asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of F. H. Clarke, No. 111,127, late Royal Army Medical Corps, of Cwmbran, who injured his shoulder whilst in His Majesty's forces, at Great Yarmouth; whether he is aware that the Cardiff pensions tribunal refused to grant him a pension; and whether, in view of the fact that since his appearance before the board he has had to be operated on at Whitchurch military hospital, Cardiff, he will have inquiries made into the case?

The pensions appeal tribunal have decided that the disabilities from which this man suffered are neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. As decisions of the tribunal are declared by Act of Parliament to be final, I regret that no further action can be taken by my Department.

Seeing that we get so many of these cases brought to our notice where the onus of proof is put on the ex-service man, is it not possible to put the onus on the Ministry? There are several of these cases that have been aggravated by War service—tuberculosis and others—where the tribunals have decided against them; is it not possible that something should be done to shift the onus of proof?

I endeavour, and my Ministry endeavour, on every possible occasion to help the ex-service men who appeal, but I am precluded by Act of Parliament from doing what the hon. Member asks.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that James Nolan, late Scots Guards, No. 17,533, has been awarded a final weekly allowance of 12s. 6d. for 10 weeks, plus gratuity of £10 2s. 6d. in final compensation, this award including allowance for wife and four children; that this man was on treatment in George's Square Annex, Glasgow, for one year and seven months, being discharged on the 28th September, 1920; that he was only able to work three months, and then had to go back for further treatment; that this new course of treatment commenced on the 24th January, 1921, and this man is still undergoing it; and whether he can give the reason why a man still upon treatment, with no signs of this treat- ment ceasing, should be given a final award to end in 10 weeks from the 11th April?

I have not yet received all the necessary information with regard to this case. I will communicate with the hon. Member as early as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Lance Corporal William Rook, No. 6,258, Scots Guards, whose address is 49, Gladstone Road, Bournemouth, who is anxious to obtain a reassessment of pension as he claims to be suffering from disability due to service during the Boer War; is he aware that no acknowledgments have been received from the Ministry of Pensions, Burton Court, in reply to the eight communications sent them from the Bournemouth local committee asking whether this non-commissioned officer can appear before a medical appeal board; and that this matter has been outstanding since 26th October, 1920; and will he take immediate steps to see that a decision is communicated to the Bournemouth local war pensions committee, Hotel Mont Dore?

No disability due to service in the Boer War has been found to exist in this case, and no addition to the man's service pension can, therefore, be made in respect to disablement. There is no right of appeal to a medical appeal board, but I am prepared to consider any further medical evidence. I am inquiring into the question of the neglect of correspondence.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Private James Clines, No. 3,188, Worcester Regiment, lost the use of two fingers of his left hand during the War; and will he say why a pension is not being paid for such disability?

Pension is only payable where the degree of disablement is at least 20 per cent. In this case the disablement was found to be slight, and a gratuity of £52 10s. was awarded under Article 1 (3) of the Royal Warrant. The finding of the Medical Board on which the award of gratuity was based has twice been reviewed and confirmed, the man being last medically examined on 20th February.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made to the Pension Issue Office, Regent's Park, to settle the claims of Mrs. Johnson, residing at Block 50, High Buller, Wednesbury, reference number D.C.C. 3800; and will he take such action as is necessary to expedite a settlement?

Mrs. Johnson, who previously drew pension as a dependent, re-married and thus became entitled to a gratuity in lieu of pension. The gratuity was paid to her on 31st January. It would appear, therefore, that she has no further claim on this Ministry, but if my hon. Friend has any further information, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether disability pensions granted to men who served in the last War are subject to deduction for Income Tax; whether disability pensions paid by the Canadian Government to men who fought in the last War now working in this country are also exempt from Income Tax deductions; and, if this is not so, can he see his way to make the same concession to Colonial ex-service men resident here as to British ex-service men?

I would refer the hon. Member to Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1919, under which exemption from Income Tax is allowed in respect of disability pensions as therein described. The relief extends to such pensions paid by the Canadian Government.

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

I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the Military Governor of the martial law area reports that certain articles have been published by the editor of the "Enniscorhy Echo" at the request of the military authorities, and that the editor has also been required, as a condition of the continued publication of his paper, to refrain from the seditious and inflammatory propaganda which previously characterised its policy. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Are they to be forced to continue to publish extracts from the "Weekly Summary" containing attacks on the party that this paper after all represents?

No, I do not think it necessary. What has already been done has taught the editor a lesson.

Is it not a fact that this place is outside the martial law area?

No.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now aware that John O'Connor, of Gloundaeagh, Tarranfore, County Kerry, was arrested on 15th December last whilst on his way to church and driven away in a motor lorry; that he was beaten while in the lorry, thrown from the lorry into the road, fired on, and wounded; that civilians then carried him into the house of Thomas Brosnan, Threegneves, Currow, Tarranfore, where he was tended by the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, of Killentierna, Tarranfore; that four officers returned from Tarranfore, to which place the lorry had proceeded, in a motor-car, and on ascertaining from the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan where O'Connor lay wounded, entered Brosnan's house and murdered O'Connor by firing three revolver bullets into his head; whether he is aware that the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, Mr. Brosnan, and other eye-witnesses are prepared to testify to the foregoing facts on oath; whether an inquiry has been held; whether these witnesses were called; what was the finding; what action, if any, has been taken; and whether any compensation is to be paid to the widow and seven children of the murdered man?

I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that he has now received the report of the Court of Inquiry in this case but that he is unable to come to any decision therein until he has received the statements of two further witnesses whose evidence he regards as essential. Steps are being taken to obtain the statements of these witnesses without delay.

I will put the question down again.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any details as to the firing by rebels on the night of Friday, 29th April, on a military Red Cross ambulance conveying two wounded Royal Irish Constabulary cadets from Macroom to the hospital at Cork; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with this outrage?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any further particulars, beyond those published in the Press, with respect to the attack made by Sinn Fein forces on the 29th April on a military Red Cross ambulance conveying wounded men from Macroom to Cork; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with this outrage?

The circumstances of this outrage are as follows: On the evening of 29th April two members of the Auxiliary Police while taking a walk on the outskirts of Macroom were fired at from behind a wall. About 12 shots were fired and both men were seriously wounded and are now in a critical condition. A few hours later shortly after midnight the military ambulance which was conveying these badly wounded men to Cork military hospital was fired on several times at Coolcomer about a mile from Macroom. The driver switched off his lights and firing ceased. About a mile further along the road when the driver switched on the lights again more shots were fired. He then completed the journey without lights. The ambulance was not hit. It seems clear that this road on which this incident occurred was being patrolled by the rebels in considerable force, and as they must have seen the ambulance proceeding to Macroom the dastardly and persistent attacks made upon it on the return journey may be regarded as deliberate attempts to murder wounded men. No arrests have been made at present.

Do I understand from the answer that the fact that it was an ambulance must have been clearly seen by the people who fired?

Yes, as far as I can gather

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that considerable offence has been given to the parishioners of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rathmines, by the fact that the precincts of the church have been made a loitering place by soldiers and that while, in response to representations made to the military authority, a marked improvement has taken place, it is still possible to remove any cause for complaint; that, upon the night of Good Friday last, Mr. Philip Francis Little, residing at 30, Rathmines Road, Rathmines, County Dublin, was followed from his house to the sitting-room of the parish priest and was there covered with revolvers by five of his pursuers, who ordered him to accompany them; and that, leaving the room of the parish priest and accompanied by Father Mulderry, Mr. Little went out to the street and the parties concerned separated without further incident, but that Mr. Little found upon his return to his house that two plate-glass windows and his hall door had been smashed and that his watch, valued at £8, was missing; can he say with what object Mr. Little was raided; and whether he will be compensated for the resulting damage to and loss of property?

I am assured by the Commander-in-Chief that whatever cause of complaint may have existed in respect to the matter mentioned in the first part of the question has now been removed. In regard to the allegations made by Mr. Little, I am informed that a complaint was lodged by him to the military authorities, who have satisfied themselves as the result of very careful inquiry that there is no ground for suspecting that any members of the military forces were implicated in the raids on his house or in the theft stated to have been committed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Little is a reputable man, the son of a deceased Colonial Judge, and that he is a constituent of mine?

I am sure that if he is a constituent of my hon. Friend he is a reputable man.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a boy named Michael Considine, aged 12 years, was shot by military or police on 23rd December at Cooraclare, County Clare, and severely wounded; that his father wrote to District Inspector May claiming compensation, and received the reply that the shooting was accidental; that this case was brought before County Court Judge Bodkin at his recent examination into compensation claims, but compensation could not be awarded owing to the injunction of the commander of the forces; and whether he proposes to allow this claim for admitted injury to be proceeded with?

I regret I have not yet received the information asked for in this case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. Erskine Childers has been arrested; and on what grounds?

Mr. Erskine Childers' house was visited on the afternoon of the 9th instant, and a large number of documents was found therein. Mr. Childers was detained during the preliminary examination of these documents, but he was permitted to return home later on the same afternoon.

Is it intended to charge him at all or bring him up for trial?

That will depend on the examination of the documents.

Is not this the Mr. Childers who has performed most distinguished services in the War?

I am not aware of his record, but I am quite prepared to accept the statement.

Is he not the author of "The Riddle of the Sands"?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that ex-Sergeant John Hobcroft, Royal Irish Constabulary, No. 51,641, who joined the Royal Irish Constabulary force on 29th December, 1885, was retired from the service upon 26th March, 1919, with the knowledge of the authorities that the 1st April, 1919, was a datum line for the fixing of pensions, and that the effect of his six days' earlier retirement would be to deprive him of £106 12s. per annum additional pension; and that he appealed to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and his appeal was referred to the inspector-general of the Royal Irish Constabulary, by whom he has been informed that as he was retired before 1st April, 1919, he is ineligible for the scale of pensions applicable to retirement on and after 1st April, 1919; and will he, in view of Hobcroft's long and faithful service, and of the extreme hardship of his case, see if he can be given subordinate employment or some other compensation?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, as the decisions to increase pay and pension rates as from 1st April, 1919, was made long after that date, but with retrospective effect. There is no power to increase the pension of ex-Sergeant Hobcroft. I will see whether any employment can be found for him. He was incapacitated by chronic rheumatism.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question on the Paper is not quite as it was handed in at the Table? I did not suggest that the authorities knew that that was the datum line; I asked "Did they know?"

asked the Chief Secretary the result of the inquiries made into the raid on a hall in Blackball Place, Dublin, when several trade union officials were arrested and the branch books and cash seized, thus rendering it impossible to pay the members of the union concerned sick or unemployment benefit to which they are entitled?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Three meetings were found to be in progress in the hall, of which only one, that of the National Union of Vehicle Builders, appeared to be of a lawful description. Four revolvers, one automatic pistol, and a quantity of ammunition and seditious literature were found in the hall, and in consequence of these discoveries all persons present in the hall were arrested pending further investigation. As a result of investigation the six officials of the National Union of Vehicle Builders were released four days after their arrest and the books and money of the union were returned to them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick O'Reilly, of Mullingar, a member of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, was arrested by members of the Crown forces on 6th March, 1921; that he was kept in custody till 11th April without being brought to trial; that O'Reilly was charged with being in possession of a rifle bullet, which on investigation was proved to be a bullet-shaped lead pencil; that the witnesses for the prosecution were unable to produce the lead pencil at the trial, but produced in its place a new rifle bullet, which they swore was similar to the one found in O'Reilly's possession; that O'Reilly, after being acquitted on 13th April, was immediately re-arrested in the military barracks, Mullingar; and will he say why he has since been kept in detention without any charge having been preferred against him?

O'Reilly was acquitted as stated on the 13th instant, but was re-arrested with a view to his internment under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulation 14 B, on the ground that he was suspected of having acted and being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance and restoration of order in Ireland. I have not as yet any information as to the allegations in the question regarding the evidence at his trial, but I am making inquiry on this point.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information with reference to the attack upon the ex-service men and women reported from Youghal within the last few days?

The circumstances of this crime as stated in the police report are as follow. On the morning of the 7th instant, about five o'clock, three ex-soldiers and two girls were returning from a military dance in Youghal Barracks, when they were suddenly fired upon by a number of masked men in North Main Street. One of the ex-soldiers, named Thomas Collins, was badly wounded, part of his leg being blown away, and he died a few hours later. Another of the ex-soldiers and one of the girls were also hit several times by slugs and revolver bullets. The girl has seven gaping wounds in her back, and her cure is considered to be almost hopeless. The two others had miraculous escapes, their clothes being perforated with bullets. A number of military were quickly on the scene, but the assassins, who had a motor car in readiness, succeeded in making good their escape. The only motive for this cowardly and dastardly crime was to murder these ex-service men for attending a military dance. All three were members of the Comrades' Band, and they were carrying their drums at the time of the attack. They were unarmed.

Have any further incidents occurred in the town of Youghal since this report was made?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary why no statement was invited from Mr. Cripps in the Castleconnell inquiry?

I regret I am not yet in a position to reply to this question.

Will the hon. Gentleman say on what day the information can be given? Can it be given to-morrow?

I will try to get it, but I cannot promise.

I will put down the question to-morrow.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to recent well substantiated reports from Ireland to the effect that organised attacks are being made by the rebels on the persons and property of peaceable and inoffensive individuals because they are Protestants and Nonconformists, and will he consider what steps can be taken to protect these people from persecution on account of their religion?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am aware that there has recently been a number of murders of Protestant farmers in the South of Ireland. The circumstances of these crimes are still under investigation. In regard to the latter part of the question, the Government are doing everything in their power to suppress outrages and to protect the lives and property of all persons irrespective of their religion.

What is a Nonconformist in Ireland?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that within the last three months these murders of persons in the South of Ireland, principally farmers, who are in no way connected with the forces of the Crown, number something like 40?

Yes. There has been quite a considerable number of them.

In connection with the murder of Protestants in the South of Ireland, has the right hon. Gentleman received any letter expressing protest from the right hon. Member for Paisley? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary if he can give any details with regard to the alleged murder of two men in Galway by forces of the Crown, Christopher Folan, 18 years of age, and Hubert Tulley, and the wounding of a third person, Joseph Folan, at 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning?

I have called for an immediate report with regard to these murders, but pending its receipt I am not in a position to make any statement.

I will repeat the question to-morrow.

asked the Prime Minister (1) when the proposed alterations and relaxations of the Regulations of the Liquor Control Board will be published; (2) whether he can state the decision of the Government with regard to placing the Liquor Control Board under parliamentary control pending its final abolition?

It has been decided that the Liquor Control Board shall be placed under the parliamentary control of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Home Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this matter is dealt with, as the delay is causing considerable dissatisfaction in the country?

I will ask my hon. Friend to go into the matter at once, but he has only been appointed to-day.

Could we have these suggested alterations of and relaxations of the Regulations put into a White Paper or somehow or other rendered accessible to Members of the House and the public?

Yes

Is the hon. Gentleman mentioned to be Chairman of the Board?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman confident that this improvement in the position of the Board will not conduce to its longer life?

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings of the Central Control Board there have been since 1st January, 1920, and how many of such meetings each member of the Board has attended; whether the decisions have been unanimous; and, if not, whether a bare majority is sufficient to effect sweeping changes?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed that the Board have held 16 meetings since the date mentioned. By the Regulations under which they were established, the Board may determine their quorum and regulate their procedure. It has been stated more than once that they are under no obligation to publish their minutes, and they have not authorised the publication of the attendances or views of individual members.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the raising of the status of the Secretary for Scotland to that of Secretary of State for Scotland?

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister if, having regard to the serious loss and suffering caused by industrial disputes to thousands of persons who have no voice or interest in such disputes, he will will appoint a special committee to inquire into the workings of the Industrial Arbitration Acts now in force in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand with a view to advising Parliament as to whether or not any, or a combination of all these Acts, could be usefully applied for the settlement of industrial disputes in this country?

Constant attention is given to the legislative action taken by other countries to minimise industrial disputes; and the experience which had been gained of the working of legislation in the Dominions was utilised in framing the provisions of the Industral Courts Act, which was introduced by the Government and passed in 1919.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of granting mandatory powers to those industrial councils that have agreed upon wages, hours, and conditions of employment, or any other matters, to make such agreements compulsory upon the whole of their respective industries, provided such industrial councils represent at least two-thirds of those engaged or employed in such industries?

I have been asked to reply. As my hon. Friend was informed by my predecessor on 8th March, 1920, and by myself on 28th October last, the concensus of opinion is at present against the compulsory enforcement of industrial agreements, and I do not think that the introduction of legislation necessary to secure such enforcement would be justified.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are nearly 300 officers and men still prisoners in Russia; whether he is aware that they are suffering great privations and are able to get very little food or clothing; and whether there is any likelihood of their shortly being released?

As far as His Majesty's Government are aware, there are no British officers and men still prisoners in Russia. The second and third parts of the question do not therefore arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter from an officer in Russia to the effect I have suggested?

I should be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have any information he has.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now make any statement with regard to the progress of the negotiations with Turkey and, in so doing, indicate what steps are being taken to expedite a settlements?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the first part of a question on this subject put by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle North on the 21st April. I regret that the situation has not materially changed since that date.

asked the Prime Minister what steps His Majesty's Government is taking in consultation, or co-operation, with the Allies, to enforce the terms of the Treaty of Versailles relating to the disposal of Upper Silesia, and whether the attitude of His Majesty's Government on this subject has been made clear to the Polish Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the events reported and the gentral situation in Eastern Silesia?

I have at present nothing to add to the statement made in the House yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

Have we made it perfectly clear to the Polish Government that no fait accompli in Upper Silesia will be accepted. Have we been as firm with them as with the Bolshevic Government?

I think that was answered by my right hon. Friend. The Polish Government accepts no re- sponsibility for action taken by their compatriots in this regard.

Are His Majesty's Government getting any reports as to conditions in Upper Silesia?

Oh, yes; we are getting some reports.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment to-morrow.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything as to the reported heavy fighting in Upper Silesia?

It is very difficult to know what is going on. The reports are conflicting. We hear one moment that heavy fighting is in progress, and then we get contradictions from the very neighbourhood where the other reports have come from.

Are British troops involved?

No.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by the French troops in Upper Silesia to restore order?

I have at present nothing to add to the statement made yesterday in the House by the Lord Privy Seal, and by the Prime Minister to-day.

Have the French troops, as a matter of fact, taken any part in resisting the insurgents in Silesia?

I said I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister when the Treaty of Sévres will be ratified; whether under Articles 125 and 129 of that Treaty British subjects resident in Palestine will have the option of electing to be Palestinian or of retaining their British nationality; whether as to that option a distinction is made between Jews and non-Jews who are British subjects; and, if so, whether he will take such steps as may be necessary before the ratification of the Treaty for the removal of such distinction from the terms of the Treaty?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part of the question, Article 129 of the Treaty will not affect the nationality of any British subjects in Palestine other than Jews who are " habitually resident" there, who will, under the Treaty become citizens of Palestine. Persons affected by the provisions of Article 129 will have the same right as other persons habitually resident in Palestine to opt in accordance with Article 125, but that Article gives no right to opt for either British or Palestinian nationality.

Why should a distinction be made with British subjects because of their religious faith?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the announcement made in the French Press of Saturday to the effect that in case of occupation of the Ruhr His Majesty's Government was pledged to adopt a plan of naval sanctions, and that these sanctions include the appearance of an allied fleet with French troops on board off the German coast for the purpose of occupying the German coast fortifications, the seizure of Hamburg customs, and the levying of customs dues on board neutral ships; and will he make a statement on the subject?

In view of the reply of the German Government read to the House yesterday, it would be inadvisable to re-open the question.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to suspend the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, in view of the acceptance by the German Government of the Allied proposals for the payment of the indemnity?

This question was answered yesterday in reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for South Hackney.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman allow the House to understand that if the Germans fell in with our indemnity pro- posals, the Reparation Act would be suspended?

Is the German Reparation (Recovery) Act being continued for revenue or as a sanction?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether the changes with regard to Income Tax relief and travelling expenses of Members of Parliament can be postponed until the House has had an opportunity of discussing this question in all its bearings?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Supplementary Estimate for the payment of travelling expenses of Members of the House of Commons and exemption of their salaries from Income Tax will be taken at a convenient time when it can be debated at an early date after the Whitsuntide recess?

To postpone the allowance of travelling expenses would cause great inconvenience to Members, in view of the period of the year at which we have arrived, but I will postpone action in regard to exemption from Income Tax until the House has pronounced upon the matter, and will try to arrange that the Vote shall be put down on an early day after our return.

Can the right hon. Gentleman undertake that the Government Whips shall not be put on to tell in the Division taken on the Income Tax exemption?

Yes, Sir, certainly; I think that a proper course to adopt.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the facilities are that are to be given to Members?

I have an answer to that in another question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if it is intended that the arrangement as to free travelling shall apply to all Members of Parliament or only to those who are entitled to salaries as Members?

The arrangement as to travelling applies to all Members; the arrangement as to Income Tax to those only who do not draw Ministerial salaries.

Is it intended that all Ministers on the Front Bench should have travelling expenses?

Yes, certainly; it is intended that all Members of Parliament should have equal rights in respect of travelling facilities, and within the limitations that I prescribed yesterday.

Are the allowances in force now, or when will they come into force?

To-morrow!

If my hon. Friend will wait for the replies to further questions, I think he will get all the information he requires.

Will private Members be entitled to motor cars?

Members of the Government are not entitled to motor cars.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that many Members of this House doubt the advisability at the present juncture of increasing the pay of Members of Parliament and, before consenting thereto, would like to discuss the matter with their constituents; and will he, therefore, state the new proposals as to pay and travelling expenses, and their effect upon taxation, in sufficient detail to enable Members to lay the proposals in their entirety before their electors?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can state the probable cost to the Exchequer of the proposed free travelling for Members of Parliament?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any, and, if so, what, arrangements have been made to give effect to the Government decision in respect of railway travel facilities for hon. Members of this House?

The printers have promised to deliver at the Vote Office to-day 500 books, each containing 12 vouchers for issue to Members. Each voucher will require signing by the Member, and will entitle him to receive a railway ticket for the desired journey. The railway companies will forward their accounts to the House of Commons Accounting Officer, who will be responsible for discharging the same, and the Estimate will appear upon the House of Commons Vote. It has been arranged that the vouchers shall normally be issued by the Vote Office, but special arrangements will be needed this week in the shape of a larger room and a better staff for dealing with the matter. These matters are being dealt with by the authorities of the House.

Should there be any failure of the arrangements, so that Members do not in fact receive their vouchers this week, a refund of any fare paid since my announcement on Monday last will be made. The question of unexpired season tickets will be dealt with in the following way: Members may surrender them to the Vote Office, who will forward them to the Railway Clearing House, and the appropriate repayment, calculated as from the 1st April to the expiry of the ticket, will be made by the railway company to the Member direct. Full detailed particulars of the arrangements which I have outlined will be placed in the No Lobby and elsewhere as soon as possible.

As regards the cost of travelling facilities, no accurate estimate can be framed until experience is available to guide us since the expenditure must depend on the use made by the Members of these facilities and on the length of the Session. It is equally impossible to estimate the cost of the Income Tax relief for the following reason: Members are entitled to the ordinary reliefs granted by law to every citizen, that is to say, to claim individual relief in respect of that portion of the sum voted to them which is expended wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of their duties.

I have no means of ascertaining what the difference would be between this relief and the relief suggested by the Government, but if Members generally exercised this common right of all citizens—and there are indications of a growing disposition on their part to do so—I think that the difference would not be very great.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate again under what circumstances these vouchers may or can be used?

The vouchers are admissible for a journey taken from London to any point in the Member's constituency, or from the Member's constituency to London, or from London to the Member's home, or from the Member's home to London. A Member's vouchers will be received without challenge by the railway authorities, and he will be given a ticket in exchange. If any question arise, it will be taken up by the accounting authorities. These arrangements are confined to the Session of Parliament, including the period of adjournments, but not to the Prorogation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what will happen in the event of the House not agreeing to the Estimate for these expenses? Will hon. Members have to refund the money to the Government?

I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend was in his place when I answered an earlier question on this point as to the postponement of facilities. What would happen would be in the hands of the House. What the Government would propose if the House decided against these proposals would be to ask the House to vote the expenditure already incurred.

Will the vouchers be available between the Member's home and his constituency as well?

No, Sir.

Upon the whole of this question, would my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of appointing a Select Committee of the House, representative of all sections, to consider the whole matter, and report to the Houses?

My hon. Friend's question seems to indicate that he is not aware that such a Committee has already sat, and reported. I invite him, and any other hon. Member who may be in the same position, to read the Report of the Committee, and refer to the evidence given, before we discuss it again.

Is it not a fact that any hon. Members who do not require these facilities need not avail themselves of them?

Have any arrangements been made with regard to Members like myself who have a season ticket over a very wide area which we cannot surrender? Have any arrangements been made for cases of that kind?

I cannot understand my hon. Friend's difficulty, but if he will communicate with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Neal), he will consider the matter.

Will the Voucher Office to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred be open during the Recess, seeing that we cannot tell at this time what our appointments may be? Shall we have to get all the tickets tomorrow, or will the office be open during the Recess?

I cannot say. It is obvious that in introducing a new arrangement of this kind, which is necessarily of a somewhat complicated character, we cannot expect to meet every individual need at the first start. We will do our best to meet the convenience of hon. Members.

On what are we going to discuss and take a decision on the question of Income Tax? Will it be on a Motion, or on a Supplementary Estimate?

It will be on an Estimate, and the Estimate will be the House of Commons Estimate.

Will the pass be available to any point in the Member's constituency?

Yes, Sir. I have already stated so. May I respectfully invite hon. Members now to await the notice which will be sent to them, and which will make clear, I hope, what my words appear to have failed to convey.

Seeing that there is a strong feeling in the House on the subject of Income Tax, will it be possible to have a free vote upon it before the House rises?

Had the hon. Member been in the Chamber, he would be aware that that question has already been put to me and answered.

Not before the House rises?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisableness of suggesting to local authorities to employ on some useful but not necessarily immediately reproductive work the men who are drawing unemployment pay, such work, when available, being required to the extent of the value of the unemployment pay; and, seeing that unfortunately it is likely that there will be very serious unemployment for some time to come, would the Government consider the question of undertaking national schemes in suitable areas to provide that some work should be done in return for unemployment pay, such national schemes being planned in the first place to bring to productive use land areas which are, at present, unproductive?

There is already available substantial Exchequer assistance for local authorities who undertake relief works for the unemployed. I fear that schemes on the lines suggested in the question would not prove practicable, and would, in any case, involve too severe a strain on the financial resources of local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the present abnormal situation, especially in purely industrial districts where a large percentage of the population are unemployed, and the local tradespeople are unable to obtain payment for their goods and meet their liabilities, he will consider the advisability of a moratorium to tide people over the present period of acute depression?

My right hon. Friend does not think that a moratorium is either practicable or desirable.

asked the Minister of Labour when the funds available for payment of unemployment insurance benefit will become exhausted at the present rate of payment; and whether it is proposed to make any supplementary contribution from the State to these funds?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the right hon. Member for South Molton on the 3rd May, of which I am sending him a copy. I cannot say more at this moment than that the position of the Unemployment Insurance Fund is engaging my serious attention.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have exhausted their right to unemployment benefit since the passing of the last Unemployment Act?

The Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, made provision for the payment of benefit, subject to certain conditions, for 16 weeks in the period between 3rd March and 2nd November, 1921. Accordingly, the earliest date at which the rights to benefit under the Act can be exhausted is 22nd June, in cases in which the conditions for the receipt of the full amount are satisfied. There are certain exceptional cases in which applicants who are not entitled to the full amount under the Act of 1921 have exhausted their rights. I am unable to state the number of such cases, but relatively to the whole number they are not numerous.

I asked how many have exhausted their right to claim as from November, when the eight weeks' period was extended to 16 weeks.

I imagine a great proportion of those persons came into the first 16 weeks' emergency benefit in March, 1921, and if they had been continuously in benefit they would have exhausted their claim in June, and the second 16 weeks would begin from November and run forward from that time.

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

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines gave to the same question on the 9th of May, and to which I regret I have nothing to add.

In view of the change of circumstances brought about by the speech of Mr. Herbert Smith reported yesterday, would it not be advisable to bring the parties together again at once?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the widespread distress and unemployment caused by the coal strike, the Government will, instead of waiting on others to propose terms of settlement, itself take a leading part in terminating this disastrous dispute?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on Monday last on this subject.

May I ask whether the interests of the community do not demand that the Government should devise some scheme whereby the friendly co-operation of the mineowners and the miners will not be impaired, and can the Prime Minister say how the interests of the community are to be served by a fight to the finish?

The Government, in the interests of the community, made certain suggestions and they were rejected by the Miners' Federation. It it through no fault of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great dislocation of business and discontent in the country, and that the two main labour Departments, the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade, have taken no steps in this matter, under Regulation 13, whereby the mines may be taken over and worked?

Will the Prime Minister say how the interests of the community are to be served by allowing the mineowners and the miners to fight this question out to a finish?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the privations of the children in the coal-mining districts, and their need of nourishing food, he can see his way to make financial grants to the local bodies in such districts to enable them to cater for the needs of the children?

Grants are already being made by the Board of Education in respect of expenditure of local education authorities on the feeding of school children, and my right hon. Friend is unable to authorise any further financial provision from the Exchequer.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a case which recently came before the Swadlincote (Derbyshire) magistrates when the manager, under-manager, and horse keepers of the Bretby colliery were convicted for causing cruelty to 33 pit ponies, it being stated that they were in a shocking condition when brought to the surface, owing to the stoppage of work, and that the defence was that the animals suffered from skin disease caused by mud; whether he will state what inspector is responsible for this district; and why this state of affairs was not discovered by the inspector before the ponies were brought to the surface?

I have been ask to reply. I have made inquiry into this case. I learn that the inspector of horses for the division inspected the horses at this colliery on the 20th January, and found that five were in poor condition owing to a skin eruption. He gave instructions to the manager as to their treatment, and made a check inspection on the 27th January, when he found that they were under veterinary treatment, and were being properly attended to. The conditions being satisfactory in all other respects, he turned his attention to other collieries. While I much regret this unfortunate occurrence, I am afraid that the staff at my disposal does not permit of repeated visits being made to particular collieries, when once an inspector has satisfied himself that any defect which he has pointed out is being remedied. The divisional inspector in question is Mr. Abbott, and the horse inspector who works under him is responsible for the inspection of some 6,000 horses in about 280 collieries.

Will the hon. Gentleman repeat part of the answer? Most of it was inaudible.

Will my hon. Friend repeat it?

I am sorry, but it was not my fault.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that coal merchants are taking advantage of the present coal shortage to charge as much as 4s. 6d. and 4s. 9d. per cwt. for coal, 2s. 6d. per cwt. for slack, and 3s. 6d. per chaldron for coke in some working-class districts; and whether it is possible for local authorities to institute proceedings against these coal merchants under the Profiteering Act?

I am informed that the prices mentioned by the hon. Member are being charged in various districts in the Metropolitan area. But he will realise that, in the absence of ordinary sources of supply, it has been necessary to make special arrangements to meet the essential needs of consumers, and these arrangements often involve extra charges in respect of freight, demurrage and handling before the coal reaches the merchants' hands. It must not, therefore, be supposed that an increased charge to the consumer necessarily means an increased profit to the merchant. The position in London is being carefully watched by the London Coal Committee, who are fully alive to the necessity of keeping prices as low as possible, even at some sacrifice to the merchant of his normal profit, and advise merchants what is a reasonable price to charge having regard to the actual cost at the depot of each consignment.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of miners who must, in any case and even after a settlement, remain unemployed for some time owing to the flooding of the collieries in which they usually work?

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid it is quite impossible to give even a rough estimate of the number of persons whose return to work will be delayed by the flooding of the collieries at which they usually work. It depends on so many factors which are quite incalculable, e.g., the number of pits wholly or partially flooded when the stoppage ends, the number of these that may be abandoned, the time it takes to unwater those which are not abandoned, the number of men employed in unwatering, and the facilities for getting work at neighbouring collieries.

asked the Prime Minister whether disorders among the miners on strike have only been reported from those districts where the liquor restrictions are most severe?

I have been asked to reply to this question. No, Sir. The liquor restrictions prevailing in the districts from which disturbances—few and sporadic, I am glad to say—have been reported are substantially identical with those in force in mining districts generally and, indeed, over the greater part of the whole country.

Is it not true that when you want men to fight you give them drink, but not when you want to keep them peaceful?

I am afraid I cannot discuss that.

What about rum?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the propaganda work carried on in this country by a foreign organisation known as the Red Internationals of Moscow; and, if so, what steps the Government have taken, or propose taking, to circumvent their revolutionary doctrines?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government is well aware of the activities of this organisation, which aims at breaking up trades unions from within. We cannot in this country suppress any propaganda of opinions, however misleading and mischievous, but any public incitements to violent or revolutionary action are dealt with by the police as far as their powers extend.

Will the Government take immediate steps to order the arrest of all foreigners and all the British members of foreign revolutionary organisations who are openly inciting His Majesty's subjects to revolution?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trade unions are well able to look after themselves, in spite of the Red Internationals?

I hope they are.

Why do they join them?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, inasmuch as the new Conversion Loan has been exempted from the Corporation Profits Tax, he will similarly encourage investment in other British Government securities by putting them on the same footing of exemption?

No, Sir. Freedom from liability to Corporation Profits Tax is a special inducement offered to subscribers to the Conversion Loan, and my right hon. Friend could not agree to extend the exemption to holders of existing Government issues.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the small return brought in by the Corporation Profits Tax last year and the injustice of its incidence and its detrimental effect upon trade, he will consider the abolition of the tax altogether?

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman for the abolition of the Corporation Profits Tax, the estimated yield of which for the current year amounts to £30,000,000. The circumstances affecting the yield of this tax for last year were explained in the course of my speech on the Budget Resolutions on the 25th April.

Will not the Corporation Profits Tax fall practically entirely upon the Income Tax payers of the country?

That is obviously a matter for argument.