asked the Minister of Pensions whether notice of dismissal has been served on certain officials of the clerical staff of the local war pensions department in Glasgow; whether the regional division officer who served these notices was acting under the instructions of the Ministry of Pensions; and whether, in view of the Government public inquiry into the administration of matters under the jurisdiction of the local war pensions committee and West of Scotland joint disablement committee, he will suspend these notices of dismissal until after this inquiry has been held?

:The members of the Glasgow Local War Pensions Committee having tendered their resignations it became necessary at once to arrange for the carrying on of the work of my Department in that area. It was found necessary, in the interests of efficiency and economy, to reorganise the administration of business in the local office, and for this purpose it was considered advisable to give notice terminating the appointments of certain officials whose services in the posts then occupied by them were no longer required. As the administration of the Glasgow committee is not a matter with which the Committee of Inquiry referred to is concerned, I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.

:Is it not a fact that a number of the cases to come before the Committee of Inquiry are cases, the files and particulars of which are under the control of these officials who have been presented with their notices, and does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be advisable, in consideration of the fact that such an inquiry is going to be-held, to suspend the notices pending the inquiry and the Report on the result thereof?

:The matter is very well in hand, and all the necessary files will be available for the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Regional Director for Scotland has set up a body in place of the Glasgow Local War Pensions Committee called the Ex-Service Men's Advisory Committee; whether he can state if this committee holds meetings every week which are presided over by the Regional Director; whether he is aware that they have been issuing weekly reports to the Glasgow Press, in which references are made to the satisfactory state of affairs which exist in Bellahouston Hospital; whether he is aware that, in view of the public inquiry that is to be held into the administration of that hos- pital, the committee for which has now been publicly announced, this is looked upon locally as an attempt to prejudice the work of that committee; whether he will state the names of the members of this Ex-Service Men's Advisory Committee and the organisations they represent; and whether he will suspend the operations of this body pending the inquiry and report of the committee?

:On the resignation of the local war pensions committee for Glasgow, the regional director, under my instructions, deputed a responsible officer to take charge of the administration of the work of my Department in that area so that the interests of disabled men and other clients of the Ministry should not suffer by the default of the local committee. At the same time, he invited the more important organisations of ex-service men in Glasgow to nominate members to form an advisory committee The advisory committee is composed of ex-service men nominated by the British Legion, the Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, the Trainees' Protective and Welfare Union, and the Independent Grand Order of Ex-Service Men, together with a few members of the late divisional committees which acted under the local committee for the sub-districts of Glasgow. I am sending my hon. Friend the names of the members of the advisory committee. It is the case that this committee meets weekly under the chairmanship of the regional director, and that brief accounts of these meetings have appeared in the local Press. Bellahouston Hospital is, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, not under the direct management of the local committee, but of the Joint Disablement Committee for South West Scotland. But I am informed that the advisory committee obtained permission from the regional director to send; two deputations to visit that hospital. On receipt of their reports, the advisory committee placed on record their satisfaction of the general arrangements of the hospital in connection with the treatment of pensioners, without desiring to anticipate the findings of the Committee of Inquiry. I believe that some reference to this resolution of the advisory committee appeared in the local Press. I am not aware that this action of the advisory committee is looked upon locally as an attempt to prejudice the work of the Committee of Inquiry, nor, in view of the fact that the great majority of men under treatment at Bellahouston are natives of Glasgow, and obtain their treatment at the hospital through the local war pensions committee, does it seem to me at all unreasonable that the advisory committee should have decided to ascertain for themselves that the existing conditions of treatment were satisfactory.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the Glasgow papers in which these reports appear? Is it not the case that the reports submitted to the Press by this committee, which has been set up by the regional director, are, as they appear in the papers, entirely in reference to Bellahouston Hospital and not to the work done by the committee? Further, will he explain why the National Union of Ex-Service Men have not been invited to send representatives to that committee as the National Union of Ex-service Men—

:I cannot quite follow that, and I think the hon. Member had better put it on the Paper.

:On a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman has made a statement in regard to certain bodies representing ex-service men who have been invited to send representatives to this committee. There is in Glasgow a committee of ex-service men, the name of which has not been mentioned, and I am asking him if they have been invited to form part of this committee?

:That will require a fresh reference, and the hon. Member should put it down.

:Are the irregularities in Bellahouston Hospital in any way related to the dismissal of the men referred to in question No. 1, and, if so, can the dismissals not be suspended meanwhile?

:No. My right hon. Friend is also misinformed. The Glasgow Local War Pensions Committee has nothing whatever to do with Bellahouston Hospital. It is purely a matter for the Glasgow and West of Scotland Joint Disablement Committee.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman say if a regional director who has a dispute with a local committee has the right to suspend the operations of the local committee and appoint an advisory committee?

:The hon. Member is making a mistake. The Scottish regional director has no dispute at all with the Glasgow Local War Pensions Committee. Anything that is done is done under my instructions. I am determined to have full efficiency and economy in this part of Scotland.

:Is there a possibility of extending that principle to other parts of the country?

:Very likely.

:That is a general question, and the question on the Paper is a local one.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Bellahouston Hospital is being repainted and redecorated, and that ex-service men are being used to do this work at rates of pay considerably below the standard trade union rate; whether he has received any protest from the Scottish Painters' Society, who allege they have a large number of ex-service men who are members of their society unemployed at present, and who could be put on this work if the standard rates were paid; and whether he is prepared to give instructions to Colonel Henchely, or the responsible officer, that work done for Government Departments must be paid at trade union rates?

:The hon. Member is, I think, misinformed. The hospital is not being repainted and redecorated. During the process of spring cleaning certain wards and out-buildings have been cleaned and lime-washed by the hospital staff, all ex-service men in the employ and pay of the Ministry. The work does not require skilled labour, and I have not received any protest from the Scottish Painters' Society, but I understand that the position has been explained to a representative of that body.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House the reply of the representative of the painters' society to the statement made in explanation by those in charge of the hospital? The facts I have put down on the Paper were sent to me by this particular society?

:Very likely, and I am glad to be in a position to correct the information given to the hon. Member. The fact is, as stated, that all the men employed are ex-service men.

:The point which I wish to bring before the right hon. Gentleman is this: are there individuals doing work which is practically the work of the painters' society, are they being paid painters' society rates or are they being paid under those rates?

:I am not quite sure about that. I am perfectly certain they are working to the satisfaction of themselves and of the Ministry. I have made every endeavour to employ only ex-service men and I shall make inquiry into the other matter raised by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether ex-service men who satisfy a committee or an examiner that they would make efficient elementary school teachers are allowed a grant or maintenance allowance; and, if not, will he, in cases were special aptitude is shown, recommend that such a grant or allowance be made?

:Grants under the Government Scheme for the Higher Education of ex-service students have been made to more than 4,500 ex-officers and men to enable them to take courses of training for the teaching profession. Applications for assistance under this scheme were required to be lodged before the 30th June, 1920, and the Board have not felt justified in accepting applications lodged after that date except where the delay was due to some very special reason. Ex-service men who satisfy the Board that they are qualified for admission to a training college are eligible for assistance at the ordinary rates provided for in the Board's Regulations for the Training of Teachers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the military authorities sent a bill for £34 4s. to the mother of the late Maurice Galvin for conveying the body of her son from Ballykinlar Camp to Tallow, County Waterford; what was the cause of the late Maurice Galvin's death at Ballykinlar Camp; and for what reason was he, a boy of 17 years, ever arrested?

:I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the late Maurice Galvin was arrested as a lieutenant in the rebel forces. He died on 9th April from, uræmia, following acute nephritis. The relatives, on being notified, telegraphed to the Commandant of the Camp requesting him to despatch the remains to Tallow. Their wishes were complied with, but the military authorities have no power to defray expenses in cases of this kind.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of altering that state of affairs? May I have an answer?

:There are a great many questions on the Paper, and as many hon. Members as possible want to ask them in the time allotted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can yet make any announcement as to what steps will be taken in connection with malicious injury claims in Ireland, in view of the impossibility of injured persons obtaining from the local authorities the very large sums for whch judgment has been given?

:I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement on this subject, which, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, is at present engaging the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of compensation for the destruction of property where the victims are innocent has been considered by the Cabinet?

:This question is at present receiving the consideration of the Government.

:When will a decision be arrived at?

asked the Chief Secretary if Colonel Latymer, lately commanding the company of auxiliary police stationed at Cork at the time of the burning of a large part of that city, is still suspended from duty; whether he has been tried, and, if so, with what result; and whether he is employed in any way in Ireland, and, if so, in what capacity?

:The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, Colonel Latymer is at present doing duty with the Auxiliary Division as a temporary cadet.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of houses that have been destroyed by order of the Crown forces, and the number destroyed in unofficial reprisals during this month; and the number of persons killed during the last fortnight and the number of ex-service men killed or wounded by Crown forces or by other persons?

:The number of houses destroyed by order of the Military Governor in the martial law area during the period 1st May to 25th May is 25. If by "unofficial reprisals" the Noble Lord means destruction by members of the Crown forces without orders, I know of no such cases. A number of cases of incendiarism have followed outrages upon members of the Crown forces, but although careful inquiry has been made no evidence implicating any members of the Crown forces has been forthcoming. As regards the last part of the question, 20 police, 8 military, and 40 civilian deaths were reported by the police during the fortnight ended 28th May. Nine assassinations and two attempted assassinations of ex-service men attributable to Sinn Fein were reported during the period. There were no cases of ex-service men killed or injured by Crown forces during that period.

asked the Prime Minister whether the policy of official reprisals has received the approval of the Cabinet?

:The military have been authorised to take such action as is necessary and justified by our military code to suppress rebellion and to restore order.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the burning of houses as reprisals is justified by the military code?

:What about South Africa?

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has yet been held into the shooting on 9th May of a young man named Wynne, of Kilteevan, County Roscommon, who was killed in his house in the presence of his family; and whether any arrests have been made?

:The Court of Inquiry in this case found death due to a gunshot wound inflicted by a member of the Crown forces in the execution of his duty. According to the military evidence a patrol which was searching for rebels found a bright light burning in this house at a late hour of the night and three men fully dressed were seen inside. It was decided to make an investigation. One of the men opened the door in response to a knock and the other two were ordered to put their hands up. Instead of doing so one of them blew out the light while the other made a dash for the inner door. A shot was thereupon fired and Michael Wynne was killed.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

:This was the answer prepared for me—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]—for which I am responsible, and for which I take responsibility. I regret that the last part of the question was not answered, and I will see that it is answered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held into the shooting, on 15th May, 1921, of the Rev. James O'Callaghan, a Catholic curate, in the house of Mr. de Roiste, M.P., at Cork, and into the shooting at his house in Cork on the same day of Patrick Sheehan; and, if so, what were the findings of the court?

:I have not yet received from the Commander-in-Chief the result of the Court of Inquiry in these cases, and I shall be glad if the hon. and gallant Member will postpone his question till next Thursday.

:Next Thursday!

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the inquiry into the death of John Geoghegan, said to have been killed by uniformed men at Moycullen on the 20th February last

:I am not in a position to add anything to the replies given to the hon. Member for Harrow on 21st April, and to the hon. Member for Pontypool on 13th May.

asked, the Chief Secretary the number of women murdered, kidnapped, and wounded, respectively, by Sinn Feiners in Ireland since 1st January, 1921?

:The number are: Murdered, 6; wounded, 7; kidnapped, 3. These figures do not include women who have been killed or injured as the result of bomb attacks made upon police and military lorries in the streets of Cork and Dublin, or of attacks made upon railway trains carrying civilian passengers. I shall circulate the further details of these Sinn Fein attacks upon women in a day or two.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the curfew and martial law areas, he will consider an extension of the curfew hour for children of 14 and under during the summer months?

:In only a few cases is the curfew in force at an hour when children of 14 and under would not normally be in bed. The question of extension is one for the competent military authority.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held into the alleged wrecking by the police of many houses at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on the 2nd August last; and whether any punishments have been inflicted?

:I have called for the Police Reports in reference to this matter and shall be glad if the hon. Member will kindly repeat the question one day next week.

:As this occurred in August last, is it not time some report had been received about it?

:Reports have no doubt been received, and in about 40 other cases of a similar kind embodied in questions to-day by the hon. Member and his Friends, all of them based on Sinn Fein propaganda. [HON. MEMBERS: "No,"and "Withdraw! "]

:As the right hon. Gentleman has referred to questions on the Paper and their origin, and I have some questions down, can he be called upon to substantiate the statement he has just made imputing improper action to hon. Members?

:I do not think the Chief Secretary should have used the words he did. It does involve suggestions against hon. Members.

:As these three questions, repeated one after another on the Paper as if they had been handed out together in some way, lead naturally to that suspicion, would it not be better to avoid the suspicion by mixing them up?

:I think we can all form our own judgment.

:On a point of Order. May I ask whether, in view of your opinion just given, the Chief Secretary ought not to withdraw his remark?

:The Chief Secretary assented to what I said.

:I did not observe it.

:I am afraid the hon. and gallant Member would be withdrawing rather continuously if I adopted a very punctilious attitude.

:May I ask you, Sir, whether a Member is not entitled to ask questions which have as their foundations reports in the public Press of this country? That is exactly what my questions are founded on.

:An hon. Member is supposed to have some personal knowledge and to be able, primâ facie, to vouch for his statements. I do not think he is entitled to take any publication he sees, but he himself is the judge, and we must trust hon. Members not to make implications on one side or the other in these matters.

:May I say that my three questions are founded on documentary evidence from relatives of the sufferers?

:I am assuming the hon. Member's good faith. It is far from me to do anything else.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been made in connection with the destruction by members of the Crown forces of shops and houses at Feakle, County Clare, on the 7th October, 1920?

:The inquiries which have been made have failed to elicit any information as to the persons by whom this destruction was committed, and no arrests have yet been made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether subsequent to an attack at Gort on 15th May, 12 houses in the neighbourhood were burned down or partially destroyed; whether it was an official reprisal; if not, what steps have been taken against the forces of the Crown guilty of the destruction; and whether the town of Gort is in the martial-law area?

:I presume the hon. Member, when he uses the words, "an attack at Gort" refers to the carefully planned and cold-blooded murder of District Inspector and Mrs. Blake and Captain Cornwallis and Lieutenant McCreery of the 19th Lancers. The police report that on 16th May four shops in Gort were maliciously wrecked and in some cases goods were taken. Inquiry is being made in the matters, but I have at present no evidence as to the identity of the persons responsible for this destruction.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the number of Auxiliary Cadets in Ireland; how many have been convicted by courts-martial; how many by civil courts; how many are awaiting or undergoing trial; and how many of the latter are included in the Trim case?

:The strength of the Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, is at present 1,498. There have been eight convictions by court-martial and none by civil courts. Fourteen are at present awaiting or undergoing trial, of which number, 12 are included in the Trim case.

:Are all the auxiliaries ex-officers of His Majesty's forces?

:All ex-officers, with good records in the War.

:How many, have been dismissed without trial?

:The hon. and gallant Gentleman must put down a question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any official inquiry has been held into the alleged theft of goods from the shops of Mr. Robert Campbell and Mrs. Clarke, of Roscommon, on the 15th of October last; is he aware that compensation, amounting in all to £1,083, was awarded by Judge Wakeley at Roscommon County Sessions, at which it was stated that the looting was done by members of the Crown forces; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with these cases?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn) and the hon. Member for Houghton-Le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson), on the 10th and 25th of May respectively.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that shoot- ing by the police took place at the town of Tralee on the 8th August, 1920, and again on the 14th August; that on the 31st November the county hall and a number of houses were destroyed by the police; that on the 23rd March, 1921, shots were fired from a machine gun at St. John's parish church; and that on the 16th April a creamery and several houses in the neighbourhood were burnt down, on the 19th April the offices of the newspapers, the "Kerryman" and the "Liberator,"were destroyed, and on the 21st April more houses destroyed and a person named Bell killed; and whether any members of the Crown force have yet been arrested or punished for any of these outrages?

:I have called for reports on these incidents, which are alleged to have occurred in the martial law area, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will one day next week repeat his question, of which I only received notice on Tuesday. I may point out, however, that the allegation that fire was directed from a machine gun at the parish church has already been completely disproved; the facts of the case being as stated by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General on the 7th April in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Newbould).

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the inquiry into the shooting at Ballinamore, County Leitrim, by police on the 24th September last; and whether any arrests have been made?

:I am informed that no shooting whatever, either by the police or anyone else, took place in Ballinamore on the date in question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the town of Bantry, County Cork, was partially wrecked by the police on the 15th May, 1920, again on the 23rd June, and again on the 25th June; whether many houses were burned and looted on these occasions; and whether any inquiries have been held and any punishments inflicted?

:I have had inquiries made into these matters, and am informed that there is no evidence that any members of the police force were concerned in any of the acts of destruction mentioned.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been made into the destruction of the creamery at Ballymote on the 3rd November last: and whether any arrests have been made?

:I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. A. Williams) on 21st February last by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General, when he stated that the civil population are not inclined to assist the police in their investigation. It has therefore proved impossible to obtain reliable information regarding the perpetrators of the outrages.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement of General Crozier that last September a party of Auxiliaries disguised as members of the Irish Republican Army held up a post office in Kilkenny and stole considerable sums of money; whether any inquiry has previously been held into this case; and whether any punishments have been inflicted?

:This is one of a series of allegations made by General Crozier in the Press. The matter was never brought to my notice by General Crozier during the period of his command of the Auxiliaries or by anyone else. I am having it investigated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has seen the statement of General Crozier that he has information as to the murder of Father Griffin in County Galway by members of the Auxiliary division, and that a highly placed official at Dublin Castle was involved in the suppression of evidence bearing upon this case; and whether, in view of the extreme gravity of these charges, the matter will be placed before an impartial tribunal?

:My attention has been drawn to statements which have appeared in the Press to the effect that General Crozier is in possession of evidence relating to a number of charges that have been brought against servants of the Crown in Ireland. If General Crozier, or any other person who can bring forward genuine and well authenticated evidence to justify the re-opening of cases which have already been the subject of full and impartial inquiry, will communicate that evidence to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, or to myself, I can promise that it will be carefully considered by the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has seen the statement of General Crozier that the evidence as regards the shooting of three men named Clune, Clancy, and McKee, in Dublin Castle guardroom was manipulated by officials; and whether he will now arrange for a full and impartial investigation into the matter?

:I have seen in the Press the statement attributed to General Crozier to which reference is made in the question. If there is the slightest foundation for the statement, General Crozier must be in a position to afford additional information which would assist materially in any further investigation of the matter. I have already stated in this House that I invite and will await such further information. Meantime, I stand upon the finding of the Court of Inquiry composed of British Regular officers which investigated the death on the 22nd of November last of these men, and who satisfied themselves after hearing all available evidence that they were shot by members of the Crown forces after an act in the execution of their duty in an attempt to overpower their guards and make good their escape.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether General Crozier brought these facts to his notice while still in office, and whether there would have been any difficulty in giving the right hon. Gentleman all these facts, if he believed them?

:Neither these nor any of the other allegations were ever brought to my attention by General Crozier, although he could see me at any time, and I did, as a fact, see him on parade at an inspection of an artillery company a few weeks before his resignation.

:Is it not a fact that many of the cases in this, dossier appear to have been produced by officers who, like General Crozier, have left the Auxiliary Force because they were unsuitable?

:Was General Crozier entitled to apply direct to the right hon. Gentleman in this case, or had he to send his evidence to a superior?

:The Chief Secretary is always approachable by a senior officer of police or military, if necessary, in Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a report through General Crozier from an officer who was present at the shooting at Croke Park, who declared that the firing by the Black and Tans was done without any provocation; whether this report was considered by the court of inquiry; and whether the officer in question was asked to give evidence?

:I have not received the report referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, and am therefore not in a position to reply to the remainder of the question.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether Brigadier-General Crozier was requested to give evidence at the trial of the cadets charged with looting at Trim; whether Brigadier-General Crozier is unable at present to attend owing to illness; and whether it is intended to conclude the trial without his evidence, or to postpone it as in similar cases in other trials, or to obtain a sworn statement from the General as in the case of District Inspector King and the Mallow shooting?

:Is it not a fact that the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) has continually criticised the Government for postponing this trial, and how can the right hon. Gentleman explain this change of front?

:Brigadier-General Crozier was requested to attend the trial. He sent a doctor's certificate to the effect that he was unable to make the journey to Ireland owing to the state of his health. The prosecution has not applied for an adjournment for reasons given, namely, that in Brigadier-General Crozier's summary of evidence taken in Dublin no evidence was disclosed that would assist the prosecution, but, if the defence or the Court desire to have any evidence from Brigadier-General Crozier, it is open to the Court to adjourn the trial.

:Seeing that Brigadier-General Crozier was one of the principal witnesses of the whole affair in the first place, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the inquiry can be complete without his evidence?

:I took all that into consideration. I insisted on Brigadier-General Crozier giving a summary of evidence and on his being requested to attend the trial because I foresaw exactly this kind of question being asked. Brigadier-General Crozier gave a summary to the legal advisers of the Commander-in-Chief, which disclosed no evidence against any cadet. We had the greatest difficulty in finding the General's address and only discovered it through the "Daily News."I regret that this officer has not attended the trial to help in the prosecution.

:Did not the right hon. Gentleman say that he had a doctor's certificate, and why does he make that imputation against this officer?

:We had two certificates from a doctor. The first certificate disclosed no specific cause of illness. We asked for a second certificate, which went on to say that Brigadier-General Crozier was suffering, I think, from nerves or neurasthenia—

:He did not in the War.

and was suffering, also, from an unfortunate accident which he received to his head while in command of the Auxiliary Division in a motor accident.

:He was on active service, and was ambushed.

( indicating dissent ): On these grounds, the doctor said that he could not allow him to go to Ireland. I regret that he was unable to attend the trial.

:May I ask if this officer, as to whom the right hon. Gentleman has made such damaging statements, such damaging insinuations, as he could, is not one of those gallant officers the very imputation of anything offensive or wrongdoing on their part was denounced by him as evidently false because of the gallant services of such officers?

asked the Prime Minister whether any requests have been received from the military authorities in Ireland for the despatch of more troops; and whether any action has been decided upon?

:I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on Monday last to a question by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck).

:Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the Chief Secretary stated last night that the Customs House was burnt down owing to an insufficiency of troops at his disposal?

:I must intervene. I made no such statement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the co-operative stores and the dispensary at Tourmakeady were destroyed on or about 10th May as a reprisal for an ambush in the neighbourhood; whether this was officially ordered; and what is the object of the destruction of institutions of this character?

:This place is in the martial law area. I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the dispensary is undamaged. The co-operative stores were burned, but whether accidentally or maliciously has not been ascertained. The destruction was not done by forces of the Crown.

:Can the Chief Secretary now give us the date of the death, of Baron Munchausen?

asked the Chief Secretary whether a number of houses in the Spiddal and Moycullen districts were burnt on the night of 14th May by members of the Crown forces, who employed petrol and bombs; whether this destruction was officially ordered; and, if not, whether any disciplinary action has been taken?

:I have received a police report regarding the burning of some houses in Spiddal and Moycullen, which states that there is no foundation for the allegation that members of the Crown forces are implicated.

:Hear, hear. More Munchausen!

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the burning of the farm and farmhouse belonging to a man named Desmond, at Annabeg, on the 23rd October last by soldiers during their investigations following an attack on the Essex Regiment; and, if so, what was the result of the inquiry?

:I have asked for a report in this case, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat his question at a later date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the wrecking of houses at Athlone in September last; and, if so, what was the finding of the inquiry?

:I have had inquiries made into this matter, and am informed that nothing of the nature of wrecking of houses took place in Athlone in September last. The windows of a few houses were broken on the 25th of that month by some persons whose identity has not yet been discovered, and this may be the incident to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the street firing and other disturbances in Athlone in October last; and, if so, what the finding was?

:If the hon. Member will repeat his question one day next week, I shall endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Chief Secretary how many officers and men of the military and police forces in Ireland have been kidnapped and imprisoned or murdered by the rebels?

:My hon. Friend will appreciate that in cases where officers have been kidnapped, it is often not possible definitely to establish whether or not they have been murdered by the rebels. I am, however, preparing a statement which, if my hon. Friend will repeat his question next week, I shall be happy to give him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that some special constables went into some of the streets in West Belfast at 1 o'clock on Thursday night last, woke up the residents, who were all Nationalists, threatened and terrified them, and at the point of the revolver made them take down flags which they had put up on the occasion of the elections; and if he will say what steps the Government intend to take to punish this lack of discipline on the part of the special constables?

:I am having inquiry made in this matter, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will on Thursday of next week repeat his question, of which I only received notice yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary whether forced labour recruited from the civilian population is now employed by the forces of the Crown in Ireland upon road repairs and similar labours; and whether the persons compelled to work upon these tasks are confined to the male sex?

:In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to a question by the hon. Member for the Falls Divison on 21st February. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Father Clancy has repeated the allegation that he was prevented from celebrating mass in the village of Scariff, county Clare, on Sunday, the 24th April last, and compelled to accompany his parishioners, who were performing forced labour on road repair under the ægis of the forces of the Crown; and whether, in view of the detailed repudiation which Father Clancy has supplied to the Press of the account of this incident contained in his reply on the 13th May last, he will order a public and impartial inquiry into the whole affair?

:On a point of Order. What does the word "ægis" mean?

:That is not a point of Order!

:The hon. Gentleman had better consult a dictionary.

:The facts of the case were given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General in his reply to the hon. Member on 13th May, and I do not propose to re-open the matter.

:In view of the fact that the person, who is alleged to have made these libellous accusations against the right hon. Gentleman, has furnished a direct repudiation to his answer, will the right hon. Gentleman allow a public inquiry so that the evidence on both sides shall be heard?

:That is just the question on the Paper, and that is what, as I said yesterday, takes up so much of the time of the House.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to the murder of Colonel Warren John Richard Peacocke by Sinn Fein gunmen in his garage at his home in County Cork?

:I am informed that Colonel Peacocke, aged 32, an ex-officer of the Grenadier Guards and the Inniskilling Fusiliers, was murdered while in his garage at Innishannon, County Cork, by two armed and masked men on the evening of the 31st May. He was severely wounded by revolver bullets in his stomach, and died after great agony on the morning of 1st June. Colonel Peacocke joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers at the outbreak of War as a second-lieutenant, and ultimately Was promoted to the command of his regiment. He served throughout the War with great distinction, and was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar and the Croix de Guerre, first class. Retiring from the Army at the end of the War, he lived alone with his widowed mother in Innishannon, County Cork. I want to express my own regret at the murder of this gallant officer, who was much respected in the county in which he and his family have long been resident.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman assign or suggest any motive for this dastardly crime?

:The only motive that I know is that this gallant officer was a loyalist and an ex-officer of His Majesty's Army.

:He served in the Ulster Division; that is why.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the character of some of the speeches made by hon. Gentlemen in this House may give him—

:That is not for Question Time.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this officer was known to have ever given any information to the Government as to any action of the Sinn Fein party?

:None; I can speak for that. He had no connection whatever with the Government or any public office, or with any political movement in the county in which he lived.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether any means can be afforded for the protection of officers who have fought and bled for their country and are now living peaceably in Ireland? Are there any means which we would not use in a civilised country, but which in Ireland might be used at the present moment to protect officers who are living in their homes after having fought for their country? Would it not be possible to use means which we should be ashamed to use in any but an uncivilised country?

:If the law is not able to protect private citizens, has it not become legal for them to take measures to protect themselves?

:That is going much beyond the question of which I have had notice.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether he has given orders that the Writ of Habeas Corpus issued by the Dublin Courts in the case of John R. Moylan shall be obeyed by the Cork Military Court?

:I am informed that the Court before which Moylan is being tried has not yet pronounced sentence. If it is ultimately decided that there is power to issue this Writ, it will, of course, be obeyed.

:Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say, the Writ having been issued by a competent court, whether it will be obeyed or not?

:As a matter of fact the Writ has not been issued. I may inform the hon. and gallant Member that a conditional order for the Writ has been issued, but not the Writ.

:If the conditional order is made good and the Writ is issued, will the military court obey it?

:That is hypothetical.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a Military Order has been served on the proprietors of the "Freeman's Journal" and "Evening Telegraph," two Dublin daily journals, prohibiting the circulation of these papers in martial law areas; whether he can state the grounds for this Order; and whether he will take steps to have the Order rescinded?

:I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the Military Governor of the martial law area has prohibited the sale and distribution of the "Freeman's Journal" and the "Evening Telegraph" within the military law area between the 2nd and 9th June, both dates inclusive. In the Proclamation of the Military Governor it was distinctly stated that this action has been taken owing to false statements concerning the military having been published in the "Freeman's Journal" of the 30th May. These false statements can have no other purpose than to encourage the rebels and to throw odium on the forces of the Crown. The action of the Military Governor had the approval of the Commander-in-Chief before it was taken.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman himself read the article, which I understand is held by the military authorities as the basis for this action—an article headed "Regular War Features" in the issue of 30th May; are the only statements in this article that the military have compelled the farmers in certain districts to fell the trees on their land and have occasionally commandeered their carts; and can any such statements in any way embarrass the military authorities in the discharge of their duties?

:I have not read the specific statement, but I have consulted with the Commander-in-Chief regarding the general rules governing the public Press in the martial law area, and he has my support in the action taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the particulars of the Société Generale des Huiles de Pétrole published in the English Press and the arrangements stated to be entered into by that company with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited, securing the supply from the latter of large quantities of oil for a period of 20 years; whether the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the board of the Anglo-Persian Company have approved of these arrangements; and whether, having regard to the shares held by the Government in that company, he will lay before the House full particulars of the arrangements in question?

:This question appears to relate to an ordinary commercial transaction of the company. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not think that he would be justified in asking the company for particulars of the arrangements for the purposes of publication.

:May I ask whether contracts of this description will prejudice the supply of oil to this country?

:That is a question of commercial policy, for the consideration, in the first place, of the country, and not of the directors.

:Are not the majority of the shares in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company held by the British Government, and, therefore, are not the British Government entitled to have some say in contracts entered into which may prejudice British interests?

:Yes, surely, but it is only through the official directors on the board of the company.

:Is it not possible to call on the official directors on the Board of the company for a report on this arrangement?

:Of course, the official directors are responsible to the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the fact that over 1,000 delegates from the Rotary Clubs of America are visiting this country this month; and whether, in view of the importance of this delegation, any arrangements have been made to give a fitting reception as an expression of goodwill between the two countries?

:I have been asked to take this question. The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the agenda for the next meeting of the Council of the League of Nations has now been decided On; and whether they will be asked to give their final approval to the draft mandates presented to them by the principal Allied and associated Powers at these meetings?

:The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The agenda includes the question of the "A "and "B "mandates.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to ratify the convention for the establishment of an international court of justice; and what is the reason why the ratification has been so long delayed?

:I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply which I gave to him on 5th May. Since then we have heard that Mr. Hughes will sign for Australia on his arrival in Europe, and that as regards ratification the necessary legislation is now before the Canadian Parliament. We shall then only have to await the final reply of Australia in regard to ratification.

:Is it possible for this country to ratify before that happens? As the hon. Gentleman knows, the time is very short, and this is of very great importance.

:I think it would not be impossible, but I think we shall be in good time.

:If there is not a case for adjudication by this Court, what is the hurry for its ratification?

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in the Mandates for Samoa, Nauru, German South-West Africa, and German possessions in the Pacific, Article 4 is to be literally construed so as to make the defence of the mandated territories against external attack impossible; and whether, under Article 5, allowing missionaries who are nationals of any State which is a member of the League of Nations to reside and prosecute their calling in mandated territories, American missionaries are excluded?

:I do not think that the literal construction of Article 4 in the Mandates referred to will have the effect contemplated by my hon. Friend. The answer to the second branch of the question is in the negative.

:What is the meaning of saying that nations which are members of the League may send their missionaries if equally those who are not members of the League may send theirs?

:I understand there is a discretion on the part of the mandatory Powers to allow these privileges if they think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement in February last that the Turkish delegates would be here in a week and that he would ratify the Treaty right away, he will take steps at once to declare the termination of the War, as the delay in declaring peace is affecting adversely the commercial and financial interests of the country?

:My right hon. Friend has not repeated my statement correctly. If he will refer to the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will, see that I stated that if we arrived, as we hoped we should, at an agreement, I should ask the House to ratify the Treaty right away. I regret that subsequent developments have rendered this course impossible. In these circumstances, I do not think it is possible to adopt the suggestion of my right hon. Friend immediately, but it is clear that if agreement is much longer postponed there must be an official declaration on the lines indicated by my right hon. Friend.

:May I say I am much obliged for the answer; but I would ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that very important financial and commercial interests have been held up for years, and are dependent on the declaration of peace?

:That is in the question.

asked the Prime Minister the date of meeting of the Supreme Council to decide the future of Upper Silesia?

:I am not yet in a position to name a date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the apprehension felt by a large section of the community at the rapid growth of British and international trusts and combines, and to its declared dislike of the privileged position occupied by trades unions, he will immediately appoint a Royal Commission to investigate and report in the next Session on the best means of controlling trusts, and what amendments of the various Acts governing trades unions should be made to place trades unions upon an equality before the Law with the rest of the community?

:A Committee on Trusts was appointed in 1918, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of their Report, which was issued the following year. The Government hope to introduce legislation dealing with trade monopolies when Parliamentary time permits, and meanwhile there would be no advantage, I think, in appointing another Commission. As regards the question of trade unions, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 18th April to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. S. Samuel) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall).

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the greater part of his speech at Maidstone has been issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office as a pamphlet, entitled "Fifteen Points about Coal—Facts you ought to know"; whether this has been issued at the public expense, and, if so, by whose authority and what is the cost; whether he can state the number of copies issued to Coalition Liberal Associations for distribution; and whether it is the policy of the Government to endorse Coalition propaganda out of public funds?