asked the Home Secretary with what offences Mr. Emmet Fox, who was arrested in London on 22nd May, is charged; what is the composition of the tribunal to which he can appeal; if he is allowed legal advice for his defence; and if he has as yet appeared before any court or tribunal?

:As I have already stated, Mr. Fox is interned on the ground of acting in a manner prejudicial to the restoration of order in Ireland. The Ad- visory Committee consists of the right hon. Mr. Justice Ross, His Honour Judge Robert J. Doyle, K.C., Recorder of Galway, and William Sullivan, Esq., resident magistrate. It would be in accordance with practice to allow him legal assistance in preparing any statement which he might wish to be submitted to the Committee, but he has not asked for his case to be referred to them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether two brothers named Daniel and Patrick Duffin were shot in their house in Belfast on the 23rd April; whether this was a reprisal for the shooting of the Auxiliaries in Belfast on the afternoon of the same day; and whether an inquiry has been held and, if so, with what result?

:The finding of the court of inquiry in this case was that the deceased met their death from bullet wounds inflicted by persons unknown, with homicidal intent. No motive can be assigned for the crime, and no arrests have been made, but the police are continuing their inquiries.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the sacking by the police of Drumshambo, County Leitrim, on the 22nd September last; and whether any punishments have been inflicted for this crime?

:The allegation that the town of Drumshambo was sacked by the police is entirely untrue. I am informed that one house was burned, and the windows of two other houses were broken on the date mentioned, but that it has not been possible to obtain any information as to the persons by whom these outrages were committed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any punishments have been inflicted for the destruction done by the police in the town of Granard on the 3rd November, 1920, during which 14 houses are alleged to have been burned?

:I regret that no information as to the persons who committed this destruction has been obtained.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the sacking of Adrahan on the 26th October last; whether it was public; and what was the finding?

:According to a police report which I have received, five houses in Adrahan, County Galway, were maliciously destroyed or damaged by fire on the 28th September last. The police have been unable to obtain any evidence as to the persons by whom this destruction was committed.

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

:According to the police reports, a band of armed and disguised men raided Ballaghadereen at 2.30 a.m. on the 2nd September last and burned or otherwise damaged a number of houses and shops in the town. None of the raiders were known to the local police, who have endeavoured without success to obtain information as to their identity. Awards amounting to £75 10s. 5d. have been made on compensation claims in respect of the property destroyed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. J. Greene, of University College, Galway, and Mr. J. S. Egan, health insurance inspector, were taken from their houses in Galway on 14th May, were beaten by sticks and revolvers, and also were shot several times by revolver bullets and left for dead; and whether two police constables have been arrested in connection with this crime?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the inquiry into the deaths of two civilians at Galway on the 9th September last; and whether any members of the Crown forces have been arrested in connection therewith?

:If the hon. Member will repeat his question one day next week, I hope to be in a position to give him a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether 20 houses were de- stroyed by the police at Ballylongford, County Kerry, on 23rd February; whether this was an official or unofficial reprisal; and, if the latter, whether any arrests have been made?

:This place is in the martial law area, and I have asked the Commander-in-Chief to let me have a report. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat this question on Thursday of next week.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the firing from a lorry at the creamery at Ballyara in October last; whether those who fired have been identified; and what action has been taken in regard to it?

:I am unable at present to trace the incident referred to. There are several villages of this name in Ireland with none of which I can with certainty identify the creamery referred to in the question. If the hon. Member will give further particulars I will have inquiry made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held and any arrests made in connection with the sacking by police of Inniscarra, County Cork, on the 2nd September last?

:I have called for the reports with reference to this matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will kindly repeat the question, of which I only received notice on Tuesday, on Thursday of next week, when I hope to be in a position to furnish him with a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held into the alleged wrecking and looting by police of Kildorrery, County Cork, on the 8th August, 1920; and whether any arrests have been made?

:I have called for the reports with reference to these allegations, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat the question on Thursday of next week, when I hope to be in a position to reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the shooting of Cecil and Aidan O'Donovan, of Blackwater Woods, County Clare, on the 20th February; and whether arrests have been made?

:The Court of Inquiry in this case found that death was due to misadventure, that the deceased had been shot by Crown forces in the execution of their duty and that the members of the Crown forces were not to blame for opening fire. According to the military evidence, these unfortunate lads were at Blackwater Mills (a place reported to be used by rebels for drilling purposes) when the Crown forces arrived to carry out a search. Together with eight or nine men who were also there, they disregarded the order to halt and began to run away, with the result that they were fired at and killed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the house of Michael McNally, at Walshestown, Lusk, was burnt down on the night of the 8th December last; whether a bull worth £100 and other cattle were destroyed, the total damage being estimated at £10,000; whether any inquiry has been held; and, if so, with what result?

:An incendiary fire occurred on McNally's premises on the date stated, but according to the police report the damage was confined to farm sheds and gathered crops. In addition the windows of an unoccupied dwelling-house in the farmyard were broken and some articles of furniture are alleged to have been stolen. Mr. McNally lodged a claim for compensation at Quarter Sessions in March and he was awarded £1,289. The police have been unable to make any arrest in connection with the case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any investigation has been held into the cases of floggings alleged to have taken place in Galway city and the neighbourhood during the month of October, 1920; and whether any police have been arrested in connection with these floggings?

:I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the Scotland Division (Mr. T. P. O'Connor) on 26th October last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the evidence originally taken by General Crozier with regard to the looting at Trim was considered at the inquiries which took place after his resignation; and, if not, whether this evidence is still in the possession of the police authorities?

:The trial by court-martial of a number of cadets concerned in these charges is at present proceeding, and I am therefore unable to make any statement bearing on the facts of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether two cadets were arrested by General Crozier for trial by court-martial in connection with a charge of intimidation at the fire brigade station at Ballsbridge, Dublin; whether General Crozier's evidence against them was considered by the court of inquiry after his resignation; and why they were finally released without trial?

:If the hon. Member would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. MacVeagh) on the 14th April, he will see that the matter was made the subject of a full official inquiry, which showed that the allegations made could not be substantiated. As these allegations have been repeated with—so far as I am at present aware—no justification, I have called for a further report.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a company of auxiliary police at Cork mutinied during March on account of the suspension of a colonel who had been in charge there; whether they threatened to reveal who had burnt Cork and what officers were implicated; and whether, on account of these threats, the colonel in question was reinstated?

:There is no foundation whatever for these allegations.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Major Wake, of the Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, proceeded to Robinstown, near Trim, between 24th and 30th March, and brought back much evidence as regards the looting in that place and many of the looted articles; that immediately after he was called upon to resign and refused; that on 30th March his services were dispensed with; what was the reason for his dismissal; whether he requested an interview with the Chief Secretary; and, if so, why this was refused?

:The cessation of Major Wake's service with the Auxiliary Division had no connection whatever with the Trim case. Major Wake was taken on the strength of the Auxiliary Division by General Crozier personally, without consulting the Chief of Police who, on seeing him, came to the conclusion that his age, namely, 59, and disabilities rendered him unfit for the duties of a temporary cadet, and he was requested to resign. As he refused to do so, there was no other course but to dispense with his services. There is no record of an application by Major Wake for an interview with the Chief Secretary.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, in consequence of the shutting down by the military of the Schull and Skibbereen Light Railway in County Cork, a number of railway men have been thrown out of employment for two months, and great hardship has been inflicted upon the people residing in the area served by this railway; and whether, in the circumstances, he will sanction the re-opening of this line?

:I am informed that the Military Governor closed this railway because the roads in the district were constantly cut. When the inhabitants have repaired the roads the railway will be re-opened, but not before.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a meeting that was arranged on behalf of three Independent Labour candidates at Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Tuesday evening the 17th May; whether he is aware that an organised procession from the shipyards took possession of the hall and prevented the candidates from holding their meeting; that two policemen on duty at the hall warned the candidates that their lives were in danger, and definitely stated that no protection could be granted them inside the hall; and that these officers stated that numbers of these men in the procession had revolvers; if so, why these men were not arrested; and whether he will have inquiries made into this matter with a view of some action being taken to vindicate the rights of free speech, and effective steps taken to prevent a similar occurrence of these disorders?

:I am informed that the meeting in question, which was organised by the Labour Socialist party, was advertised as open to the general public, and that a procession of shipyard workers, availing themselves of the general invitation to attend, occupied the hall before the commencement of the proceedings. When the speakers arrived they were offered a fair hearing, provided that no disloyal or seditious utterances were made, but they refused to accept this condition. The shipyard workers delegates and the police then advised them to withdraw as disorder appeared to be inevitable if any speeches of a seditious character should be made. This advice was not accompanied by any suggestion that the shipyard workers were armed and no revolvers were produced by them at any part of the proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the outrages alleged to have been committed by members of the Crown forces at Cloone, County Leitrim, in November last, including the beating and other ill-treatment of young men and boys and the burning and looting of a number of houses; and whether any of the culprits have been identified?

:These allegations, which appeared in the Press, were carefully inquired into at the time, and the police reported that they were unable to find any justification for them. No report of the alleged occurrences, other than the newspaper version, was received by the police, and the persons indicated as the victims of maltreatment refused, on being questioned, to give any information or to assist the inquiry in any way whatever.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the alleged sacking by troops of Doon, County Limerick, on 5th August, 1920; and whether any punishments have been inflicted?

:I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that this allegation is entirely without foundation. A number of houses in Doon were searched on the 5th August by troops who were obliged to force an entry in several cases, but no unnecessary damage was committed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry was held into the wrecking by police at Kill, County Waterford, on the 25th August last; and whether any punishments were inflicted?

:From the inquiries which I have made into the matter I am satisfied that there is no foundation whatever for the allegation contained in the first part of this question. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the shooting at Cork, on the 2nd March, of an old man aged 70, alleged to have been killed by members of the Crown forces?

:This occurred in the martial law area, and I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the Court of Inquiry in this case found that the deceased man, Denis O'Brien, was out in a street in Cork City during curfew hours, that he was challenged several times by the curfew patrol, and failing to answer or to stop, was shot. It is most unfortunate that this man should have been exposed to the risk incurred in disregarding the curfew restrictions, but no blame for the unhappy result can attach to the man who fired.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the case of the shooting of an old man by the police near Ballinalee in February last?

:A Court of Inquiry was held in the case of Michael Farrell, of Ballinalee, and the finding was that the deceased was shot by a member of the Crown forces in the execution of his duty, and that he was attempting to evade arrest when fired upon. According to the evidence Crown forces were investigating a particularly bad ambush which had taken place on the previous day 50 yards from Farrell's house. Farrell was seen looking out from behind a ruined wall. He came out when summoned, and advanced a short way and tried to regain the wall. He was then fired on.

asked the Chief Secretary on what date the police officer concerned in authorising destruction of property at Westport, County Mayo, was reprimanded?

:The date on which this officer was officially informed that he had been guilty of a grave error of judgment was the 6th April.

asked the Prime Minister what further steps the Government proposes to take under the Treaty of Versailles in the event of the sentences on German criminals being derisory?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to a similar question last Monday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give an estimate of the number of Polish insurgents in Upper Silesia and of the German forces under General Schafer; and whether the arrival of four British battalions will be adequate to restore the authority of the Inter-Allied Commission?

:The strength of the Polish insurgent forces has been estimated at figures varying between 60,000 to 100,000. That of the German defence force under General Hoeffer is estimated at 30,000. It is hoped that the six British battalions now on their way will render the force at the disposal of the Inter-Allied Commission adequate to restore its authority.

asked the Prime Minister the amount which each of the self-governing Dominions contributed towards the cost of Imperial Defence in 1913–14 and 1919–20, respectively?

:A return has been prepared in connection with the forthcoming Conference of the Prime Ministers, and the opportunity will be taken of consulting the representatives of the Dominions while they are here, to ascertain whether the figures compiled are correct, and whether they see any objection to the return being issued as a White Paper.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Trooper Williams, of the Gloucester Hussars (Yeomanry), who joined up in robust health in August, 1914, was discharged from the service in October, 1914; is he aware that Williams, while exercising two horses, was knocked down and received an injury to the shoulder; that subsequently a cancerous tumour formed on the shoulder, from which Williams died in March, 1917, leaving a widow and child dependent; that the widow applied for a pension owing to the death of her husband from the cause stated and the medical tribunal has refused to grant a pension; and on what grounds the tribunal came to this decision, and institute a fresh inquiry into this case?

:Trooper Williams was discharged medically unfit on 4th October, 1914. The cause of his death 2½ years later was, after careful consideration of all the available evidence by my medical advisers, found not to be connected with service; and this decision has recently been upheld on appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. As the decisions of the tribunal are final, I regret that the case cannot be reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the unequal operation of A.C.O. 655 of 3rd May, 1921, and C.R.A.C. No. 2/14,448/161 (A), dated 5th May, 1921, whereby furlough due to soldiers on demobilisation has been curtailed and in many cases totally abolished, as a result of the emergency period, whereas reservists, have been under no such disadvantage; and whether he will take steps to remove the hardship caused by amending these Regulations?

:Since the Order referred to was published further instructions have been issued for leave to be granted to regular soldiers at the discretion of General Officers Commanding-in-Chief. Special consideration is shown to soldiers due for discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to state why it took four months for the agreed claim between Captain Pilcher, War Department land agent at Chichester, and Mr. Everall, of West-bourne, near Emsworth, of £2,000 for compensation for reinstatement in respect of land taken for the Southbourne aerodrome to reach the War Office?

:The acceptance form was sent to Mr. Everall on 1st September, 1920, but was not returned by him until 14th October. Captain Pilcher was very hard pressed with work at the time, but offered on 25th November and again on 2nd December to obtain an advance of £1,000 on account of the claim. Mr. Everall, however, refused to sign the forms necessary for these payments.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that encouragement has been given to dumping by his Department in that an order for microscopes has been given to an American firm at a price 20 per cent. below the price charged by the same firm in America; what is the name of the firm; how many British firms tendered to do this work who are on the King's Roll; what advantage does membership of the King's Roll confer; what is the value of the order given and what was the lowest British quotation; and do microscopes come within the definition of optical instruments in the Key Industries Bill?

:I am informed by the High Commissioner for India, in whose province the matter lies, that an order for microscopes was recently given on behalf of the Indian Government to the English agent of an American firm. Tenders had also been invited from three English firms. The quotations were all referred to the Indenting Departmnt in India, who selected the tender for the American microscopes. I am not aware that the price was 20 per cent. below that charged in America. The name of the manufacturers is the Spencer Lens Company, the English agents being Messrs. Standley Belcher and Mason Tenders were received from two British firms, both of whom are on the King's Roll, as are also Messrs. Standley Belcher and Mason. It has been laid down that, except in very special circumstances, British Government Departments shall not place orders with firms that are not on the King's Roll. The value of the order given for Spencer Lens microscopes is £2,797. The lowest British quotation was £3,450. The question whether microscopes come within the definition of optical instruments in the Key Industries Bill should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if any provision is being made for the representation on the Central and National Boards in connection with railways of the supervisory grades, workshop section, supervising men who are in receipt of the 12½ per cent. given to the engineering and foundry trades;

(2) what arrangement has been or will be made for the representation on the Central and National Boards of foremen, 12½ per cent. section, who have been placed, as a result of the recent revision, in the conciliation section by the railway companies; and who are mainly responsible for the supervision of men in the conciliation grades in the running sheds?

:I can only refer my hon. Friend to the terms of Part IV of the Bill. As at present advised, the Government do not intend to propose any Amendment to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of new conditions of carriage by rail adopted by railway companies respecting proof of delivery of traffic to consignees and affecting the conditions under which claims for loss or damage of traffic during transit are allowed; and whether it is the intention that conditions of transit by rail under company or owner's risk consignment notes, or apart from the general conditions in the provisional proposals for the revision of railway classification, will be reviewed by the Railway Rates Advisory Committee or the proposed Railway Rates Tribunal?

:I am not aware that the railway companies have adopted any new conditions of carriage, but I shall be glad to consider any information the hon. Baronet may bring to my notice. In regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question I would refer him to the terms of the Railways Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received a Resolution from the Agricultural Committee of the Hampshire County Council calling attention to the inconvenience caused by the continued closing of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway and urging the importance of its reopening at an early date; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to deal with the matter until March, 1922, having regard to the check given to agricultural industry in the district and the unemployment thereby created?

:The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am afraid I cannot add anything to previous statements on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the effect of existing motor licence duties in certain cases; whether it is within his knowledge that feeling aroused by the imposition of these duties last January has not subsided; whether licence duties were calculated on a basis to secure a certain sum, no provision being made for the additional vehicles which it might have been expected would be manufactured and put into service if the amount of duty were moderated; whether sufficient experience has been gained to enable a statement to be made as to the effect of the duties upon the automobile industry; and whether any indication of relief can be given at this time?

:Representatives of the motor industry have very freely placed before my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport their views on the effect of the present taxes on their industry. From the information available, he is disposed to believe that they over-estimate both the amount of increased taxation falling on the individual owner of a motor vehicle and the extent to which the new taxes have contributed to the depression from which the motor industry, in common with other industries, is unfortunately at present suffering. The existing licensing and registration duties are substantially those recommended in the Report of the Departmental Committee, which was presented to the House in April, 1920 (Cmd. Paper 660). The Committee were asked to devise a scheme which would produce a certain revenue. Their estimate of the proceeds of the duties, on the information at present before me, seems likely to prove exceedingly accurate. The new duties have not yet been in operation for six months, and sufficient experience has not been obtained of their effect to justify any reduction. If, and when, it should appear that the scale of duties is likely to produce more revenue than is reasonably necessary, the matter of reduction will be favourably considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the opinion of the local officers has been sought as to whether the action of the Birmingham local education authority, in postponing the operation of Section 10 of the Education Act, 1918, establishment of education schools after the appointed day had been fixed, is lawful; and whether he will state the view held on this matter?

:I have not taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on this question. An appointed day having been fixed in Birmingham for the purposes of Section 10 of the Education Act, 1918, it is clear that the provisions of that Section are in force there.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, although the elementary education provisional code, 1919, stated that further alterations of that code were deferred in view of the fact that local educational authorities would be fully occupied in the preparation of schemes and the organisations of their resources to give effect to the Education Act of 1918, he will say whether, in view of the operation of circulars 1185 and 1190 issued by the Board, there is need for the proposed alterations of the code to be any longer deferred?

:I do not think that the issue of a completely revised edition of the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools would be opportune at the present juncture, even if it had been found possible to complete the revision. I hope, however, to re-issue the Provisional Code in the near future, incorporating certain necessary alterations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the case of income paid over by the Public Trustee to beneficiaries the Public Trustee deducts a certain amount for his fees; whether the beneficiary ought to be allowed to deduct such fees from the amount returned by him for Income Tax; and whether he will see that such deduction is allowed in future?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, I assume that my hon. and learned Friend has in mind cases where the beneficiary or beneficiaries are entitled to the whole, or a proportionate part, of the gross income of the trust estate. In such cases, the beneficiary would, under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts, be required to include the full amount of his share of such income in any statement of income for purposes of Income Tax, and would not be entitled to any deduction in respect of the fees which the Public Trustee is empowered to charge on account of the duties performed by him in administering the estate. These fees correspond with the charges made by solicitors or agents in similar circumstances, which, as my hon. and learned Friend is doubtless aware, are not admissible deductions in the computation of income for Income Tax purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of the total charges on the registration of a company under the Limited Liability Acts with a share capital of £500,000; and what were the total charges on a similar company registered prior to the War?

:I have been asked to reply. The total charges on the registration of a company under the Joint Stock Companies Acts with a share capital of £500,000 is at present £5,050 5s. The total charges on a similar company registered before the War amounted to £1,300 5s. In both cases registration fees are £49, and the remainder is for stamp duties.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Minister without Portfolio has yet received any salary; and, if so, what?

:The Minister without Portfolio is being paid at the usual rate of £5,000 per annum.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if there is statutory authority for the office of the Minister without Portfolio; and when the Vote for his salary will be taken?

:The office is recognised by Statute, and under the provisions of Section 2 of the Re-election of Ministers Act, 1919, is included in the Schedule of Offices, the acceptance of which does not necessitate re-election. As regards the last part of the question, I am not at present in a position to name a date, as the early Supply days are already allotted to other subjects.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Procedure concerning Bills which involve charges?

:The difficult questions of procedure involved in the Committee's recommendations are receiving the active consideration of the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the cases of men who have paid unemployment insurance contributions, are now out of work as regards their main occupation, but are denied unemployment insurance benefit because of an interest in small business or other undertakings giving them part-time occupation, although their existing income is inadequate for the maintenance of their homes, and their total income when in full employment is not sufficient to exempt them from payment of contribution; whether these men have been notified at the Exchanges that they must continue to pay contribution, but, even if they are unemployed as regards regular work, they cannot draw allowance so long as they have the business interest referred to; and whether, as this means that these men must pay for a benefit for which they will not normally become eligible at any time, he will take steps to revise the Regulations, either to secure benefit when required, or exempt them from the payment of contribution?

:Under Section 7 (2) ( a ) of the Act a person is not entitled to benefit on any day on which he is following any occupation from which he derives remuneration or profit unless that occupation has ordinarily been followed by him in addition to his usual employment, and outside ordinary working hours, and the remuneration received therefrom in respect of that day does not exceed 3s. 4d. The authoritative interpretation of this provision in any case of doubt rests with the umpire. The provision is statutory, and I have no power to modify it. I should add that where the contributor has paid more than he has received in benefit he is, subject to certain conditions, entitled to receive a refund of his contributions with interest on reaching the age of 60.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his consent was asked by the Lace-Finishing Trade Board to issue a fresh proposal reducing the rates; whether he received letters from the workers' side of that trade board, from the Nottingham Home-Workers' League, and from numerous individual workers, protesting against the reduction, and asking to be seen by the Minister; whether no answer or acknowledgment has been sent either to the workers' side of the trade board or to the Home-Workers' League, and that his consent has now been given; and whether, if the answers to the above are in the affirmative, he will explain his reasons for ignoring the representations of the workers' side of the trade board?

:On the 11th May the Lace-Finishing Trade Board asked my consent to the issue of a notice of proposal to vary the rates which had become effective on the 4th February, and after careful consideration of all the circumstances of the case I did not feel justified in preventing the board from placing before the employers and workers in the trade a proposal to vary the exist- ing rates, and I accordingly gave my consent. I felt that no useful purpose would be served by hearing at the present stage the deputations desired by the workers' side of the trade and by the Nottingham branch of the Home-Workers' League, as the only point for decision was whether the trade should be allowed to consider the Trade Board's proposals. The letters in question were received on 11th May. They were not acknowledged, but were discussed on the telephone, and answered on 31st May. In those letters I expressed my willingness to see both deputations, if they are still desired, after the Board has considered any objections which may be made and reached their decisions on the rates.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Workmen's Compensation Bill is to be brought forward; if he is aware that all pensioners under the present Act find it very difficult to live on the compensation granted; and if the Bill will be retrospective?

:My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Baronet to the answers given to the questions on this subject asked by the hon. Member for the Normanton Division (Mr. F. Hall) on the 17th February and 5th May last. I regret I am not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the new Portuguese Shipping Bill large reductions of duties are to be made on all goods imported and exported in Portuguese vessels; that all duties, charges, licences, despatches, and taxes to which vessels are subjected in national ports would be paid in Portuguese currency when relating to Portuguese vessels, but when relating to foreign shipping would be paid in sterling at par, thus involving payment of duties, &c, by British shipowners 10 or 11 times as heavy as those hitherto charged, while the former charges would continue to be paid by Portuguese shipowners; and what action is being taken to obviate the discrimination against British shipping involved in the proposals?

:I am aware of the provisions of the Bill, and have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who has, I understand, instructed His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon to approach the Portuguese Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the wholesale price of imported meat to the retailer has fallen to an appreciable extent; whether, in spite of this fact, the retailer has not reduced his prices to the consumer and in some instances has increased his prices; and whether any steps will be taken to limit these present prices correspondingly with the reduction in the wholesale prices in the interest of the general public?

:I cannot usefully add anything to the reply given on Tuesday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Clough).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the approximate value of surplus war stores in this country and in France; whether it is proposed to realise the value of these during the present financial year; and what classes of goods form the bulk of such stores?

:I have been asked to answer this question. With regard to the first part of the question, it is impossible, especially in view of the fluctuations of current market conditions, to give an estimate of the value of surplus war stores remaining unsold in this country. As to France, only about £100,000 worth at present remains for sale. With regard to the second part of the question, it is, of course, the object of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission to complete the sale of all stocks as quickly as possible, but it is obviously impossible to give any guarantee that realisation will be finished during the present financial year. A reference to "Surplus," the official organ of the Disposal Board, is the best means of ascertaining the classes of goods forming the bulk of unsold stores, and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the insurance committee of the area comprising Bramley, near Basingstoke, received an intimation that a portion of the Exchequer grant payable to them will be withheld in consequence of a local medical practitioner having declined to give information detrimental to one of his patients acquired by him in the course of his profession, such information having been called for at the behest of a rich corporation with whom the man is insured; and whether he will take action to secure that a doctor shall not be penalised for doing his duty to his patient?

:In the case to which this question appears to refer, an approved society sought to obtain the opinion of the medical referee of the Ministry on the question of the incapacity for work of one of their members who was claiming sickness benefit, and I regret that the insurance practitioner has definitely declined to give any particulars as to the history and condition of the patient likely to assist the medical referee, notwithstanding the provision in his terms of service which clearly requires him to do this. In these circumstances it has become necessary to inform the doctor that a portion of the Exchequer grant forming part of his remuneration must be withheld, the grant being payable only if the terms of service were complied with. But, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations, any representations which the doctor may wish to make in the matter will first be considered.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the difficult position of boards of guardians who now find themselves called on to give out-door poor relief to alien immigrants, Russians and others, who have no means of support; and whether he will use his best efforts to secure, so far as possible, repatriation of all such persons?

:I am not aware that guardians are finding any special difficulty at the present time in dealing with destitute aliens, or that there is any need for any special action on my part. It is open to the guardians to assist the repatriation of such persons, where this is practicable.

asked the Minister of Health if the reorganisation scheme of the Ministry of Health is now in operation; and, if not, how it has been possible to assimilate supervising assistant clerks and intermediate clerks in the Navy and Army Fund branch to the higher clerical and executive grades, respectively, when the first-class women clerks doing the same work have been assimilated to the lower clerical grade pending reorganisation?

:The Reorganisation Scheme of the Ministry of Health is not yet in operation. Throughout the public service supervising assistant clerks have been assimilated into the higher clerical class, intermediate clerks into the executive class, and first-class women clerks into the clerical class. The question of the transfer of any of the firsts class women clerks to the executive class or the higher clerical class will be considered when the number of such posts arising out of the pending reorganisation is known.

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what authority does he include in his demand for particulars of crops and live stock on the holdings of occupiers of land on 4th June, 1921, recently sent to them an additional demand for particulars of all men, women, and boys employed on their holdings; and what warrant is there for his statement on such demand that failure to comply with it or any false statement made in the return so far as it relates to the particulars of the employés renders the occupier liable to imprisonment?

:The notice to which the hon. Member refers is served under Section 15 of the Corn Production Act, 1917, and the Corn Production (Provisional) Regulations, 1921. The penalties for failure to comply with the notice or for making a false return are imposed by the section referred to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of calves slaughtered in the United Kingdom for the year ended 4th June, 1920, as compared with the average annual slaughter of calves in pre-War years?

:Estimates of the number of calves and other classes of livestock have been made for many years on the basis of the total numbers of livestock recorded in the annual returns, and according to these calculations the total number of calves slaughtered in the United Kingdom in the year ending 4th June, 1920, is estimated at about 1,500,000. The average number slaughtered annually in the five years ended 4th June, 1914, is estimated at 940,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if in Lancashire milk is being sold at some places at 5d. and 6d., in Manchester at 7d., at Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne, at 9d., and elsewhere at 11d. per quart; whether there is any reason for the variation in these prices; whether from the agricultural standpoint the higher charges are justified; and whether, if not, he will make representations to the farmers' associations concerned?

I have no information as to the particular instances to which my hon. Friend refers, but I presume that the prices in question are those charged by local farmers, or farmers' associations, and are retail prices, including cost of delivery, credit, etc. Many other considerations, therefore, have to be taken into account besides the actual cost of production of milk. I am not satisfied that any useful purpose would be served by making representations as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had any report upon the proceedings and actions of the Reverend Conrad Noel, vicar of Thaxted, in Essex; and whether he proposes to take steps in regard to the open preaching of sedition in Thaxted church?

:The reply to both questions is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he will issue a statement showing the comparative charges at parity of exchange made by the principal foreign countries for foreign letters, postcards, and printed matter?

:I am causing a statement giving the information required to be prepared.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the statement of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that in the Gulf of St. Lawrence the Government regard as territorial the waters enclosed within a line drawn from headland to headland, although a portion of the area is more than three miles from the nearest land, he will state whether the same principle is maintained by the Government in the case of the Moray Firth; and whether appropriate steps will be taken to put it in force?

:I am not in possession of the full facts regarding the area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence which was the subject of the statement made by my right hon. Friend, and I cannot therefore say whether the principle involved differs from that recognised under the North Sea Convention of 1882 which applies to the Moray Firth. I am, however, looking into the matter in connection with the review of the whole situation which I referred to in my answer dated the 12th April and which is now proceeding.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that just before the stoppage of work in the coal mines the engineer and manager to the county borough of West Ham electricity department purchased 1,500 tons of coal at the cost of 38s. 6d. per ton, which the Government held up, and in consequence of the supplies running short the Government allowed a further quantity, and the dealers are now charging 68s. 6d. per ton; that this extra 30s. will mean an additional cost of £2,250 to the Corporation, who are already losing over £200 per week through the restrictions of coal supply; and, seeing that the cost of these demurrage charges should fall on the nation and not on corporations, whether the Government intend taking any action in the matter?

:I have been asked to reply. The Mines Department has already been in communication with the West Ham Corporation regarding this case. The principle followed, is, on the outbreak of emergency, to hold up all coal afloat in British ships as a mobile reserve to meet requirements necessary for the existence of the community wherever they may arise. It is a mere chance that when the need for further supplies for West Ham Electricity Department arose, the coal released was part of a supply originally consigned to them. When coal is held in this way charges, such as demurrage, etc., necessarily accumulate, and the principle is followed that the consumer receiving the emergency supply must pay the costs of that supply. No other course is practicable, and the principle is obviously fair and just. I am afraid I cannot agree with the hon. Member that such extra costs arising out of the emergency should fall upon the Exchequer.