the Treasury?

The Government are not unmindful of the need for economy, but economy is not secured if the Government is not fully equipped for the work that it has to do. Under present conditions, the appointment of two Patronage Secretaries has been found indispensable, and has not, as far as I am aware, been the subject of any criticism since it was introduced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) on the formation of the first coalition Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the recently signed trade agreement with the Russian Soviet Government the executive of the Third (Communist) International, of which Lenin is the executive head as well as being the executive head of the Russian Soviet Government, are precluded from continuing their propaganda in this country and throughout the Empire; and whether the Government are satisfied that the propaganda campaign of the Third International and its affiliated societies has now ceased?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the last two paragraphs of the preamble to the Russian Trade Agreement from which he will see that the answer is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the attention of His Majesty's Government will be given to any instances of such propaganda, and appropriate action will be taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that special instructions have been issued by the Third International in Russia to the trade delegations in various countries, urging them that it is their duty to aim at world revolution and at the destruction of capital, and to cause disturbance among the workers of the countries to which they are accredited?

When was that sent out?

It appears in the Press, and was sent recently, I understand, to the various delegations.

You ought to give us a date before making an accusation like that.

The hon. Member (Sir W. Davison) seems to know more about it than the Minister.

asked the Prime Minister how many trade representatives may be sent to this country by the Russian Soviet Government under the recently signed Trade Agreement; and whether all such representatives will be accorded the special ambassadorial privileges referred to in the said Trade Agreement?

The number of trade representatives to be sent by the Russian Soviet Government into England, in accordance with the "reciprocal arrangement" set forth under the Russian Trade Agreement, is a matter left for agreement between the two Governments, and is at present under consideration. With regard to the second part of the question, the official agents of the Soviet Government will be given the special privileges, indicated in the Trade Agreement, to enable them to exercise their functions while in this country.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that any increase in the numbers 'of trade delegations is at present contemplated?

My answer, curiously enough, means exactly what it says.

Do we understand there will be a strict limit put on these numbers?

What I said was that the numbers are at present under consideration. They are subject to reciprocal arrangements with our trade representatives in Russia and their representatives here.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refute these childish attacks on a Government with whom we have just signed an Agreement?

Are we to understand that these representatives who are sent over here will not in any way have their luggage searched, in view of what took place with regard to the diplomatic agents of the Soviet who were sent to Italy?

That has been denied.

If my hon. and gallant Friend will look at Clauses 4 and 5 of the Agreement, he will see there set out the extent of the privileges respectively accorded to the trade representatives and the official representatives of the Soviet Government.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister whether the Trade Mission propaganda, alleged to have been proclaimed by Lenin and issued to his agents with a view to promoting revolution in different countries, was issued before or after the signature of the Trade Agreement?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the document which was published in the Press of yesterday. I am unaware of the exact date at which it was issued, but it would appear to have been anterior to the signature of the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange for the general publication of an official statement showing the menace to British export trade of the succession of industrial troubles in this country?

I do not think it needs any official statement to bring home to the country the deplorable effect that industrial disputes are bound to have on the foreign trade which is essential to our national existence.

asked the Prime Minister, for the purposes of comparison, if he will cause to be issued a statement showing wage movements in other countries whereby they are able successfully to compete with us in the neutral markets of the world?

I have been asked to reply. As has already been stated, we are unable to furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend. International comparisons of this kind can, I am afraid, produce little or no practical result until the various countries have reached an agreement to carry out wages inquiries on a national scale at concerted and frequent intervals, and so pursue identical methods, not only in collecting and collating data, but also in presenting the results.

Would it not be possible to get a great proportion of that information from our Consular Service?

Is not the policy of the Government in direct opposition to that, by setting up district instead of national schemes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Sweden all the trade unions have agreed that their wages shall be reduced according to the index cost of living, now 150 per cent. above pre-War rate, and further that they have agreed to hold an inquiry every month to adjust wages on this same basis?

No, I am not.

The above maximum prices were fixed by agreement between the Ministry and the trade, and are operative until 31st May, 1921. The export of basic slag is prohibited except under licence. Otherwise this commodity is not controlled by any Government Department.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the advisability, with a view to

asked the Minister of Agriculture the selling price during the year 1920 and the present retail price of ground basic slag 30 per cent.; and whether this commodity is still under the control of any Government Department?

As the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member involves a good many figures, I will ask him to allow me to circulate a detailed reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows:

The maximum selling prices of ground basic slag, 30 per cent., since the beginning of 1920, including cost of delivery to customer's nearest station in Great Britain, or to British Port when sold to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, have been as follow:—

protecting large and valuable mining areas in this country from destruction, of so amending the Trade Disputes Act of 1906 as to make trade unions responsible for the damage done to mines by flooding in consequence of orders and prohibitions issued by such unions?

My hon. Friend may be assured that the Government will take all steps within its power to protect the mines from destruction, but I am unable to appreciate how an Amendment of the Trade Disputes Act would accomplish this object.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of firms in South Wales which, in the months of January and February, 1921, produced coal at a loss of less than 6d. per ton, the number which produced at a loss of between 6d. and 1s. per ton, and so on, in stages of 6d. per ton; the number of firms which produced coal at a profit of less than 6d. per ton, the number which produced at a profit of between 6d. and 1s. per ton, and so on, in stages of 6d. per ton; and the tonnage produced in each case?

In view of the provisions of Section 21 (2) of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, I regret that I cannot give the information asked for without obtaining the prior consent of the South Wales colliery owners.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any further information to give as to the withdrawal of pit ponies and horses from the mines, and thereby saving them from starvation and from drowning, especially in the mines of Leven, in Fife, West Benhar, in Lanark, Bargoed, in Wales, and Dydraw, in the Rhondda Valley?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is able to inform the House, in which collieries, pit ponies have already lost their lives; what action he has taken in this matter; and whether he can definitely assure the House that all steps are being taken to save from destruction any ponies which may yet remain in the pits?

My information is that all horses which cannot for the present be left below ground in safety and fed and attended to there, have by now been withdrawn from the mines with the exception of two horses at the Leven Collieries, Fife. In this case, the Divisional Inspector of Mines is using his utmost efforts to get the miners to allow steam to be raised at the boilers so that these horses may be got out. So far as I am aware, no pit ponies have been lost in the mines, and my Department will do everything in its power to ensure that none shall be lost. I should also add that, as I stated in the House last night, the President and Secretary of the Miners' Federation have promised to take action for the safety of ponies at any mine where I notify them that they are in danger.

May I ask the Leader of the House if he has any information as to any developments in connection with the industrial crisis?

I have to inform the House that the Prime Minister has this morning addressed letters to Mr. Evan Williams, of the Mineowners' Association, and to Mr. Frank Hodges, of the Miners' Federation—the letters are in identical terms. I will read one—

6th April, 1921.

DEAR MR. HODGES,

I would direct the attention of your Executive to the statement which I made in the House of Commons last night on behalf of the Government with regard to the desirability of negotiations being resumed between your Federation and the Mining Association. I desire to repeat that the Government tender the use of its good offices for the purpose of bringing the parties together, and I shall be glad to know whether your Federation is willing to re-open negotiations. I am sending a similar communication to the Mining Association.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the graves of men who died in Great Britain as the result of wounds or illness caused by the Great War are under the control of the Graves Commission; whether such graves are specially cared for and special stones erected as in France and Flanders by such Commission; and, if not, if any arrangements exist in his Department for the care of such soldiers' graves in this country?

Under the terms of their Charter, the Imperial War Graves Commission are charged with the duty of caring for the graves of officers and men of His Majesty's Naval and Military Forces who died from wounds inflicted, accidents occurring or disease contracted while on active service during the War and are buried in Great Britain. The Commission have accordingly undertaken the responsibility of maintaining all such graves and are arranging to erect over them, so far as circumstances permit, the same form of memorials as erected in war cemeteries in France and Flanders.