asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Mr. E. G. Hollamby, reference number 11/M/133,212, now in Tankerton Hospital, Whitstable, suffering from paralysis, was pronounced by a medical board on 27th December, 1917, to be suffering from disability attributable to military service and that this opinion was confirmed by a second board held on 2nd December, 1920; in view of the fact that Hollamby enjoyed good health, as certified by his pre-War employers, for 18 years prior to his enlistment, that his physical development was pronounced to be good by medical examiners at his enlistment in December, 1914, and that the first symptoms of failing health only showed themselves in France in June, 1917, will he say why the Appeal Tribunal of the Ministry refused to endorse the opinion of the medical boards; and what medical authority is responsible for the advice on which the decision of the tribunal was based?

I have been asked to answer this question. I understand that Mr. E. G. Hollamby, a patient in Tankerton Hospital, Whitstable, appealed on the 23rd October, 1920, against the decision of the Ministry of Pensions that his disability was neither attributable to nor aggravated by his services with the forces during the Great War. On receipt of the appeal Mr. Hollamby's case was re-considered by the Ministry, who were unable to alter their decision. The papers were accordingly passed to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals established by the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1919. The appeal was duly considered by the tribunal deputed to hear it, and after careful consideration of the whole of the evidence adduced, the tribunal came to the conclusion that the disabilities on the ground of which the appeal was made, namely, paraplegia and neurasthenia, were neither attributable to nor aggravated by the appellant's service during the Great War. The decision of the tribunal is, under the Statute, final.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty for what reason the increase of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, has been limited in the case of W. Lynch, pension No. 6,237, to the sum of £1 11s., seeing that this man has no other means, either earned or unearned, beyond his pension, and has to maintain a delicate wife; and what is the reason for the delay in settling this case?

The award in this case was based on the man's income for the twelve months immediately preceding the date of his declaration, and represents the difference between the total income, including pension, so disclosed and the maximum amount allowable to him under the Order in Council. This award is applicable until 30th June next. The question of its renewal at a higher or lower rate will depend on Lynch's present circumstances, and he has now been asked to furnish a fresh declaration of income for this purpose. It is impracticable to vary awards during their currency in order to meet changes of in- come, as such fluctuations are usually of a casual and temporary nature, which would be brought to notice only when a revision would be to the pensioner's advantage.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the fact that in different regions in pensions administration settlement of the applications of widows and others is delayed by the absence of a decision in cases of endocarditis; and when a decision will be given?

I am aware of the fact stated. The disease known as sub-acute infective endocarditis has certain peculiar features in reference to its possible connection with military service, and has been made the subject of special consideration by a committee of medical experts. A decision has now been reached as to the manner in which the claims of the dependants of men dying after discharge from this disease should be considered, and the accumulation of cases (about 150 in all) will now be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the United Operative Plumbers' and Domestic Engineers' Association were compelled to declare strikes in Glasgow and Edinburgh last year on account of the refusal of the employers in those cities to adopt the interrupted apprenticeship scheme promoted by his Department for the benefit of ex-service men; that as a result of the withdrawal of labour the employers were compelled to adopt the scheme; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, some compensation will be granted to the union for the expense incurred, which amounted to £3,595?

The facts generally are as stated in the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question. With regard to the third part, it is not possible for the Government to make a grant of the kind suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour the average number of applications that are now being received by the Appointments Department from ex-service officers and men; and how many weekly appointments are being made?

For the quarter ending March, 1921, the weekly average number of applications for employment received from ex-service officers and men is 783, and the weekly average of placing for the same period is 403.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all firms making aircraft for the Air Ministry are paying their employés on the piece-work system; and, if not, whether he can give the percentage of sections or parts of aircraft that failed to pass his inspectors in the works where the work is paid for at piece-work rates as compared with work done in works where time-work is paid?

The majority of the firms in question employ a proportion of their staff on time rates. In regard to the second part of the question, no statistics from which the comparison asked for can be deduced are available to the Department, since it is the general practice of firms to have all detail parts examined by their own viewers before they are submitted to the Air Ministry's inspector. I may add that no instance is known of identical parts being manufactured under piece-work and under time-work conditions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Irish Republican leaders have issued a warning that all emigrants from Ireland will be considered as deserters; that no extenuating circumstances and no plausible excuses will be accepted from persons leaving Ireland without permission of the Republic; and what steps the Government contemplate to preserve to Irishmen their freedom to emigrate if they so desire?

The facts are generally as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the last part, I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are taking all possible steps to counteract this form of intimidation. He will, however, appreciate that it would not be in the public interest to indicate the precise steps that are being taken to this end.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can give any information regarding Peter Allen, of Kilcock, County Kildare, who was arrested on the 24th March last and placed in the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks at Naas, no charge having been made against him, and his present whereabouts?

Peter Allen, of Kilcock, County Kildare, was arrested on 24th March, 1921, as a suspected member of the Irish Republican Army.

asked the Chief Secretary the whereabouts of Thomas Harte, of Tarnstown, Waterglasshill, County Cork, arrested last October and lodged in Ballybriggan Gaol, County Waterford; on what charge was he arrested; and when will he be brought to trial?

This man was arrested on 2nd February, and not as stated in the question in October. The reason of his arrest was that he was believed to be a member of the Irish Republican Army, and refused to give his name and address. After inquiry he was released on 14th February. I have no information as to his present whereabouts.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the publication of confidential documents and information by Captain Peter Wright in a book entitled "At the Supreme Council"; whether these matters have been divulged after official sanction was granted to the author; and, if so, by whom was the sanction granted?

The answer to the first part of the question is that, so far, I have only read what appears in the Press. The answer to the second part is in the negative; the third part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether representation was made to him by the Village Clubs Association that, in view of the urgent need for the provision of village halls as a part of the scheme for the regeneration of village life, Army huts should be purchased by them on similar terms as local authorities, namely, at a discount of 33⅓ per cent.; and whether, in view of the number of disused Army huts which are at the present time rotting throughout England, he can see his way to recommend this concession?

While it is true that a discount of 33⅓ per cent. is allowed to local authorities for huts purchased with the sanction of the Ministry of Health or other Government Department concerned, for housing, etc., the amount of that discount is paid by such Government Department to the Disposal Board, so that the Disposal Board receives in the case of these huts, as in that of all other property sold by them, the full price. I regret that it is not possible to make an exception in the case of the Village Clubs Association.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Nation's Fund for Nurses, promoted by the British Women's Hospital Committee for a tribute to nurses; whether he is aware that the accounts of the fund, for the first three and a half years of its existence, have only just been published and show that £148,915, including £50,000 given by the British Red Cross Society, have been collected and only £2,144 given to sick and distressed nurses; and whether he will agree to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the origin and working of this fund?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 14th March to a question by the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Davison).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained, or will obtain, reports as to the condition of the inhabitants of Eastern Galicia under the present Polish rule?

Periodical reports are received from the British Vice-Consul at Lemberg.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will circulate at the earliest possible moment to the Members of both Houses statistics showing what is the average wage per week which has been paid during the last six months to each class of worker in the coal-mining industry in each district in the United Kingdom, and state on how many days' work per week these figures are calculated, giving in each case the corresponding figure proposed in the owners' latest offer?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to a similar question put to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) this afternoon.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing the important part played in the mining controversy by a misapprehension of the Board of Trade index figure of the cost of living, he will explain the extent of its applicability to miners, in view of the general practice of the industry to supply coal to miners either free or at nominal prices, thus exempting the miners from the ordinary working-class household expenditure on coal which the index figure includes at the pre-War rate of 1s. 6d. to 2s. a week?

I have been asked to reply. Where coal is supplied to miners free, the cost of coal does not enter into their family expenditure, and the percentage increase in such cases would be the percentage increase in the cost of other items. The average increase in the cost of the items included in the statistics, excluding only coal, is only slightly less than the average increase in the cost of all the items, including coal; and the difference in the average percentage increase being less than one-half of a point.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the foreign element existing amongst Scottish miners is mainly responsible for a great deal of the present disorder in certain parts of Scotland; whether he can take steps to prevent Poles, Lithuanians, and others from assuming Scottish names; and whether he has power to order the deportation of any foreign-born agitator who is found guilty of spreading, disaffection?

The information at present before me does not lead me to think that the foreign element among Scottish miners can be regarded as mainly responsible for a large proportion of the present, disorder. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the position is that under Section 7 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, an alien is prohibited from changing his name unless he obtains from the Home Secretary an exemption from this prohibition. Exemptions are granted only on special grounds, and when the Home Secretary is satisfied that the new name is in the circumstances of the case a suitable name. Under Article 12 of the Aliens Order, 1920, the Home Secretary has power to deport aliens who are recommended for deportation by any Court before which they are convicted, and also in other cases where he deems it to be conducive to the public good to make a Deportation Order.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase of railway rates for the transportation of horses, cattle, and sheep occasioned by the increased costs-of working the railways, it is his intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Railways and Canals Act, 1854, so as to provide increased compensation in the case of loss of or injury to horses, cattle, and sheep in transit, in view of the increased values of such animals?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Water-ford (Captain Redmond) on the 28th February, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from the Cardiff City Council, either directly or through the housing commissioner, a protest against his action in refusing to approve housing contracts on the Ely site at prices mutually agreed on by the city engineer, the local master builders' association, and the representative of the housing commissioner; and whether, in view of the refusal of the City Council to reduce housing standards still further in order to secure lower prices, he will state what steps he proposes to take in order to meet the serious shortage of houses in the city?

I have no desire to reduce the standards of housing, but I regard the prices submitted by the local Master Builders' Association as excessive, and until a substantial reduction in the price is offered, I am of opinion that the extension of the scheme, under which some 1,000 houses are already in progress, should be deferred.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the widespread demand for a Sunday delivery of letters at Carlton and Netherfield; whether he is aware that the lack of these facilities is causing inconvenience and loss in the district; and will he take steps to rectify the matter?

I have received requests for a Sunday delivery of letters at Carlton and Netherfield. There is no suitable train by which the mails could be conveyed on Sundays, and I should not be justified in incurring expense for the purpose of providing a service by road.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether Canadian fat cattle are now reaching this country at an average of 800 head per week; whether he is aware that 4,570 head have already been booked; for British ports; and what is the freight charge upon these shipments?

Three consignments of Canadian fat cattle have arrived in this country since the trade was resumed. The first consisted of six cattle included with a consignment of 74 from the United States, and arrived on the 23rd March at Glasgow. Two hundred and fifty-nine cattle arrived at the same port on 4th April, and 150 were landed at Manchester on 8th April. So far as can be ascertained, only 400 more Canadian fat cattle have already been booked for this country, 200 of which are due to sail to-day (11th April) and 200 on the 13th April. The freight charges for cattle from Canada are approximately £10 per head.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are taken to prevent the importation of diseased fruit, plants, and trees into the United Kingdom?

The Ministry is considering whether orders should be made controlling the importation and sale of diseased plants, etc., and the question is being referred to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for their opinion. In view, however, of the urgent need for economy, it is necessary to consider not only the advisability of such measures, but also the extent to which they would involve increased expenditure and additional staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of the financial assistance given out of public funds during the War to the industries named in the first Section of the Financial Resolution governing the Key Industries Bill; and what was the amount of the same in respect of grants, loans, rebates on Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax, or any other form taken?

I beg to refer to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 27th October last in Answers to a similar question. For the reason then stated I am not in a position to furnish the information asked for as regards the particular industries mentioned in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the probable date of the introduction of the Budget?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave this afternoon to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham (Lieut.-Colonel Pownall).

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give any information concerning the condition of unemployment in the following countries: France, Germany, United States, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium?

My hon. Friend will find, on pages 145–6 of the "Labour Gazette" for March—a copy of which I am sending him—the most recent authoritative figures in the possession of the Ministry of Labour as to unemployment in each of the countries named. I hope to be able to give the corresponding figures for a month later in the April issue of the "Labour Gazette," a copy of which will be sent my hon. Friend when issued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, as stated in the local Press recently, an officer of the Profiteering Committee travelled down from London to Market Harborough with a view of inducing the Market Harborough District Council to re-establish the local Profiteering Committee which had been disbanded; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent similar cases of expenditure?

An officer of the Department stationed at Leeds who had been in London on business called, on his way back to Leeds on the 21st February, upon the local authorities at Market Harborough, being unaware that this Joint Committee had recently been dissolved. It is not the policy of the Board of Trade to press a local authority to continue or re-establish a local committee if the local authority consider its existence no longer necessary, and instructions to this effect were given some weeks ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports of general merchandise from ports in the United Kingdom to Cuba for the years ending 31st March, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, and 1920 respectively?

The following statement shows the total values of the exports of produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom and of foreign and Colonial merchandise consigned from the United Kingdom to Cuba, registered during each of the years ended 31st March, 1914 to 1920: Year ended 31st March. Exports of Produce and Manufactures of the United Kingdom. Exports of Foreign and Colonial Merchandise. £ £ 1914 2,153,917 767,210 1915 1,525,998 943,715 1916 1,755,318 751,941 1917 2,196,351 658,704 1918 2,002,434 21,531 1919 1,868,031 18,254 1920 2,678,987 65,861

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the control of foodstuffs by the Ministry of Food the Master Bakers' Association tried to prevent bakers who sold bread lower than the prices fixed by them from getting supplies of flour from the millers, and that this failed because the mills were under control too; seeing that such attempt may again be made, is1 there sufficient power left with the Board of Trade to prevent this and to secure that flour can be obtained by any baker irrespective of the price they charge for bread; and, if no such powers exist, will he take steps to secure the same?

I am aware that during the period of control, attempts of the nature indicated in the first part of the question were made in a few cases. With the return of open competition in the trade, following upon the recent decontrol of the milling industry, no difficulty should be experienced by bakers, under normal conditions, in obtaining their supplies of flour, irrespective of the price they charge for bread.