asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the serious consequences of the proposed increases in postage rates to British trade generally, and especially to the printing trade, and the inevitable resulting increase of unemployment, he will either arrange for the Post Office Estimates to be put down before 13th June or else afford the House some other opportunity of discussing the changes before their introduction?

It is hoped that the discussion on the Post Office Estimates will take place on Thursday, 9th June, when an opportunity will be provided for discussing the proposed changes.

asked the Prime Minister how many of the Departmental Committees appointed during the War and for the War still remain in existence and what, in that case, were their names, their utility, and their cost?

I will make enquiries with a view to ascertaining whether the information asked for by my hon. Friend can be obtained without excessive expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state whether it is the intention of the Government to renew the Anglo-Japanese treaty; whether the terms of the treaty will be submitted to the House for ratification; whether the Government will insist upon Japan recognising her obligations under the present treaty to maintain the independence and territorial integrity of Korea and China; and whether the restoration to Korea of her governmental, educational, and other institutions now dominated by Japan will be made one of the conditions of the treaty, together with the cancellation of the treaty between China and Japan which was signed as a result of Japan's ultimatum to China on 7th May, 1915?

I cannot add anything of substance to the answers already given by the Prime Minister and myself. This is one of the subjects to be discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, and His Majesty's Government will not take a decision until they have had the benefit of that consultation with the Prime Ministers of the Dominions. As regards an opportunity for discussion in this House, I would refer to the undertaking which the Prime Minister gave yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, under the new assimilation scheme of the Irish prison service, there are chief warders with 20 years' service in that rank who have been graded on the minimum pay of Class 2 as if they had been newly promoted to that rank; whether in the Civil Service, and in all posts under the Crown, no officer is ever reduced in rank or pay except on reports of inefficiency or punishment and will he issue instructions to the General Prisons Board in order that this obviously just policy may obtain in the Irish prison service?

Outstanding cases of hardship arising out of the assimilation of the two prison services are being specially dealt with, and decisions in regard to them will shortly be promulgated.

asked the Chief Secretary how many cases there have been of the abduction or seizure by Sinn Feiners of members of the forces of the Crown since the beginning of the year; and what, in each case, is known about their fate?

Three private soldiers of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were missing from Limerick Barracks on 13th February. They were unarmed. Their bodies were found near Woodford, County Galway, nine days later. There is no doubt these men were murdered by rebels. An officer of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers disappeared near Blarney on 16th April, and was subsequently reported in the hands of the rebels. His fate is unknown but there are grounds for believing that he has been murdered. A sergeant of the Essex Regiment was wounded and captured in an ambush on 19th March, and was afterwards found murdered in an adjacent field. Eleven members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been abducted. One is believed to have been murdered. Four were subsequently released. The fate of the remaining six is unknown, all attempts to obtain information having so far proved unsuccessful.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Bernard Nolan, who was taken from his home at Rathfarnham on the night of the 1st April last and received injuries, with Christopher Reynolds, since deceased, and who had been a patient in King George V. Hospital, has recently been removed to Mountjoy Prison and is in close confinement there, notwithstanding that he is still suffering from grave injuries; whether any charge has been preferred against him; and whether he will, in view of the fact that Nolan was in delicate health prior to his arrest, direct his release in order that he may be removed to a private hospital for proper treatment?

This man has been discharged from King George V. Hospital to Mountjoy Prison as stated in the question. He was at the time of discharge, and is now, fit for such discharge. I do not see my way to order his release at the moment; but I am giving the case careful consideration. He was arrested on suspicion of taking part in attacks on Crown forces.

asked the Chief Secretary if at about 1 a.m. in the morning of the 18th May a number of uniformed and masked men raided the houses of a number of people in Nenagh, County Tipperary; whether any inquiry into this case has yet been held; and if any compensation will be granted to the victims of this attack?

This place is in the martial law area and I have asked the Commander-in-Chief for a report. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone his question for a few days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Private James Smith, No. 2966927, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; whether the receipt of a temporary allowance of 26 weeks is sufficient to disqualify a man from receiving reserve pay, or whether a man on application can remain a member of the Reserve?

The War Office has already been in communication with the hon. and gallant Member regarding the case of Private Smith. At the time when he was awarded the disability allowance, this award disqualified him from remaining a member of the Army Reserve and receiving reserve pay. I regret his case cannot be reconsidered and his discharge from the Reserve cancelled.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the position as regards establishment of workmen in the Royal Dockyards under the following circumstances: in cases of naval shipwrights, who have served their apprenticeship under the Admiralty, and who served 12 years and under as naval shipwrights, then leave the Navy, and immediately enter the dockyard as established shipwrights before the Superannuation Act of 1909 and after that date what is the period which governs the conditions of that Act; is it when the shipwright enters the Navy or the dockyard; and do similar conditions apply to riggers?

The superannuation allowances which may be granted to naval shipwrights are governed by Order in Council dated the 29th November, 1898, which provides that the pensionable service of naval shipwrights who, after a period of sea service, enter a dockyard, is reckoned from the date on which they reach the age of 18, and that they are entitled to superannuation allowances on the scale laid down in the Superannuation Act, 1859. The position of naval shipwrights with regard to superannuation has recently been under consideration, with a view to granting them the benefits of the Superannuation Acts passed since 1859, and it is hoped that a decision will be promulgated at an early date. Such powers were obtained as regards riggers by Order in Council of 2nd June, 1915.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the sister of Thomas Emmanuel Webb, petty officer, O.N. 149,238, attached to H.M.S. "President IV.," received separation allowance from the Admiralty, and on his death was paid the gratuity, etc., due to him; that she applied for a dependant's pension, which was acknowledged on 30th October, 1919; that since then on several occasions she has applied to the local committee, which has informed her they are still waiting a decision from headquarters; the reason for the prolonged delay in arriving at a decision; and, seeing her position financially is now a very serious one, what steps he proposes to take to settle this claim?

I regret the delay which has occurred, but I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that it has now been decided that the disease of which Petty Officer Webb died resulted from his service. Instructions have therefore been given for an award of a dependant's pension to be made if the applicant is eligible under the Order in Council.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in any of the mental hospitals under his control methods of treatment advised by medical officers have been withheld from patients, and, if so, on what grounds; whether schemes of employment suitable for patients are in operation in these hospitals; and, if not, whether such schemes will be instituted?

I have no knowledge of any instance in which treatment advised by responsible medical officers has been withheld from patients in hospitals under the control of my Department for the treatment of neurasthenia and other mental disorders which are not certifiable under the Lunacy Acts. In the majority of these institutions suitable occupational treatment has already been provided, and it is hoped that it may be found possible to extend the arrangement to the remainder.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused among local committees by recent circulars issued by the Ministry, modifying and restricting the arrangements for dealing with cases arising under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant; and, in particular, will he consider the advisability of removing the restriction upon the powers of local committees to make advances of money grants in cases of genuine and urgent need?

The system of advances by local committees to claimants under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant in anticipation of an award of pension was an emergency measure, and without warrant or statutory authority. The system involved a very heavy loss of public money, since, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, if a claim be ultimately admitted, any advance made is set off against the pension awarded, but where the claim to pension fails, recovery cannot be effected, and the sums advanced have to be written off as a loss. I am satisfied that the new procedure adequately and fairly meets all cases of urgent need where immediate medical treatment is required by a claimant to pension, and where the circumstances are such as to make it improbable that the disease was contracted in civil life after the man's demobilisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that thousands of fish and birds are being killed in Southampton Water by the discharge of oil from boats' oil-tanks in the above water; that in other British waters such is the case; and will he prevent the use of American or other oil in home waters?

There are no Admiralty-owned oil-burning ships in Southampton Water except a few small vessels that are laid up awaiting sale. As regards the second part of the question, the Admiralty are fully alive to the objections to the discharge of oil fuel from His Majesty's ships, and have issued stringent regulations on the subject from time to time. The answer to the last part of the question, so far as the Royal Navy is concerned, is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, if the establishment of 10 paymaster lieutenants promoted from commissioned warrant writers and 100 commissioned and warrant writers, that is, 20 commissioned writers and 80 warrant writers, was a maximum provisional establishment to meet war requirements, and is not the fixed establishment for post-War purposes, five warrant writers were promoted to commissioned writer this month, making the number of commissioned writers borne on the list 20, which is stated to be a maximum provisional establishment to meet war requirements?

The promotions were made in accordance with the arrangements laid down in Admiralty Monthly Order 3018a of 1918, to provide for promotion to commissioned rank during the period before the 10-year rule becomes operative. Until the post-War establishment of accountant officers, including warrant writers and officers promoted therefrom, has been definitely fixed, it is not possible to say what the numbers in the various ranks should be. In these circumstances the Admiralty considered that it would be equitable to the Writer Branch to adhere for the present to the arrangements for the provisional establishment of commissioned writers and paymaster lieutenants promoted from that rank, laid down in the Order quoted, rather than to make any immediate change in the numbers allowed. These numbers will, of course, be liable to revision when the post-War complements are fixed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the revised arrangements of travelling concessions for naval leave, issued in Admiralty Monthly Order No. 1,856, of 1920, made no provision for naval ratings employed on recruiting duties away from the home ports; and whether steps will be taken to adjust this apparent oversight by placing them on the same footing as coastguardsmen and petty officer instructors, etc., attached to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, as shown in paragraph 6, Clause 3, of the Admiralty Monthly Order quoted?

I am aware that the present cheap travelling concessions for naval ratings and marines as laid down in Admiralty Monthly Order 1,856, of 1920, do not provide for the issue of cheap tickets to men employed at inland stations; but I would point out that these arrangements are merely a reversion to pre-War procedure, as the result of the cessation of the special facilities which were granted during the War. Consideration will be given to the possibility of extending the concession to men employed definitely on duty at inland stations, but I am unable to promise that such an extension of the pre-War facilities will be possible, in view of the present financial situation. In regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that the concessions granted to coastguardsmen and petty officer instructors, etc., attached to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, are the same as those in force before the War. These men are only able to obtain cheap tickets for periods of leave of seven days and over, whereas naval ratings and marines proceeding on leave in uniform from port stations can, under present arrangements, obtain cheap tickets whenever proceeding on leave with a liberty ticket, that is, normally whenever they are on leave of over forty-eight hours.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken with regard to the future of the Didcot depot; and whether he is aware that quantities of stores at this depot are deteriorating owing to their continued exposure to all weathers?

I have been asked to answer this question, as the establishment at Didcot is a permanent Army Ordnance Depot. Practically all the stores in the open, including a large number of vehicles, are surplus to Army requirements; they have been handed over to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission and are in process of being disposed of, sales being held periodically. Those stores which have been sold are removed gradually by the purchasers. There are also, however, in the open a certain number of vehicles which are being retained for Army use. It has not yet been found practicable to provide cover for all of these, but it is hoped to do so at an early date. These vehicles receive constant attention to minimise the effects of exposure.

asked the Minister of Labour if Lord Roberts' Memorial Fund workshops are about to be closed down unless financial support is immediately forthcoming; and will he take such steps as are necessary to secure the continued training of disabled ex-service men and make provisions for the training of those disabled ex-service men who are waiting admission to the Lord Roberts' Memorial Fund workshops for a course of training?

As I have already stated, I am aware that the Lord Roberts' Memorial Workshops Fund is in need of financial assistance to enable these institutions to be carried on; and the position of these and other similar organisations for the employment of severely disabled men is at present receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what ruling the courts of referees, acting under the Unemployment Insurance Act, have given in respect of applications for unemployment benefit made by ex-service men who, being unable to follow their pre-War employment, and who with the assistance of the Civil Liabilities Commissioners started small businesses, but owing to the sustained depression in trade, have been compelled to give up such businesses?

Such men, if claiming in respect of contributions paid by them, would ordinarily be entitled to unemployment benefit. If they claim under Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, without payment of contributions, they have to satisfy the local employment committee that they are normally engaged in insurable employment. The decision must depend on the facts of the particular case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Walsingham rural district council have been advised by his Department that the negotiations regarding the initial rents of new houses being erected by the council should be deferred until the decision of the Rents Tribunal on the Fakenham arbitration is known; that this decision has now been under consideration for 12 months; whether there is any prospect of it being made shortly; and whether, in view of the impracticability of inviting people to become tenants of new houses without first acquainting them as to the amount of rent for which they will be liable, he will withdraw the advice referred to and enable the council to fix an appropriate rent as the houses become ready for occupation?

I think the local authority must be under some misapprehension. It has not been suggested that they should invite persons to become tenants of the new houses at an unknown rent, but that pending the decision of the Rents Tribunal, which is expected shortly, they should let the houses at such a rent as they consider appropriate, on the understanding that the amount of the Exchequer subsidy will be calculated on the basis of the rents ultimately decided upon.

asked the Minister of Health why the annual charges for principal and interest payable on loans for purposes of drainage and water supply in connection with housing schemes for the borough of Buckingham are allowed to rank for purposes of the Government housing subsidy, while similar payments in respect of a loan for similar purposes in the adjacent borough of Brackley are not allowed to rank for the subsidy?

The cost of works which a council are under an obligation to carry out as a sanitary authority under the Public Health Acts is not a proper charge against an Assisted Housing Scheme. This principle has been followed in the case of Brackley and will apply also to Buckingham.

asked the Minster of Health, if he will reprint Command Paper 509, giving the changes in prices of the principal building materials (London) in 1919, brought up to date?

I shall be glad to issue a reprint of this Paper, brought up to date.

asked (1) the Minister of Health whether his Department has considered the likelihood that when the insurance year closes on 3rd July several million insured persons will be in arrear with their contributions owing to the amount of unemployment; whether such insured persons will, unless they pay 12s. before 31st October to liquidate 25 contributions in arrear, be disqualified from receiving sickness, disablement, and maternity benefit for a whole 12 months; whether he can take any steps to ease what may become a very serious situation; whether, in particular, he will consider the possibility of allowing approved societies to use some of their surplus funds, as ascertained by the recent valuation, to assist in paying off members' arrears;

(2) the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government will, in view of the vast volume of unemployment, consider the possibility of extending the excusing of contributions under the National Health Insurance Act to persons while unemployed?

The hon. Member has correctly stated the position of insured persons who will be in arrear with their contributions at the end of the insurance contribution year. The matter has engaged the close attention of the Department, and has already been discussed with a representative conference of approved societies. As a result it has been decided to ease the situation by allowing an insured person an extended period from July to the end of November in which he may make the comparatively small payment necessary to avoid or mitigate any reduction of benefits during the following calendar year. These payments are on a graduated scale varying from 1s. to 12s. in accordance with the extent of the arrears, and in the extreme case where the arrears exceed 26 a single payment of 5s. would qualify the insured person for sickness benefit at 8s. a week (in addition to any amount added by way of additional benefit), with full maternity benefit, and the rate of sickness benefit would be increased by 1s. a week for each further instalment of 1s. paid during the five months. There is nothing to prevent a society which has a disposable surplus on valuation submitting, for the approval of the Department, a scheme for utilising the whole or part of the surplus for the remission of arrears.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Broom Parish Council, County Durham, arranged to purchase a recreation ground at Ushaw Moor; that the Durham County Council gave their consent to the parish council borrowing the £900 required for the purpose, but that the Ministry of Health refused their consent; and whether, seeing that the scheme and loan were approved by a parish meeting, that the recreation ground is urgently required in this coal-mining district, that the Broom Parish Council have no other loans of any kind, and in view of the urgency of the matter and the general desire of the inhabitants, he will withdraw his veto?

I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan), on the 13th instant with regard to this matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the question of amending the Lunacy Acts so as to substitute for the terms "pauper lunatic" and "pauper lunatic asylum," the words "patient" and "mental hospital"?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a similar question on the 10th March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether a letter has been received by the Reparation Claims Department from the British Chamber of Commerce in Constantinople regarding the outstanding claims of British subjects against the Turkish Government; what decision has been arrived at in this matter; and whether His Majesty's Government can now see their way to make the advance of 50 per cent. asked for against approved claims?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret that it is impossible to make the advances asked for as there are no funds available for the purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with negotiations to secure access to and from the Ægean Sea for goods to and from the State of Bulgaria under Article 48 of the Treaty of Neuilly; and if he is aware that wheat from Bulgaria for Great Britain can only be exported from Danubian ports at present with consequent increase of freightage?

Definite provisions for a Bulgarian outlet to the Ægean were, as foreshadowed in Article 48 of the Treaty of Neuilly, included in a Treaty signed at Sevres on 10th August, 1920, by which Western Thrace was to be transferred by the principal Allied and Associated Powers to Greece. This Treaty has not yet been ratified. I have no information as to the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government has any information pointing to a possible renewal of hostilities between Poland and Russia; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to offer its good offices for the prevention of further warfare on the borders of Poland?

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

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the case of the purchaser of a new motor car who, after a trial of a few months and on finding it defective, returns it to be exchanged by maker for another car of exactly similar design within the same year, the purchaser is liable for taking out two licences although he is not at any time in possession of more than one car?

The licence is now granted in respect of the vehicle, and is transferable with the same. The usual and convenient practice is for the owner to receive a proportionate part on parting with the car. Where a licensing authority has consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on any special case where a new car defective on delivery is replaced by another without charge, no objection has been raised to the issue of a new licence in place of that surrendered.

asked the President President of the Board of Education whether serious hardship will be inflicted on a large number of teachers in secondary schools by the ruling of his Board that service in schools which have been transferred to local education authorities by means of sale will not count for pension under the School Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918; whether, before making that ruling, he had satisfied himself that the terms of all such sales provided for adequate compensation to the teachers in lieu of their loss of pension rights for such service; and, if not, why service prior to transfer should count in the one case and not in the other if the teacher received no benefit from such sale?

I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for the Moss Side Division of Manchester (Lieut.-Colonel Hurst). I do not consider that any hardship is involved by refusal to recognise service in a particular school which is not entitled to recognition under the Act. As regards the second part of the question, it seems to me irrelevant for the purpose of the Act to inquire whether the teachers concerned had any pension rights apart from the Act, or whether they were compensated for their extinction.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the Minute of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland, dated 22nd April, 1921, by which provision is made for the distribution of grants to education authorities from the Education Fund on the basis of a flat rate; whether he is aware that in such payments no account is taken of any money expended on food, clothing, and medical treatment of necessitous children, nursery and hostel schools, play centres and games for children in slum districts, and special classes for mentally defective children; and why these forms of expenditure have been excluded from the grants?

As I am responsible for the Minute in question, I am naturally familiar with its terms. The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is, therefore, in the affirmative. To have taken account of these or any other special forms of expenditure would have involved a departure from the fundamental principles of the Minute, which have been generally approved by the Association of Education Authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any record or estimate has been made of the number of franked postal packets marked "O.H.M.S." sent during the last financial year as compared with the last pre-War year; and what is the loss estimated to have been incurred upon the postal service of Government Departments in the last financial year?

Such returns as are available indicate that the number of postal packets sent and received by Government Departments was about 74,000,000 in 1913, and about 285,000,000 in 1920. The value of services so rendered to other Government Departments in 1920–21 is estimated at about £2,500,000, and credit to this amount will be taken for them in the Post Office commercial accounts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the postal service has lately been engaged in putting in ducts for the cables between Bournemouth and Westbourne, and in Poole; if so, whether there is a large quantity of these articles in store at the Bourne Valley Pottery which have been passed by the inspectors, and which are awaiting delivery, whilst all the ducts are being brought from a considerable distance at a railway carriage of upwards of 30s. per ton; and if he can give any information on this subject?

I am having further inquiries made, and will report the result to my hon and gallant Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any agreement which may be come to between the Government and the Marconi Company, with regard to the combined land and wireless service between London and Paris, will be submitted to the House before a permanent licence is granted?

In the event of an agreement being reached between the Government and the Marconi Company as to wireless services with the Continent, the agreement will be laid before Parliament. I am advised that as no charge will be thrown upon public funds, confirmation by a Resolution of this House is not required, but if there be a general desire for discussion, I will consult my right hon. Friend, the Leader of the House as to the possibility of meeting it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether inquiries which had been made all over the country by the Union of Post Office Workers have produced the information that 83 per cent. of the sub-office assistants who live out are in receipt of an average wage of £1 8s. 5d., including war bonus, and that the remaining 17 per cent. who live in are being paid an averages wage of 16s. 6d., including bonus; whether 8 per cent. of the total number of assistants employed work over 60 hours per week whilst 47 per cent. work more than 48 hours per week; and whether, having regard to the serious state of affairs revealed by these figures, he will cause an immediate investigation to be made in the whole working of the sub-office system?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Dartford Division (Mr. Mills) on the 10th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many persons have been prosecuted in India for seditious utterances in speeches or newspapers during the present year, and how many have been convicted; and how many prosecutions have been instituted for incitement to assault and riot, and with what result?

I have asked by telegram for the figures, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know when I receive them.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there is any audit of the military accounts in India similar to the audit of the civil accounts?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many times the Viceroy of India has officially received an individual called Gandhi; and whether he can make any statement as to the result of the interviews?

The Viceroy has received Mr. Gandhi several times privately. The Viceroy will no doubt consider what statement, if any, could usefully be made in regard to these interviews.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the war bonus paid to the Civil Service is based on a comparison between the cost of living of a working-class family of five persons in 1914 and in 1921, and in which no allowance is made for any change in the mode of living of the working or other classes since 1904, when the actual inquiry into the cost of living of the working classes was unofficially under- taken; and, in view of the unfairness to the taxpayer in having to pay war bonus on this basis to a civil servant who is a bachelor and who draws a salary of £500 with increment and pension prospects, what action does he propose to take?

The bonus is based upon an index figure, which is calculated on the basis of the average increase in the cost of maintaining the pre-War standard of living of working-class families, irrespective of whether or not such standard was adequate. The method of calculating the index figure is more fully explained in an article published in the "Labour Gazette" for February last, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. and gallant Member. It is not correct to assume that civil servants of all grades receive a bonus directly equivalent to the index figure. Such increase applies only to the first 35s. per week of salary or wages, or to wages of 35s. per week or less; and a civil servant with basic salary of £500 a year receives, on a cost of living figure of 165, a bonus, not of 165 per cent., but of 80 per cent. The bonus payable to civil servants of all grades falls automatically, by arrangements agreed at the National Whitley Council, as the index figure falls, and I am satisfied that this arrangement should not be disturbed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is possible to calculate the bonus paid to the Civil Service for a period shorter than six months, in view of the bad impression caused by paying all-round higher wages during a time when other classes are submitting to a reduction of pay?

I beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 24th March last to the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley). The hon. and gallant Member no doubt recognises that the rate of bonus lags behind the cost of living when that is rising, as it does when it is falling, and to the same extent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many males and females are employed in Grade 2, Tax Department, Inland Revenue; and the salaries paid to male and female?

There are at present 68 male clerks and 1,022 female clerks in Grade 2. The respective rates of pay are, for the London postal area, 82s. per week proceeding by annual increments of 5s. to 97s. per week for men and 63s. per week proceeding by increments of 2s. 6d. to 70s. 6d. per week for women. In the provinces these rates are reduced by 4s. per week in certain large cities and by 8s. per week elsewhere.

asked how many temporary male tax clerks, Grade 3, are employed in the tax department; how many are ex-service men what opportunities of promotion are open to these men; and whether steps could be taken, in view of the high cost of living, to increase the present salary of 62s. per week, with 1s. 6d. per hour for overtime, in the provinces?

There are at the present time some 2,775 temporary male tax clerks employed in Grade 3, of whom all but 70 are ex-service men, generally with only short experience of taxes work. There are reasonable prospects of advancement for men who show fitness for the work of the department. The question of pay of the temporary clerical classes is at present under consideration by a sub-committee of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state from returns received from slaughter-houses the number of calves slaughtered in Great Britain in the months June, 1920, to April, 1921, inclusive, as compared with the number for the corresponding months a year before?

From the returns received from slaughterhouses, it is estimated that the number of calves slaughtered in Great Britain during the period June, 1920, to April, 1921, inclusive, was approximately 1,050,000. For the period June, 1919, to April, 1920, the estimated number was 1,280,000. These figures are subject to correction when the results of the livestock census to be taken early in June become available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the future intentions of the Ministry with regard to the Brockworth (Gloucester) Aerodrome and the Barnborough (Leeds) Depot?

I have been asked to answer this question. As regards the Brockworth Aerodrome, evacuation is proceeding as rapidly as possible, but is at present being retarded owing to the industrial situation. Arrangements will be made to dispose of the Aerodrome when the evacuation is complete. As Barnborough is being used as a concentration depot for the contents of numerous smaller depots which are being evacuated, I am afraid that it will be required for some time to come.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the great difference between the first wholesale prices of imported or English meat and those at which the commodity reaches the consumer and whether, even under decontrol, the Board can issue weekly statements giving the fair average prices which should be paid by purchasers in the ordinary retail shops and markets of the country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The circumstances do not, however, appear to render desirable the resumption of control of distribution without which, as experience has shown, any really effective control of retail prices is impossible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what number of cattle from Canada and the United States respectively have arrived at British ports for slaughter since the re-opening of this trade in transatlantic fat cattle; what further shipments have been arranged for and whether he can trace any effect upon the price of meat to the British consumer as a result of these shipments?

Returns supplied to me show that the numbers of cattle which arrived at British ports from the United States and Canada between 9th March and 28th May last were 14,740 and 2,007 respectively. Further shipments are expected during the coming month of 8,858 cattle. The information available does not show what proportion will be of Canadian origin. Wholesale prices of meat have recently tended to fall, but it is not possible to state how far the fall has been due to supplies of imported cattle killed at the ports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether supplementary pensions granted under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, are paid to Post Office pensioners monthly while Ordnance Survey pensioners are only paid quarterly; and whether he will make arrangements with the Treasury to bring the payment of pensions to Ordnance Survey pensioners under the monthly system?

The payment of the increase to pensioners from the Ordnance Survey under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, has been authorised quarterly as a provisional arrangement only, in view of the amount of work involved in assessing the increases, and the fact that the first amount paid in respect of the increase was in most cases for the amount due for not less than two quarters (1st April, 1920 to 30th September, 1920). Where, however, any desire is expressed for monthly payment, steps will be taken to meet the wish of the pensioner.

asked the Home Secretary how many motor cyclist police are now employed, and with what results; and can the further extension of this branch of the force now be considered?

Twenty motor cyclist police officers are now regularly employed on special road duties, namely, 10 as drivers and 10 as observers. They have reported for process a number of cases of dangerous driving, obstruction by slow moving traffic, etc.; but it is yet too early to determine whether an extension of this branch can be undertaken.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what was the number of immigrants into the United Kingdom during the 12 months ending 31st December, 1920; what number of such immigrants passed through the country; what number remained;

(2) what was the number of Russians, Poles, and Finns who entered and remained in this country during the year 1920?

The hon. and gallant Member will find the fullest available information in the Quarterly Returns presented to Parliament. The following figures taken from those" Returns will, I think, substantially answer his questions:

427, 246 aliens entered, and 420,836 left the United Kingdom last year.

Of Russians, 11,167 entered, and 12,110 left. The figures of Finns and Poles were not shown separately till the last six months of the year. During that period, 4,439 Finns entered, 4,652 left; 31,197 Poles entered, 31,319 left.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, shortly after the Armistice, a valuation, or estimate of value, was officially obtained of the Tanganyika properties now about to be sold; whether the value or estimate was £5,000,000; whether, seeing that the sale of these properties has been placed in the hands of one man, Mr. Moynagh, any steps are being taken, and, if so, what, to secure that the properties realise their full value; whether reserves are to be placed on the different properties; and, if so, who is to settle them and, generally, who is to supervise Mr. Moynagh in the sale of this territory?

No such valuation was obtained. The auctioneer is merely the agent, acting under instructions of the Custodian of Enemy Property in the territory. The conditions of sale, based on Proclamations Nos. 3 and 23 of 1920, provide, among other things, that the Custodian may fix reserve prices and withdraw any property or part thereof from sale either without or after offering it for competition. The sales are supervised by the Custodian and, in accordance with the provisions of the Proclamations, all sales are widely advertised, both locally and in England, three months before they take place.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the advisability of stopping all expenditure, apart from inescapable commitments already made, on buildings for employment exchanges in view of the growing doubts as to the usefulness of those institutions?

I have been asked to reply. I have already given an assurance that no permanent buildings shall be proceeded with without the previous sanction of the House. I shall propose to make a further statement on this matter on the Report stage of Class I, Vote 9, "Labour and Health Buildings, Great Britain." As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Employment Exchanges, of which I am sending him a copy. Notwithstanding the growing unemployment of the last four months of last year, the employment exchanges, during the year, filled 941,708 vacancies, finding work for 784,169 individuals and this, apart from their work in connection with unemployment insurance.