asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total number of unwounded men discharged from the Army during the War for physical disability?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the old established precedent that an officer for whom a soldier servant is not available, but who has a groom to look after his official charger and is allowed servant's allowance, has lately been over-ruled; whether, in the event of this being so, he will state on whose authority such an innovation has been introduced without any amendment being made to the allowance regulations; and whether, seeing that the fact of an officer being mulcted of servant's allowance will result in his employing his groom on servant's duties to the detriment of the officer's charger, the property of the State, and cause financial loss to the State, in the consequent deterioration of the charger, due to insufficient attention, he can reconsider this decision?

This question is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if 5,000 regular officers of the Army are being discharged on retired or half pay; and whether it is possible to revise this decision, seeing that 7,000 temporary officers are at present retained in the Army?

Apart from a few cases of misconduct or inefficiency no regular officers have been, or are being, placed on retired pay except those who voluntarily apply to retire. The only officers placed on half-pay are those who have to be so dealt with, in accordance with the Royal Warrant, on account of age or unfitness. No temporary officers are retained except for technical duties and in arms of the Service where there is a deficiency of regular officers. The total number of regular officers employed is, however, still in excess of that in 1914.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of the withdrawal of certain Army Orders regarding the engagements of Army bands, civilian musicians are being thrown out of employment; whether he will explain the reason for cancelling the Order fixing a minimum contract price below which Army bands cannot enter into engagements; whether he is aware that this minimum price was fixed by agreement with the Musicians' Union in order to prevent unfair competition; that the only safeguard at present in force is an Order that due regard must be had to the district rates for musicians; and that this Order is practically inoperative, as no attempt is made to ascertain the district rates before Army bands enter into engagements; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter with a view to the restoration of the Order fixing the minimum prices?

A provisional scale of charges for Army bands of the Line when accepting engagements was laid down in a circular letter issued in July last. It was found that these charges were too high and out of proportion to district rates, and that the varying conditions of locality and circumstances made it impracticable to lay down rates which would admit of general application. In consequence, fresh instructions were issued to the effect that military bands shall be permitted to accept engagements without restriction as to the amount charged, provided that the fair and current rates obtaining in the particular locality in regard to civil bands are in no circumstances undercut. Before accepting engagements commanding officers are required to satisfy themselves that this principle is rigidly observed. These instructions are not inoperative, as suggested in the question, and if the hon. Member will furnish me with details of specific instances where the instructions have not been complied with I shall be glad to have inquiries made. One case where it is alleged that steps were not taken to ascertain the local rates before accepting an engagement has been brought, to notice by the Amalgamated Musicians' Union, and is at present being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that under paragraph 7 of Army Order 324 of 1919 Regular officers who wish to retire and who held temporary higher rank during the War cannot count service in that rank towards retirement unless they have subsequently received substantive promotion to that rank; whether he is aware that, owing to this Regulation, many senior regimental officers, who are surplus to peace establishment, have remained on the active list when they would otherwise have retired; and whether, under such circumstances, he is prepared to have the Army Order amended by omission of the words relative to subsequent promotion to substantive rank, and thereby facilitate promotion?

I am aware of the regulations referred to. Having regard to the age and experience of the regimental officers of the Army as a whole, it is not considered necessary to incur this increased expenditure for the purpose of stimulating retirement and promotion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as Household Cavalry regiments are serving for about two-thirds of the time in London and therefore not able to have proper facilities for cavalry training, he will consider always having one of the three regiments attached to the cavalry brigade at Aldershot or Tidworth or elsewhere?

There is no other accommodation suitable for the Household Cavalry except at Aldershot, and this is all required for cavalry regiments undergoing special instruction before proceeding abroad.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Peter McArdle (Case No. 3/2000), late private, Northumberland Fusiliers; whether this man enlisted on 5th November 1914, and was discharged on 26th October, 1917, his disability of a wound in the thigh rendering him no longer fit for military service; whether he is now chargeable to the guardians of the Lanchester union, county Durham; and whether they have sent a protest against the treatment of this man and the Government's action in transferring their responsibilities to the shoulders of the local ratepayers

This man was pensioned on his discharge from the Army for wound in the thigh, but as there is no longer disablement from the wound, the pension has ceased. He is now suffering from tuberculosis, but the Pensions Appeal Tribunal have found that disability to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service. No award of pension can therefore be made in respect of it, nor can medical treatment be provided at the cost of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Irving Swan, pension No. 18,548, now in Lenham Sanatorium under treatment for tuberculosis, who was invalided out of the Navy with tuberculosis in November, 1912, after more than eleven years' service; whether he is aware that Swan enjoyed perfect health throughout his period of service until, during an expedition in the Pacific of an exceptional character in 1912, when he was on His Majesty's ship "Encounter," he was required to undertake duty necessitating his working in water up to his neck and remaining frequently in wet clothes all day, with the result that his health gave way and he contracted the disease from which he is now suffering and which the doctors at Chatham Naval Hospital attributed to the exceptional service referred to; and whether, in view of the fact that Swan is advised that he will never be fit for any but the lightest work and to avoid the scandal of this ex-sailor having to enter the workhouse when discharged from the sanatorium, his present temporary pension of 1s. per day for twelve months can be changed to a permanent disability pension sufficient to enable him to maintain himself?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Swan was brought before a Board of Survey on the 7th November, 1912, and invalided on account of incipient tuberculosis. It was decided by the Board that his condition was not attributable to the Service, no evidence being found to show that the disease was due to extraordinary exposure on duty or exertion on service. In view, however, of the hon. Member's statements, I will make further inquiries into the question of attributability. Swan was granted a naval pension of 7d. a day for two years in respect of his pensionable service, which amounted to 8 years 167 days. The amount awarded was the maximum allowable. He was subsequently assisted from the funds of Greenwich Hospital, and is at present in receipt of a special pension of 1s. a day from that source, which is the maximum rate which can be granted to him, and which will expire on 30th September next. The Regulations provide for the renewal of special pensions temporarily or for life according to the condition of the pensioner and other circumstances, and Swan will be resurveyed and his case again considered as the time of expiry of his present grant approaches.

asked the Minister of Pensions seeing that there is still great delay in many cases between the rejection of a claim by the local pensions committee and the hearing of an appeal with regard to it by the appeal tribunal and that great hardship consequently arises, especially in cases where the appellant is suffering from illness, whether, with a view to obviating this hardship, power will be given to local pensions committees to assist men who are awaiting appeal tribunals and who are without adequate means of support while the appeal is pending?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for the Royton Division of Lancashire (Mr. Sugden) on the 21st April, of which I am sending him a copy. I may add that additional tribunals are being set up by the Lord Chancellor with a view to avoiding delays in connection with the hearing of appeals.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employers' associations have come forward to assist the Government scheme for the building industry?

The National Federation of Building Trades Employers, working with and through their various regional federations, have come forward to assist in carrying out the scheme, and are now engaged, in conjunction with their affiliated local associations, in making the necessary arrangements for interviewing applicants, and allocating them to the trades in which they can be trained most suitably. Similar arrangements are being made in Scotland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to close down the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, abolish the interviewing boards which have been established all over the country, and transfer the duty of placing ex-officers and men in training and employment to the employment exchanges; if so, on what grounds the change is to be made; and whether it can be effected without prejudice to the interests of the officers and men?

The work and future of the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour are still under consideration, and, before any decision is taken, close attention will be paid to all interests concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether John O'Brien, of Clanbough, Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, has been arrested and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour; the charge upon which O'Brien has been convicted; whether he is aware that the man in question is 60 years of age, has never taken any part in politics, and for 17 years has been an invalid, and whether he will recommend the release of Mr. O'Brien, or, alternatively, some remission of the sentence?

John O'Brien has been convicted, and sentenced as stated, for an offence against martial law, namely, being in possession of ammunition and portions of two shot-guns. I have no information as to his age, political views, or infirmities, but inquiry will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War who receives the collective fines imposed on a district at the discretion of a military governor in Ireland; and to what use is the money put?

These fines are paid to the Army Command Paymaster in Ireland, and are brought to account as credits to Army Funds.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the housing schemes approved by the Scottish Board of Health; what rate of remuneration is being paid to architects and measurers under these schemes; what will be the total amounts payable to these professions; and do the architects also perform measurers' duties?

The estimated cost of schemes approved as at the 30th April is £19,425,373. Architects are remunerated according to a scale agreed upon by the Scottish Board of Health and the Institute of Scottish Architects. My right hon. Friend is sending my hon. Friend a copy. The question of a scale of fees for measurers is being considered by the Board in conjunction with the Faculty of Surveyors in Scotland. Until the cost of schemes is finally ascertained it is not possible to state the total amounts payable to architects and measurers. In certain districts it is the custom for architects to act as measurers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what was the amount of the grant-in-aid made by the Scottish Board of Agriculture towards the establishment of the Tainfield training farm; whether annual grants towards maintenance have been made to this training farm during the years 1918–19, 1919–20, and 1920–21; if so, what were their amounts; and what was the number of men being trained at this farm in June, 1920, and in December, 1920?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland promised towards the establishment of this farm a grant of £3,500, plus a grant not exceeding £1,500 to supplement, on a pound for pound basis, subscriptions received from other sources. £4,328 of these grants has been advanced up to date. Annual grants of £300 have been made towards maintenance for the years ending Martinmas, 1918 and 1919, and the payment of a grant for the year ending Martinmas, 1920, is at present under consideration. The number of men being trained in June, 1920, was six, and in December, 1920, four.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the extension of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894 to Scotland, it is compulsory for owners to provide medicine chests on all fishing vessels of 25 tons and upward?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that the provisions requiring the carriage of medicine chests on ships are contained in Section 200 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and are not affected by the extension to Scotland of the part of that Act which relates to fishing boats.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the claim lodged in September with the Secretary, Clearing Office, Enemy Debts, in regard to a large sum belonging to Messrs. E. H. Bentall and Company, of Heybridge, Essex; whether this claim has been acknowledged as effective and forwarded to the German clearing office; and whether, in the interest of releasing funds to be made available for local employment in the engineering works of Messrs. Bentall, steps can be taken to expedite the repayment to that firm of the large amount in question?

The claim referred to has been forwarded to Germany. No reply has yet been received, but the competent German authority has been requested to give the claim immediate attention.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the failure so far of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act from the revenue-producing point of view, he can state to what extent the export trade of Germany has so far suffered through the diminution of exports to Great Britain?

For the reasons explained to the hon. Member yesterday by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Act is not yet in practical operation, and the hon. Member's questions are, therefore, premature.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet made satisfactory arrangements with the Belgian Government as to the allegations of cruelty, starvation, and brutality practised upon worn-out horses exported from this country to Belgium; and whether the Foreign Office has agreed with the Belgian Government to issue joint Regulations and official inspection to secure humane treatment for all such horses?

I have been asked to reply. Negotiations with the Belgian Government are proceeding, but I am not able to make a definite announcement on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what fund is the unemployed donation paid; what was, and is, the amount of that fund; how much has been paid out of it; what is the average weekly payment; and for how long a period is it estimated this fund will continue?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that my right hon. Friend's question refers to unemployment benefit payable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, 1920 and 1921. Unemployment benefit is paid out of the Unemployment Fund established, in the first place, by Part II of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and consisting of unemployment insurance contributions paid by employers, employed, and the State. On 8th November, 1920, when the extended Unemployment Insurance Scheme, under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, came into operation, the Unemployment Fund stood at about £22,000,000. At 29th April, 1921, the amount of the Fund was about £16,600,000. The total amount paid out of the Fund, by way of unemployment benefit and other charges between 8th November, 1920, and 23rd April, 1921, was about £14,500,000. Owing to the increase week by week in the number of unemployed during the last few months, a weekly average of payments would be misleading. The amounts paid by way of unemployment benefit in the weeks ended 9th, 16th, and 23rd April, 1921, were, approximately, £1,271,000, £1,445,000, £1,566,000, respectively. To these amounts a weekly sum of about £36,000 should be added in respect of other charges, whilst there is a weekly income accruing of from £340,000 to £400,000, according to the state of employment. The Unemployment Fund is at present being depleted at the rate of over £1,250,000 a week, and owing to the coal stoppage, this amount is rapidly increasing. The serious problem thus created is engaging our hon. Friend's earnest attention. I should, perhaps, add that out-of-work donation is at present being paid to a small number of ex-service men discharged within the last 12 months instead of unemployment benefit. The amounts paid in the weeks ended 9th, 16th, and 23rd April were £15,000, £39,200, and £21,750, respec- tively. This is paid out of the Exchequer and charged to the Ministry of Labour Vote.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what accounts are still owing from the Treasury to the local authorities for the year 1920–21?

I am not aware that any considerable amounts due to local authorities in the year 1920–21 are still unpaid. The hon. Member knows, of course, that some Government grants are calculated with reference to the expenditure in the preceding year, others with respect to the expenditure of the current year; but the basis of calculation does not affect the question of the year in which the grant is properly payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of Excess Profits Duty payable to the Exchequer, and what is the estimated value of War assets remaining to be liquidated from 1st April last?

In present circumstances, any estimate of receipts to be received over a period including not only the current financial year but next year, and even later years, must be given under every reserve. But on the best estimate I can make the amount still to be received from Excess Profits Duty (including this year's receipt) should not be less than £240,000,000, and the amount to be received from War assets (again including this year's receipt) not less than £200,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements have been, or can be, made with the Bank of England whereby holders of Five per cent. National War Bonds, maturing in the years 1922 to 1928, and of Five per Cent. National War Loan, 1929 to 1947, can have their tax on income arising therefrom deducted at the source and not, as at present, after the dividend has been credited to such holders?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Clause 19 of the Revenue Bill, which is now before Parliament. That Clause embodies proposals in the direction desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the grounds which actuated the Civil Service Commissioners in deciding that there shall be no women appointed to the Diplomatic or Consular Service; whether this decision is reviewed annually; and whether there were any women civil servants who considered they had a just and fit claim to be so appointed?

The Civil Service Commission acted in this matter after consultation with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in whose opinion the nature of the duties and the conditions of service obtaining in the Diplomatic and Consular Services render them unsuitable for the employment of women. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I have no information with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when the Government officials are likely to vacate the Alexandra Palace?

Arrangements are now being made for the re-housing of the civil staffs of the War Office who at present occupy the Alexandra Palace, and the First Commissioner hopes that it may be possible to surrender the greater part of the Palace within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for India the net Excise revenue of India for the years 1917–18, 1918–19, and 1919–20, respectively; what was the recorded consumption of country spirits in each of those years in Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Sind, Bihar and Orissa, the United Provinces, the Punjab, the Central Provinces and Berar, Assam, and Burma, respectively; and what proportion of the total revenue of each province is represented by the revenues derived from this source?

The following statement gives the information required:—

Percentage of Excise revenue collected to total revenue collected in each province in 1919–20:

asked the Secretary of State for India the quantity and value of potable spirits imported into India during the year 1919–20, and the amount of revenue derived therefrom; and what were the countries from which the spirits imported into India were exported?

The following statement gives the information asked for:

(1) Imports into India in 1919–20 of potable spirits, distinguishing countries of origin.

(2) Revenue from potable spirits, in cluding duty on spirit present in drugs, medicines or chemicals.

N.B.—The rupee values in the following statement have been converted into sterling at the rate of 1s. 4d. the rupee.

asked the Home Secretary whether, at the recent inquiry into complaints of alleged tyranny and the introduction of military methods of dis- cipline at Dartmoor prison, a request to call certain discipline officers in charge of parties was refused; is he aware that the chaplain has interested himself in favour of the more rigorous carrying out of what is called the silence system, and made statements about a meeting at which he was not present; that the governor, who is being retired, is one of the most experienced and most highly respected officials in the prison service; as the governor is being retired on medical grounds, will he say how many days' sick leave he has had during the past 12 months; and will he consider the advisability of providing machinery for the institution of an independent court of appeal for the prison staff, in view of the fact that the commissioners act in the capacity of judge and jury?

As stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. A. Davies) on the 13th April, full opportunity was given for any member of the staff to come forward and give evidence, and no request to call officers was refused. Nothing is known to the directors of what is alleged concerning the chaplain. It would be quite outside his province to interfere in such a matter, and it did not appear at the inquiry that he had so interfered. Major Wisden, the retiring governor, has been reported by a medical board to be permanently unfitted for further service on medical grounds, and he is therefore retiring on pension. In 1919, he was on the verge of a breakdown and was absent sick for 26 days. In 1920, he was away for 42 days in consequence of a nervous breakdown. Last March he was again showing symptoms of a breakdown and the medical officer, who was very anxious about him, persuaded him to take some rest and deal only with correspondence. On the 2nd April, the acting medical inspector visited the prison and after consultation with the medical officer came to the conclusion that Major Wisden was unfit for further service. I see no reason for altering the present machinery for dealing with complaints that may be made by members of the prison service.

asked the Home Secretary what are the conditions of service of unmarried officers in the prison service as regards sleeping-in and lodging allow- ance; whether they are provided with free unfurnished quarters in addition to a cash allowance for sleeping inside the prison; if so, what amount; and what prison population is necessary for the establishment of the ranks of chief wardress and those of Classes 1 and 2 matrons?

Officers who live within a prison as bachelors, and serve as a reserve guard, are provided with furnished quarters, and receive their pensionable lodging allowance, which is part of their emoluments. At all prisons certain officers have to take evening duty and sleep in the prison. They are liable to be called up and a sleeping-in allowance of 2s. 6d. a night is granted. As regards chief wardresses and matrons, I would refer to my reply to a question recently put to me by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck), see the OFFICIAL REPORT for 13th April, col. 1135.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Commissioners place any limit, and, if so, what limit, on the frequency of lectures arranged for juvenile adults and for adult prisoners, respectively, in local and in convict prisons?

No limit is placed on the number of lectures that may be given, this being left to the discretion of governors and chaplains.

asked the Home Secretary whether all prisoners, both in local and convict prisons, now have two hours' exercise, morning and afternoon, on each day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, instead of the usual one hour?

One hour's exercise is still the rule, but the Commissioners have arranged for certain classes of prisoners, particularly the younger prisoners, to have a longer time on Saturday and Sunday—in some cases amounting to an extra hour's exercise.

asked the Home Secretary which of the prisons are now used as collecting depôts for selected juvenile adult prisoners; and what was the total number of juvenile adults sent to these depôts during the years 1919–20 and 1920–21, respectively?

The prisons are Bedford, Bristol, Durham, and Liverpool. The total number sent was 585 during the year 1919–20, and 524 during 1920–21.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the growth of money-lending on a small scale but at an exorbitant rate of interest among the industrial classes; whether he is aware that it is carried on mainly by women and without much system, and is productive of domestic waste and discord; and whether he will call for police reports on the subject to gee whether remedial legislative action can be taken?

I have no special information on the subject referred to, and I do not think I could properly call upon the Police to undertake an investigation of the nature suggested. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the provisions of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, for the regulation of moneylenders and the protection of borrowers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Hull corporation markets committee has decided to subscribe the sum of 25 guineas to the Free Importation Canadian Cattle Association of Great Britain; whether such a use of public funds is authorised by his Department; and, if not, whether the members of the committee will be surcharged with the amount so subscribed?

My attention has not been previously drawn to this proposal. I am not aware of any legal authority for making such a subscription out of the local rates, but, as the general accounts of the town council are not subject to Government audit, my Department would have no jurisdiction in the event of the payment being made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that quantities of milk are sent to Southminster station from a large area in Essex, and that men have to drive four or five miles to the railway, necessitating extremely early rising and great difficulty in milking; and can the Department arrange for an alteration so that a train shall leave Southminster at 8.30 a.m. on Sundays, instead of 7.25 a.m. as at present, a connection easily working with this from Wickford to Southend?

I have ascertained from the railway company concerned that it is not practicable to alter to 8.30 a.m. the departure of the 7.25 a.m. train from Southminster on Sundays, because of the connections at other stations; and the provision of a service at 8.30 a.m., in addition to that at 7.25 a.m., would involve considerable expenditure which would not appear to be justified.