asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain why, in view of the decisions contained in Admiralty Monthly Order No. 3,098, of 1920, on item 50 of the 1919 welfare requests, paragraph 2 of the Order quoted, stating that the other alterations asked for in the dress of chief petty officers had been carefully considered, and it had been decided that no change should be made in their uniform beyond the alteration of their cap badge, the introduction of white woollen gloves as an article of uniform for chief petty officers was authorised by Admiralty Monthly Order No. 554, of 2nd March, 1921, as a result of the representations of the 1919 welfare committee advisory members?

The term "uniform" in Monthly Order 3098/20 means the dress which the ratings in question are compelled by the Regulations to wear; and the decision that no further change "beyond the alteration of the cap badge" would be made in the uniform of chief petty officers refers to various requests for alterations in the compulsory kit which had been put forward but not approved. In adding white woollen gloves to the optional kit of certain classes of naval ratings, i.e., in making it permissible for these men to wear white woollen gloves if they wish to do so, Admiralty Monthly Order 554/21 merely regularises a custom which had, up to the issue of the Order, no official sanction, the authority for chief petty officers wearing these gloves having been omitted from the editions of Uniform Regulations subsequent to the 1904 edition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the establishment of 10 paymaster-lieutenants promoted from commissioned writer, and 100 commissioned and warrant writers, was only for the period of the War, or whether it is the establishment laid down to meet post-War requirements?

The establishment of 10 paymaster-lieutenants and 100 commissioned and warrant writers was a maximum provisional establishment to meet war requirements and is not the fixed establishment for post-War purposes. The latter is dependent on the total number of accountant officers that may be required for the post-War Fleet, and this number is now under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many chief or other writers were pro- moted during the War for meritorious services; and where they were serving?

Five chief writers were specially promoted to warrant rank for meritorious services during the War; two of these were serving at the time at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, two in His Majesty's Ship "Iron Duke," and one in the office of the Commander-in-Chief, Devonport. It should, however, be observed that a considerable number of other chief writers who had rendered meritorious service were also promoted in consequence of the very large increase in the number of warrant writers and above.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain whether men who were established workmen prior to the Superannuation Act, 1909, and who wished to come under that Act but were unable then to pass the medical test, may be allowed to be re-examined now to enable them if medically fit to come under that Act?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In administering the provisions of Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1909, the Treasury have imposed the condition that the applicant must have been in a sound state of health at the time at which he applied for permission to adopt the provisions of the Act. A civil servant rejected on medical grounds can only have his application reconsidered if he is in a position to show that the original refusal was not warranted by the state of his health at the time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the only naval pensioners called up for service during the present emergency, namely, chief writers, sick-berth, victualling, naval cooks, and artisan ratings, are not permitted to enrol in the Royal Fleet Re-service, Class A, steps will be taken to enable them to do so, and thus place them on an equal footing as regards the augmentation of pension as that of those other branches who are allowed to enrol in the Royal Fleet Reserve, but whose services have not been required by the Board of Admiralty; and whether the experience has been, on this occasion, the same as on the outbreak of hostilities, that the majority of the branches mentioned above were the pensioners most urgently required to assist the active service ratings of the branches to cope with the situation?

Certain pensioners of the following branches have been called up during the present emergency, namely, writers, victualling ratings, ship's cooks, the regulating branch, sick berth ratings, officers' stewards and cooks, and artisans. The question of the branches to be admitted to the Royal Fleet Reserve in future is under consideration. The fact that the services of a pensioner are urgently needed on mobilisation is not sufficient reason for entering him in the Royal Fleet Reserve, as he is already liable for service in emergency under the Naval Volunteers Act, 1853. The only purpose of enrolling any pensioners in the Royal Fleet Reserve is to provide facilities for training to men of those branches which have no opportunity in civil life of keeping their professional knowledge up to date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the growing resentment in the country, especially among ex-service men, at what are thought to be the unfair decisions in many of those cases in which a man wounded in the War, and with a long record of good service, and an Al health certificate on entering, dies soon after returning to civil life from, according to medical testimony, some ailment not connected with his War service, but of which he never showed any previous trace, with the result that his widow and young family are unsupported; and whether he can take steps, even if it means a modification of the law, to avoid them in future?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that there is any feeling in the country that unfair decisions are being given. All cases are most carefully considered by experienced medical officers, and my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that in every case where the claim is rejected on the ground that the fatal disease was not attributable to or aggravated by military service, the widow has the right of appeal to a tribunal, which is independent of the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received an appeal from the Ranker Officers Association complaining that pensioners commissioned during the War should have their pensions reassessed on their pre-War service only; that at present there are, from this class, ex-D.S.O. colonels, with a total of 30 years' colour service, drawing pensions of 4s. or 5s. per diem, whereas Royal Marine pensioners commissioned during the War draw a minimum pension of £250; that warrant and noncommissioned officers commissioned during the War should be so dealt with that men of 15 years' total service, with possibly only 12 months' commissioned service, get exactly the same pension as those with 25 years' service, over 5 years' commissioned service; that artillery officers of 35 years of age, after only 15 years' service, should receive pensions of £200, whilst other officers, 45 years of age, with 25 years of service only receive £150; that ranker officers of 25 years of age and upwards of service should receive smaller pensions than civil police constables; that service in the temporary ranks of major, lieutenant-colonel, or brigadier-general should only qualify for a gratuity; that in assessing ranker officers' service for pension, service as company sergeant-major and regimental quartermaster-sergeant counts for no more than that of the last joined recruit; and whether he will give favourable consideration to this appeal and endeavour to reassess the pensions of ranker officers on more equitable terms?

Representations on all these points were received from the Ranker Officers' Association in November last. A detailed reply was sent to them on the 18th of that month, and was published by them in December. I shall be happy to give my Noble Friend a copy of it. For the reasons given in that reply, I am unable to hold out any hopes of a favourable consideration of the appeal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that for two years the markers-out and examiners employed in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, have failed to obtain favourable consideration of their claim for a readjustment of wages; and that the men in question have only received an increase of 97½ per cent. on their 1914 maximum as compared with 154 per cent. received by other classes of workpeople in the same establishment; and whether, under these circumstances, further consideration will be given to the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I am inquiring into the matter, and will communicate with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 2,000 Royal Army Service Corps Reserves called up under the present emergency who have been stationed at Aldershot for about 23 days have been engaged mainly in digging sand for the purpose of making football grounds; and whether, in view of the fact that all the men called up under the Proclamation have nothing useful to do, and in order to cut the expenses at present being incurred, he will order their demobilisation without further delay, and allow these men to return to their homes and families?

The reservists called up in connection with the present emergency will be demobilised, with all possible speed, as soon as the situation admits.

asked the Secretary of State for War if of 15,000 horses selected for the boarding-out scheme to meet the requirements of the Territorial Force, the wastage in one year has been 2,500 horses; what Department was responsible for selecting these horses; whether they were subjected to veterinary inspection; and what loss to public funds was incurred by the wastage mentioned?

I am informed that the wastage has been approximately 1,000 less than that stated by my hon. and gallant Friend. With regard to the second part of the question, all animals on military charge were inspected after the Armistice by a Board of Officers of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and graded into four groups, according to age and fitness for service. Only animals in the first two groups were retained for Army use in the United Kingdom or repatriated from France, and 15,000 of these, mainly of the light draught class, were boarded out. A veterinary inspection of each horse is carried out prior to issue to an allottee. The wastage is not, in the circumstances, considered excessive, and there has been no loss to public funds beyond the ordinary rate of wastage which was provided for in Army Estimates and which is inseparable from any such scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the proposal to build married quarters for non-commissioned officers on the greens inside Lumps Fort, at Southsea, is meeting with strong local objection, and that the erection of such quarters in close proximity to important and valuable residential property adjacent will seriously lessen the rateable value of such property; and of the number of Government establishments practically empty in the garrison of Portsmouth; and, in, view of the expense of erecting new residences at the present time, will he reconsider the matter?

I am looking into the matter, and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, under Army Order 323 of 1919 all officers of His Majesty's Army are not dealt with in the same way and under the same conditions as to retirement after 15 years' service; what is the reason for differentiation in the case of officers in the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps; and will he take the necessary steps to ensure that this injustice is removed?

As explained in my reply of 22nd April last to my hon. and learned Friend, the Regulations governing the number of years' service required for the grant of retired pay on voluntary retirement remain as before the issue of Army Order 324 of 1919, and differ with the various branches of the service. An officer permitted to retire voluntarily with more than 15 and less than 20 years' service, if belonging to a combatant branch, can get retired pay; if belonging to the Royal Army Medical or Royal Army Veterinary Corps can get a gratuity; if belonging to other branches can get neither. The differentiation is based on considerations arising out of the different circumstances of the various branches, and I am not prepared to make any change.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will name a definite date when the Pay Department will vacate the Music Hall Company's rooms in Shrewsbury; and is he aware that these large rooms are needed for many important meetings during the summer, and that great inconvenience is being caused to the whole county by the uncertainty that exists as to when the War Office will give them up?

As already stated in answer to previous questions on this subject, alternative accommodation is being provided. Specifications and bills of quantity for the work are well in hand and, in the normal course of events, the Music Hall will, it is anticipated, be handed back by the middle of September next.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the trading operations carried on by the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes comes under the heading of Government trading?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply yesterday to a question on this subject asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely (Captain Coote).

asked the Prime Minister when the parties to the coal dispute will meet again?

I have been asked to reply. No arrangements have at present been made by the Government for a further meeting of the parties to the coal dispute.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in making all necessary train cuts, he will continue to the fullest possible extent all trains usually bringing food to the markets, even if they are running on branch lines?

In reducing train services the railway companies are fully alive to the importance of maintaining the movement of essential foodstuffs. If the hon. Member is aware of any case in which this principle does not appear to have been followed, I shall be glad to look into the matter on receiving particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the desirability of issuing under official auspices a short exposition of the imperative value to the nation of cheap coal; what decision has hi that case been reached; and, if not, whether he will take the matter into his immediate consideration?

I shall be glad to consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Great Britain will receive anything out of the Spa Agreement; and, if so, will any portion be used to meet the distress amongst miners which the Agreement largely caused?

Under the Spa Agreement the British Empire is entitled to 22 per cent. of the total receipts from Germany towards the discharge of her reparation liability. The money will be applied in satisfaction of claims under the various heads of Annex I. of the Treaty, in liquidation of which it will be received. The Government do not accept the statement made in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Board to collect, under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, 50 per cent. of the value of parts of German periodicals delivered in this country after 15th May next in completion of subscriptions paid in advance at the beginning of the year; if it is the intention of the Board to do so, what steps is it proposed to take to ensure that the amount collected shall be paid by the German publishers and not by the British purchasers; and, if it is not intended to make the collections, how soon will this decision be announced?

If the subscription was paid in full to the German supplier before the 8th March last, the periodicals imported up to the date on which the subscription expires are free from the reparation levy under Section 3 (6) of the Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to avoid the misconceptions which exist and which are being exploited, he will state exactly what Germany has paid since the Armistice to the Allied Powers either in cash or in kind?

The exact amount for which Germany is entitled to credit in respect of deliveries, cessions and payments already made has not been finally determined by the Reparation Commission and depends on valuations, some of which have not yet been made; but, as stated by the Prime Minister on Thursday last, it is estimated as within £400,000,000 gold.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much of the 3,181 tons of the dyestuffs delivered to this country under the Treaty of Versailles has been sold; and what price has been realised?

The total quantity of Reparation dyestuffs sold to date is 931 tons, including 224 tons allocated to the overseas dominions. The aggregate amount realised is £643,774, or an average of 6s. 2d. per lb.

asked the Prime Minister what is the position of a man who was a civilian prisoner in Germany for four years and two months and was repatriated on medical certificate, and who has since been certified to be suffering from a 40 per cent. disability due to his internment; and whether such a man is entitled to receive reparation with regard to the disability and also with regard to the losses sustained during and through internment?

I have been asked to answer this question. Injury to health in the circumstances mentioned gives rise to a claim by His Majesty's Government against Germany under the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Versailles. With regard to compensation of individuals in such cases, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Member for Ladywood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain), on the 4th May last year, a copy of which I am sending him. It is not possible to say whether Germany would be liable in respect of the losses sustained, in the absence of information as to the nature of the losses and the circumstances in which they were sustained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the mixed arbitral tribunal, of St. James's Square, London, is sitting continuously; what is the number of separate cases it has considered under the Peace Treaty and how many cases it has decided since its establishment as a tribunal several months ago; whether it proposes to proceed to Switzerland this summer to deal with undecided British claims; and why the tribunal cannot come to decisions in London?

The Anglo-German mixed arbitral tribunal has been sitting at intervals to consider a number of cases which have been brought before it and has decided interlocutory questions, but it has not yet had occasion to give any final judgments. No proposal has been made that the tribunal should proceed to Switzerland. It is the intention that decisions shall in general be come to in London.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Pact of London, whereby the Entente became an alliance is still in force; whether England is still bound with France and Italy in a formal treaty of alliance or whether merely by an entente; what states are included in the term Allied and what in the term Associated Powers; and does a formal treaty exist with all the former?

By the term "Pact of London," my hon. Friend presumably refers to the declaration, signed in London on 30th November, 1915, on behalf of the British, French, Italian, Japanese and Russian Governments engaging not to conclude peace separately during the then existing European War. The purpose for which the alliance embodied in the above declaration was concluded will be fulfilled when peace shall have been concluded with all the enemies against whom the alliance was framed, and no formal treaty of alliance will then exist with either France or Italy, or any other Power, with the exception of Japan and Portugal. The term "Allied and Associated Powers," which is intended to be read as a whole and not as consisting of two distinct categories, was adopted in the Treaty of Versailles to cover all Powers which took part in the Peace Conference as being at war or having severed diplomatic relations with Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any truth in the statement in the "Temps" to the effect that the Allies intend to occupy Upper Silesia?

I am not sure that I understand the hon. Member's question. He is doubtless aware that Allied troops are present in Upper Silesia in virtue of the provisions of Articles 88, Annexe, Para. 2, of the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since it is admittedly for the Egyptians to choose the delegation to negotiate with the British Government and in view of the conflicting evidence as to whether the present Egyptian Cabinet or the national delegation does in fact represent the views of the Egyptians, His Majesty's Government will suggest the reassembling of the old or the election of a new legislative assembly in order that the delegation may be chosen in accordance with the ascertained will of the people?

As the hon. Member points out, it is for the Egyptians to choose the delegation, and his Majesty's Government are reluctant to interfere at all as to the manner in which they should exercise that right.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will define the constitution, membership, functions, and powers of the Imperial Cabinet; whether its decisions will require the ratification of the various legislatures of the British Empire represented at it; whether it has been established to take the place of the former Imperial Conferences; whether it will meet at regular intervals; and, if so, at what intervals or as circumstances demand?

The whole question will naturally form part of the deliberations of the special Imperial Conference contemplated in the ninth Resolution of the Imperial War Conference of 1917, and it is impossible for me to anticipate the conclusions at which it may arrive.

further asked the Prime Minister whether a Debate on the matters to be considered by the Imperial Cabinet will take place in the Canadian House of Commons prior to the meeting of that Cabinet; and whether it is proposed to make public in this country the matters to be discussed in time to enable this House to Debate such matters prior to their consideration by the Imperial Cabinet?

I understand that it has been left to the general sense of the Canadian House whether or not there shall be such a Debate. As regards discussion in this House, the principal subjects for discussion by the Prime Ministers were communicated to the House in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for North Islington (Sir N. Moore) on 28th April, and from their nature I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose that they should be debated here in the meantime.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a letter from the Secretary of State for India to the Indian Moslem delegation, with reference to British policy with regard to Turkey; and why such a declaration in accordance with the Prime Minister's pledge of 5th January, 1921, was not made 18 months ago?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I can add nothing to the previous replies which have been given to my hon. Friend on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new £3 10s. per cent. conversion loan will be accepted in payment of Death Duties; and, if so, on what terms?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the disappointment occasioned to various industries by the abandonment of Clauses 1 to 6 of the Revenue Bill; and if, in consequence, he can see his way to introduce these Clauses into the Finance Bill of this year?

I am unable to adopt the suggestion that Clauses which deal with the finance of the year 1922–23 should be introduced into a Budget Bill which relates to 1921–22.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any sufficient reason when collectors of taxes send out Form 52c, giving notice that they will distrain for taxes, why these notices should not specify the amount claimed; and, if not, will he direct that in future such notices shall set out the amount demanded?

All demand notes used by collectors of taxes, including that giving formal notice of the collector's intention to distrain in default of payment, provide space for a statement of the Duty due which should be duly filled in. I may observe that form 52c, to which my hon. Friend refers, is an ordinary memorandum form for use in correspondence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a collector of taxes is bound to make a personal attendance to levy distress for taxes; if so, what remedy a taxpayer has in the event of a collector sending a bailiff to make a distress and not attending in person; and is the taxpayer bound to pay such bailiff so as to avoid the distress when the bailiff is not in possession of the official receipt and cannot therefore give a proper discharge for the money?

In the case of non-payment of Income Tax a collector of taxes in England and Wales is empowered by law to distrain for the tax in arrear. Every collector is instructed that he must be present when any distraint is made. I am not aware of any case in which the collector has sent a bailiff to make a distress without attending in person, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case he may have in mind, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to the decision to revert to the system of selling Treasury Bills, his attention has been directed to the fact that the market may, as before the War, agree to form a syndicate for the purpose of fixing the price at which bills will be tendered; whether under this system it will be possible for bankers and financial houses to agree amongst themselves not to raise the price of Treasury Bills in order that they can fix the rate of interest; and whether, seeing that under this system competition amongst City financial houses is eliminated with the result that the taxpayers suffer, he proposes to take any steps to prevent such an occurrence?

I do not think that there is any reason to anticipate such dangers as those suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. The experience of the first few weeks of the new tender system have been satisfactory in every respect.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a number of education authorities have repudiated the agreement come to by the Burnham Committee with regard to salaries in secondary schools; and what steps he proposes to take in order to see that these authorities honour this compact?

I have no information to this effect. While I hope that local education authorities will act upon the agreement made by the representatives of their associations on the Committee with the representatives of the Associations of Teachers, I cannot say that by accepting my invitation to join in the establishment of the Committee, they placed me in a position to require them to act upon the Committee's recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children were exempted from school attendance under the age of 14 at the close of the last school term owing to the continued postponement of the operation of Section 8 (1) of the Education Act; whether such children as were exempted have been able to find employment; and what number of local education authorities have altered their attendance by-laws in order that, in view of the operation of the Women, Young Persons, and Children (Employment) Act, 1920, no exemptions from day school may be allowed under 14 years of age?

Exemptions are granted by the local education authorities, and my information does not enable me to answer the first two parts of the question. In reply to the third part of the question, it would not at the present time be legal to make school attendance bye-laws abolishing all exemptions under 14 years of age. A few authorities have, however, in consequence of the Women, Young Persons, and Children (Employment) Act, 1920, submitted proposals to the Board for the repeal of some of the provisions under which exemptions are granted, but the legal formalities attaching to the approval of new bye-laws have not yet been completed in any case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any members of the Crown forces have been dismissed or punished in respect of the following offences: the burning of Lahinch and the murder of Joseph Sammon in September last, the burning of Ennistymon and the murders of Connole and Lynch, the burning of O'Brien's Bridge and violence to women and children in November, the burning of Feakle in October, the two murders at Balbriggan, the burning of creameries, and the shooting of the inn proprietor at Castle Connell?

I would point out that the hon. and gallant Member has assumed guilt on the part of members of the Crown forces in the case of every one of his series of charges, several of which have been not only denied but refuted in detail in replies to previous questions.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the letter alleged to have been written from Michael Collins to the Sinn Fein director of propaganda was captured in the raid on 26th March; and whether, in view of the fact that many forgeries purporting to be Sinn Fein documents have been issued since that date, he has personally satisfied himself as to the genuineness of that letter?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether the services of the additional number of police recently drafted into Westminster in connection with the protection of public buildings, etc., are a charge against the Metropolitan Police Fund as a whole or whether the cost becomes a special charge as against the Home Office and the Westminster City Council?

No special charge is made in respect of any of the additional men on duty in the streets; they form part of the normal establishment of the Force and their employment on this particular duty does not throw any additional charge on the Metropolitan Police Fund. Men detailed for duty on Government premises are in ordinary course paid for by the various Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of cattle in Scotland in 1913 and 1919, respectively?

The numbers of cattle in Scotland in the years 1913 and 1919 were respectively 1,246,910 and 1,229,637.

asked the Minister of Health how many officials were wholly or partly employed by the Ministry of Health in connection with housing and the supply of building materials in Wales and Monmouthshire for the half-year ended 31st March last; and what was the total sum expended on administrative expenses, including travelling, for the same period?

The number of officials employed wholly or partly in connection with housing and the supply of building materials in Wales and Monmouthshire was 70, whose salaries and wages amounted to £12,065. In addition, £1,584 was spent in travelling and subsistence.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of Mr F. Garvey, 44, School Row, Tursdale, Ferryhill, County Durham, who applied for maternity benefit in respect of his child born 14th February last but is unable to obtain it?

I am having inquiries made into the case, and will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether a decision has yet been arrived at regarding an increase of the amount allowed to approved societies for administrative expenses; and, if so, what is the decision?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 4th May to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Sir A. Warren), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the operations of the Lugg Drainage Board are causing considerable damage to valuable riparian pastures; whether the occupiers and owners are entitled to compensation for damage done; and whether it is possible for him to insist that future operations are carried out so as to avoid unnecessary damage?

Only one complaint has reached the Ministry up to the present as to damage being done by the operations of the Lugg Drainage Board, and that was last October. No further complaints have been received since. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, the Ministry has no power to interfere with the discretion of the Drainage Board as to the manner in which they carry out works which are considered necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the time has now arrived when the Muzzling Order might be discontinued with safety in the area covered by the Acton Urban District Council?

The Ministry is not prepared to withdraw the Muzzling Order from the Acton area at present, but it is hoped that it will be possible to do so at the end of June, should no further outbreak of rabies occur in the; district in the meantime.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that cattle cannot be brought to the Deptford Cattle Market for immediate slaughter, on account of the premises being in the occupation of the War Office authorities; if he is aware that Canadian and other cattle breeders are prepared to ship cattle to Deptford immediately the market is restored to its original purpose; and if he will use his influence in the direction of such restoration, in order that the once flourishing industries in the district previously dependent upon the cattle market may be revived?

I am aware that the premises of the Deptford Cattle Market are in the occupation of the War Department, and that the wharf is not therefore available for the landing of live animals. The Ministry has beer in communication with the Corporation of the City of London on the matter, but the War Office cannot relinquish possession at present, and the Corporation are unable, therefore, to provide the requisite accommodation at Deptford.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the continued occupation of the Deptford Cattle Market by his Department is preventing the restoration of the premises to their original purpose, that of the reception of cattle from Canada and elsewhere for immediate slaughter; if he is aware of the serious effects upon the tanning and other industries in the district formerly dependent upon the market for hides and other byproducts; and when the occupancy of the market by his Department will terminate?

I received a deputation representing local interests last Friday on this question. Their representations are now receiving careful consideration, and I regret that I am not in a position to make any definite statement at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will furnish a return showing the number of motor vehicles licensed on the basis of horsepower during the first three months of 1921, and indicating in each class of horse-power the number of vehicles in respect of which varying licence duties from £6 upwards have been paid; and will he also include in the return the number of vehicles licensed on the basis of unladen weight and on the basis of seating capacity, and the number in every case in respect of which any specific payment has been made?

I fear that the detailed information desired by my hon. Friend could not be obtained without an amount of labour, for which the Road Fund would have to pay, out of proportion to the practical value of the suggested return. I will, however, consider whether, at some later date during the present year, it will not be possible to present to Parliament a return of the number of vehicles licensed somewhat more detailed than that given in the House of Commons Paper 66 of this Session.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the question of reducing the cost of licences payable by farmers on motor lorries used for purely agricultural purposes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15th March to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when the present coal dispute is ended, he will reinstitute the issue of workmen's week-end tickets on the railways, in view of the fact that so many men have to live away from their homes during the week and can only visit their families during the week-end?

Instructions have already been issued to the railway companies empowering them to issue tickets at fares lower than the ordinary in those cases where in their responsible opinion additional revenue will be obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the present coal stoppage has shown the extreme undesirability of the nation having to depend on one type of fuel, he will in future endeavour to stimulate experimental research and development in the employment of other kinds of fuel?

I have been asked to answer this question. The national services and industrial and commercial interests have given much attention in recent years to research and development in the employment of fuels other than coal. There is no lack of stimulus or

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the

encouragement for investigations bearing on the matter. The measure of success already attained has been such that an adequate supply of these fuels has become the more pressing question.

The Fuel Research Board, constituted in 1917, under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, is prosecuting inquiries and investigations in various directions; the results of its work are published from time to time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many boys and youths under 18 years of age are employed in his Department; and what are the weekly rates of payment, including bonus, at the ages of 15, 16, 17, and 18?

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission I will have a statement giving this information printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement referred to:

British-Australian Wool Realisation Association is incorporated under the Companies Act; what is its capital and who are its directors what are the relations between the Government and the Association; what position Sir Arthur Goldfinch occupies in the Association; what remuneration he receives; what position he occupies under the Government; and what remuneration he receives in that position?

I have been asked to answer this question. The British-Australian Wool Realisation Association, Limited, is incorporated under the Victorian Companies Act, 1915. The nominal capital is £25,000,000. The Australian board of directors consists of

Sir J. M. Higgins

Mr. W. S. Fraser

Mr. W. A. Gibson

Mr. John Mackay

Mr. C. R. Murphy

Mr. Wm. Riggall.

The London board comprises

Sir Arthur H. Goldfinch

Sir John Ferguson

Mr. J. A. Cooper

Mr. H. E. Davison

Mr. Francis Willey.

An agreement between the Government and the Association has been signed whereby the Government has agreed to consign to the Association for sale on commission that portion of the assets in kind of the Wool Purchase Scheme which belongs to the British Government. Sir Arthur Goldfinch is Chairman and Governing Director of the British Board of the Association. As I stated in my answer to a similar question put by the Member for the Jarrow Division on the 18th April, the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association, Limited, is an independent trading company, and the Government is not concerned in the scale of salaries of its directors and employés. Sir Arthur Goldfinch holds no position under the Government, and the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise. I should like to add that during the four years Sir Arthur Goldfinch occupied the position of Director-General of Raw Material he received no remuneration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst wireless operators at the Regulations of the Board of Trade introducing watchers for wireless telegraphy purposes at sea, seeing that their employment in a dual capacity has caused hundreds of skilled wireless operators to be thrown out of employment; whether many of these wireless operators are ex-service men who were trained by the Ministry of Labour at public expense; whether the watchers are only half-trained and lack experience; and whether, in view of the present urgent necessity of reducing unemployment instead of increasing it as well as the desirability of maintaining an efficient wireless service on sea-going ships, he can see his way to rescind these Regulations?

I am aware that there is some dissatisfaction among wireless operators owing to-watchers being allowed under the Wireless Telegraphy Statutory Regulations, and that some of the wireless operators unemployed are ex-service men trained under the Ministry of Labour. The main reason for the present unemployment among wireless operators is the depression in shipping, and the fact that the number of operators exceeds the number of posts at present available. The employment of watchers is expressly provided for in the Merchant Shipping; (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, and in the Statutory Rules made under it, and I am advised that watchers are sufficient for the purpose for which they are carried, namely, listening for the distress signal. It is not proposed to alter the Rules.

asked the Postmaster-General what capital outlay was involved in the establishment of the lines, connecting the Tilbury exchange with the Metropolitan telephone system; and what has been roughly the average annual cost during the past ten years of maintaining this line, of maintaining the local circuits connected with the Tilbury exchange, and of the staff operating the Tilbury exchange, respectively?

I regret that no separate records have been kept from which this information could be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployment insurance benefit has been stopped from men who were unemployed before the dispute took place in the coal industry and who were unemployed through depression in trade; what steps have been taken to rectify this matter; and when these payments will be made?

Payment of benefit was suspended in the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, pending an authoritative decision by the umpire as to whether or not the loss of employment was due to a stoppage caused by a trade dispute. The umpire has allowed the claims when he is satisfied that the loss of employment was not due to a stoppage caused by a trade dispute, and benefit is being paid accordingly. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the decision.