asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an established civil servant in the Central Telegraph Office performs the work of telegraph operator every Saturday afternoon, until the early hours of Sunday morning, in the London wire office of the "Glasgow Sunday Post" newspaper; that the Post Office telegraph operators were withdrawn from newspaper offices in 1916; whether he approves of members of the Post Office telegraph staff undertaking telegraph duties for private firms for personal remuneration; and whether he is aware that this is aggravating the burden of unemployment among members of the National Union of Press Telegraphists, who have not the advantages and privileges enjoyed by established civil servants?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As a general rule, the Post Office do not interfere with the occupations of the staff outside their hours of duty, provided those occupations do not prejudicially affect the discharge of their official duties, or conflict with their position as postal servants. In the present case I do not see any occasion to intervene.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, under Item I. in the schedule for the London Telephone Service, a charge of £1 17s. 6d. is made for the second and each subsequent line, and whether these are in fact the conditions imposed or whether the Post Office have decided to impose additional conditions not included in the contract for lines supplied at this rate?

The reduced charge of £1 17s. 6d. a quarter was intended to apply to the second and each subsequent line when there is auxiliary working, i.e., when the lines bear consecutive numbers, so that if one line be engaged, incoming calls can be passed to another line in the group. There appear to be a few cases where additional lines are rented without auxiliary working, and it has been arranged that these subscribers shall be allowed the benefit of the reduced charge.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a mistake of £3,500,000 has been discovered in the Post Office Estimates for the current year; and, if so, how this error is accounted for?

No, Sir. The Post Office Estimates, which have already been presented to Parliament, provide for an estimated net expenditure of £67,165,287, and I have no reason at present to suppose that this total will be exceeded. It is estimated that there will be a deficiency in revenue on the Commercial Accounts of about £3,500,000. I have announced to-day the proposals of the Government to make this good.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to supplement the information given on the 3rd May as to the rates of wages that would be payable to miners under the Government's offer by saying how it is proposed that the federated area should be sub-divided; whether the result of any such sub-division would be a reduction of less than 3s. a shift in any district; and whether he will reprint the figures then given by him with any necessary amendments and showing the percentage increase in each case of the proposed rates over the pre-War rates?

No further meeting has taken place between the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation since 5th May, and no agreement has been reached as to grouping districts in the Federated Area. I understand, however, that the owners on their part would be prepared to accept a grouping arrangement under which the whole of the coalfields of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Cannock Chase would be treated as one group. I cannot say exactly what would be the average reduction in wages per shift in these counties if this proposal were adopted. Its precise amount would depend on several questions which are still unsettled, e.g., the level of standard wages and the ratio of profits to wages. It is certain, however, that the reduction would be considerably less than 3s. per shift.

asked the Minister of Transport how long will be required to restore a normal passenger service on the railways after the coal strike; and whether it will now be possible to give holiday facilities at cheap fares this summer?

The time required for the restoration of normal passenger services after the coal strike will depend mainly upon the stocks of coal then in the hands of the railway companies and the speed with which they can be replenished. It is not possible at present to say how long this may take; but I hope the existing situation will be relieved in time to make facilities at cheap rates possible during the summer holidays.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have now been made to award a war medal to the members of the Defence Force of those Crown Colonies and Protectorates which are not defined as a theatre of war in Army Order XX of 1918, or Army Order 301 of 1919; if so, what are these arrangements; if not, whether the matter is still under consideration; and when is a decision to be arrived at in connection with it?

The whole question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a letter has been sent to the headquarters of the Young Men's Christian Association demanding that 24 huts of that organisation in various camps and commands in the United Kingdom should be completely closed down; whether it is the intention of the War Office to prohibit any philanthropic institution to have establishments in military camps and stations, in spite of the fact that competition with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes have been held unobjectionable provided similar contributions to sports funds, etc., were made by such organisations as by the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes;

(2) whether it is his intention to prohibit any competition with the establishments of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes in any military camp or station; whether it is considered to be in the best interests of the Army that the work of the Young Men's Christian Association should cease; whether a letter in the following terms was issued with the approval of the Army Council: In view of the extra expenses to which the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes had been put to, one of their conditions for serving Territorial camps is that no philanthropic institution or contractor should be allowed to compete within any camp in which the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes are operating; and whether the opinion of Army commanders has been asked?

The large number of philanthropic institutions which sprang up during the War on War Department land is now quite out of proportion to the requirements of the existing peace establishment of the Army, and orders have accordingly been given that 48 out of 155 such institutions must be closed by 30th June next. I understand that 27 huts out of 77 belonging to the Young Men's Christian Association are affected by the order. Before the instructions were issued the recommendations of General Officers Commanding-in-Chief were obtained. A conference on the subject was also held at the War Office in October last, which was attended by representatives of all the philanthropic bodies concerned, and at which the views of the Army Council, respecting the desirability for closing down those institutions which might prove to be superfluous, were clearly explained. There is no intention of interfering with the religious and social work of these bodies, the value of which is thoroughly appreciated, but I think it will be readily realised that it is impracticable from every point of view to allow a large number of organisations in military camps, etc., to cater for soldiers in opposition to the authorised regimental institutes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the responsibilities devolving upon the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in providing for the needs of His Majesty's forces in all stations at home and abroad, he will, in the best interest of the troops, take further steps that they should be protected from unfair competition by philanthropic bodies in military camps, and that such bodies should be prohibited from general trading; what steps, if any, have been taken in this direction; and are any other measures contemplated which will protect the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, while at the same time allowing due scope to the proper activities of these philanthropic bodies?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Clackmannan and Eastern (Major Glyn), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of the Housing Bill becoming law, he will reconsider the present Regulation which restricts the payment of the subsidy of £260 to houses not exceeding in floor-space 1,400 square feet, and will provide that the same subsidy shall be paid for a house of rather larger dimensions, say, 1,600 square feet?

The present limits as to the sizes of houses which may earn subsidies under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act were fixed so as to cover houses suitable for the working classes for which the houses were intended. I do not think it advisable to go beyond the limit of 1,400 square feet.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has objected to the execution of any housing schemes in Oxfordshire; and whether, in that case, he will give instances and state his reasons for the policy?

I have been unable to approve of the prices quoted for the erection of houses in certain districts in Oxfordshire, for instance, in the Crow-marsh and Henley rural districts, as the figures were too high for acceptance at the present time in view of falling prices and the need for a reduction in the cost of building.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the development of the new coalfield around Doncaster and of South Yorkshire generally, any steps are being taken to arrange for a general town-planning scheme for these areas?

I think that it is highly important that local authorities in these areas should combine to secure proper town planning. Already, with the assistance of my Department, a joint committee has been appointed for Doncaster and surrounding districts. The Ministry are pressing for a similar committee for the Dearne Valley. It is hoped also to take action as regards the Rotherham area when the proposals for the extension of Sheffield and Rotherham have been settled.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the decision of the pensions appeal tribunal is to be con- sidered final in the case of ex-Corporal H. S. Wild, a miner, aged 24, suffering from the effects of a wounded leg and eczema in the feet, whose claim for disablement pension was at the rate of 50 per cent.; whether he was entitled to the 12 months' pension which was granted him by the medical board on his discharge from hospital on 4th November, 1920, which was subsequently cancelled by the Ministry of Pensions office, Newcastle; and whether the pension he received from the date of his discharge, 22nd November, 1918, to December, 1919, and a gratuity of £52 10s. is the extent of the pension to which he is entitled?

On demobilisation in November, 1918, this man was awarded a pension of 20 per cent. for 53 weeks in respect of a gunshot wound of the thigh followed by a final gratuity of £52 10s. In August, 1920, he applied for the first time in respect of eczema of the feet; but as no connection could be found between the condition and service, which had terminated 21 months earlier, an award of pension was refused. This decision has been upheld by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is therefore final. If the condition of the gunshot wound is now worse an application for reconsideration on that ground may be made through the local War Pensions Committee.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Council of the League of Nations have received from the British or any other Allied Government suggested amendments to the draft mandates for Palestine and for Tanganyika territory presented to the Council by the Allied and Associated Powers in December last; and whether, in view of the publication of the drafts as originally presented to the Council, he will arrange for the publication of the amendments now suggested by the British Government before they are considered by the Council?

The Council has not accepted the recommendation of the Assembly referred to by the hon. Member. The other parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Council, of the League of Nations has adopted, or will adopt, the unanimous recommendation of the Assembly of the League to call for Reports from the various mandatory Powers regarding their past administration of the territories to be held by them under mandates; whether these Reports will be laid before the permanent mandates Commission; and whether they will be published?

No amendments have yet been submitted to the Council, and. I cannot undertake to arrange for the publication of any amendments which may be suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any protest from Smyrna against the action of the Greek authorities in conscripting Ottoman subjects for the Greek army; whether he is aware that a copy of this protest was handed to all the representatives of the Allies in Smyrna, and that it is alleged that the British Consul-General was the only one who refused to accept it and to transmit it to his Government; and whether he will make inquiries into the truth of this allegation and also into the complaint made against the Greek authorities?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. His Majesty's Consul-General duly transmitted the protest. Representations were made as a consequence of the protest, both to the Greek Government at Athens and to the Greek High Commissioner at Constantinople.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any definite information as to the massacre in Tantah on 29th April; whether the only reason for the same was that after prayers a demonstration took place at 12.30 p.m., and those in same shouted, "Long live Saad!" "No president of the negotiations but Saad!" and "Saad has our confidence!" and whether they never said, "Down with the Government!" or any such thing, and that the demonstration was perfectly peaceful and the chief object of the demonstration was a protest against Adly not accepting Zaghloul Pasha's terms, particularly the term respecting the presidency of the negotiations, to him?

I have no information on the subject beyond that which I gave to the hon. Member in reply to his question of the 6th instant.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the officers responsible for the elementary education of prisoners were certified teachers or held any educational qualification that would be recognised in a public elementary school; and what sums of money were allotted to the education of prisoners during the years 1913–14, 1919–20, and 1920–21, respectively?

Education in prisons is carried out generally by officers selected, after examination, for this purpose. These officers, known as school-masters, clerks and schoolmasters, and schoolmistresses, do not, as a rule, possess the qualification of certified teachers, but their ability to teach is tested by the chaplain at the prison, and afterwards confirmed by the Chaplain-Inspector. A separate account is not kept of expenditure on the education of prisoners, although some items are detailed in the Estimates (Class III, 8). The actual sums are distributed among a number of subheads, e.g., salaries and furniture. The books, stationery, etc., are supplied by the Stationery Office.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners in local and in convict prisons who were eligible for instruction during the year ended 31st March last, and their classification on reception; and on what grounds no elementary instruction is now offered to prisoners between the ages of 25 and 40, whereas before 1914 a considerable number of prisoners between these ages were enabled to advance through one or more standards during their imprisonment?

The returns for the year ended 31st March last are not yet complete, and the number of prisoners eligible for instruction during the year cannot yet be given. Owing to the improved system of national education prisoners over 25 are not generally in need of elementary education, but the prison authorities have power to extend the educational facilities which the prison system provides to any prisoners over 25 who are likely to profit by it.

asked the Home Secretary how soon the consolidated edition of the Prison Rules, the publication of which was promised last year, will be ready for general use?

The amendments made to the Rules of 1899 were found on examination not to be so numerous as to justify a new edition of the Rules, but they have now been printed separately as an addendum, and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give the number of convictions for drunkenness which took place in England and Wales during the quarters ended 31st December, 1920, and 31st March, 1921, with comparative figures for the corresponding quarters of 1919 and 1920, respectively?

These figures are collected annually, so that it is not possible to give figures for the quarter ending in March last. The figures for the quarters ending in December of 1919 and 1920 respectively are 21,134 and 23,070: those for the quarter ending in March 1920 are 24,529.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Liquor Control Board to allow the Macclesfield Cricket Club to have a licence to serve on Satur- day afternoons; whether he is aware that all the hotels in that borough have facilities for serving alcohol on Saturday afternoons; and whether he can state the date on which the Board met in order to arrive at this decision, and the names of the members of the Board who attended on that occasion?

I understand that, on the facts put before them in support of the club's application, it would have been contrary to the Board's usual practice to grant the extension of hours applied for, and that any facilities granted by Justices to local hotels is not properly relevant to the matter. As regards the publication of the proceedings of the Board, I would refer my hon. Friend to answers previously given, particularly to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on the 12th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution at Marlborough Street Police Court of Ellen Upperton Weight, of Upper East Smithfield, for alleged insulting behaviour in Hyde Park on 11th November, 1920; and whether, on account of her age and feeble health, he will give instructions to the police to discontinue further prosecution of this lady, especially in view of their heavy responsibilities in other directions?

I find on inquiry that this woman, whose name is Wright, has been fined 40s. for interfering with an orderly meeting near the Marble Arch. She called the speaker a dirty monkey and threatened him with a stick, causing a disturbance which made it necessary to arrest her. The police are very reluctant to take proceedings against this old lady who appears to be hardly responsible, but I cannot instruct them to allow such conduct to be repeated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the case that the paper trade of the United Kingdom is seriously affected owing to the high prices of raw materials, chemicals, and coal, and to the state of the exchange; whether the greater part of the paper mills are either shut or working very short time consequent on foreign competition; and, if so, will he consider including paper in the Safeguarding of Industries Bill with a view to checking, at any rate, imports of paper from foreign countries and so enabling the British mills to continue in operation?

A large number of paper mills are at present either entirely shut down, or are working short time, owing to the high costs of raw materials, the increasing supplies of paper imported from abroad, and the decline in demand. In so far as foreign competition is from countries with depreciated currencies, it is not intended to exclude from the provisions of Financial Resolution No. II, relating to the Safeguarding of Industries any industries other than food industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the complaints which have been made by business firms of the delay in repayments of Excess Profits Tax; and whether, in the circumstances, he will take steps to have these payments expedited?

I am not aware of the complaints to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will furnish me with particulars of any case in which it is alleged that undue delay has occurred, I will cause inquiry to be made. Applications for repayment of Excess Profits Duty are dealt with as expeditiously as possible; but my hon. Friend will appreciate that such applications often involve very substantial sums and that repayment cannot properly be made until the necessary evidence in support of a claim is furnished and examined.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the grant being made, or proposed to be made, either as a capital sum or annually, to Oxford University in respect of the new single centre of training in forestry; how much is being contributed by India or Australia or other dominions towards the expense of the centre; and under what Vote such grant or any part thereof will appear?

I have not at present before me any proposal of the nature indicated in the question, but I understand that the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Imperial Forestry Education are now being considered by the Forestry Commission and the other Departments represented on the Committee, the Report of which was recently presented to Parliament (Cmd. 1166).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any steps are to be taken to prevent societies which exist solely for the purpose of paying out pensions being taxed with the full Income Tax because they are unable to register under the Friendly Societies Act of 1896; and whether he is aware that this tax has been imposed on the investments of the Drivers, Fireman and Cleaners' Pension Fund Society of the South Eastern Railway Company, though the investments are solely for paying out pensions?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the West Houghton Division (Mr. T. Wilson) on the 21st February, 1921. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of that reply. The present position is that the income from the investments of a superannuation fund is liable to Income Tax at the standard rate of 6s. in the £ like any other income of this nature. On payment of pensions, however, tax is deductible at a like rate and is therefore not borne by the superannuation fund to the extent that the pensions are paid out of the investment income of the fund. Where Income Tax is deducted from a pension at the standard rate of 6s. in the £, the pensioner is allowed any repayment of tax to which he may be entitled by reference to the amount of his total income. Moreover, in order to avoid the inconvenience of separate claims for repayment by individual pensioners, the Inland Revenue Department has made an arrangement with many pensions funds, under which tax is deducted from the pensions only to the extent of the pensioners' net liability. The Department subsequently repays or allows to the fund such amount as may be due in respect of the difference between the tax at the full rate on the amount distributed in pensions and the aggregate liability of the pensioners in respect of their pensions. The attention of the Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Pension Fund Society of the South Eastern Railway Company was drawn to this arrangement some time ago.

asked the Chief Secretary who is responsible for the proper care and preservation of the shot-guns and other firearms which have been taken by the Irish Government from loyal subjects for safe custody; and whether he can give an assurance that these firearms are being properly looked after and preserved from deterioration?

The responsibility rests with the Irish Government. The firearms in question are being carefully looked after, and all possible steps are being taken to prevent their deterioration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the appointment of Mr. McHardy as assistant traffic manager of the Uganda Railway in October, 1914, and as deputy traffic manager in March, 1917; and whether this gentleman's claims to, and fitness for, this appointment were such as to justify his being chosen for these appointments in preference to other gentlemen who had been on the staff of the Uganda Railway for some years, and who had other railway experience extending over a number of years?

Mr. McHardy's appointment as an Assistant Traffic Manager on the Uganda Railway and his subsequent promotion to be Deputy Traffic Manager were approved by my predecessors on the recommendation of the Governor. The claims and position; of other officers were considered at the time, and I have no reason to think that Mr. McHardy's appointment as Assistant Traffic Manager and promotion to be Deputy Traffic Manager were not fully justified.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the serious hardships constantly arising by reason of the delay in dealing with applications for permanent maintenance after decree has been made absolute in matrimonial suits, and to the fact that women who have obtained decrees are left penniless for months by reason of such delay; and whether he will give directions to the Department responsible or take some steps to obviate such delay?

I am informed that, owing to the great increase of business of the Divorce Division, the present staff dealing with the class of work referred to in the question is unable to cope with it, having received no additional assistance. The Lord Chancellor and the President of the Divorce Division are, however, negotiating for the appointment of a temporary additional registrar to deal with arrears.