asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in possession of the terms of the agreement between the Turkish Nationalist Government and France and Italy, respectively; and, if so, whether he will publish these agreements?

His Majesty's Government are aware of the terms of these agreements and are in communication with the French and Italian Governments on the subject. The question of their publication is one for the French and Italian Governments to decide.

Were we informed by the French and Italian Governments of these agreements before they were come to or after?

I would rather not answer any question on the subject without notice.

Are we entitled in this country also to come to an arrangement with the Turkish Nationalists without consulting our Allies?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will permit me not to pursue the topic at the present moment.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office has yet received the terms of the agreement between France and the Kemalist Turks with regard to Cilicia and Northern Syria; and if he can say what those terms are, particularly with regard to the protection of the subject races?

His Majesty's Government are aware of the terms of this agreement and are in communication with the French Government on the subject. I would prefer, therefore, not to make any further statement on the subject at this stage.

Does the hon. Gentleman treat this subject on the basis that the French are less likely to protect subject races than ourselves?

No, I certainly do not.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are still Serbian troops within the 1913 frontiers of Albania; whether he is aware that a number of Albanian villages outside the 1913 frontiers have been burned by the Serbian troops, and that there are a large number of Albanian refugees in a condition of destitution in and around Tirana and Scutari; and if His Majesty's Government has made representations to the Serbian Government with regard to the withdrawal of Serbian troops and the indemnification of the Albanians whose property has been destroyed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have no further information beyond that which I gave to the hon. Member in reply to his questions on the 9th December and the 21st March last. As to the third, part, His Majesty's Government made representations to the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government in the autumn of 1920, which resulted in their troops with drawing from certain advanced positions which they had previously occupied. No separate representations have been made by His Majesty's Government as regards compensation for any property which may have been destroyed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether aliens who are not naturalised in this country, or who remain subject to foreign countries, receive unemployment pay; if so, can he state the number; and if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation confining the payments to British subjects only?

The Unemployment Insurance Acts make no distinction between British subjects and unnaturalised aliens as regards the liability to pay contributions and to receive benefit. All aliens in insured employment have to pay contributions and are entitled when unemployed to receive benefit subject to their satisfying the usual conditions. I have no information as to the number of aliens drawing benefit. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it would be advisable to restrict the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts to British subjects only. It is desirable that, if aliens are engaged in insurable employment in this country, they should not be excused from contributing to the compulsory scheme of insurance against unemployment contained in the Acts, and if they pay contribution they must be eligible for unemployment benefit under the usual conditions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of share fishermen who are out of employment; whether he is aware that the majority of these men were mine-sweeping and patrolling during the War and received out-of-work benefit up to the 31st March, but were excluded from benefit under the new Act; and whether, in view of the work these men have done during the War, he will consider the possibility of taking steps to bring this class of men within the scope of the Act?

I am aware that there is a considerable amount of unemployment among share fishermen. Fishermen wholly remunerated by shares in the profits or gross earnings of fishing vessels are, however, expressly excluded from Unemployment Insurance by paragraph ( k ) of Part 11 of the First Schedule to the Unemployment Insurance Act,1920, and for this reason are not entitled to unemployment benefit under that Act or the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921. The exclusion of such fishermen from Unemployment Insurance was pressed upon me when the Unemployment Insurance Act was before Parliament, and I do not see my way to propose an Amendment of the Act in order to bring them within its scope.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the House any approximate estimate of the number of men and women thrown out of work in other trades through the stoppage in the coal industry?

The total number of men, women, boys, and girls on the Live Registers of Employment Exchanges at 15th April was about 1,677,000 compared with 1,506,000 at 1st April, when the coal dispute commenced. In addition, about 964,000 persons were claiming benefit in respect of short time working as compared with 875,000 at 1st April. I could not say that the increases in the numbers of unemployed between the 1st April and the 15th April are entirely due to the coal stoppage, because week by week prior to the 1st April there had been steady increases in the numbers of unemployed. On the other hand, the increases in the number of unemployed between the 1st April and the 15th April are more marked than in any recent corresponding period. Of course, as the stoppage continues, and coal is exhausted, an increasingly large number of working people must be thrown out of employment, and already I observe that the increase in unemployment has been most marked in districts where there are great coal-using industries such as iron and steel and pottery.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed on his records on 2nd April and 9th April respectively?

The total number of men, women, boys and girls, registered as unemployed on the live register of Employment Exchanges was approximately 1,506,000 at 1st April and 1,615,000 at 8th April; of the latter figure, 1,092,000 were men and 394,000 were women. In addition, the number of claimants at Employment Exchanges for insurance benefit or out-of-work donation in respect of systematic short time working was approximately 875,000 at 1st April, and 897,000 at 8th April. The short-time figures only apply to those working systematic short time in such manner as to bring them within the scope of the Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are 6,000 miners out of employment, since 26th February, in the Ebbw Vale district; that these men were stopped owing to the depression in trade and that they cannot resume work even after a general settlement in the coal trade is arrived at; and will he, under these circumstances, instruct the manager of the local labour exchange to pay these men their unemployment benefit

The question whether the miners to whom my hon. Friend refers are entitled to unemployment benefit is at present before the insurance officer. Efforts are being made to expedite the decision and I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of unemployment donation paid out in this country in the weeks ending 2nd April and 9th April, respectively?

The total amount of out-of-work donation paid out in the United Kingdom in the weeks ending 2nd April and 9th April was about £292,000 and £51,000 respectively. I would point out, however, that from 1st April, the extension schemes of out-of-work donation ceased, the only persons now eligible being ex-service men within one year of their discharge. The amounts of unemployment benefit paid in the two weeks referred to were £948,000 and £1,271,000 respectively.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House as to the present intentions of the Government of the United States with regard to representation upon the Reparations Commission?

We have no information on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister if any of our Allies are imposing a 50 per cent, charge on German goods imported into their countries in order to obtain the payment of amounts due for reparation; if at the present time German goods can be imported into every one of the Allied countries without payment of such charge; and if this condition is likely to divert German trade from this country?

I have been asked to reply. Steps are being taken by several of our Allies to enact legislation similar to our Reparation Recovery Act, but such legislation is not yet in operation except in the United Kingdom. So long as the German Government do not compensate their exporters these measures will no doubt restrict German exports, in the first instance to this country, and afterwards to other countries adopting similar legislation.

Is not this in effect simply a protective duty?

The question appears to be rather in the nature of an argument for the Second Reading of a Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the great discontent prevailing amongst chief petty officers of all branches at the pattern of the new cap badge for chief petty officers, the objections to which were pointed out by the welfare representatives to the members of the Board themselves last August, steps will be taken to issue an improved pattern which will be acceptable to this important body of men to whom the Admiralty have promised to do all that lies in their power to increase the status of chief petty officers?

The Admiralty are not aware of the existence of the feeling referred to by the hon. Member. Representatives of the men were consulted in the matter, and no reason is seen for altering the pattern of the new cap badge.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the accountant branch of the Royal Navy being the only body of men in the Navy, Army, or Air Force in which, during the War, no active service writer ratings could by ability and the recommendations of flag officers rise to commissioned or even warrant rank, the Admiralty will take the necessary steps to afford writers, Royal Navy, equal opportunity with other ratings to reach both these ranks and at an early age: and, when introducing the mate rank into the accountant branch, will the Admiralty take into consideration, when assessing the numbers, the disability of promotion referred to?

As regards the statement made in the first part of the question, the hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The pre-War establishment of Warrant Writers was 15. In the course of the War these numbers were increased to 10 Paymaster-Lieutenants and 100 Commissioned and Warrant Writers. Of these a certain number were special promotions to warrant rank for meritorious service. The numbers of promotions to warrant and commission rank in the various branches and the age at which they are made must depend mainly on service requirements. The Admiralty is of opinion that in these respects, the Writer Branch enjoys adequate opportunity and is not at a disadvantage compared with other branches generally. The establishment of a mate rank in the Accountant Branch has been fully considered, and it has been decided not to introduce it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has inquired for quotations for Canadian or American coal; and with what result?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when those commissioned warrant officers who have passed the necessary examinations will be promoted lieutenants

A Fleet Order on this subject is being prepared, and will be issued shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what sums were realised during the War from the sale of fish caught by His Majesty's ships; and how such moneys have been disposed of?

The gross sum of approximately £328,800 was realised by the sale of fish caught by His Majesty's vessels during the War. The first charge on this sum was the cost of fishing gear and salesmen's commission, etc., amounting together to about £77,000, which left a balance of approximately £251,800 for disposal. One moiety of the net proceeds at each base, amounting in all to £125,900 approximately, has been credited to Naval Funds as an Appropriation-in-Aid, the Admiralty having borne the ordinary running expenses of the vessels, including hire and the pay of the crews. The other moiety remained until after the Armistice at the disposal of the respective senior naval officers to be administered by them locally at their discretion to the best advantage of the naval personnel under their orders, subject only to a first charge on each local fund for the payment of a local flat rate of bonus to the officers and crews engaged in the fishing. After the Armistice, as from 1st January, 1919, the senior naval officer's local fund was limited to £500 per annum, and any balance remaining after payment of the bonus to crews and the annual grant to the senior naval officer's fund was remitted to the Admiralty, as were also any balances remaining on the closing down of the several bases. Under these arrangements, the sum of £67,400 in round figures was expended locally by the senior naval officers, and the balance of £58,500 was remitted to the Admiralty on the cessation of fishing operations. It will be appreciated that this sum of £58,500 was quite distinct from the sums referred to above as credited to public funds. Out of it grants amounting to £13,000 approximately have since been made to various naval charities and benevolent institutions working for the welfare of men of the Royal Navy and Mercantile Marine, and the balance of £45,500 has been invested and placed in the custody of the United Services Trustee pending a final decision as to its ultimate disposal.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what ships are employed on fishing protection duties in the area around the Moray Firth; what is the speed and armament of these vessels; when they commenced their operations; whether they have been undergoing a refit at any time during this period; whether, when undergoing a refit, they are relieved by other ships; whether they have been able to detect and arrest any vessels for illegal trawling or for infringements of international law upon the subject; if so, how many cases have resulted; and in how many cases are they known to have been unable to take any action owing to having been unable to detect or apprehend the offender?

One Admiralty trawler is employed on fishery protection duties in the Moray Firth area. Her speed is 11 knots and she is armed with one 12-pdr. and one Lewis gun. The vessel employed is a faster craft than that used before the War. She has been operating since November, 1920, when she replaced a sloop. The latter had been operating since April, 1920, but had to be withdrawn owing to the urgent need for economy in personnel. The trawler underwent her yearly refit during the period 6th January to 11th February, 1921. No relief was detailed as the refit was arranged to coincide with a slack fishing season in Scottish waters. Two arrests have been made for infringement of international law. A third suspected offender, on the same occasion, could not be apprehended.

Are we to understand from that answer that there is only one trawler to protect the whole of this area from foreign poachers?

There is only one Admiralty trawler, but there are other craft, I believe.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will use his good offices with the Watch and Clock Trade Union on behalf of an ex-service man, F. Niblett, of Batheaston, who lost both legs in the War; and whether the difficulty which the union feels in training men unless there are places for them to fill is not nonexistent in the case of Niblett, who only now needs a small amount of training to enable him to keep himself fully employed by extending his present work of doing repairs in the villages near his home?

The local technical advisory committee concerned are being pressed to reconsider their decision in this case at an early date. I will inform my hon. Friend immediately on receipt of a further report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that he is himself doing what he can to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion?

Yes, certainly. I wish to make representations to them.

Is it not monstrous tyranny on the part of the union to keep this man out of employment at all?

There may be some misunderstanding, and perhaps that is how the difficulty has arisen.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is intended to close down the Appointments Department; how it is proposed to continue the training of those ex-service men who are now undergoing a course; and what Department will be responsible for their proper supervision and administration?

I cannot say more at the present time than that I am giving close attention to the question of the future of the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour. Whatever decision is reached, my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that adequate provision will be maintained for safeguarding the interests of those undergoing training.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the first ex-service man has yet commenced work under the Government building scheme

The scheme, as I have already stated, came into operation on Monday, and applications from ex-service men-have already been, and are being, received. I imagine some men are at work already. If my noble Friend will put a question this day week I will endeavour to give him more precise information on the matter.

Are there still the same openings for these men as there were when the question was first raised?

I do not know why not.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in connection with the League of Nations there has been established any labour section which takes cognisance from an international standpoint of wages, cost of living, and industrial conditions generally; if so, will he say if in the United States of America there has during the past six months been any reduction in the wages paid to those engaged in leading industries, including mining and transport; and what has been the fall in the cost of living in the United States during the past six months?

Yes, Sir. The functions referred to have been assigned to the International Labour Office set up at Geneva under Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles. As regards the second part of the question, the statistical materials needed for a precise answer covering the last six months have not yet been published either by the International Labour Office or the United States Department of Labour. It is possible, however, from information in the possession of the Ministry of Labour to state that in the second half of 1920 the cost of living fell by percentages ranging from 4½ to 9 in the large industrial centres, and that during the same period wages were reduced in a number of the leading manufacturing industries by percentages ranging from 10 to 35. Neither mining nor transport would appear to have been affected by wage reductions during 1920. Since the beginning of the present year, however, the principal railway companies in the United States have submitted proposals for reductions in wages, which are at present the subject of discussion. Except as regards metalliferous mines in one or two districts, no reductions have been announced for the mining industry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman have information like this published every month in the "Labour Gazette"

I have not got the information from the International Labour Office. I have given the hon. and gallant Gentleman such information as I have in my possession.

What is the connection between the industrial and economic situation in the United States and the League of Nations, which it utterly repudiates?

The hon. Gentleman had better look at the Convention setting up the International Labour Office.

How can the right hon. Gentleman correlate this office they are going to set up with a great nation that entirely repudiates it?

asked the Minister of Health the amount, if any, still available for the relief of British refugees from Russia; and how many are still being assisted?

A sum of £3,000 has been placed at the disposal of the voluntary committee which is undertaking the care of these refugees, and I am informed that a balance of £2,800 is still available. The number of persons now being assisted by the committee is 54.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the other 350 British refugees who are not receiving any relief? Are they employed, or what becomes of them?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health the proportion of four-roomed cottages suitable for young married couples and couples without children that he considers should be built under present circumstances out of the total number to be erected; and what is the average saving in cost of construction that can be obtained by erecting four-roomed instead of six-roomed cottages?

The need for small houses of the type indicated varies in different localities according to the accommodation provided in the existing houses, and accordingly it is not practicable to fix any definite proportion for the country as a whole. Examination has shown that there is already in existence a large number of two-bed-roomed houses in most parts of the country, and that the most urgent need is for the provision of houses with three bedrooms. The average saving per house in constructing a four-roomed as compared with a six-roomed cottage is approximately £120.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state to what extent the alteration of the economic and financial conditions of the country has led his Department to modify the estimate of the number of new houses required?

As I have previously stated, the general housing demand is undergoing review, but I am not yet in a position to state what modifications will be required.

asked the Minister of Health the number of new houses built and ready for occupation since the War in the County of London up till 31st March last; and what number have been built by the county council, borough councils, utility societies, and private builders?

One thousand six hundred and ninety-nine dwellings had been completed in the County of London area up to the 21st March, in some cases with the exception of painting. Of these, 361 were built by the London County Council, 1,132 by the Metropolitan borough councils, 84 by public utility societies, and 122 by private builders under the subsidy scheme. I have no information as to the number of other houses built by private enterprise. As my hon. Friend is aware, many of the houses required for London needs have to be provided outside the London area; the number of dwellings completed in the Metropolitan Police area is over 7,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement made by the head of the Russian Communist Government that this country, owing to her not possessing a numerous property-owning bourgeoisie and to the fact that the majority of the working classes are congregated in large industrial concerns, offers a most promising field for the setting up of a Communist form of government; and will he promote legislation to give as many people as possible in this country the opportunity of owning the houses they dwell in, or in which they carry on their business or something in the nature of fixity of tenure on fair terms?

I have not been able to trace the statement referred to in the question, but there are many enactments in force in this country for assisting people to purchase dwelling-houses, and no further legislation appears to be required.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the Report of the inspector who recently inquired into the Leeds and Bradford extension schemes; and whether he will call into consultation the Members of Parliament for the areas concerned before deciding on the merits arising out of these inquiries?

I have not yet received the Report referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, a public inquiry has been held as provided by the Act, at which all parties were present, and I could not now properly discuss the merits of the proposals separately with those who may support either one side or the other.

If before deciding in favour of any extension of borough boundaries will the right hon. Gentleman set up a Committee to deal with the whole question?

Following the statute a public inquiry has been held, and everyone who has been desirous of giving evidence has been able to do so. Obviously, I must be guided by the Report of the inspector who held the inquiry, and I cannot start de novo outside the statutory powers another inquiry of an entirely informal character.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one result of these inquiries has already been to intensify greatly the opposition to these schemes on the part of those concerned and to convince them that there is no sort of justification for these attempts to deprive them of their independent existence?

I have no doubt that the inspector holding the inquiry has taken that into account in preparing his Report.

asked the Minister of Health if the Dentists Bill will be introduced in the House of Lords?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Leigh on the 13th April.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Brentford Board of Guardians in discharging a number of their staff with only a few hours' notice; whether he is aware that several nurses, whose homes are in the North of Scotland and Ireland and who are without friends in London, were dismissed at short notice without giving them time to make arrangements for their return home; that these nurses have been discharged for reasons of a frivolous character; and that discontent has been created amongst the remainder of the staff; and whether he will have full inquiry made into all the circumstances and advise the reinstatement of these nurses whose careers will otherwise be ruined?

I am already in communication with the guardians on this subject, and will communicate further with the hon. Member on receipt of their reply, which I expect to have this week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is the greatest difficulty with regard to the proper prosecution of anatomical study in this country, and that, in consequence, a large number of British medical students are forced to prosecute or complete their studies in foreign hospitals or universities; whether this difficulty is mainly due to the inadequate supply of dead bodies for anatomical purposes; and whether he will consider appointing a Select Committee to inquire into the matter?

Although it is the case that, owing to the difficulty in obtaining subjects, British students have occasionally gone abroad to seek facilities for the study of anatomy in foreign schools, this state of affairs has now been remedied by the action taken by my predecessor. There is still a shortage in the case of certain provincial medical schools, but this is being remedied.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he is aware that the "Enniscorthy Echo" newspaper was ordered by the officer in command of the military in Enniscorthy to publish two-and-a-quarter columns of extracts from the "Irish Times" newspaper in the issue of the "Echo" of 2nd April; that on 26th March the same paper was compelled to publish two columns of extracts from the "Irish Times" and the "Weekly Summary"; whether he is aware that the latter contained violent attacks and abuse of the Sinn Fein movement; whether these extracts from other publications are paid for as advertisements by His Majesty's Government; whether the whole of this paper is censored; what is the object of this censorship and forced printing of opinions; and whether Enniscorthy is in a martial law area.

I am still awaiting a report from the Commander-in-Chief with reference to this matter, which is alleged to have occurred in the martial law area.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this paper is still being forced to publish long extracts from other newspapers, and will he have inquiries made with a view to having it stopped until the matter is cleared up?

I will inquire into that.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has any information as to the burning down by Crown forces of two labourers' cottages, occupied by Patrick Cronin and Elizabeth Twomey, the property of the Macroom Rural Council, situated at Coolnacahera, Macroom, on the 25th February, 1921; whether notice was given and an order made out by the military governor; and who ordered these burnings?

I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that nothing is known of the origin of the burning of these cottages. It is possible that they took fire during the extensive fighting which occurred in the surrounding district on the 25th February, when a mixed force of Auxiliary police and permanent constabulary were attacked by a strong body of rebels who were entrenched in the hills between Ballyvourney and Macroom.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, following an attack on certain police constables in Limerick on 8th April last, Crown forces on the 9th April blew up the house of the late P. M'Jueray, publican, at Loch Quay, burned the house of Patrick Burke, Denmark Street, burned the house of Mrs. Mary Kielan, in John Street, and removed the furniture of Miss Madge Daly from her house in North Circular Road and burned it; whether these were official or non-official reprisals; and on what principle this property was selected for damage?

On the night of the 8th and 9th instants a patrol of the Royal Irish Constabulary was fired on and bombed in Limerick, resulting in the wounding of two head constables, one sergeant, and one constable. At the same time one civilian was killed and three wounded, including a woman and a boy. Following this outrage, the houses of three prominent Sinn Feiners close to the scene, who must have known of the preparation for the ambush, were destroyed by order of the Military Governor, and the furniture of Miss Daly burnt. The house of the latter is a well-known haunt of the Irish Republican Army.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether most of the houses in Limerick are not occupied by hardened Sinn Feiners, and why, if it was just to pick out these people's houses for destruction, they did not burn down the whole city while they were at it?

Who primed you with the information. Where did you get it?

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the house of Mrs. Nealon, a widow, of John Street, Limerick, was destroyed as a military operation in view of an attack on a party of police; whether this woman or her household were in any way connected with the crime; and whether this house was selected because her cousin, who used to live there and is now in prison, was believed to be a Sinn Feiner?

This place is in the martial law area and I have therefore asked the Commander-in Chief to furnish me with a Report. Perhaps the hon. Member will kindly repeat the question, of which I only received notice yesterday, one day next week.

Is it not possible in the Martial Law areas to have only the houses of men destroyed and not those of widows? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is one of several cases of widows' houses being burned?

A great many men may be concealed in a widow's house.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is satisfied that the forgeries which purport to be copies of the "Irish Bulletin" are not being compiled by any member of the Crown forces or Government agents in Ireland?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by me to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for the Morpeth Division and the hon. and gallant Member for the East Newcastle Division on the 7th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any firearms have been carried by the men of the Dublin Metropolitan Police while on duty between 1st January, 1920, and the present date; how many men of this force have been killed or wounded during the period while they have been disarmed; and whether, in sorder to ensure their safety, all their arms and ammunition have now been withdrawn?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on this subject on the 16th ultimo.

Is it not perfectly well known that the reason why the Dublin Metropolitan Police are not armed is because it is impossible to protect them in their own homes in Dublin, and that they do not function, except in the way of controlling traffic and things of that kind?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the effective action taken by the unofficial Members of the House in averting the national crisis last week, the Government will give a safe conduct to London to an accredited Sinn Fein representative so that, after a statement of his views, he may be questioned by the unofficial Members in an endeavour to find a solution of the Irish problem?

I would point out to my hon. Friend that there are many representatives of Sinn Fein duly elected to this House who are free to come to Westminster for any purpose at any time. The question of safe conduct does not therefore appear to arise.

They are here—Ken-worthy. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he realises that it was not the miners' Representatives in Parliament, but an invitation to an outside representative of the miners which brought about the success of last week? In view of his answer to-day does the Government disapprove of the meeting called last week? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] I am asking the Government.

That hardly arises out of the question. That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Chief Secretary the total amount of compensation awarded by the Irish Courts in respect of claims in which the judicial authority has stated that the damage was done by members of the Crown forces; and what method will in future be adopted to investigate similar claims in the martial law area?

asked the Chief Secretary whether there is any discrimination, from the point of view of political opinion, with regard to the indemnification of owners of property destroyed by the forces of the Crown; and what means the owners of such property have at the present moment of obtaining compensation?

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, at Tralee Assizes on 9th March, stated his intention of investigating fully all claims to compensation in which allegations were made against the forces of the Crown; whether County Court Judges Bodkin and Fleming have on several occasions stated that in their opinion similar allegations had been well founded; whether the Government has now decided to suppress all judicial' inquiries into cases of this kind; and whether, considering the effect upon home and foreign public opinion which will be caused by allowing charges of such gravity to rest upon the Crown forces, he will take steps to bring them before an impartial tribunal?

I have no means of ascertaining the total amount of damage involved in cases in which allegations of unjustifiable action by the Crown forces have been made; but any such charge which is brought to notice is at once investigated and a court of inquiry is held if the facts appear to be sufficient to warrant that course. I am satisfied that such inquiries are conducted with complete impartiality and with the single object of ascertaining the facts and bringing any offence home to the guilty parties. I have no information beyond newspaper reports with regard to the statements attributed to the Lord Chief Justice and Judge Fleming in the first and second parts of the question by the Noble Lord the Member for Nottingham South. The report of Judge Bodkin was fully dealt with in Debate in this House on the 21st February. There is no discrimination as regards the right of owners of property destroyed maliciously, irrespective of their political opinions, to recover compensation from the local authority. As I explained on the 18th instant, the sole object of the proclamation recently issued by the Commander-in-Chief in the martial-law area was to prevent claims for compensation being made in the case of property justifiably destroyed by direction of the military governor.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question what amount after judicial inquiry has been awarded against the Crown forces for damage done?

Is not the result of these claims and the garnisheeing of rates which is arising therefrom that the Irish dispensary doctors are without their salaries, and is the Government going to take steps to make up the money of these most necessary officials out of some other source?

Not a single shilling has been awarded against the Crown forces for the damage done. The other question is in the hands of the representatives of the ratepayers on the county councils, and is not a matter for the Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that no county court judge after judicial investigation has awarded damages to persons for damage suffered at the hands of the Crown forces?

That is not the question that was asked. The question was as regards the amount awarded against the Crown forces. I am not in a position to give the figures in the cases referred to by my hon. Friend in the question, and I have already said so in the answer.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman not in a position to give the figures if the judgments have been already made by the county courts?

Because we are not parties to these cases. The judgments do not show against whom the charges are made.

If a county court judge has found that these burnings have taken place by the forces of the Crown, will he recommend that the compensation should be paid by the Crown and not levied on the district?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that ex-Sergeant John Webb, Royal Irish Constabulary, was retired in January, 1921, from the Royal Irish Constabulary Force, needing only 3½ months to complete the period of 30 years entitling him to a pension of two-thirds of his pay; is he aware that any physical failure to complete this short further period of service was not owing to anything done or left undone by Webb, but was solely due to his long and arduous service; and will he arrange that his pension shall be computed upon 30 years' service?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of the 21st March last to which I can add nothing. I regret that I have no power to make the arrangement suggested by my hon. Friend.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the present time is quite inopportune for any case of hardship like this to be inflicted on the Royal Irish Constabulary?

It is not within the power of the constabulary to alter the arrangement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether two men named Frank Shouldice and John O'Grady were sentenced at Athlone to imprisonment with hard labour for two years and one year, respectively; whether their offence was the printing of a poster in connection with the refusal of Irish railwaymen last summer to carry munitions of war and asking for funds to help to support the dismissed men; and whether similar posters and advertisements were at the time displayed openly throughout Ireland and the fund openly collected without interference by the police?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, Shouldice and O'Grady were also charged with printing forms of summonses for use in connection with the so-called Republican Courts. In the circumstances the remainder of the question does not arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the five cadets arrested under the orders of General Crozier to stand trial on the charge of looting at Trim are still awaiting trial; whether, in addition to these, seven of the cadets discharged by General Crozier and brought back are also awaiting trial and if so, on what charges; whether the evidence of General Crozier and Captain Macfie has been taken by the Court of Inquiry; and, as regards the remaining 19, whether their refusal to give evidence before General Crozier as to a crime of which they were witnesses has been taken into consideration by the Court?

The official investigation into this matter has now been concluded, and it has been decided to bring 18 of the cadets to trial by court-martial on charges of robbery, larceny and receiving. Pending the results of the trials which will be held shortly I am not prepared to make any further statement bearing on the case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman extend protection to the witnesses for the prosecu- tion, especially from intimidation by Members of this House on the opposite side?

asked the Chief Secretary what is the position in the Irish Government occupied by Lieut.-Commander Fry; how long he has been employed by the Government in question; and on whose recommendation he was appointed?

Lieut.-Commander Fry was engaged on the 10th January, 1921, as a temporary clerk in the office of the Chief of Police, and is still employed in that capacity. He applied for employment in the ordinary way and was accepted after the usual investigations as to character had been made. It is contrary to practice to disclose the names of persons to whom reference is made as to the character of applicants for employment in the public service.

Were any inquiries made as to this officer's eligibility from those who served with him in the Navy; and were on terms of close friendship with him, such as the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy)?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Central Hull has never served with this officer, and has no knowledge whatsoever of him, and had nothing whatever to do with his appointment? Why does the right hon. Gentleman not refute these statements?

In view of the statement so frequently made as to the danger to life in the publication of the names of witnesses and of the knowledge many of us have that comrades of men of the Auxiliary Force have issued threats against those who give evidence against them, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman try to discourage the organised attack on this officer by hon. Gentlemen on the opposite side of the House?

Is it not a fact that this officer is believed by the majority of those who know the case in Dublin to have been involved in a deliberate attempt to obtain the judicial murder of three gallant officers?

Is it not the universal opinion in Ireland that this man was endeavouring to defeat the attempt of the Government to get off scot-free men charged with a brutal and cowardly murder?

Is it not a fact that the court-martial, after having heard the complete breakdown of the prosecution, did not even call upon counsel to make their concluding addresses?

We shall have another opportunity to continue the debate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Customs authorities in Glasgow are holding up a vessel laden with coal for the Sligo Gas Company; that, as all the principal industries in Sligo are dependent upon gas power and the gas company have now only three days' supply, any further delay in releasing this vessel will have a serious effect; and whether he will have immediate inquiries made into the matter.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Upon the advice of the Government Departments charged with regulating the supply and distribution of coal in the present emergency clearance has been refused to the collier s.s. "Girasol" at Glasgow, loaded with coal for the Sligo Gas Company, in view of the probability of more urgent needs arising elsewhere in the immediate future. The information in the hands of the Mines Department shows that at the commencement of the present emergency the Sligo Gas Company had sufficient coal in stock to last until about the beginning of this week. Through the intervention of the Mines Department the company has since had a further supply of 100 tons which, if consumption be restricted as in Great Britain, should last another week and a half or two weeks. It is further understood that in the Sligo district the stocks of the coal merchants average about three weeks' supply at the normal rate of consumption and it should be possible for arrangements to be made locally for some of this coal to be used by the gas company. The matter will be kept under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be better to come to an understanding with the Miners' Federation and have this question settled?

It would be very satisfactory if we could do so.

Why do you not do it?

asked the Chief Secretary the proportion in which the 221 members of the forces of the Crown in Ireland, who have been arrested for offences against the Criminal Law since 1st January last, are distributed between the Regular Army, Auxiliary Division, men specially enlisted in England for the Royal Irish Constabulary during the last 18 months, and original members of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

The distribution is as follows: Military 121 Royal Irish Constabulary 69 Ulster Special Constabulary 20 Auxiliary Division 11 I am unable at such short notice to furnish information as to how many of the 69 members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been arrested were recruited in Great Britain.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he has any further particulars with reference to the affray at Castleconnell, where Auxiliaries attacked and killed some of the constabulary forces, and also killed Mr. O'Donovan; and whether he has received any protest from the widow of Mr. O'Donovan against the right hon. Gentleman's statement that he was killed rushing from the bar, instead of which he was taken out into the yard, put up against the wall, and killed?

I gave my hon. Friend all the information in my possession in answer to a question yesterday. I have received no further information, and, speaking for myself, whatever may have reached Dublin Casle, I have received no protest from the widow of the deceased.

I will repeat the question to-morrow.

May I ask the Leader of the House if, in face of the important manifesto issued by the Prime Minister with regard to Ireland, he will give the House a day for the discussion of that letter and the policy of the Government?

No, Sir, I do not think that, in the state of public business, I can promise any early date.

May I then ask my right hon. Friend if, in view of the strong feeling which has been excited by this letter, he will give the House an opportunity, by accelerating the Irish Estimates, of immediately replying to that letter and discussing the policy in it?

I should have thought the hon. Gentleman was a little premature in talking of the strong feeling aroused by this letter, which was only published this morning; but if hon. Members desire to have the Irish Estimates put down, of course we will try to meet their wishes.

May I say that when I expressed the view that there was a strong feeling, I was referring to the comments in all the independent journals in the country?

In view of the very satisfactory feeling engendered in the House by the Prime Minister's letter, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is circulated to all the Members?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of alarm and distress prevailing among large numbers of business tenants in consequence of the impending expiration of their statutory protection against dispossession; whether he is aware of the strong recommendations of the Select Committee on Business Premises that such protection should be extended on certain terms; and whether, in view of the urgency of the need, he will now take steps to give legislative effect to some or all of the Select Committee's recommendations?

I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no practical reason has been given for refusing to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee on Business Premises, and is it not a very unusual thing for a Committee's recommendations to be turned down without some reason being given?

I am not aware that no reason has been given. I thought I heard my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister giving a series of reasons to the House, among others that the circumstances have changed very materially since the Committee reported.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the resolution passed by a mass meeting at Australia House on this subject?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the urgent and imperative necessity of some immediate measure of relief being afforded to many tenants of business premises throughout the country because of the abnormal and excessive rents now demanded, and that they are crying out for relief?

I am not aware of the necessity for such legislation. I admit that the case is not a perfectly simple one, and I cannot deal with it finally by question and answer across the Floor of the House. In the opinion of the Government, the objections to continued interference in these matters outweigh any advantage that would be gained by continued interference.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the miners and other workers in the country have been asked to live on wages which in most cases are greatly reduced, he will consider the issue of a national appeal to those who sell the daily necessities of life to our workers to make also a sacrifice by selling those necessary goods at as small a profit as possible, compatible with a fair and reasonable return, thus lessening the hardships caused to our workers by any wage reduction?

I have no reason to think that undue profits are being made, and I am afraid that no result of practical value would be obtained by such an appeal as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the possibility of giving exemption for reservists engaged in wholesale and retail distribution of foodstuffs, and allowing those already called up to return at once?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the relief in the tension in the industrial world, he will consider now the possibility of liberating the employé reservists in the retail grocery and food trades?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on 14th April to a question on this subject asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Torquay, and to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War made in the House on Monday last on the Army Supplementary Estimate.

Have not circumstances changed since that time?

I do not think that they have changed since two days ago.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government has considered the proposals of the Imperial Maritime Conference respecting the limitation by clauses in bills of lading of shipowners' liability for carriers' risks; and whether, in view of the serious losses from theft and pilferage, legislation will be proposed in the present Session?

I have been asked to reply. The Report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on the limitation of shipowners' liability is being considered, but in the present state of public business there is little prospect of legislation on the subject being introduced this Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, in view of the decontrol of the railways in August, take the fullest possible steps to ensure that this is carried out with the absolute minimum of friction among the interests affected, with the maximum of consideration for the difficult position of the wage-earner and with the utmost effort to avert any further trouble both to the State and to the community?

The conditions under which decontrol of the railways will take place in August next will be determined by the Bill which is shortly to be introduced, and I cannot anticipate its provisions.

Will it apply to Ireland?

I cannot say what the Bill will be until it is introduced.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Financial Resolution for the Anti-Dumping Bill will be put down?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to name a date.

In view of the fact that this legislation relates to key industries, how many more years will elapse before the Government take steps to protect those industries which in itself has taken the responsibility of describing as key industries?

The hon. Gentleman knows as well as anyone in the country that the Government is anxious to deal with this question at the earliest possible moment, and but for the changes in the Government necessitated by the unfortunate illness of my predecessor and the industrial dispute this measure would have been introduced already.

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister has now joined the Unionist party, does not that facilitate matters?

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Address for the appointment of a new judge in the King's Bench Division will be put down for discussion?

The hon. Member will no doubt have noticed that a Motion dealing with this question is on the Paper to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of the staff he took out to the Near East; the cost of the same; if the amount will appear as a special Estimate; and will the House have the opportunity of discussing it?