asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can explain the action of the military governor of Cork in ordering that all news or comments on the boycott of Belfast goods shall be submitted to him for censorship before publication?

I am awaiting a report from the Commander-in-Chief with regard to this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the evidence given by certain members of the Crown forces at the recent trial of Captain King and Cadets Hinchcliffe and Walsh, to the effect that there was generally a free fight among members of the Crown forces in the Castle Yard on pay night; and whether he will take steps to improve this state of discipline?

My attention has been drawn to the evidence in question of which the hon. Member's version is, if I may say so, a very free paraphrase. The statement actually made was that there might be a fight on pay night but the witness, when further questioned, was unable to state when a previous incident of the kind had occurred. Brawling and fighting between members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have at all times been very rare offences and I am determined that the highest standards of discipline in this as in all other respects shall be maintained.

asked the Chief Secretary whether proofs are in his possession that the deaths of Sir Arthur Vicars, Messrs. P. Kennedy and M. O'Dempsey, Mr. William Good, and Miss K. O'Carroll were carried out by members of any Sinn Fein organisation; and whether courts of inquiry have yet been held into these cases?

There is overwhelming evidence that every one of these murders was committed by members of the Sinn Fein organisation. Reports of the courts of inquiry in lieu of inquest have been received in each case, with the exception of the cases of Sir Arthur Vicars and Miss O'Carroll.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the murderers of Sir Arthur Vicars have been apprehended?

I regret to state that no arrests have yet been made in connection with this murder.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. J. D. MacCarthy, for 27 years Clerk of the Crown and Peace for the county of Carlow, was, on his return from a business visit to Dublin, accompanied by his wife and four young nephews, attacked in the middle of his own avenue by three masked men, armed with Webley or automatic pistols, who stated that they were Black-and-Tans, and pressing a weapon to his chest informed him that they were going to shoot him; whether they ultimately refrained from shooting him, but took his watch and money from his nephew; whether Mr. MacCarthy subsequently found that they had entered his house, opened the letters delivered during his absence, and stolen a parcel containing a cardigan jacket; and what steps are being taken to bring to justice the authors of this outrage?

I have called for a report with regard to these allegations. If the Noble Lord will repeat the question on Thursday, I hope then to be in a position to furnish him with a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that the Irish Rabies Order prohibits all importation of dogs into Ireland, he will say how bloodhounds were brought over to Ireland by the military?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts, under which the prohibition Order in question was made, are not binding on the Crown. There was therefore no contravention of the Order in its non-observance in this case, and the reason for its non-observance was an over-riding public interest, namely, the bringing of criminals to justice in order to suppress murder.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the present scale of pay laid down for officers in the Navy, who have ceased to be employed and who are awaiting reappoint- ment, for the first six months of such unemployment is as follows: captains (under six years' seniority), £1 12s. 6d. per diem, and commanders £2 per diem; and whether he will explain this apparent injustice to the senior rank?

I have been asked to reply to this question. It is true that captains under six years' seniority during the first six months of unemployment are entitled only to the half-pay of their rank, namely, £1 12s. 6d. a day (except that, during the first six months after promotion, their pay is never reduced below £2 8s. per day), while commanders during the first six months of unemployment are entitled to the full pay of their rank. As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, before the War officers above the rank of sub-lieutenant were liable to half-pay immediately upon cessation of employment, subject to any extension of full pay in respect of leave earned, and a substantial concession has therefore been made under the Regulations introduced in 1919 to officers of and below the rank of commander. The object of this concession was to ensure that these officers should not have their pay reduced suddenly and without warning, or to a level below that at which they could maintain their status as such. As regards officers above the rank of commander, it was not considered that it would be justifiable to incure the considerable expense that would be entailed by any extension of the concession, since it is necessary to maintain during peace a flag list and a captains' list considerably in excess of the number of officers for whom commands are at any one time available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the result of the investigations he has made with regard to the Devonport slip?

I regret it is not yet possible to give a reply to this question, the matter being still under investigation by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state how many trained men of 19 years of age and upwards are obtained from every thousand boys enlisted; what is the expenditure on the 1,000 boys to produce that number; and what does this amount to per trained man produced?

Every 1,000 boys entered in any given year produces approximately 857 trained men of 19 years of age. It is regretted that the figures asked for in the remainder of the question are not available, and their calculation would involve an unduly large expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the widowed mother of Private H. Bell, No. 242,740, 8th Middlesex Regiment, who was posted as missing in August, 1917, has been disallowed a pension in respect of her son; and whether he will make inquiries into the case and state the reason for this decision?

There was no pre-enlistment dependence upon the late soldier in this case, and an investigation of the household circumstances last November showed that there is no pecuniary need. I understand also that the soldier was over 26 years of age on enlistment. For these reasons Mrs. Bell (who, I am informed, is not a widow) is not eligible for an award of pension under Article 21 of the Royal Warrant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he has received applications for an increase of pension on behalf of three old pensioners of Devonport; whether in one case the applicant was 89 years of age and had filled up his form four months ago, in another the form had been filled up last November, and the third in January; will he explain the cause of the delay in these cases; and will he take such steps as will ensure that these old pensioners are no longer kept in suspense as to the decision of the Admiralty with regard to their claim for increased pensions?

The men referred to are J. Barry, W. E. Fisher, naval pensioners, and R. Doidge, a civil pensioner. Barry's declaration of income was made on 13th January last, and the delay in effecting a settlement has been due to the miscarriage of his pension papers. He has now been paid the amount due to 30th June next. In Fisher's case the declaration is dated 23rd March, and the amount of his wages has since been the subject of correspondence with him. His income since 1st April, 1920, including value of free victuals as a merchant seaman, exceeded the maximum rate of £200, to which a percentage increase is limited, and no award can therefore be made for that year. Being now unemployed, and 65 years of age, his pension has been increased by 50 per cent. as from the 1st instant. Doidge's declaration is dated 5th October, 1920. He is in receipt of a pension of £36 8s. 7d. per annum, which includes £8 9s. 5d. injury allowance awarded under the Treasury Warrant framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. It is doubtful whether such allowances are covered by the pensions increase scheme, and the matter is being discussed with the Treasury. To avoid further delay, it was decided to deal with Doidge's service pension separately, but as the maximum increase which could be granted, namely, £13 19s. 7d., is less than his old age pension (£15 12s. per annum), it was necessary to refer to the Board of Customs and Excise to ascertain what increase could be granted without affecting the old age pension. On both points decisions are being hastened as much as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to announce the decision of the Government respecting the mercantile marine ratings who were already employed on gunnery duties in defensively-armed ships at the outbreak of the late War, and who were not mobilised for reasons over which they had no control, which latter circumstances prevented their counting time as naval ratings, and therefore debarred them from any benefits which the corresponding men who were mobilised and joined merchant ships for similar duties at that time may have received owing to the fact of their being naval ratings?

Approval has now been given to allow naval pensioners and reservists who were serving as gunlayers or guns crews in defensively armed merchant ships at the outbreak of War, and were retained in that capacity on mobilisation, to count their service from 2nd August, 1914, as naval time for all purposes. Steps are being taken to obtain particulars of the men concerned with a view to effecting the necessary adjustments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is now in a position to give a decision in the case of Royal Navy pensioners who entered the Royal Australian Navy prior to the late War regarding the increase of pension for mobilised service, a concession already given to all other classes of naval pensioners who served, and which was stated in a letter from the Admiralty on the 11th December last to be under consideration; and whether he is also aware of the fact that these men are being penalised through serving in the Australian Navy, in so much that had they served in the Imperial Navy they would have been issued with pension for mobilised service?

A decision has not yet been reached on this question, which involves consideration of liability on the part of the Imperial Commonwealth and Dominion Governments, respectively, but it is hoped that one will be arrived at shortly. As regards the last paragraph of the question, I may point out that Royal Naval pensioners, who serve in the Royal Australian Navy under agreement, are credited by the Commonwealth with deferred pay, payable on discharge, in lieu of claim to pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Yeomanry units converting from cavalry to another arm may continue to wear their regimental pattern buttons and badges?

Yes, Sir. It is intended that converted Yeomanry regiments should retain their regimental buttons and badges.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Disposal and Liquidation Commission has disposed of all galvanised iron buildings; and, if not, where such buildings exist, and what is their nature?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Disposal and Liquidation Commission have the following galvanised iron buildings for sale:—

At Cranwell. —One steel framed airship shed, 700 feet long by 150 by 100 feet. Exits at both sides 25 by 19 feet.

At Chingford Aerodrome. —One steel framed airship hangar 200 feet long by 100 by 28 feet, with annexe 200 feet by 19 feet. Three other airship hangars, timber, roofs and sides covered with corrugated iron, 180 feet long by 60 by 25 feet, with annexe 180 feet by 20 feet. Two airship hangars, timber framed corrugated iron roofs, ends and sides 89 feet long by 41 by 20 feet.

At Morton Airship Station, Dorchester. —Two dismantled steel work screens, suitable for construction as sheds, 200 feet long by 75 feet high, weighing 114 tons and 88 tons, respectively. These are being auctioned on 5th May.

Pembroke Airship Station, Milton. —Steel framed airship shed 300 feet long by 100 by 70 feet clear height, with steel framed sliding doors 101 feet by 71 feet, in two leaves; lean-to annexes on both sides, full length of building 20 feet wide by 16 feet to eaves. Floor, part concrete and part wood block.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who remained in the Army after the 31st July, 1920, are credited on discharge with only 15 weeks' benefit, whereas those who served for a shorter period, i.e., retiring before 31st July, 1920, receive 90 weeks' benefit; and if he will explain the reason for this discrepancy of treatment in favour of men who have rendered the shorter service?

I think my hon. Friend is referring to the different treatment of the soldier who served for the duration of the War and the soldier who re-engaged for a further period. Soldiers who served for the duration of the War were entitled to a year's out-of-work donation ( i.e., 52 weeks, not 90 weeks as the question suggests). Soldiers who re-engaged come, from and after the 5th November, 1920, under the terms of the new Insurance Act, which credits them with 15 weeks' benefit. The special war benefit ended, of necessity, with the duration service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of an ex-service man who on demobilisation commenced a new business subsequent to the year 1918, it is proposed he should be allowed to come under Section 2 (4) ( b ) of the Revenue Bill and be allowed such benefits attaching thereto as regards his income prior to that year, although he had not previously been in business and thus not in possession of the source of the profits, or gains, or income as mentioned in the Section?

Subject to the conditions prescribed by the Sub-clause, the benefits to which my hon. Friend refers would apply in the case of a business set up before the 6th April, 1919, but would not apply in the case of a business which commenced on or after that date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Sir Francis Lloyd is still in the employ of the Government, and, if so, what is his salary; what other emoluments has he; and does he give the whole of his time to his office?

I have been asked to answer this question. Lieut.-General Sir Francis Lloyd is on retired pay, and I have no information that he is now employed by any Government Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury by whose authority persons claiming refund of Income Tax are required in the case of ground rents received by them to procure and deliver a certificate from the person paying such ground rents to the effect that Income Tax has been deducted there from, and specifying the amount of such deduction; whether, and, if so, by virtue of what statutory enactment the person paying such ground rent is compellable to sign such certificate; and, if not so compellable, will he see that instructions are issued for the withdrawal of the requirement referred to, or that a certificate by the person in receipt of such ground rent shall be accepted in lieu of one signed by the person paying the same?

Under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts a person claiming relief from tax, by repayment or otherwise, is required to prove his claim to the satisfaction of the General Commissioners of Income Tax, and in the case of ground rent, to which my hon. Friend refers, the recipient ordinarily produces a certificate by the payer of the ground rent. This certificate normally affords primâ facie evidence that the person named therein has received the income to the amount stated, and that such income has been paid under deduction of Income Tax, which has been or will be accounted for to the revenue. An appropriate form for this purpose is provided by the Inland Revenue Authorities, and I see no reason for disturbing this obviously convenient and business-like practice, which has of

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is considering any schemes to test the power of a joint standard, silver and gold, to bring about more normal credit values and purchasing

course its counterpart in the certificates which are issued by companies throughout the country, when paying dividends, etc., to their shareholders.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many of the persons transferred from the Ministries of Food, Shipping, or Munitions do not have to give the whole of their time in their new employment?

The numbers of transferred officers whose terms of engagement do not provide for whole time service are as follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons transferred from Ministries of Food, Shipping, or Munitions to other Departments receive a salary of £1,250 a year; how many receive a salary of £1,500 a year; how many of £1,750 a year; how many of £2,000 a year; how many females so transferred receive not less than £4 a week; and how many not less than £5 a week?

The particulars desired by the hon. Member are as follow:—

powers in this country; and, if so, what results his tests have given?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to promote legislation to remove anomalies in the incidence of rates and taxes by reliev-the rates of certain important charges which are national in character, and which press very unfairly on certain urban and rural districts?

My hon. Friend will readily understand that I am hardly in a position at present to give any undertaking as to the introduction of legislation on the complicated problems of local taxation. It is, however, evident from the reply given by my right hon. Friend the present Leader of the House to the hon. Member for Frome (Mr. Hurd) on the 25th October last that any considerable further transference of burden from the ratepayer to the taxpayer is quite out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any calculation as to the relative cost of a British and Native soldier per annum in India?

A recent Estimate by the Government of India gives Rs. 1971 and Rs. 411 as the cost for a British and an Indian soldier respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Kitchener, now applying for a pension under the Act of 1918, who has served consecutively as a teacher in the Bury High School for 16 years and in the Bury Grammar School for 19 years; whether, at present, the Board has declined to recognise for pension purposes the first of those periods on the ground that the Bury High School is not the same school as the Bury Grammar School because it was transferred to the Bury Grammar School Foundation by sale in 1900, although the staff, the methods, and efficiency of the school were unaltered; and, if this is so, whether, having regard to the large number of schools and teachers affected by this decision, he will consent to receive a deputation upon the matter?

I am aware of the facts of this case. Miss Kitchener's service in the Bury High School admittedly cannot be treated as recognised service unless the Bury High School is the same school as the existing girls' school of the Bury Grammar School Foundation. The Board were unable, after very careful consideration, to adopt that view, and accordingly the service in the High School was not recognised. The hon. Member will appreciate that the questions involved are questions of very great difficulty on which opinions may differ; but, generally speaking, I do not think it can be suggested that the Board of Education have adopted a view of the Section which is illiberal to teachers. Each case has to be considered on its particular facts, and no two cases are precisely the same. The decision in Miss Kitchener's case, therefore, does not necessarily govern any other case, and I do not think that any considerable number of teachers are dissatisfied with the interpretation which the Board have put upon the Act in this connection. It does not appear to me that any useful purpose would be served by receiving a deputation on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the managers of several public elementary schools have given instructions to headmasters to close and lock the school doors at 9 a.m., thus depriving scholars who are a few minutes late of their lessons and attendance mark, and thereby causing a loss to the children and creating ill-feeling amongst parents; if school managers have this power; and if he will take any action in the matter?

I have no information on this subject, and without more precise knowledge as to the facts of the particular cases I could not express an opinion on the matter raised in the last part of the question. If the hon. Baronet will furnish me with details of the cases he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that a large number of Members of Parliament, representing highly-rated necessitous areas, passed a Resolution in the House of Commons some weeks back asking for 50 per cent. of the expenditure of elementary education excess rate of 3s. 4d. in the £; that if the concession is not granted it will place the education authorities in the areas in question in a worse financial position than last year, at a time when necessary commitments are exceptionally onerous; and when he can give a definite statement about the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 21st instant to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson).

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of Section 44 of the Education Act, 1918, whereby nothing in any Act of Parliament shall prevent the Board of Education from paying grants to an authority in respect of any expenditure which the authority may lawfully incur, the opinion of the Law Officers has been sought as to whether the Board of Education have any authority in law and/or by constitutional practice for declining to pay grants in respect of expenditure incurred by an authority in pursuance of the duty imposed upon it by Section 1 of the Education Act, 1918, namely, to contribute towards the establishment of a national system of public education by the progressive development and comprehensive organisation of education in respect of the area of that authority?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown has not been sought on this question. The Sub-section of Section 44 of the Education Act, 1918, to which the hon. Member refers, was passed with the view of removing doubts as to the power of the Board of Education to pay Grants-in-Aid of certain expenditure to local education authorities. The payment of grants roust always be dependent upon the voting of money for the purpose by Parliament, and neither in law nor in constitutional practice does a power to pay grants involve an obligation to pay grants.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the granting of a licence to the Marconi Company to experiment in wireless telephony between England and Holland is to be regarded as an indication that his Department is prepared to offer facilities to private undertakings, to compete with the cable services already; owned by the State?

The grant of an experimental licence is not necessarily to be regarded in the sense suggested. If the experiments are successful, the question of the conditions upon which a permanent service should be allowed will require consideration.

asked the Post master-General whether the telegraph work transmitted between the Central Telegraph Office and the Continental capitals is very remunerative traffic; whether the licence which has been granted to the Marconi Company to transmit telegrams between London and Paris has resulted in a transfer of work which has been of great financial advantage to the private company; and whether, in these circumstances, he will state what reasons led to the Government's decision to set up a rival to its own telegraph monopoly?

The permission granted to the Marconi Company to conduct wireless telegraph services between London and Paris is temporary, and, in the event of it being confirmed by a permanent licence, provisions safeguarding the financial position of the State will be included. Under present conditions the Anglo-Continental telegraph service is doubtfully remunerative. In the opinion of the Government it is not expedient to debar private wireless companies from conducting services with Continental countries, provided they are willing to submit to the conditions which the Government think it necessary to impose.

asked the Postmaster General the number of telephone subscribers who have notified their discontinuance of the use of their installations in the period of the last four months; and in how many of such cases the discontinuance has been specifically alleged by the users to be due to the increased charges?

About 9,800 subscribers have given notice to terminate their agreements during the four months ended March, 1921. As nearly as can be ascertained, some 3,000 of these notices are the result of the increased charges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether instructions have been given to retailers as to the price which should be charged for coal during the present crisis; whether the price fixed for London is 4s. 6d. per cwt.; whether, in the week preceding the stoppage at the collieries, the price for coal sold by the cwt. varied in London from 3s. l½d. to 3s. 6d. per cwt.; and, if so, on what basis the present retail price has been fixed?

No directions have been issued by the Mines Department fixing retail coal prices during the present emergency. Prior to the stoppage at the pits the retail price of coal in London ranged from 3s. 1½d. to 3s. 6d. per cwt., as stated. The price of 4s. 6d. per cwt. relates solely to certain cargoes of seaborne coal which, in the absence of rail-borne coal owing to the stoppage of the pits, have been acquired by merchants to meet acute shortages in London. Upon these cargoes extra charges have been incurred in respect of freight, demurrage, and handling.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure a supply of coal during the present mining dispute to the deep-sea fishing trawlers in view of the importance of keeping up supplies of fish as an article of food, especially to the poorer classes of the community; and whether he is aware of the great number of trawlers now laid up at Hull on account of shortage of coal and the consequent lack of fish for the markets?

The provision of bunker coal for fishing trawlers is receiv- ing special attention, and I am pleased to be able to assure the hon. Member that, on the whole, fish supplies are being maintained very well. With regard to the position at Hull, there is a serious shortage of coal in that district, and the trawler owners were accordingly offered requisitioned cargoes from Durham or South Wales. These offers have been refused, and many of the trawlers are now bunkering in Holland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state approximately what has been received by the British Treasury in respect of the levy upon goods imported from Germany under the terms of the recent Act?

The amount paid into the special account opened under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, up to and including the 21st instant is £3,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether samples of goods coming to this country from Germany in the ordinary course of trade will have to pay the 50 per cent. duty; if he is aware of the great delay merchants experience in obtaining their samples from the Customs; and whether anything can be done to simplify the process?

No payment under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, is required on the importation of bonâ fide trade samples. Some congestion has occurred in the examination of parcel mails from Germany, which may contain samples, but under special arrangements made by the General Post Office and the Commissioners of Customs and Excise this initial difficulty is being rapidly overcome. Otherwise, I am not aware of any delay in the delivery of samples.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the manifest impossibility of collecting our indemnity from Austria and at the same time restoring her to a position in which she will become a purchaser of British goods, he will give the House an opportunity to discuss our economic and commercial relations with Central Europe in general and Austria in particular?

If there be a general desire to discuss this topic, an opportunity can be arranged on one of the days devoted to Supply in connection with the appropriate Vote.

asked the President of the Board of

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total values and quantities of imported feathers, dressed and undressed, for each year since 1912, giving separate figures of ostrich feathers and of other sorts, and the quantities of re-exports in each case?

The following statement shows the information desired by the hon. Member:—

Trade if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by many of the 9,000 officers of the British merchant service who are members of the British Merchant Service League at their non-representation on the National Maritime Board, especially as discussions of future rates of wages are taking place at the meetings of the National Maritime Board; and whether he can use his good offices to obtain representation for these gentlemen?

The matter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers has been brought to the notice of the Board of Trade, but it is not one in which they can intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the various kinds of foodstuffs still held by the Government and the tonnage of each commodity?

The Government still hold stocks of wheat and flour, sugar, bacon, mutton and lamb, butter and cheese. As regards wheat and flour, the stocks, including parcels afloat and unshipped, are approximately 900,000 tons. For reasons already explained to the House, I do not think it is desirable to disclose at present the extent of the other stocks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can yet fix any approximate date for the introduction of the Government Bill dealing with the regulation of banks?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to name a date for the introduction of this Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any explanation has been received from the Peruvian Government of the circumstances in which 200 emigrants were induced to embark on the Peruvian ship "Huallager" at Avonmouth on 11th December, 1920, on the understanding that good wages were to be obtained in that country, a belief that proved to be entirely unfounded, so that these unfortunate people were obliged, after great hardship, to return to England?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the victimisation of British emigrants to Peru; whether he will investigate the charges made; and whether, in view of the general depression, he is ready to consider the issue of warnings to those contemplating emigration to such countries, where unemployment is acute or wages abnormally low?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. As a result of official representations to the Peruvian Government, return passages are being provided for those emigrants who have been unable to find work. The Peruvian Government will also be requested to grant reasonable compensation as soon as detailed claims for losses can be presented. The publications of the Oversea Settlement Committee contain the most explicit warnings on the subject of emigration to the Latin Republics of Central and South America. In addition, a special warning was issued by the Foreign Office in consultation with the Oversea Settlement Office as soon as the offer of free passages to Peru was brought under their notice, and as from the 8th November last no passport to Peru was issued to any persons wishing to take advantage of the offer of passages until they had been interviewed at the Oversea Settlement Office and warned of the dangers to which they were exposing themselves. In an answer which I gave in this House on the 17th March, I stated that the attention of the International Emigration Commission had been invited to this matter and that it was hoped that the Commission would formulate proposals for preventing future abuses of this nature. The subject of emigration to Peru and the other Latin Republics of Central and South America was fully dealt with in the Report of the Oversea Settlement Committee (Cmd. 1134).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the purpose of the visit of the hon. Member for Bute (Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston) to Athens and interviews with M. Gounaris?

The hon. and gallant Member for Bute has proceeded to Gallipoli, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, for the purpose of reporting to the Government National Battlefields War Memorial Committee on the best site for the National Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula. There is nothing unusual in a distinguished officer and a Member of this House visiting the Prime Minister of Greece during his passage through Athens, and the interview had no significance beyond that of customary courtesy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government has issued an ultimatum to Austria stating that, if the plébiscite on the question of union with Germany is not stopped, relief for Austria will cease; and whether His Majesty's Government supports the French in this action?

The French Government have informed the Austrian Government, through the French Minister in Vienna, that if the latter do not stop the agitation in favour of union with Germany, France will be compelled to stop all relief which she is giving to Austria. His Majesty's Government have not taken similar action.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Courts have refused to hear various actions sought to be brought by Miss Cormack against the Crown; and will he state the reasons?

The answer is in the negative. I understand that during the last 15 years Miss Cormack has commenced various actions against the Government, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls and other Judges, the Treasury, the police, and various other authorities. These actions have all been dismissed as frivolous and vexatious, after Miss Cormack has been heard with regard to them.