asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to statements in the Press to the effect that at the Rath Internment Camp, the Curragh, all letters and parcels have lately been stopped, including parcels of food; that the canteens have been closed and the diet of the internees reduced; and, if this is the case, will he give the reason for such a step?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question on this, subject asked by the hon. Member for Central Aberdeen (Major M. Wood) to-day.

asked the Chief Secretary whether some special constables went into some of the streets in West Belfast at one 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 what steps the Government intend to take to punish this lack of discipline on the part of the special constables?

I am informed that there is no truth whatever in this allegation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has seen the statement of Mrs. de Roiste, wife of one of the Sinn Fein Members for Cork, that Father O'Callaghan was shot in her house during curfew on the early morning of 15th May by men with English accents and under the influence of drink, and whom she believed to be soldiers or police; and whether an inquiry has yet been held into this case and with what result?

No, Sir. I have not seen the statement referred to. My information is that when the police visited Mr. de Roiste's house, he refused to give them any information or to allow them to examine the premises. I am also informed by the Commander-in-Chief that, although the occupants of the house were invited more than once to give evidence at the inquiry, they persistently refused to do so. The court found that there was no evidence to show the person or persons responsible for the crime.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has yet been held into the death of John Sheehan, of Collee, Listowel, stated to have been shot dead by members of the Crown forces on the 25th May, and what is its finding?

This place is in the martial-law area, and I have therefore asked the Commander-in-Chief to furnish me with a report.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the Court of Inquiry into the shooting of Christopher Reynolds and Bernard Nolan on the 1st April; whether Nolan is still in prison; and whether it is intended to bring him to trial on any charge?

The Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest in the case of Reynolds found that death was due to bullet wounds inflicted by the forces of the Crown in the execution of their duty. Nolan is still in custody, an Internment Order under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulation 14 B having been made against him on the ground that he was suspected of acting, having acted, and being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance and restoration of order in Ireland.

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?

The verdict of the Court of Inquiry in each case was that death was due to bullet wounds inflicted by some person or persons unknown. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

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?

In all eight officers and nine other ranks of the military forces have been kidnapped by the rebels. Of these, two officers and four other ranks have been murdered and four other ranks released. The fate of the remainder is not definitely known. Of the police forces, 38 have bean kidnapped: 22 of these have been released, but the fate of the remaining 16 is still unknown, though one at least is believed to have been murdered

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has yet received further report regarding the charges against two cadets stated by General Crozier to have been arrested in connection with alleged intimidation at the fire brigade station at Ballsbridge, Dublin?

As stated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 14th April and 21st April, in reply to questions on this subject, the allegation that intimidation was used towards members of the Pembroke (Ballsbridge) fire brigade on 15th January by certain cadets of the Auxiliary Division was fully inquired into, but was not substantiated. No evidence in support of these allegations has been forthcoming since that date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether there has been any inquiry into the burning of a shop at Aughnacliffe, County Longford, or the 3rd February; and, if so, what was the result?

I presume that this question is intended to refer to a fire which occurred on the date mentioned on the premises of Mr. Thomas O'Reilly, of Rathmore. Inquiry has been made in this case, but no evidence has been obtained as to the identity of the persons responsible.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the inquiry into the death of Joseph Hayden, who was shot dead at Gortfad Glebe, near Cooks-town, on the 19th May?

The Court of Inquiry in this case found that the de-ceased man was murdered by some person or persons unknown. Investigations are being actively pursued with a view to the detection of those who perpetrated this crime.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of the maltreatment of prisoners in Ireland has been brought to his notice; and whether any orders have been issued on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Private Notice Question by the hon. Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on 31st May.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the report of a meeting held at St. Albans on 25th May to protest against reprisals in Ireland, when 16 persons voted against a resolution expressing disapproval of an attempt to murder two citizens of St. Albans; and whether any steps have been taken by the police to identify those who thus expressed their sympathy with criminal acts committed presumably by the Sinn Fein gang in England?

I am informed that the persons who voted against the resolution are believed to have been expressing disapproval of the mover and others rather than approval of the outrage or sympathy with criminal acts. Their names and addresses could no doubt be ascertained, but I do not think the information would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the establishment of the Directorate of Military Operations in 1917; what is it now; and, in the event of the establishment being greater now than in 1917, what is the reason for the Directorate having a greater staff than it had at the height of the War?

The staff of the Directorate of Military Operations on 1st June, 1917, was 16, and at present is 28. Little comparison can be made between the size of the staff on the two dates since, during the War, a large staff was maintained at General Headquarters, Home Forces, and on its abolition the whole work in connection with home defence, internal security, air defence, etc., was taken over by the Military Operations Directorate. Further, the Directorate is now more closely concerned with the conduct of operations in the various danger areas than during the War, when these were left almost entirely to the Commanders-in-Chief concerned. There is also an abnormal amount of work at present arising from the situation in Ireland. During the period of transition the Directorate has a great deal of work in connection with the reconstruction of the Army, and it is now also engaged on special duties preparatory to the meeting of the Imperial Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of demobilizing artillery defence units, in view of the expense of their maintenance and the improbability of their being used?

As I have already stated, the Defence Force will be demobilised as soon as the situation admits, but in the meantime I do not think it is desirable to demobilise a part of the Force as suggested. Artillery units are, of course, available for guard duties like other units.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the present circumstances are such as to enable him to permit a percentage of members of the Defence Corps to be granted permanent leave pending the disbandment of this force?

Instructions were issued early in May last authorising officers commanding units to grant such leave to soldiers of the Defence Force up to a maximum of 10 per cent. per unit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to extend the same privilege to chief and petty officers of the Navy as that recently extended to colour sergeants and sergeants of the Royal Marines, namely, the optional wearing of brown leather gloves instead of white woolen gloves?

No such proposal is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary, to the Admiralty if he will furnish a list of the occupations in civil life which the Admiralty consider afford pensioner ratings of the writer, victualling, naval cooks, regulating, sick berth, and artisan branches facilities for maintaining their naval professional efficiency in the event of their being required for naval service in an emergency; and whether any scheme of subsidising private firms exists for the purpose of obtaining preferential treatment in the matter of employment for the pensioner ratings mentioned above?

The occupations are those in which the work is akin to that performed in the service ratings held by the men, and must be obvious to the hon. Member. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state, for the information of the chief petty officers of the Royal Navy, what the alterations in the optional articles of kit of chief petty officers asked for by the 1919 advisory members to the Welfare Committee consisted of, as Item 50 of the General Requests merely states dress of chief petty officers to be altered?

The alterations in the optional kit of Chief Petty Officers asked for by the advisory members of the Welfare Committee of 1919 were the addition of white woollen gloves and authority to wear blue waterproof coats ("mackintoshes") instead of waterproof coats of the oilskin type. Both of these alterations have been approved and notified to the Fleet. In addition, requests were made that certain small articles which are not actually specified in the kit., e.g., singlets, shaving brushes, safety-pins for collars, etc., should be stocked for issue on repayment, not only to chief petty officers, but to ratings generally who require them. This is being done.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is a/ware that a disability pension for hemiplegia and neuritis, awarded to Private J. Hawcroft, No. 202,407, Durham Light Infantry, was paid up to the time of his death, and that 10 months later his widow was refused pension on the grounds that Hawcroft was never entitled to pension; and whether he will adjust this irregular procedure?

I am having this case specially considered, and will let my hon. And gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the great in-convenience caused to the ex-service men in receipt of pensions at Chepstow in consequence of the War Pensions Office now being open on two half-days per week instead of on four days per week; and will he lessen the hardship inflicted on many disabled men living in the country by issuing an order that the office be open four days per week as formerly?

The arrangement is that an officer shall attend the Chepstow office twice or, if urgently necessary, three times a week. This arrangement appears to meet the reasonable needs of the district, and my attention has not been called to the inconvenience referred to. If, however, my hon. Friend can furnish me with instances where hardship has arisen, I shall be glad to have further inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of disabled men who have been engaged on a course of boat building under the Ministry in various parts of the country; whether the men complain that the length of the course is not sufficient to enable them to learn the trade and to become proficient to secure a berth on its termination; and whether, in view of this fact, he will have inquiries made into the matter with a view of extending the length of the course, and so enable these men to become efficient and competent to obtain employment in this trade at the end of their training?

My attention has been called to a short course of training in boat building in one area, in which certain disabled men who were being trained by an employer were unable to complete their training owing to the closing of the employer's works through trade depression and are now without training or employment. Since that course was started a longer course, which provides for 18 months' training with State maintenance, and a further period of 2½ years without State maintenance, has been approved by a special committee, fully representative of the employers and trade unions concerned, and is now in operation. Attempts are being made to find further workshop vacancies for the men I have mentioned, in order to enable them to take advantage of the full period of training which has now been sanctioned.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of ex-service men resident in Tottenham are now employed on the construction of the north circular and Cambridge arterial roads within the boundaries of the adjoining urban district of Edmonton?

I have been asked to reply. The number of ex-service men employed on arterial road work in the Edmonton Urban District area is 292, of whom 194 are, I am informed, resident in Tottenham.

asked the Secretary of State for India when Volumes 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Report of the Indian Gaols Committee, 1919–20, containing the minutes of evidence, will be published?

As stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 24th May, it is not proposed to publish the evidence given before the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the steps that have been taken by the Punjab and other Governments in India in which the council have refused to sanction the Budget grant for the publicity department to supply the public with accurate information?

The only provinces in which the councils have refused provision for publicity departments are Bengal and the Punjab. In Bengal, according to my information, the work was only in the experimental stage; in that province the Press is active and all shades of opinion are represented in it. I presume that the procedure as to communiqués and information to the Press is now as it was before the experiment was started. In the Punjab the provision was disallowed only on the 12th March, and a week later the Legislative Council voted a sum sufficient to wind up the Publicity Board with due notice to those employed in it. The Government is itself issuing communiqués.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether majors in the Royal Engineers in India of less than five years' service are now drawing under the revised rate of pay as laid down in A.I.I. 425 of 1920, R. 1,200 per mensem, whereas their rate of pay before the War was R. 1,130 plus exchange compensation allowance 75 rupees, or a total of R. 1,205; whether these revised rates of pay of officers in India, which were supposed to afford temporary relief to the officers concerned were based on a 2s. rupee; and now that the rupee has fallen to 1s. 3d. what exchange compensation or other allowance is to be granted to these officers to compensate them for the loss of so much of their income?

It is the case that for a major of less than 5 years' service the new pay is 10 annas—not five rupees—less than before. It is due to a more even progressive grading, for at both earlier and later stages the new pay is considerably higher than the old. The new scales of pay were intended to be rupee scales not based on any special exchange value, and while I sympathise with the loss inflicted on officers by the present low exchange, which I hope may be only temporary, they benefit when a higher rate prevails. I am afraid I cannot hold out any expectation of a reversion to the system of exchange compensation allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, when sanction is given for the Indian Government to raise money in England on loan, any stipulation is made that the money so raised is spent here; how much of the £7,500,000 recently borrowed for railway material has been spent in this country; whether it is intended to spend any part of this amount in foreign countries; and, if so, for what reasons?

It was stated on the prospectus issued in connection with the recent Indian sterling loan that the entire proceeds would be utilised for the purchase of railway material in the United Kingdom and no part of the loan proceeds will therefore be expended abroad. About £900,000 was spent in this country in May last on railway capital account.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the result of the increase in postage rates recently announced will be to interfere with the distribution of trade and technical journals published in this country, and which are widely circulated throughout the world as a means of advertising and pushing the sale of our goods in foreign parts; and will he consider the granting of favoured terms for postage between this country and other parts of the world, so that in these critical times British trade is not further handicapped by the imposition of increased postage rates in respect of trade and technical publications abroad?

asked the Post-master-General whether many of the large export houses will be obliged, if the proposed increased rates come into force, to send their printed matter in bulk to Paris or other foreign towns for distribution; and whether the resultant loss in stamp revenue to this country may reach £70,000 to £100,000 a year on printed matter at present posted in London?

In reply to these questions, my right hon. Friend proposes to deal with this subject in the course of the Debate this afternoon.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the in- creased postal rates will fall with special severity upon such thrift associations as the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, a large part of the business of whose 600,000 members is conducted through the post, necessitating in 1920 nearly 6,000,000 postal communications to and from members; and whether he will reconsider this part of his proposals?

I regret that the expenses of thrift associations should be increased, but it is impossible to exempt articles sent by particular interests from the ordinary rates of postage payable by the public at large. As regards approved societies, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health" to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. T. Davies) on the 6th June.

asked the Post-master-General whether his attention has been called to a letter in the Press of 25th May, addressed to the chief engineer of the telephone service, narrating that 10 or 11 men were employed to instal one telephone in a house in Dalkeith and stating that under the regimés of the National Telephone Company one or two men would have made the installation in a forenoon instead of 10 men idling about it for a whole day; and will he bring these letters before the telephone inquiry at present sitting and investigate into the redundancy of staff and consider putting the inquiries department of the telegraphs and telephones under the control and orders of the commercial department (if any there be) in order that an attempt may be made to work these two departments upon commercial lines?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I shall be very pleased to bring these letters to the notice of the Select Committee on the telephone service now sitting. The allegations contained in these letters have been widely circulated in the Press although they are apparently based merely on hearsay and are found on investigation not to be in accord with the facts.

asked the Postmaster-General how many members of his Department received travelling allowance, including the price of first-class railway tickets, during the financial year 1920–21; and what was the total sum paid to railway companies for first-class tickets for such persons?

I find that the information required could only be obtained by a detailed scrutiny of the claims for reimbursement of travelling expenses both headquarters and local for the year 1920–21. The work involved and the expenditure incurred would be considerable, and I hope my hon. Friend will not press me to undertake it.

asked the Post master-General if he can give the approximate number of trade circulars posted in the United Kingdom in the first three months of 1914 and in the first three months of 1920; did the fact of raising the rates from a halfpenny for two ounces to a halfpenny for one ounce on 3rd June, 1918, cause a reduction in the number of the trade circulars posted; and, if so, what reduction in staff was effected?

Separate records are not kept of the number of trade circulars as distinct from the number of printed papers generally passing through the post. The number of packets passing at the printed paper rate in 1913–14 is estimated at 1,170,000,000, and in 1920–21 at 1,300,000,000; but in 1913–14 the rate was limited to packets not exceeding 2 ounces, and the figures are not, therefore, strictly comparable.

asked the Postmaster-General approximately how many newspapers posted in Australia were distributed in the United Kingdom in any one recent year and the corresponding number in the same year of British newspapers sent to Australia, the stamp revenue of which was received by the General Post Office?

In the foreign and colonial post no statistics are taken of newspapers as distinct from the rest of the printed papers mail; but it may be assumed that newspapers form the larger part of that mail. The statistics of the foreign and colonial post are based on weight, not on number. The total weight of the printed papers mails despatched from the United Kingdom to Australia in 1920 was about 2,170,000 lbs., and in the reverse direction about 506,000 lbs.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the "Daily Mail" newspaper demanded telegraph facilities in connection with the golf competition recently arranged by that paper, and which took place at Formby; whether the cost to the State of the special arrangements amounted to £70, whereas the receipts did not exceed £14; and whether, seeing that the Press rates, which have always been below cost, have only increased 25 per cent., whilst the cost of commercial messages has been doubled, he will examine this item with a view to meeting a part of his deficiency?

The Post Office in this case did no more than take measures to provide a reasonably efficient service for the Press generally in connection with an event of public interest. The additional cost incurred by the Department was about £35, and the extra receipts just covered that expenditure.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is receiving representations from the Post Office workers against the proposed abolition of Sunday duties, and suggesting, to avoid reduction in the aggregate amount of wages paid to such workers, alternative means of raising revenue; and whether, while lessening so far as possible hardships to individuals, seeing that the nation regards the staff of the Post Office as a fit subject for reduction, even in view of the services rendered, he will refuse these representations?

My right hon. Friend has already received a deputation from the Union of Post Office Workers on this subject. He has arranged for further discussions to take place with representatives of the staff on certain questions of detail, but he does not propose to abandon the economy resulting from the abolition of Sunday posts.

asked the Minister of Transport the terms of the provisions, at one time included in the Railways Bill, for the inclusion of working-men directors on the boards of railways?

The Government were prepared to include in the Railways Bill proposals as to the inclusion of employés on the boards of directors, following the lines outlined in Command Paper 787.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it has been decided to close down or reduce the amount of employment on the various schemes for arterial roads; and, if so, the reason for this decision, in view of the fact that these schemes are mainly relief works for the unemployed, the number of whom is increasing every day?

No instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Transport for either closing down or retarding any works of arterial road construction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any sums have been claimed from, or paid by, the Government to the respective railway companies since 4th August, 1914, in connection with the liabilities of the companies under the Acts and Rules relating to their staff superannuation funds; whether, in arriving at the settlement of £60,000,000, mentioned in the proceedings of the House on 3rd May last, any account was taken of such liabilities; and, if so, what was the amount involved and how was it dealt with?

In answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would point out that during the period of Government possession the railway companies charge to Government account current liabilities in respect of their staff superannuation funds of a nature corresponding to those charged as working expenses in 1913. In answer to the second part of the question, the sum of £60,000,000 is, as has been explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, in the recent Debates in the House, a lump sum settlement not specifically referable to particular items of claim.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, to allay the existing uncertainty in the minds of educationists, he can state whether the Board intends ultimately to adopt for all the schools under its supervision the Burnham scales of pay for teachers, or whether, in view of the anticipated substantial readjustment of money values, it proposes to reconsider the whole matter?

I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement which will remove uncertainties as to the Board's attitude towards the recommendations of the Burnham Committee. But I have now to consider the matter mainly in relation to the present financial situation, and I should find it difficult to say what arrangements for the remuneration of teachers will be ultimately adopted.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the University Grants Committee is precluded from allocating financial assistance to university colleges where support is not forthcoming from local sources, or whether such assistance is to be proportioned to the amount of the support from local sources, without regard to the proved educational value of the work of the institution; its increase, if any, in numbers; its consequential legitimate requirements; and the strength or weakness of the financial resources available from which local support might be afforded?

Local support is regarded as the primary factor in estimating the claims of the different institutions for additional grant aid, but the University Grants Committee are not precluded from making allowance for the other considerations referred to by the hon. Member in their grant recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give instructions that a Report shall be pre- pared by the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, to be laid upon the Table of the House, which shall supply information up to date as completely as that contained in the Report presented to Parliament in 1912 [Cd. 6301], and, in addition, equally adequate information of the meetings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the Museum and of the action taken on the recommendations of several Departmental Committees appointed from time to time to consider the administration of the Circulation Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum?

The publication of the annual reports of the Victoria and Albert Museum was suspended during the War, but was resumed in 1919 when the Report for 1916 was issued. The Report for 1917 was issued in 1920, and Reports for later years will be issued as soon as the pressure of other printing arrears permits. It is true that the Reports for 1916 and 1917 are less full than that for 1911; but full accounts of the Museum acquisitions are given in the "Annual Review of Principal Acquisitions." For reasons of economy it is undesirable to duplicate the information given in these publications. The Advisory Council of the Museum was established to advise the Board on matters relating to the Museum, and I cannot undertake to publish its reports. There has been no Departmental Committee appointed in recent years to consider the administration of the Circulation Department of the Museum.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to alter the rules which prescribe the treatment for prisoners convicted for sedition, while serving their term of imprisonment, in order that such prisoners shall not be accorded special privileges?

The rules for prisons in Scotland, including those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, can be altered without legislation. My right hon. Friend has at present in contemplation a general revision of these rules, and the suggestion contained in the question will be considered along with other possible amendments.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the delay in the payment of unemployment grants in Greenock; and will he make inquiries into this subject?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the claims to unemployment benefit made by a number of Greenock workmen who lost their employment owing to the joiners' dispute. It has not been possible to deal with these claims pending a decision by the umpire on certain test cases submitted to him. The umpire has recently given a decision to the effect that benefit should be allowed, and the claims are being dealt with accordingly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in cases where the full rate of Income Tax is admitted to be chargeable certain Income Tax officials are yet demanding a full account of all income, in spite of the fact that such an account is also made for Super-tax purposes; what is the reason for this multiplication of returns; and whether instructions can be given to discontinue it?

Where a taxpayer has made a return of his total income for Super-tax purposes, it is sufficient if he merely states that fact on the Income Tax form on which he claims his Income Tax allowances and deductions; he will not then be required to make a further return in order to obtain the Income Tax allowances to which he may be entitled. If, however, my hon. Friend has in mind any case in which a return of total incomes has been furnished for Super-tax purposes and a similar return is being insisted upon for Income Tax purposes, I shall be pleased to have inquiry made into the matter, if he will send me the necessary particulars.

asked the Paymaster-General whether a Member of this House is entitled to deduct from his Income Tax assessment under Schedule E the expenses which he may incur in travelling from his residence to Westminster, in travelling to his constituency to fulfil a necessary public engagement, in maintaining a private secretary or an organising secretary in his constituency, or on necessary postage expenses; and, if not entitled to deduct on each one of these items, will he say on which he is so entitled?

A form of expenses claim is being prepared, and will shortly be issued to Members. This form will indicate the general classes of expenditure which may normally be allowed. The hon. Member will appreciate that the nature of these expenses will vary considerably according to the circumstances of each case, but the general test by which the admissibility of any item of expenditure must be judged is whether the expense has been incurred wholly, exclusively, and necessarily in the performance of the duties of the Member's office. I should add that, in accordance with the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member yesterday, the expense of travelling from his residence to Westminster would not come within the expenses which a Member of Parliament would be entitled to deduct.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the memorandum or minute of advice received from the Board of Inland Revenue on the question of the expenses admissible as a deduction in the computation of Income Tax assessments on the emoluments of Members of Parliament?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of the countries which owe debts to Great Britain; the amount of the debt in each case; and which countries pay no interest thereon?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will move for a Return of the debts due by Allied countries and the Dominions to this country as on the 31st March, 1921, I will have the information circulated in that form.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, just as experience proved that an extravagant duty upon champagne and cigars reduced the revenue therefrom, so the same result is now and for the last few months has been accruing from the present high duty upon whisky and beer; whether he is aware that in Shepheard's Hotel, in Cairo, whisky of pre-War strength can be purchased at 8s. per bottle while in the cow caddens and the goose clubs in Glasgow whisky of the strength of grog costs 12s. 6d. per bottle; and whether, with a view to increased revenue, he will reduce the duty upon the alcoholic refreshment of the working classes to a figure which will enable them to purchase it at a price within the reach of their reduced wages?

The receipts of revenue from beer and spirits are not showing the results suggested by my hon. and learned Friend. In my opinion, a reduction in the rate of duty on beer and spirits would lead to a substantial loss of revenue, and in these circumstances I am not prepared to recommend it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the extreme depression in the theatrical world to which the Entertainment Duty has contributed; and whether he will cause inquiries on the operations of this duty to be made systematically with a view to bringing relief to the industry in the next Budget?

Representations on this subject have already been made to me by various entertainment interests and have been carefully considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a village working-class club, in which smoking concerts are held occasionally amongst the members themselves and no charge is made for visitors who may happen to be introduced on the occasion, is liable to be assessed by the Customs and Excise Department for Entertainments Duty upon one-fourth of all annual subscriptions to the club; and whether a demand for payment of arrears of Entertainments Duty on this basis on all club subscrip- tions, whether each member concerned attended a smoking concert or not, paid on or since 1st January, 1919, up to date is in accordance with the practice of the Department?

I am unable to say whether liability to duty arises in a particular case without a full knowledge of the facts. But I would explain that under Section 1 (4) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, Entertainments Duty is chargeable on such part of the subscription to any club as appears to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to represent the right of admission to entertainments in respect of which Entertainments Duty is payable, and such entertainments include club concerts, notwithstanding that they are open only to members and their guests. The duty is not charged on a fixed proportion of the annual subscription, but varies according to the circumstances; and it is payable in respect of each subscription which confers on the member the right of admission to taxable entertainments, irrespective of whether the right is exercised or not. As regards the last part of the question, a claim for arrears arises if tax due for past years has not been paid.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount realised by the Disposal Board by the sale of an Army hut (lot 1) at Braefoot Camp, Fifeshire on 30th November last?

This small 30 feet by 15 feet sectional hut was sold by public auction and realised £57 10s.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any understanding between the Treasury and the Civil Service that the working day is, apart from the luncheon interval, one of six hours only; and, if not, whether, in these days when the Government is urging the community to greater effort in the various walks of life, he will consider the introduction into the service of a seven-hours' day, exclusive of luncheon time, or a 38½ hours' week?

In accordance with the recommendations of the Reorganisation Committee of the National Whitley Council, which were accepted by the Government, a seven-hour day has been fixed for the general clerical and administrative classes employed in London headquarter offices. The hours of attendance are inclusive of luncheon interval, which is to be normally three-quarters of an hour, but may be extended to an hour in special cases of difficulty. In the case of other classes a longer working week is normally prescribed. It should also be borne in mind that classes entitled to overtime pay are paid only for attendance in excess of 42 hours a week, a stricter rule than that generally in force before the Reorganisation Committee reported. As already stated, in reply to previous questions, a great deal of unpaid overtime is being worked at the present time, and I do not see my way to varying the present arrangement which was approved by the Government as an integral part of the general scheme of reorganisation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there are any industries or trade and, if so, what, in which a six-hours' day, exclusive of luncheon hour, only is worked?

Among manual wage-earners the normal working time, exclusive of meal times, generally exceeds six hours daily, except on Saturday; and although cases are known, for example, among certain classes of tin plate workers and heavy cable workers at some works, in which a six-hour day is worked, these cases are exceptional. As regards clerical workers and salaried employés, the information at my disposal is not sufficient to enable me safely to generalise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether new minimum rates of wages have recently been submitted to him for confirmation under the Trade Boards Act in the grocery and provision trade; is he aware that they were passed by the Trade Board by a majority of only three against a minority of 25 members; that at the date they were passed by the Trade Board the cost of living was 175 per cent. above 1914 whereas to-day it is only 128 per cent. above 1914; and whether, seeing that if confirmed by him the new rates would have the immediate result of either pushing up food prices or causing unemployment in the grocery and provision trade, he will, in the interest of the public, as well as of the employers and employed in the provision trade, postpone any confirmation pending further consideration?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, given yesterday to questions on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date the arrangements for setting up a Trade Board for the hairdressers' trade will be completed?

I am at present considering the views which have been expressed to me by the employers' and workers' organisations concerned, and I hope to be able to come to a decision at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any, and, if so, how many, of the women under training as nurses have been rejected after trial as being unsuited to the nursing profession; and whether, in any of these cases, his Ministry has refused to accept this decision, and is continuing the payment of training grants?

No women have been placed in training for the nursing profession by the Ministry of Labour. A number of women, however, are being trained to become qualified midwives. It is the practice to discontinue training immediately if the trainee is reported by the responsible authorities to be unsuitable. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, perhaps he would give me details, in order that I may have inquiry made.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total number of on-licences refused with compensation during 1920; and what was the average amount of compensation paid in respect thereof, distinguishing between full licences and on-beer licences?

The total number of licences extinguished on payment of compensation during 1920 in England and Wales was 526. The average amount of compensation paid in respect thereof was £1,439 1s. 11d for each full licence, and £1,346 19s. 3d. for each beer-house licence.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the trial, at Pontefract, of Mr. C. T. Woodhead, for making seditious speeches, at which he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment in default of payment; whether he is aware that no one, except Mrs. Woodhead, was allowed to see the prisoner, so that he was unable to instruct counsel for the defence; that two of the prisoner's friends attended the Court to give evidence, but were informed that they would not be allowed to go into the Court as witnesses; and whether he will have inquiries made into the proceedings in this trial?

My attention has been drawn to this case, and I am making inquiry on the points raised in the question.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there exists keen dissatisfaction in the factory inspectorate of his Department owing to the promotion of women inspectors of short service, three to five years, over the heads of men of from 10 to 15 or more years; that men inspectors are being forced to serve under the orders of women inspectors of less seniority and obviously less technical training and experience; and will he inquire into the matter, in view of the fact that such procedure is calculated to lessen the general usefulness and capacity of the inspectorate as a whole?

I am not aware of any serious dissatisfaction. It is not the case, apart from one or two inspectors who are considered to be unsuitable or not yet qualified for promotion, that any men inspectors have been passed over by women with only a few years' service. Under the scheme for the reorganisation of the Factory Department, which was approved last year and of which particulars have been published, the men's and women's branches, which have hitherto been separate, are being amalgamated; and some additional higher posts (in substitution for some of the special women's posts which have been abolished) have been created to enable the experienced senior women inspectors to take their due share in the responsible duties of the Department and to provide for the necessary supervision of the work in regard to matters specially affecting women. The arrangements for bringing the scheme into operation have been most carefully worked out and the merits of all officers fully considered. I may add that the scheme confers great benefits in the way both of improved scales of salary and of more rapid promotion on men and women inspectors alike, and in my opinion will increase the efficiency and usefulness of the inspectorate.

asked the Prime Minister whether a British representative has yet been appointed to the forth-coming conference under the auspices of the League of Nations in Geneva on 30th June to deal with the traffic in women and children; whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a woman as technical adviser; and whether he can give an indication of the powers which will be conferred upon the British delegates and of the policy which they will support?

Yes, as the Conference is an official one, the British Government will be represented by an official of the Home Office, which is the Department concerned with the subject. It has not been considered necessary to appoint a woman as technical adviser, as two representatives of the National Vigilance Association (one of whom is a woman) have been invited to attend the Conference in view of the special knowledge they have obtained of this question in its international aspect, and the British representative will have the advantage of consultation with them. In reply to the last part of the question, the object of the Conference, as stated in the Resolution adopted by the Assembly of the League, is to co-ordinate the reports received from the Governments on the subject of the action they have taken or are proposing to take with regard to this question, and to endeavour to secure a common understanding between the Governments with a view to future united action. The British representative will be instructed to promote this policy, but he will not, of course, be able to commit the Government to any new course of action without its previous approval.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, prior to the passing of the Canadian Disputes (Investigation) Act, there were, on an average, between 300 to 400 strikes or lock-outs annually in Canada; whether, as a result of the working of that Act, the average number of strikes and lock-outs has been reduced to an average of 70 to 80 annually;

(2) whether he is aware of the provisions of the Canadian Industrial Disputes (Investigation) Act passed by the Government of the Dominion of Canada; that the effect of this Act has been considered satisfactory in its application to industrial disputes in all classes of industry in the Dominion; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation based upon similar principles, with a view to the solution of industrial disputes in this country?

I have been asked to reply. The statistics published by the Canadian Department of Labour do not confirm those put forward by my hon. and gallant Friend. According to the Canadian "Labour Gazette" for February of this year, the average annual number of disputes existing in Canada in the years 1901 to 1906 was 117; while the average annual number from 1907 (when the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act was passed) to 1920 was 130, showing a small increase over the average figures for the period prior to the passing of the Act. The highest numbers were reached in 1919, when there were 298 disputes; and in 1920, when there were 285 disputes.

With regard to the statement that the effect of the Act has been considered satis- factory in its application to industrial disputes in all classes of industry in the Dominion, it may be observed that the Act applies compulsorily only to certain industries, i.e., coal mining, transport, and public utilities, although its scope was temporarily extended in 1916 so as to apply to all disputes affecting any aspect of war work. It would appear that during the period of operation of the Act there has been a considerable number of illegal strikes in the industries to which the Act applies, and that the penal Clauses of the Act have been utilised in very few cases. Moreover, very little use appears to have been made by industry generally of the Section of the Act which allows voluntary application for boards.

The Act, which undoubtedly contains some valuable features, was considered by the recent Committee on Relations between Employers and Employed presided over by Mr. Speaker, and the Committee reported against the application to this country of the compulsory power of delaying strikes and lock-outs, which is one of the distinguishing features of the Canadian Act. The Committee, as my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, made recommendations inter alia with regard to the holding of an independent inquiry in appropriate cases when the parties to a dispute are unable to adjust the difference, and these recommendations have been given legislative effect in the Industrial Courts Act, 1919.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the International Commission, consisting of the Allied High Commissioners at Constantinople and of the International Red Cross at Geneva, which has been investigating Greek atrocities on the Turkish population in the Yalova district will be published shortly, or if the same course will be adopted as in the case of the Report of the Smyrna Commission?

His Majesty's Government are not convinced of the advisability of publishing this Report at present, but will consult the Governments who, with them, were represented on the Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 1,000,000 Egyptians have now signed demands for the resignation of the present Egyptian Cabinet; and whether the British Government intends, in view of this fact, to negotiate with the delegation appointed by the present Egyptian Cabinet?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. His Majesty's Government see no reason for refusing to negotiate with the delegation which the Sultan of Egypt, in reply to the invitation addressed to him, has appointed to visit the United Kingdom, and which is presided over by the Egyptian Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Egyptian Ministry and the delegation appointed by it does not now enjoy the confidence of the Egyptian people, and that His Majesty's Government are desirous of making a treaty with genuine representatives of the Egyptian people, they will take immediate steps to order that the extent of public confidence enjoyed by the Ministry and the delegation should be ascertained by constitutional methods?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor) on the 9th ultimo, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a delegation from Assiut to Lord Allenby pointed out that Adly Pasha in his first public declaration promised the; abolition of martial law; and whether the delegation was informed by Lord Allenby's oriental secretary that the British Government was not responsible for Adly's statements, and that it was impossible to abolish martial law?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan). I have no information with regard to the delegation referred to, but His Majesty's High Com- missioner for Egypt recently received a resolution signed by some 20,000 inhabitants of Assiut Province declaring their full confidence in the present Ministry to carry on negotiations with Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any complaints regarding the alleged official interference and arbitrary conduct of the director of agriculture in the County of Bedford; whether this official has recently increased the rents of small lots of grass land in the parish of Lidlington, Bedfordshire, by £2 10s. per acre; whether this official pays the same amount of attention regarding clean cultivation to the large farmers as to the smallholders; whether his salary and expenses are defrayed from State funds; and, in view of the serious position now being created amongst both civilian and ex-service smallholders, he will have inquiries made into the matter?

I have no reason to suppose that the Director of Agriculture in the County of Bedford is not carrying out his duties in a proper manner. I understand that, acting on the instructions of the small holdings subcommittee of the county agricultural committee, he has recommended that the rents of certain pre-War holdings should be revised to bring them into closer agreement with the changed value of agricultural land, but in view of the fact that it has been clearly explained to every smallholder that he has the right to submit his case to arbitration if he is not satisfied that the proposed new rent is reasonable, I do not consider it necessary to make any special inquiries into the matter. So far as I am aware, there is no ground for the suggestion contained in the third part of the hon. Member's question. As regards the fourth part of the question, the salary and expenses of the director are in the main recoverable from public funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to communicate the result of his inquiries into the position of allotment holders at Westfield Park, Balby, Doncaster, who have received notice to quit; if he is aware that this notice has been given by the agents of the owners, whereas it appears that the allotments are held through the Doncaster Town Council, to whom the allotment holders have paid their rent; and whether he can now see his way to rescind these notices?

Enquiries have been made into this case by one of the Ministry's inspectors, but the facts have not yet been definitely ascertained. I am communicating with the owners' solicitors, and I hope to be in a position to furnish the hon. Member with further information shortly. The notices in question do not expire until February, 1922.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether investigations were made by the Profiteering Act Department of the Board of Trade into costings, prices, and profits arising from the manufacture of shoddy, worsted, and blankets; if so, what progress was made with these inquiries; and whether he will publish the result?

Preliminary enquiries into costs, prices, and profits arising from the manufacture of shoddy, worsted cloths, and blankets were made by the Chief Accountant to the Central Committee, but the Standing Committee on Prices did not proceed with the enquiries. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Colne Valley Water Company applied to the Board of Trade, under The Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1918, for an Order authorising the company to make increased charges up to 45 per cent.; that the Board of Trade, in a letter dated 6th April, 1921, stated that they only required the company to give notice of the application to the local authorities; that they omitted to comply with the Regulations of Section 1, Sub-section (2), of the Act, which state that before making an Order the appropriate Government Department shall require the undertakers, the water company, to give public notice of the application for an Order under this Act, and as to the manner in which, and time within which, representations may be made, and to give a similar notice in writing to the council of each county, borough, or urban or rural district within which any part of the undertaking or limits of the supply of the undertaking is situate, and the Department shall consider any representations which may be duly made; and whether, in view of the fact that such public notice was not given, he will state the reason why the Standing Order has not been complied with?

The application by the Colne Valley Water Company was for the variation of an increased rate of charge under a provision contained in an Order made by the Board of Trade on the 6th July, 1920, under the Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1918. It was not, therefore, an application made directly under the Act of 1918, and the Board of Trade did not think it necessary to require public advertisement of the application, but they directed that notice should be served upon the local authorities concerned. In order to confine the increased rates to the least possible amount, it has been the practice of the Board of Trade, in dealing with such cases, to estimate the undertakers' requirements, for a comparatively short period, and to provide in the Order that the increase found necessary for that period shall be subject to variation either by way of increase or decrease from time to time. The increase authorised by the Order of July, 1920, was 25 per cent., subject to variation at any time after the 31st October, 1920, and in December, 1920, the company applied for a further increase of 35 per cent., making 60 per cent. in all. Representations were received from all the local authorities concerned, and an inquiry was held at which counsel and witnesses on behalf of the Middlesex County Council, who represented all the authorities, were heard, with the result that the Board of Trade decided that a further increase of 20 per cent. was then required to enable the company to earn the dividend authorised by the Act of 1918, making an increase of 45 per cent. in all. The Board therefore authorised the increased rate to be put in operation, subject to further revision from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to a petition presented by over 300 Chinese merchants of North Borneo to the British North Borneo Company protesting against the grant of exclusive rights to the British Borneo Timber Company, Limited, to cut timber for export on all State lands as constituting a grave injustice to the Chinese merchants; and whether Clause 17 of the British North Borneo Company's Charter prohibits the setting up or granting of any general monopoly of trade and provides that trade in North Borneo shall be free, subject only to Customs duties imposed for revenue purposes?

Yes, Sir, a copy of the petition referred to has been received. The provisions of Clause 17 of the Charter are substantially as stated in the question. I cannot say whether the grant of exclusive rights to cut timber on all State lands can be held to conflict with this Clause of the Charter, but the British North Borneo Company are being asked for observations on this point, and are being requested to furnish in due course a copy of the answer which they are returning to the petition that has been addressed to them.

asked the Minister of Health whether a number of houses in the Spennymoor Urban District are being kept vacant by owners anxious to obtain an enhanced price by sale with vacant possession; and, in order that they may be occupied forthwith, will he advise the local authority to purchase the same under Clause 12 of the 1919 Housing Act?

I understand that there were some time ago several houses in this district described as being kept vacant. I am informed, however, by the local authority that all except one of these houses are now occupied or that arrangements have been made for their occupation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in the revised table of consular fees which is to be issued shortly, he will have a column inserted showing the difference, if any, between the revised fees now to be levied by British consuls abroad and the fees levied by the consuls of the foreign countries concerned in this country?

Consular fees are levied by some 50 foreign countries, a comparative statement would therefore be a work of great elaboration and expense, and I regret that I cannot undertake to include such a table in the British consular fee table.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether all members of the commercial mission which will shortly be proceeding to Moscow in connection with the Russian trade agreement both speak and write Russian fluently; and, if not, how many of the total number are qualified in this respect?

The proposed members of the Commercial Mission to Russia all have a thorough knowledge of the Russian language, both written and spoken.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that minors domiciled in England who contract unions in Canada without the consent of their parents, and who subsequently return to England without consummation of the marriages, have no ground upon which to bring suits for nullity in the English Courts; if so, whether, in view of the grave complications and circumstances contrary to public morals and interests arising out of such unions, the Government intend to deal with inter-Empire marriages at the forthcoming Imperial Conference; and, if so, will the Government consider in what way legal relief can be provided for minors who, having contracted such unions, have never co-habited or communicated in any way with one another for seven years and upwards?

As to the first part of the question, I understand that the circumstances referred to afford no ground for the granting of a decree for nullity in the English Courts. As to the rest of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House yesterday.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to a case in which a borough council has levied a rate for Poor Law purposes in excess of the precept issued by the board of guardians, with the result that a rate has been levied upon the owners of property within the borough which includes, for Poor Law purposes, an amount exceeding by several thousands of pounds the sum asked for by the recognised Poor Law authorities, namely, the board of guardians; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent a repetition of such action on the part of the borough council?

I received a communication from the local ratepayers' association about the case to which I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, from which I gather that the borough council in making the rate had before them the estimate of the finance committee of the guardians and that this estimate was subsequently reduced by the board of guardians. I have no jurisdiction with respect to the making of rates by borough councils, but I have no doubt that the council are alive to the position, and any excess produced by the present rate will, of course, be available for the reduction of the next rate.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Vote for the salary of the Minister without Portfolio will be taken; and under what authority his salary is now being paid?

As regards the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject. The salary is being paid, with Treasury authority, from temporary advances from the Civil Contingencies Fund, to be refunded in due course from the Vote.