asked the Secretary of State for War what it is proposed to do with regard to the two townships of Gretna and Eastriggs, their houses, roads, and lighting, in the event of His Majesty's factory at Gretna being closed and placed in charge of a small maintenance staff?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 29th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the proposed reductions and discharges of workers and staff now employed at Gretna factory are expected to affect within a few weeks' time some 500 or 600 employed persons, the majority of whom are ex-service men, including many disabled men; and whether steps will be taken to find further work at the factory for these people, seeing that Gretna is a national factory but with no alternative means of occupation in its neighbourhood, to which a number of ex-service men have been attracted by reason of the Government's action in establishing the factory and providing ample housing accommodation in the townships adjoining it?

I regret there is no alternative but to discharge a number of employés from Gretna factory in the near future, who would, otherwise, have to be kept on without work for them to do. I should explain that the factory is of a very special type, and is unsuitable for work of an ordinary nature, even if such work were available. It is in no sense an engineering establishment; the engineering plant which is installed there is relatively small, and only sufficient for general maintenance purposes. The wagon-repair programme is nearly completed, no further wagons being available, either from the Ministry of Munitions Pool or from the railway companies.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Navy and Army Canteen Board have entered into a contract with German shipowners for the carriage of canteen stores to the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, and that this contract covers several thousands of tons of such stores, which have been, or will be, conveyed to our troops in Germany by German ships, while British shipping is lying idle for want of cargoes; and whether he will arrange that all stores for our troops in Germany will in future be carried by British ships?

I am informed that the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes have not entered into any contract with German shipowners, but that they employ the services of a British firm. This firm, it is understood, charters German-owned vessels which have been specially built for the navigation of the Rhine, and experience has proved that this is the only means whereby the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes are enabled to obtain regular weekly shipments direct to Cologne.

asked the Secretary of State for War on which principle of priority the issue of the War medal and the Victory medal is based; and whether such priority is regimental or alphabetical?

The distribution of British War and Victory medals to personnel of British corps is divided into two categories—

Medals for rank and file which are issued through Record Offices.

Medals which are issued direct from the War Office to those who held commissioned rank.

With regard to the rank and file, the medals are issued at short intervals to officers in charge of records in rotation, having regard to the. number of nominal rolls submitted by them and with a view to supplying every Record Office with a certain number of medals to give employment to the staffs engaged on this work. It is not practicable to issue these medals by order of units ( e.g., battalions), as the names are submitted on rolls of regiments with which the men last served, although they may have qualified for the award by service with other regiments, the names of the latter being inscribed on the medals. In the cases of those who held commissioned rank, where addresses and full particulars of service are known, issue is made in the order of qualification, i.e., firstly to those who qualified by service in 1914, then in 1915, then in 1916, etc. Priority issues are, however, made in certain cases e.g., when individuals are proceeding abroad and have no permanent address at home; in the case of re-enlisted members of the Territorial Force, etc.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether James O'Neill, first service, No. 4391, second, No. 3/7928, Sea-forth Highlanders, who enlisted on the 8th November, 1892, and was discharged on the 1st November, 1908, re-enlisted on the 22nd August, 1914, and was discharged on the 24th December, 1918, has been refused a service pension; whether a man who rejoins the service voluntarily has his reserve time counted as colour service; whether O'Neill's service, including reserve time, totals 20 years and 96 days; and whether he can state the reason for refusing this man his service pension?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. O'Neill completed his ordinary Army service in 1908 and re-enlisted for the duration of the War in September, 1914. He was not serving during the War on a pensionable engagement, and such men only acquire a right to pension if they complete 21 years' total service. A man who rejoins the Army voluntarily does not have the period spent in the Reserve converted into Colour service, but it does count towards the total of 21 years' service. In this case, counting the Reserve service, O'Neill still has less than the requisite 21 years. His service before the War was exactly 16 years, of which 10 years 109 days were with the Colours, and he served 4 years 94 days during the War.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers taken at Kut had to provide rations for themselves and orderlies; that this expenditure has not yet been refunded to these officers; and whether, if this is so, he will consider the question of refunding these expenses?

Special grants have already been made to the officers referred to in aid of the extraordinary expenditure to which they were put in providing necessaries for themselves whilst in captivity. An allowance has also been authorised to cover the expense incurred in feeding soldier servants, and will be paid in all cases in which satisfactory claims are submitted.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. M. Hamber, of 76, Sutherland Avenue, Maida Vale, widow of Sergeant Marsh Hamber, No. 5751, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who died on active service in the Tirah campaign, 1897, and to the ruling of the Ministry of Pensions on 6th November last that she is not eligible for an Army pension on the present scale on the ground that her husband died in action prior to the South African war; whether it is the intention of the Ministry of Pensions to distinguish between the widows of soldiers killed in one war and of those killed in another; if not, whether he will take steps to secure that the regulations are amended so that the widows of soldiers in all wars are equally treated; and whether he is aware that the inequality of treatment inflicts a great hardship on an exceedingly limited class of persons and which could therefore be redressed without great expense to the State?

The Former War Warrants of the Ministry of Pensions are designed to increase to present war rates the existing pensions of widows who have already established their entitlement under the appropriate service Warrants or Regulations. If, as in Mrs. Hamber's case, there is no title to pension under pre-Ministry Warrants, the "Former War" Warrants of the Ministry cannot be applied. I am, however, considering the position further.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether James Stevenson, No. 187651, Gunner, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, who enlisted on the 9th December, 1915, and was discharged on the 15th February, 1919, was admitted to Bellahouston Hospital in April, 1919; whether he is aware that on the 13th December, 1920, he was removed to the Longmore Home for Incurables, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh; that the treatment allowance drawn by his wife was stopped on the 20th April, 1921, without any explanation; the reason for this step; and if this woman will have the treatment allowance restored to her with arrears?

The service disability for which this man had received pension was rheumatism, and he was for some time under treatment in Bellahouston Hospital for that complaint. He was then found to be suffering from disease of the cerebro-spinal system and was removed to the Longmore Home for Incurables. The treatment allowances have been stopped because there is no present disability from rheumatism, and because the organic nervous disease from which he now suffers has been found to be neither due to nor aggravated by service. An appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal is in course of preparation, and I will see that it is expedited.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Frederick Dimmock, No. G/53,164, of the Royal Fusiliers, who is a miner and joined up in 1916, when he was passed A 1, served in France till May, 1917, when he was sent home with trench feet to the hospital; that his toes were amputated on 15th August, 1919; that he has to return to hospital for an operation; that he is unable to walk owing to intense pain; that he has a wife and child and has no other means beyond his pension and the unemployment benefit, which will shortly end; that the medical reference recommended 80 per cent. pension; and that this has since been reduced to 8s. 3d. per week though he is quite unable to work for a living; what action he proposes to take in this case; and whether the man in question can come before a medical appeal board?

The disabilities in this case are disorderly action of the heart (attributable to service); hammer toes—not trench feet—and varicose veins (both aggravated by service). The little toe of one foot has been amputated. Aggravation of the hammer toes having passed away, no pension for that disability can be awarded therefor. Disablement from the other disabilities was assessed at 30 per cent. by a medical appeal board in July, 1920, and a pension of 12s. a week will be in payment until the 19th July, 1921. Following that day, the rate will be reduced to 8s. a week, a recent survey board, held with a view to renewal of the award, having assessed disablement at 20 per cent. There is a right of appeal through the local war pensions committee to a medical appeal board against the assessment of 20 per cent. and to the pensions appeal tribunal against the decision that aggravation in the case, of the hammer toes has passed away.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Admiralty Monthly Order 554/21 does not merely regularise a custom which had up to the issue of the order no official sanction, but is the authority for petty officers to wear white woollen gloves in addition to chief petty officers?

The petty officers who are permitted by Monthly Order 554/21 to wear white woollen gloves, are those who have served in that rating four years or more and whose uniform, except in respect of badges, is now similar to that of chief petty officers. As far as the actual chief petty officers themselves are concerned, the position in this matter is as stated in the replies to previous questions.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the house of Mrs. Brosnan, of Newtownsandes, near Listowel, was destroyed on the night of 10th April; whether this was carried out by order; and what was the reason for this destruction?

The circumstances of this case were stated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General in reply to an identical question put by the hon. Member on 13th May.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet received a report on the subject of the promotion of a temporary clerk, with three weeks' service in the regional office at Dublin, to a grade 1 clerkship over the heads of other clerks of considerable length of service and with far more experience of the work of the Ministry?

The report has been received, and, as promised in the answer given to my hon. Friend's question of the 11th May, a communication has been addressed to him on the matter. The promotion was made solely on the ground of merit, in order to fill a vacancy in a grade 1 clerkship.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an official arbitrator has been appointed in connection with the proposed acquisition of land for allotments at Highbridge, Somerset; what further steps have been taken with a view to arbitration in this case; and whether he will take immediate steps to have the acquisition of land expedited?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have ascertained that the official arbitrator appointed by the Land Values Reference Committee wrote to the parties on the 5th instant offering the earliest dates possible, viz., 27th June, for viewing the land, and 28th June for the hearing, but it is understood that these dates have not yet been accepted by the parties. I regret that I have no power to expedite the arbitration proceedings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments acquired under the Defence of the Realm Act and retained under that Act at 31st December, 1918; and similarly the number at 31st December, 1919, and 31st December, 1920, each number being stated separately?

No returns were obtained from local authorities of the D.O.R.A. allotments as at 31st December, 1918. I regret, therefore, I am unable to supply the information asked for in the first part of the question. According to the returns furnished by authorities, the total number of allotment holders on land provided under powers contained in Regulation 2L of the D.O.R.A. Regulations as at 31st December, 1919, and 31st December, 1920, was 276,355 and 254,785 respectively. Some of the D.O.R.A. land, however, from which the Ministry form- ally withdrew has been taken over by the local allotment authority, and the number of allotment holders on land acquired under the Small Holding and Allotment Acts showed a marked increase at 31st December, 1920, as compared with 31st December, 1919. It is proposed to publish very shortly a report as to the total number of allotments in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has made further inquiries into the unsatisfied demand for allotments at Newlyn, Cornwall, and the result of his inquiries?

Yes, further inquiries have now been made. It appears that the acquisition of suitable land for allotments in this district is rendered difficult by the fact that land is in the hands of small men, while the attitude taken up by the local allotment association in demanding unsuitable land has increased the difficulty of making a satisfactory choice from the land available. The Paul Urban District Council, who were asked by the county council to take the necessary steps to acquire land selected by the association, considered the demands of the association unreasonable and referred the question to the council in January last. The matter has now been fully considered by the small holdings and allotments sub-committee of the agricultural committee of the county council, and the sub-committee reported on 27th April that they agreed with the opinion of the urban district council that the land selected by the association is unsuitable. It was considered that the applicants would soon give it up. This would mean that the land, which could only be acquired compulsorily for a minimum period of 14 years, would be thrown on the hands of the urban district council, and as the association had refused to make itself responsible for the rent of the land during the period for which it could be hired compulsorily, the loss incurred would presumably fall on the rates, which are very high at present. In the circumstances, the subcommittee were not prepared to recommend the compulsory acquisition of the land. The agricultural committee adopted the report. In view of the foregoing considerations, it does not appear that the Ministry can press the county council to take any further action as regards this land, especially as it is understood that the holding of which it forms part has now been handed over by the owner to his two ex-service sons, who occupy the holding, which comprises 30 acres only. The county land agent and one of the Ministry's sub-commissioners have been endeavouring to find suitable land in the district, but there appears to be very little possibility of any being acquired unless the local association and the applicants are prepared to take land which they have hitherto refused.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, looking to the continuance in connection with salmon fisheries of pollution, obstruction, and the abstraction of water, it is the intention of the Government to introduce at an early date the Bill for the consolidation and amendment of the existing Salmon and Freshwater Fishery Acts which was referred to in His Majesty's Speech at the beginning of the Session of 1920?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 25th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) and the hon. Member for Nottingham (Sir J. W. Rees).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the contract price for whole milk at present paid to producers by the United Dairies Company is 1s. 1d. per gallon, less 1d. per gallon carriage; whether this means that this company, which controls 80 per cent. of the supply, is buying at less than 3d. per quart; whether the producers' wage bill is not higher than it was last year and the price obtained for milk lower, with a consequent danger that dairy herds will be given up and certain classes of land go out of cultivation; and what action does he propose to take?

I have no information as to the contract prices paid for milk by the company in question. Such information as the Ministry has been able to obtain suggests that the prices at present being paid to producers generally are rather higher than that mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. Whilst it is true that the wages of agricultural labour have risen during the last twelve months and that the producers' prices of milk on the average are lower, these are not the only factors which affect the cost of production, and so far as I am aware there is no indication that farmers are at present giving up dairying on account of the lower price obtained this year for their milk.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Rates Advisory Committee has yet advised as to the possibility of taking any, and what temporary measures to relieve the coasting trade from the unfair competition of cut- railway rates?

The answer is in the negative. It is hoped that the Report of the Rates Advisory Committee on this matter will be received next week.

asked the Minister of Transport what provision is made in the Railways Bill to ensure that a permanent remedy will be provided for the present unfair competition of cut-railway rates with coastwise shipping and to prevent its recurrence in the future; and whether shipowners affected will be given a right of audience before the rates tribunal?

In reply to my hon. and learned Friend, I can only refer him to the provisions contained in Part 3 of the Bill, which provide the method of fixing rates.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the proposed abandonment by the Medway Conservancy of the control of the River Medway owing to lack of funds; whether any of the barges commandeered for war services have been returned, and how far this has affected the state of insolvency; and whether he will take steps to bring the local authorities and farmers together before 31st May in order to avoid this calamity?

The Medway Conservancy is a statutory body not under Government control. I have no information as to the proposed abandonment, except the statements to this effect made in the public Press. As to the second part of the question, I am unable to make any statement. The last part of the question appears to be one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, from whom I understand that proposals for the formation of a drainage board are well advanced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the constantly increasing use of country roads by chars-à-banc; whether there is any maximum width prescribed for chars-à-banc; and, if not, whether he will prescribe one?

I am aware that large numbers of chars-à-banc are used on country roads. These vehicles are subject to the provisions laid down in the Heavy Motor Car (Use and Construction) Order, 1904, under which the maximum width for these vehicles is 7 feet 6 inches.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in consequence of the constantly increasing use of narrow country roads by chars-à-banc and the difficulty of following vehicles in passing them, he will issue an order that all such chars-à-banc shall carry a glass or mirror to enable the driver of the chars-à-banc to become aware of the approach of the following vehicles?

The question of the provision of a glass or mirror upon chars-à-banc and other mechanically-propelled road vehicles to enable the driver to become aware of the approach of following vehicles is within the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Road Vehicles, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport hopes at a comparatively early date to receive a further Report from this Committee which will deal with this question among others. Pending the receipt of this Report he cannot see his way to take the action suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will supply a Return setting forth the allocation of the Exchequer grants for university colleges, recurrent and non-recurrent, for the last financial year.; and how much of this grant was expended in financing new departures, such as the financing of the University of Cambridge and grants towards the salaries of heads of clinical units in hospitals?

Returns from universities and colleges in receipt of Treasury grants for the academic year 1919–20 have already been presented to Parliament (Cmd. 1263), and they give the information referred to by the hon. Member as far as it is yet available. Similar returns will be presented annually.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the principles and Regulations under which the University Grants Committee is to recommend the distribution of the Parliamentary grants recently approved by Parliament for the coming quinquennium; is it an implied condition in the allocation of financial aid to university colleges from the extra grant voted by Parliament that they should obtain equal financial assistance from local authorities, and is this principle also to be applied to grants made for the formation of clinical units in hospitals; has the principle of giving building grants to university colleges been authorised, and, if so, the principles on which such grants are to be made; and is it intended to supply Government funds to raise the salaries of the more important professors in university colleges to the same figure, namely, £2,000 per annum, as has been fixed for the salaries of the professors who act as the heads of the newly instituted clinical units in hospitals?

The general principles on which the University Grants Committee base their recommendations for the allocation of grants are set out in the Report of the Committee dated 3rd February, 1921, and in the letter addressed by my right hon. Friend to Sir William McCormick, printed as an Appendix to the Report, which has already been presented to Parliament. As there stated, great importance is attached to the amount of support provided from local sources in calculating the grants payable to the different institutions, but, except in the case of the University of Wales, there is no undertaking by the Government to make grants on the basis of pound for pound in respect of rate aid. The Committee are authorised to recommend capital grants for sites, buildings, and permanent equipment if the funds at their disposal allow, but no such recommendations have yet been made. The responsibility for fixing the salaries of the teaching staffs rests with the authorities of each institution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade wheher he is aware that the Islington public libraries, on the 20th August, 1917, granted the use of accommodation at the south-east branch library, Essex Road, to the late food control committee rent free, upon the condition that all questions of re-instatement were to be taken into account when the accommodation ceased to be used by that committee; that on the 22nd August, 1917, the accommodation in question was accepted by the food control committee upon such condition; that the food control committee was disbanded on the 30th June, 1920, and, having regard to the extensive use to which the rooms were put, substantial redecoration and repairs were essential; that an expenditure of £450 has been incurred by the borough council in the internal re-decoration and repair of the library, the greater part of which sum would not have been expended but for the use of the library by the food control committee; that the claim in question was repudiated by the late Ministry of Food on the ground that the acceptance of the accommodation by the late food control committee upon the condition referred to had not been reported to the divisional food controller nor sanctioned by him; and whether, since the Islington Borough Council can- - not possibly be held responsible for the omission of this technicality on the part of the late food control committee, he will give renewed consideration to this matter, and cause a proper allowance to be made in respect of the dilapidations suffered as a result of the occupation of the library by the said committee?

I am prepared to consider any reasonable claims in respect of dilapidations directly attributable to the occupation of the library by the Food Control Committee.

asked the Prime Minister if he has seen the Report of the Profiteering Sub-committee on an inquiry into the cost of building materials and the existence of rings and combines in the trade; if he is aware that the Subcommittee states that a few of the combines which have been formed control practically 95 per cent. of the commodities required in the building trade; that the Sub-committee report that various price lists issued by the builders' merchants in London are identically the same both in description and price and state that under present conditions it was useless for any council to advertise for tenders for pipes or earthenware; that the Sub-committee states that there is hardly any item to-day in building construction which is not cornered or controlled by big financiers; that the Committee state that Parliament must free this industry from the control which prevents them reducing the prices; and if the Government intends taking any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. Six reports have been presented dealing with various building materials, and the recommendations contained in them will be borne in mind when permanent legislation as to trade combinations is under consideration. I am unable to admit the accuracy of all the statements in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Health whether regulations have recently been made with respect to the institutional and other treament of tuberculosis by councils of counties and county boroughs; whether such regulations have to be laid before Parliament for confirmation, and, if so, when will they be laid; and whether, before they take effect, an opportunity will be afforded of discussing any regulation the effect of which will be to impose an additional charge on the ratepayers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise. The arrangements to be made by the councils of counties and county boroughs for the treatment of tuberculosis upon the termination of sanatorium benefit, and the financial proposals in connection therewith, were fully explained in the course of the Debates upon the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Act, 1921, and in the White Paper which was circulated explaining the provisions of the Act and the necessary Financial Resolution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the report of the inspector with regard to the inquiry as to the establishment of laboratories at Langley Court, Beckenham, for the cultivation of germs and for serum; and if he has come to any decision in the matter?

The report is under consideration, and I hope that it will be possible to communicate the decision to the local authority within the next week.

asked the Minister of Health whether a merchant seaman, temporarily resident in Portsmouth, and at present on the absent voters' list for that residence, who, owing to the nature of his calling, will be absent from Portsmouth when the next register is being compiled will be included in that register?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am afraid I cannot give a categorical answer as the decision would depend on the facts with regard to the man's residence during the qualifying period. The question of including the name in the register would fall to be decided, in the first instance, by the registration officer, subject to the usual provisions as to claims and appeals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, notwithstanding the note as to deduction from rent of the amount previously paid by tenants for Income Tax, Schedule A, which is printed on the official demand notes for Income Tax, landlords refuse to allow tenants, in cases where the tax is paid by instalments, to deduct from the next payment of rent the full amount which they are entitled to deduct for the whole year; and, in view of the fact that this practice is not in accordance with the official note referred to, whether he will have the obscurity of language of such note amended so as to make it clear what are the rights of tenants in regard to deduction of Income Tax from the rent?

The note appearing on the official demand notes in regard to the deduction of Income Tax, Schedule A, from rent does not, as my hon. Friend seems to suppose, mean that a tenant, having paid the first instalment only of the Schedule A tax for any year, can deduct the whole amount of the tax charged for that year on the premises which he occupies, i.e., both the first instalment which has been paid and the second which remains unpaid. If my hon Friend will refer to the terms of the note in question, which were quoted in the reply given to him on this subject on the 12th May, he will see that the landlord is only bound, subject to the conditions specified, to allow out of the next payment of rent the amount of tax which the tenant has actually paid.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is now proposed to change the colour of the 3d., 2d., and 1d. stamps to blue, red, and green, respectively, in accordance with the recommendations of the Universal Postal Union that these should be the colours for the ordinary, foreign, internal, and printed matter rates; and whether it is now proposed to withdraw the 2½ d. and ½ d. stamps from circulation?

I do not propose at present to change the colours of the stamps in question, but the matter will be considered again next year. The 2½ d. and ½ d. stamps will be retained for the present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the recent promotion to an overseership at Stoke-on-Trent; and, seeing that on several occasions senior men, who have performed higher duties for a long period with efficiency and credit, have been passed over, he will satisfy himself that the staff are being justly treated and that favouritism has not been allowed to enter into these cases?

I am satisfied that the staff at Stoke-on-Trent is being justly treated, and that favouritism was not allowed to influence the recent selection of an officer for promotion to an overseer- ship. The claims and qualifications of all the eligible officers were carefully considered, but merit rather than seniority is the basis of selection and the officer selected was considered to be the best qualified officer for the higher post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters addressed to Socialist societies are now opened in the post; whether this is done after obtaining his sanction by his officials or by detectives; and does he exercise any control over the use made of the contents of these letters?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Letters are opened in the post on the authority of the Home Secretary, which is only given by him personally and on strong grounds. The use made of the letters is strictly controlled. It is obviously undesirable that I should indicate in what cases this power is exercised.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a case heard at the Thames Police Court on the 4th instant, where a man whose average wage, including periods of unemployment, was £8 4s. 6d. a week was charged at the instance of the Poplar Borough Council and sentenced to a term of hard labour for attempting to obtain free milk by false pretences; have other cases been brought to the notice of the Stepney Borough Council; and will he order an investigation to be made as to the method of distribution of free milk by the Stepney Council and make adequate regulations for the protection of the ratepayers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There have been other cases in which the Poplar Borough Council have taken legal action successfully, and I understand that similar action is pending in certain cases in Stepney. The method of distribution of milk in Stepney has already been specially investigated by my officers, and a revised scheme has been approved. The whole question of milk distribution was dealt with in a recent circular, a copy of which I will send to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister for Labour, seeing that so many women are drawing unemployment pay, if he will see that those women who were before the War domestic servants are not given that unemployment pay when there is such a demand for domestic servants?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dover (Sir T. Polson) on 12th May, a copy of which I am sending him. A claimant for benefit has to prove, among other things, that she is capable of and available for work, but unable to obtain suitable employment. She is, moreover, asked to furnish all necessary information for determining the occupation for which she is best suited, and domestic service would normally be considered suitable employment for an applicant who had had previous experience before the War or later in this work, subject to due consideration being given to her individual circumstances. A claimant refusing an offer of suitable employment is liable to suspension of benefit. My hon. Friend will have noted that for the period 8th January to 8th April, 40,804 domestic service vacancies for women have been found by the employment exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations made to him by the Toy Trade Board respecting the rates fixed by the Board on 20th January; and whether, in view of the delay that has already occurred, he is now prepared to confirm these rates and to state the date on which they will come into operation?

I am conveying my decision to the Trade Board this week.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of foreign coal imported into this country for 1920 and the value per ton; the number of tons that were imported into this country for the months of January, February, March, April, and May; and the value per ton for each month for 1921?

The quantity and value per ton of foreign coal imported during the periods mentioned, as shown in the Trade and Navigation Returns published each month, were as follow:

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the amount of 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 whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of discussing or voting upon this question before any grant is finally made?

The questions referred to are still being considered by the Departments concerned. When decisions are arrived at the Forestry Commission would welcome discussion on their Estimates, or otherwise.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the Young Men's Christian Association buildings have not been removed from Grosvenor Gardens; and what business, if any, is being transacted in this camp which cannot be performed in its own appropriate place?

The Young Men's Christian Association buildings in Grosvenor Gardens are not under the charge of the First Commisioner of Works, and the hon. Member should apply to the Association for any information in regard to them.