asked the Minister of Pensions whether 8s. per week is the only allowance admissible in respect of the illegitimate child of a deceased soldier; whether his attention has been called to the fact that it is not possible to supplement this grant in any way; and whether, in view of the admission that this sum is utterly inadequate to maintain a child under present conditions, especially when boarded out, he will take steps to have the allowance substantially increased?

If the illegitimate child be the child of a woman who lived with the soldier as his wife, or if otherwise he maintained the child as one of his household before his enlistment, the child is treated, for pension purposes, in every respect as though it were legitimate. The reduced pension of 8s. a week under Article 18 (2) of the Warrant is normally payable where, under an Order of the Court, the soldier contributed to the child's support, but did not otherwise maintain it. As the pension in these cases considerably exceeds the sum payable under the Affiliation Order, and is also far better secured, my right hon. Friend cannot recommend any increase.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a military proclamation was issued at Listowel on the 27th April last, stating that, in future, reprisals for any outrage against lives or property of officials will be taken against the property of selected persons without proof of their implication in the outrages; whether a military proclamation was issued on 29th April last at Cork, stating that, in future, where houses of loyalists are burned down official reprisals will be taken in the proportion of three to two or, if necessary, in a greater proportion; whether these steps will be taken without proof of the implication of the owners of the property in the outrages; and whether the Listowel and Cork proclamations, respectively, have the sanction and approval of His Majesty's Government?

I am in communication with the Commander-in-Chief with regard to this matter, and am at present awaiting his reply. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will kindly repeat at a later date the question, of which I only received notice yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a member of the police force at Gormanstown camp was charged at Balbriggan petty sessions on 26th April with the larceny of a coat belonging to another member of the force; whether the Court was cleared of the public and the press representatives while the case was being heard; whether the accused admitted having taken the coat and expressed regret; and whether he is still serving as a member of the force?

The answer to the first and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second and third parts in the negative.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether, in the scale of fees fixed by the Lords Justices for the re-establishment of title deeds and other legal documents destroyed during the Dublin rebellion of 1916, a fee of £12 12s. was allowed for the perpetuation of testimony; whether it was subsequently intimated that, if solicitors' clients wished to register the title instead of taking perpetuation proceedings, there would be no objection to allowing a sum of £12 12s. as payment for the alternative course; whether, in December, 1917, it was further decided that the authorised scale for payment of such compensation should be amended in cases of application to perpetuate testimony, a fee to be allowed not exceeding £2 2s. for each party certified by the Court as a necessary party to have been served, where such party is represented by a solicitor; whether such fees last mentioned have been paid by the Treasury to parties certified by the Court to be necessary parties, but payment of similar fees is withheld from parties certified by the Land Registry of Ireland to be necessary parties where the alternative course of registering title has been adopted; and, if so, what is the reason for this decision?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. All the payments mentioned are simply ex gratia payments made by the Treasury, but in the case of registration of title an indefeasible title is given to the applicant, and the Treasury think that the whole costs should not in such cases be borne by them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the unmarried officers in His Majesty's Borstal Institution, Clonmel, are forbidden the institution of a mess as obtains in all the Irish prisons, and, in fact, in all prisons in the United Kingdom; whether those officers are compelled either to have their food cooked by prisoners or to board outside the prison; whether the former method is most dangerous, while the latter is most objectionable in the present state of the country, as well as being more expensive than if an officers' mess was in existence; whether this grievance is causing discontent among the unmarried officers; and if he will now take immediate steps to have a proper officers' mess established in that institution the same as exists in all other prisons?

As there are only two unmarried permanent officers at Clonmel Borstal Institution, the Treasury Regulations do not permit of a mess servant, six being the minimum. This minimum is reached in Irish prisons generally. These two officers, together with the unmarried temporary officers were consulted with a view to their food being prepared by a cook warder; but preferred to make their own arrangements, and no complaint has been received by the General Prisons Board. In fact the officers who mess outside, although the cost is slightly more, prefer the comfort thereby obtained. This institution is not a prison and the suggestions that there is danger in having food cooked by the inmates under supervision or in the warders leaving the prison for their meals are equally devoid of foundation.

asked the Home Secretary when he will be in a position to inform the House as to where the Bolshevik agencies in this country obtain their money at the present time; how much is secretly transmitted here from Russia by means of Soviet Russia; how much is secretly subscribed by wealthy people in this country, with their names; how much, if any, is found by alien enemies of this country, apart from Russia; if any is subscribed by the rank and file of the Communists; will he state the number of paid Bolshevik agents at present carrying on their propaganda in Great Britain; how many are natives of this country and how many are foreigners; how many are drawing salaries of £6 per week and over; how many are receiving £4 per week and over; how many are drawing less pay than this; and how many of the writers on the extremist papers are paid to contribute articles by the Communist authorities apart from their pay as writers?

The activities of Bolshevik agencies are being watched continuously by the police, and facts have come to their knowledge which show that money from foreign sources is being received in this country for purposes of Communist propaganda. In reply to previous questions, I have given the hon. Member some of this information, but I am unable to furnish the details, many of them of a statistical character, asked for in the question.

asked the Home Secretary if he has ascertained whether at certain Communist clubs men are paid 4s. a day to walk through the streets; if a considerable number of men have boots and shoes handed out to them along with other gifts and perquisites; and if a detailed statement of the receipts of these bodies is submitted to him?

I have no evidence as to the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part, the Regulations as to street collections in the Metropolitan Police District require a statement showing the amount received and the expenses incurred to be submitted to the Commissioner of Police, and also require the promoters, if so directed, to satisfy the Commissioner as to the proper application of the proceeds of the collection.

asked the Home Secretary if his official attention is being called to the mischievous activity on the part of alien Bolshevik agents taking up British names and preaching open and violent sedition; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking wider and more searching powers under the Defence of the Realm Act to arrest and severely punish aliens who abuse our hospitality for the purpose of proclaiming doctrines and proceedings altogether foreign to the ideas and practices of the people of this country?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, in addition to the ordinary law as regards, seditious propaganda, to which aliens, like all other persons in the United Kingdom, are subject, they are subject to the special penalties for sedition and for promoting industrial unrest imposed by the Aliens' Restriction Act of 1919. They are also liable to deportation, and, as stated in previous answers, the Home Secretary is prepared to deport in proper cases, but has had no such case reported to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in connection with industrial schools, it is proposed to supersede outside accountants, as arranged in 1919, and to supersede them in the audits by Home Office officials; whether this would result in an increase of officials; and whether any consideration has been given to the question of the additional expense involved by such a change?

As reformatory and industrial schools under voluntary management are now supported almost entirely by public funds, it has been decided that their accounts should be examined in future by the district auditors of the Ministry of Health, as in the case of other public services. I am informed that no additional officers will be required, and that the cost to the public will be less than if private auditors were employed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount each of the transferred part-time officers from the Ministry of Munitions to the Board of Trade was entitled to receive for his service during the month of April and what is the daily rate of pay?

The four officers of the Ministry of Munitions whose services have, been retained on a part-time basis are employed under the Disposal and Liquidation Commission and not in the Board of Trade. The remuneration payable in respect of their service during the month of April amounted to £16 13s. 4d., £4 10s., £10 3s. 6d., and £24 14s. 8d. respectively, and was based on each officer's previous full-time salary, the amount paid being calculated according to the time actually worked. The remuneration was equivalent to daily rates of £1 10s. 2d., £2 8s. 4d., £3 14s. 4d., and £1 10s. 2d., respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount for part-time services rendered during the month of April was each of the nine part-time officers transferred from the Ministry of Food entitled to receive?

Of the nine part-time officers referred to, two were entitled to receive £66 13s. 4d., each for services rendered during the month of April, three were entitled to receive £41 13s. 4d., and the remaining four respectively, £52 10s., £50, £33 6s. 8d., and £25.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has had an opportunity of reviewing the cases of the three clerical employés in the North-western Regional Office, Manchester, whose notice of discharge from employment was due to take effect on 6th May; whether the termination of the employment of these men was the only alternative to discharging efficient ex-service men or whether a decision could have been taken to cease engaging new staff to allow of the retention of these individuals, who were the oldest members of the Ministry's staff in this area; whether the Minister is prepared to justify the retention of those technically termed ex-service men, although they have never had occasion to leave their homes whilst wearing uniform, at the expense of the three elderly individuals who throughout have performed the same class of work and were actually called upon to live apart from their families and were, in fact, billeted in barracks with troops during a period of their service, which has now been defined by local officials as other than military service?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Kingswinford Division of Staffordshire (Mr. Sitch) on the 27th April. In view of the terms of the Lytton Committee's Report, it was not found possible to transfer these three men elsewhere to fill vacancies for which suitable ex-service men were available. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that the men referred to attested under the Derby Recruiting Scheme, but did no other Army service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that at the Regional Office at Dublin a temporary clerk, of three weeks' service with the Department, has been promoted to a Grade I. clerkship over the heads of other clerks of considerable length of service and with far more experience of the work of the Ministry; whether the reason for such promotion is solely that the individual happens to be an ex-officer of His Majesty's Army; and whether, in the interests of pensioners, arrangements can be made whereby experience and merit should alone be considered when making promotions amongst the staff?

My right hon. Friend has called for a report on this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by the Hammersmith Board of Guardians in finding suitable accommodation for the sick poor of that borough, due to the exclusive occupation of the workhouse and infirmary in Ducane Roard by the Ministry of Pensions for use as an orthopedic hospital, and, in view of the fact that the full accommodation of this establishment, 800 cases, does not now appear to be required, the greatest number accommodated at any one time since 1st January, 1921, having been 686 cases, he can give a definite assurance that these premises will be restored to the Hammersmith Board of Guardians on 1st January, 1922, as indicated in conferences which have taken place between representatives of the Ministry and of the local authorities held variously since June, 1918?

The matter is under consideration, and I am unable to make a definite statement at the present moment. I am communicating with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health 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?

The number of boys and youths under 18 years of age employed in the Ministry of Health at the present time is 44. The weekly inclusive wages at present paid, which are in most cases general service rates, are as follow:

15 years, 33s. 2d.

16 years varying from 33s. 2d. to 47s. 9d.

17 years, varying from 40s. to 51s. 9d.

18 years, 53s.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has issued instructions for the appointment of assistant inspectors and health insurance officers in the outdoor staff of the Insurance Department; if so, the number to be appointed, the qualifications necessary, and the salaries payable to such officers; whether they are to be appointed by his Department without examination or to be chosen from successful candidates in a competitive Civil Service examination; and the general conditions of service for these posts?

The Ministry of Health has agreed to act as the agent of the Ministry of Labour in dealing with the non-compliance work arising out of the Unemployment Insurance Act. In order to deal with this work, it is essential to strengthen the present outdoor staff of the Ministry by the appointment of 13 assistant inspectors and 60 health insurance officers. The main conditions attaching to these appointments are set forth in a memorandum, of which I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Profiteering Act will lapse on 19th May; whether the various public protecting committees will then cease to operate; whether the Central Committee on Profiteering has reported that undue profits are still being made in foodstuffs, clothing, and other necessities; and whether it is now proposed to recognise profiteering as legal?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated on the 14th March, upon the whole Committees established under the Profiteering Acts have not found profiteering prevalent either amongst wholesalers or retailers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that representations are constantly being made to Members of this House in favour of increased State aid in the direction of old age pensions, education, superannuation allowances, augmented pensions, under-employment insurance, and kindred matters; and whether he will state the amount of money which such demands as formulated would require, so that it may be possible to show to those making such representations that the requisite funds are not available?

Universal old age pensions at the age of 70 would cost the State approximately £15,000,000 per annum, in addition to the present cost of £26,000,000 per annum. I cannot estimate the cost of the other items referred to by my hon. Friend without knowing more precisely what schemes he has in mind; but the cost of increased State aid in any of these directions would undoubtedly be very high, and involve very heavy additions to existing taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if working men who have had War Loans are now being compelled to hire brokers to sell them at a charge for brokerage and at a great reduction, in price; and can he see his way to help to realise and at full value?

I fear that where securities have been issued on ordinary terms no particular class of holders can be exempted from general market practices and market fluctuations. Ample facilities are afforded through the Post Office for realising small holdings of War Loans and War Bonds on the Post Office Register, and small investors who attach importance to being able to receive their capital back in full at any time are provided with a suitable security in the shape of Savings Certificates.

asked the Prime Minister the amount which would be involved by the State annually by the ratification of the Maternity Convention, as estimated by the Government; upon what weekly sum the Government has based the full and healthy maintenance grant for mother and child; and whether the annual estimate had been worked on a contributory or non-contributory basis?

I am having laid as a White Paper a Memorandum by the Government Actuary on the Washington Draft Convention concerning the employment of women before and after child-birth. The memorandum deals with the various points raised by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the cost of some books imported by the Dryad Cane Furniture of Leicester into Grimsby, on 7th April and 14th April; whether documents were provided proving that these books were ordered on 27th January and 15th February, respectively; whether, after six days' delay, a form letter was returned asking for sworn copies and translations of documents; and what action he intends to take?

In order to prove the title of these books to exemption under the proviso to Section 1 (1) of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, it is necessary to show that they were imported in pursuance of a contract entered into before the 8th March, 1921, and the evidence so far submitted by Dryad Cane Furniture is incomplete. If the firm will submit satisfactory evidence of the nature indicated in the letter sent from the Custom House on the 18th ultimo, authority for delivery of the books without payment of the levy will be issued.

asked the Prime Minister on what amount of German exports he calculates the yield for the present year of the 25 per cent. annuity towards the indemnity payment?

According to the latest available German returns the value of German exports for the first nine months of 1920 was approximately 3,795,000,000 gold marks, say, £249,000,000 gold. It may, therefore, be expected that the total for the calendar year 1920 was not less than £300,000,000 gold, which may be reasonably assumed as a minimum figure for the 12 months beginning 1st May, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there has been so much delay by the Reparation Claims Department in the case of Alexander Taylor, 20, Keppoch Street, Springburn, Glasgow, who was chief engineer in the s. s. "Craigard" when that ship was torpedoed on 1st July, 1915, by the Germans and shelled, whereby he was permanently disabled?

Any delay by the Reparation Claims Department in dealing with this case has been due to the large number of cases which have to be investigated. The case is ready for the consideration of the special Commission referred to in the answer given to the Member for the Ladywood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain) by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 4th May, 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many coloured troops is France now employing in the Rhineland or other portions of occupied German territory; and what is the nationality of these coloured troops as regards the African and Asiatic contingents?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the total number of coloured troops now employed by France in the Rhineland is about 23,000; of these 18,500 are natives of North Africa, and the remainder natives of Madagascar and other colonies. There are no negro troops. There are no coloured troops in other portions of occupied German territory.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to protect the interests of the British holders of the Turkish loan of 1855, £5,000,000 sterling secured by the tribute paid by Egypt to Turkey, and on the customs of Smyrna and Syria and other revenue of the Ottoman Empire, the interest of which was guaranteed by England and France; is he aware that up to 1875 the Turkish Government provided a sinking fund for the redemption, and reduced the loan to £3,815,200 still outstanding; that under Article 112 of the Treaty of Sevres Great Britain undertakes to relieve Turkey of liability in respect to the loan secured on the Egyptian tribute; will the British Government carry out the obligations of the Turkish Government and provide the sinking fund of 1 per cent. per annum stipulated in the original loan contract for the redemption of the balance outstanding; is he aware that the tribute payable by Cyprus to the Turkish Government has been retained by the British Government since 1878, and that an accumulation of £500,000 has been in- vested in the name of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury; and will this sum be devoted towards the redemption of the outstanding 1855 loan?

Under Article 112 of the Treaty of Sèvres the Government of Egypt will continue to apply the sums hitherto paid towards the interest on the Turkish guaranteed loan of 1855, and His Majesty's Government will continue to guarantee the interest on the loan. The holders of the loan are thus protected against any deterioration in their position as regards interest as compared with that in which they were before the War. No liability is undertaken by His Majesty's Government in Article 112 in respect of Turkey's failure since 1876 to provide for the redemption of the loan which should have been completed in 1900. The holders of the loan must be taken to have accepted the position created by the Turkish default, which was continuous for a period of 38 years of peace with Turkey, and there appears to be no reason why their security should in this respect be improved at the expense of the taxpayer. The surplus of the Cyprus Tribute (over and above the sum required to make up the interest on the loan) has been invested by the Treasury in British Government securities since 1892. Pending the coming into force of the Treaty of Sèvres no final decision can be taken with regard to the disposal of these securities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of the stocks of wool bought to Government order which remain still to be imported from abroad?

I have been asked to answer this question. The number of bales of wool forming part of the Government purchase which remain unshipped in Australia and New Zealand is approximately 850,000 bales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of his Department to utilise any part of the credits voted for the various countries of Europe mentioned in the export credit scheme for British possessions, including India, Burma, Ceylon, Federated Malay States, Straits Settlements, Hongkong, British East Africa, Australia, and New Zealand; is he aware of the commercial conditions prevailing in those countries, of the stocks of goods existing, and the facilities which have always been given to the banks established in London with branches in the various countries; and will he, before committing the Government, consult with the banks, so as to avoid heavy losses to merchants and to the Government?

I am in consultation with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Secretary of State for India on the question raised by my hon. Friend, and in these circumstances I should be glad if my hon. Friend could see his way to repeat his question shortly after Whitsun.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that insurance policies are being lapsed owing to lack of payment due to the present stoppage of work; that many young people cannot keep up their payments, and therefore their policies are lapsing; that some of these people are 72 years of age and older; and, if so, will he help them financially?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given to a question on this subject on Thursday last.

asked the Minister of Labour the aggregate amounts distributed each week since January, 1921, in unemployment donation?

The approximate aggregate amounts distributed each week from 1st January to 29th April, 1921, in Out-of Work Donation and unemployment benefit are as follow:

Of this total £14,340,600 was unemployment benefit paid out of the unemployment fund, and £3,900,600 was Out-of-Work Donation paid out of the Exchequer. As my hon. Friend will be aware, Out-of-Work Donation has, since 31st March, been payable only to ex-service men and women whose "original" policies have not expired. The weekly amount of Out-of-Work Donation now expended is less than £25,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is serious delay in considering the claims of ex-service men in Skibbereen, county Cork, for unemployment pay and in making them grants; that, in view of the difficulty that such men have in obtaining employment, these men are in great distress; and whether he will take steps at once to have these cases dealt with?

I am making inquiries in this matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Laundry Trade Board on 21st April, reaffirming the rates fixed by that Board on 13th January; whether, in view of the fact that these rates have now been twice approved by the Board, he is prepared to confirm them and to state the date on which they will come into operation?

I am conveying to the Laundry Trade Board my confirmation of the rates submitted to me by the Board as from 30th May.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can explain the delay in establishing a Trade Board for the optical industry, in view of the fact that negotiations to this end have been proceeding since June last year; whether he is aware that many of the more influential employers favour the establishment of a Board; whether the further information as to the conditions in the trade for which he has been waiting has been received; whether his attention has been drawn to one instance where a male worker of 30 years' experience is receiving only 52s. 4d. for a 50-hour week; and whether the Board will now be established without further delay?

As stated by my hon. Friend, I have now received further information as to the conditions in the trade, and have had my attention drawn to the case to which he refers. I am giving careful consideration to the facts thus brought to my notice, and I hope to be in a position to reach a decision at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in this country wages are falling faster than the cost of living; what is the ratio of the respective falls; what are the figures for the corresponding falls in the United States, France, and Italy; and whether he can regularly issue statements embodying this information?

At the beginning of November last, when the highest point of the cost of living was reached in this country, the Ministry of Labour index number was 176 per cent. above the pre-War level, and at 1st April last, the latest date for which figures are available, it had fallen to 133 per cent. The reductions in rates of wages which have taken effect since November last have varied in different cases, and the information available as to the numbers and earnings of workpeople in the various industries and occupations is not sufficient to provide a basis for a precise calculation of the average ratio of reduction. As regards the other countries, I am afraid statistics are not available to enable me to comply with this part of my hon. Friend's request.

asked whether the wages agreement affecting the whole of the operatives in the spinning and manufacturing sections of the cotton industry is about to expire; whether the Ministry is informed of any negotiations leading to a fresh agreement; and whether the Ministry is able to report progress leading to a fresh understanding between employers and trade unions?

In May, 1920, the various parties concerned in the spinning and manufacturing sections of the cotton industry made agreements determining wages for a period of 12 months, with the proviso that one month's notice of any alteration from the rates then agreed should be given after the expiration of the 12 months. I understand that proposals for a revision of wages have now been intimated, and that arrangements have been made for meetings between the parties concerned to be held at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the form of telephone contract for which the Post Office were responsible immediately prior to his appointment, and which his Department are insisting upon all telephone subscribers signing; whether such form of contract consists of five principal clauses and 18 general conditions (of which the 18th consists of four sub-conditions), and two supplemental conditions and 16 different particulars of tariff rates, supplemented by 22 particulars to be filled up and five footnotes of explanatory matter; whether the quarterly subscription of £2 2s. 6d., the minimum deposit of £1 10s., and the quarterly subscription of 15s. for two internal extensions are to be added together; whether the subscriber is to pay them all, or whether part of any of these payments is included in the other; whether, under the ordinary circumstances of a subscriber having a telephone already into his house or office connected some years ago, such subscriber is now to be called upon to pay all or any of the 11 different items set forth in the schedule in addition to the three above-mentioned, and which of them; and whether, for the convenience of subscribers, the Postmaster will issue a concise statement conveying the general meaning of this new form of agreement?

The supplementary particulars and footnotes contained on the last page of the contract form are for use by the Post Office, and should not be filled in by the subscriber. The quarterly subscription of £2 2s. 6d. does not include the deposit for calls nor the payment for extensions or other apparatus. The amount which a subscriber will be called upon to pay will depend on the facilities which he enjoys. I think that the explanations already given in respect of the new form of agreement are adequate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the mail despatched from Calcutta about the 7th April last met with an accident, by which a number of postal packages were damaged by sea water; whether all the packages have been recovered and delivered; and, if this has not been done, if he will take immediate steps to have the packages delivered?

A part of the Indian mail which came in on the 20th of April was seriously damaged by sea water in a gale in the Mediterranean. There was no delay here in dealing with the mails, and the bulk of the damaged mail was delivered within a day or two. Some damaged postal packets are, however, still being forwarded by the French Post Office from Marseilles, where the mail was landed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the diminishing travel facilities, he will urge upon the railway companies the desirability of re-establishing, as in the War, interavailability of railway tickets in all cases where travellers have the choice of two systems?

Instructions have already been issued to the companies that, in cases where any material reduction has been made in the train services between any pair of stations served by two or more controlled companies, passengers holding season and contract tickets available between such stations shall be allowed to travel by alternative routes. The return halves of ordinary tickets are also available in the same way. It is not practicable to apply the concession to local residential services.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received any representations showing the menace to the livelihood of those who rely on seasonal holiday-making at the seaside; and whether, in any case, so long as even partial train facilities are available, he will do his best to ensure that seaside resorts receive at least their fair share of railway facilities?

I have not received any special representations on this point. The hon. Member will appreciate that a drastic reduction in railway services is essential under present conditions, but he may rest assured that, consistent with the necessity for conserving the supply of coal, efforts will be made to provide the best possible services in all localities.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Ministry are now obtaining tenders for houses on housing schemes at £300 less per house than in September last by cutting out all type-B parlour houses and substituting class A non-parlour houses; omitting all dressers, cupboards, etc.; reducing the size of rooms; and cutting out upstairs bathrooms and lavatory basins and placing bath in scullery to be fed from washing copper, thus doing away with all hot-water service?

The reductions which have been made in tenders have in general been due to lower costs of production and not to the substitution of one type of house for another, and have not averaged so much as £300 per house. Modifications in design have been advised where necessary to secure economy, but these have not been of such a character as is suggested.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the adverse criticisms of the housing scheme at Haltwhistle, Northumberland; and if he is taking any action in the matter?

I am not aware of the criticisms to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of women industrially employed who received maternity benefits under the Health Insurance Act for the last year for which returns are available; and the total amount paid out in maternity benefits for industrially employed women in that year?

The information as to numbers is not available and could only be obtained by calling for a special return from all societies and branches. The amount paid as maternity benefit to employed women in England and Wales for the year 1920 in respect of their own insurance was approximately £230,000. In addition £160,000 was paid as maternity benefit to women who were entitled to special benefits on cessation of employment on or after marriage.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether arrangements can be made for placing in the Library the official Reports of the proceedings of the various Indian legislatures?

I have already placed in the Library a complete set of the Reports, so far received from India, of the Indian Legislature (both Chambers) and of the Madras, Bengal and Burma Legislative Councils. Of the Reports of other provincial Councils I have so far received a very limited supply of copies, and there has in many cases been considerable delay in their publication. I hope that this difficulty will be overcome before the Autumn Sessions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Singapore, which is a town of several thousand inhabitants, possesses a municipal system which is characterised by absolute inefficiency; and what steps can be taken to alter a state of affairs which is the subject of the most severe local criticism?

The attention of the Colonial Office has not been called in recent years to the working of the present municipal system in Singapore, but I am asking the Governor for a full Report on the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Church of Scotland Bill, which appeared in certain Scottish newspapers a day before it was available to Members of this House, was issued to the newspapers from the Scottish Office, and with his authority; and, if not, by whom it was supplied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the subject to my hon. Friend the Member for South Aberdeen on the 4th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a Departmental Committee has been set up to deal with matters relating to the Diseases of Animals Act; and, if so, what is its constitution and the terms of reference?

No Departmental Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture has been appointed to consider matters relating to the Diseases of Animals Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total number of officers and men mobilised at the various military stations and aerodromes during the first four weeks of the coal dispute; and what was the approximate cost to the Exchequer during that period?

The numbers of the Defence Force and the Reserves up to the end of the fourth week of the coal stoppage were 144,000 all ranks, and the expenditure was about £1,700,000. I am informed by the Air Ministry that the corresponding figures for the Royal Air Force are 6,135 all ranks, and £75,000.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Report of Sir Alfred Watson's Committee on Official Statistics will be issued by the Stationery Office?

This Report has already been published, and copies are obtainable from the Stationery Office.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the possibility of opening a portion of Kensington Gardens not required by His Majesty's forces for the use of the public during certain hours of the day?

The First Commissioner regrets that, after consultation with the military authorities, he finds it impossible to open Kensington Gardens at present, but he is fully alive to the desirability of restoring these gardens to the use of the public at the earliest possible moment.