asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any stocks of imported meat are still held by the Government for disposal in this country; if so, can he state approximately what the quantities are; if any of it is earmarked for Army and Navy use; and can he state what decision has been taken as to the disposal of any stocks held here?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. The stocks of imported meat held by the Government had been reduced to approximately 20,000 tons on the 3rd June, and are being disposed of as rapidly as the market conditions permit.

Does the Department propose to reduce the price of meat in order to get rid of these stocks?

I shall require notice of that question.

How long have these stocks been held by the Government?

We are getting rid of them as fast as we can, and I hope very soon they will be entirely exhausted.

Is this the same stock that was put into cold store by order of the Government 12 months ago?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice of that question.

I will have that looked up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any stocks of wool are still held by the Government for disposal in this country; if so, can he give approximately the quantities held; can he also state if it is Australian wool or has been imported from other countries; and can he give what decision has been arrived at by his Department as to the disposal of any stocks of wool now held?

I have been asked to answer this question. With regard to the first, second, and last parts of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for East Grinstead on the 30th May. With regard to the third part of the question, the wool referred to has been imported from Australia, New Zealand, and, in the case of a very small quantity, from the Falkland Islands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any figures showing the trade between England and Ireland for the five months of the present year, or any convenient period, and similar figures for the year 1920?

Particulars of the total trade of Ireland, upon which the figures of the trade between Great Britain and Ireland are based, are published by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland for calendar years only, and have not yet been published for the year 1920.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with what countries treaties, conventions, and engagements are in force which would have to be taken into account under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill?

In making Orders under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill, it would be necessary to consider any Treaty provisions which may be held to limit our action in respect of the duties leviable on goods on importation into the United Kingdom. I am having circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the countries with which treaties, conventions, or engagements are in force which would have to be considered in this connection.

Am I to understand it will be published in the Report of to-day's proceedings?

Certainly. The list is a long one.

Following is the list mentioned:—

Treaties, Conventions, or Engagements in force between the United Kingdom and the undermentioned foreign countries contain provisions which would have to be considered on the ground that they may be held to limit the action of His Majesty's Government in respect of the duties leviable on the goods of their manufacture on importation into the United Kingdom. Argentina. Belgium. Bolivia. Colombia. Costa Rica. Denmark. Esthonia. Greece. Honduras. Italy. Japan. Liberia. Mexico. Netherlands. Nicaragua. Norway. Paraguay. Persia. Portugal. Rumania. Serb-Croat-Slovene State. Spain. Sweden. Switzerland. United States. Venezuela.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) whether his attention has been called to the restraint of freedom of commerce, and consequent enhancement of the price of commodities to the consumer, caused by the practice of trusts and combines, both international and British, to grant rebates of 10 per cent. to the retail purchaser or middleman if he will pledge himself not to do business with any rival concerns that are outside the trust, combine, or ring; does he intend to ask for powers to make such rebates invalid and punishable;

(2) whether he will seek powers to so modify the law that a manufacturer shall not be able to obtain judgment for the payment of an account under a contract containing restrictive clauses or discounts for exclusive custom unless the Court, after considering all the circumstances, considers the terms of the contract as fair both towards the retailer, the middleman, and the purchasing public?

Arrangements of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are not infrequent. Proposals for legislation on the lines indicated by him raise large and difficult questions of policy, on which I am not at present prepared to make any pronouncement, but the matter will be carefully considered in connection with any future legislation in respect of trusts and combinations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in New Zealand the Commercial Trust Laws prohibit this practice, and that in China it could be punished with 40 blows?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ascertain if a British trust, known as the Wall Paper Manufacturers, with an authorised capital of £5,000,000, gives a 10 per cent. rebate to dealers or decorators who pledge themselves not to deal with any concern outside the combine, with a further agreement that the rebate is at once repayable if it can be shown that they have dealt with any rival concern; and is he aware how gravely this restriction operates on the public by limiting their range of choice when making their purchases?

I understand that an arrangement of the nature indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend has been in operation in connection with Wall Paper Manufacturers, Limited, for some time past; but no complaints from consumers as to any adverse effects of the arrangement have been made to my Department.

If I bring cases before the right hon. Gentleman, will he look into them?

Certainly. That is what I am here for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether over 1,200 hundred watchers' certificates have been issued; is he aware that if these men are all employed 600 skilled wireless operators will be thrown out of work; did he take this matter into consideration when he stated that the main cause of the unemployment amongst wireless operators was the present depression in shipping; and whether, seeing that it means permanent displacement for these wireless operators, he will reconsider this decision and rescind the Rules under the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, introducing watchers for wireless telegraphy purposes, in view of the present state of unemployment in this country?

I am aware that over 1,200 watchers' certificates have been issued, but it is not correct to assume that the employment of each pair of watchers necessarily means the displacement of an operator who would otherwise have been employed. Under war conditions, the Mercantile Marine as a whole was required for defence purposes to carry more operators than are now necessary for safety purposes under peace conditions; and there was necessarily a reduction in the number of operators employed. The number has been further reduced by the depression in shipping. It is not proposed to alter the present Rules.

Has any suggestion been made for finding employment for these men, who have been specially trained?

My hon. Friend knows that there is very great depression in the shipping trade at the present time, and I am very much afraid that many of these men will be affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of economy, he will now dispense with the publicity branch of his Department and rely on the public Press for the dissemination of information as to trade conditions; and, if not, what is the reason for retaining it?

The whole of the work of the Board of Trade is at present under review, and I am unable to anticipate what action may be taken as regards any particular section.

Will they take care in that review that the findings of the Lytton Committee are followed and that any who are retained in this kind of service will be ex-service men.

I will look into that.

What is the annual cost of this branch?

It is quite small, but I have not the figures in my mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the publicity service is still a part of the Department; if so, how many persons are employed in the service and at what salaries; and whether the functions of this Department include the giving out of special copy to some newspapers in connection with the coal dispute?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The publicity section consists of three people— 1 publicity officer at a salary of £950 and an allowance of £150 per annum for expenses. 1 temporary clerk at a weekly salary of £5 6s. inclusive. 1 shorthand typist at a weekly salary of £3 10s. inclusive. In addition to their normal work of disseminating information as to trade conditions and other matters arising out of the work of the Board, these officers, during the past two months, have been assisting in bringing to the notice of the public the facts relating to the present coal dispute.

Does that mean that we are paying for ex parte statements, made in an attempt to discredit the miners' case?

I have chosen these words myself.

Is it a fact that this copy is being distributed by the secretaries of the Coalition Liberal and Unionist organisations throughout the country?

I have no knowledge of that. Perhaps the hon. Member will put any further questions down.

asked the Prime Minister if the Cabinet would consider the advisability of introducing legislation to amend the Superannuation Acts so that the House of Commons could control the public expenditure connected with the salaries, war bonuses, and pensions of all civil servants; and, in the event of this not being possible, will he state the considered objections of the Cabinet to such a proposition?

Salaries and bonus are not regulated by Statute, and alterations in them do not require legislative sanction. Salaries are voted annually by the House.

Was the Financial Secretary correct when replying to me in stating that the Treasury has full power to increase the salaries or the bonus of civil servants under the Superannuation Acts?

I do not quite understand what my hon. and gallant Friend is quoting from, but salaries are of course regulated at intervals by the Treasury, but subject to the control of this House.

In the event of any movement taking place to compound the war bonus and salaries, will the House have an opportunity of discussing it?

Sir William Davison.

On a point of Order. I have asked several questions on this subject day after day and I cannot get a clear answer from the Front Bench. Only the other day—

The hon. Member must not argue. The question which he has put on the Paper has been answered.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can now say when a day will be given to discuss the position of women in the Civil Service?

I regret that I am not in a position to name a day.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not say at what time we can get this Debate? Is he aware it has been very often postponed in deference to the wishes of the Government, and is he also aware that there is an examination fixed for the end of July, making it important this question should be settled?

I am aware the question is one of great importance and that it was postponed—I think before Easter—probably to meet the convenience of the Government. I am very sorry I cannot yet fix a day. I think if my hon. Friend considers the state of business he will recognise the difficulty of fixing a day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware we have too many civil servants at present?

asked the Minister of Transport why it is necessary to continue to employ a publicity staff at his Ministry, seeing that the public Press is available for the dissemination of all information of public interest?

One of my private secretaries is principally employed in giving to writers and Press representatives information which is available for publication without discrimination.

Is he an ex-service man?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a Mr. Lee, now an official of the coal owners' organisation, was formerly in the service of the Mines Department of the Board of Trade; if so, what was his status and salary; and what were the pension prospects surrendered when he left the Board of Trade for the Coal Owners' Association?

Mr. W. A. Lee, who is now the assistant secretary to the Mining Association of Great Britain, was formerly a permanent official of the Board of Trade, and for a time acted as Secretary to the Coal Mines Department. In that capacity his salary was £1,000 a year, inclusive of war bonus. Had Mr. Lee remained in the Civil Service he would have been entitled, on his retirement at the age of 60, to a pension calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Superannuation Acts on his emoluments at the date of retirement.

Is it going to be the general practice that civil servants are to be allowed to take jobs on under these conditions?

This is a free country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any interest has yet been received on the capital invested by the Government in the British Dyestuffs Corporation; if so, what; and what amount of net receipts from this investment is expected during the coming years?

The dividends on the Government investment in the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, have hitherto been at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum on the non-cumulative preference shares and 8 per cent. per annum on the preferred ordinary shares, and the net amounts received to date are £43,424 10s. 6d. and £49,693 2s. 8d., respectively. I am unable to anticipate the dividends for future years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the £1 shares of this company have fallen to 2s., and does he know what is the market value at the present time of the Government's holdings in this company?

I am afraid I do not.

Is it not a fact that there are many enterprises, including shipping, where shares were issued at par and are now worth nothing?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the net receipts to date received on be- half of the Governments of Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, respectively, from the sale of phosphate from the island of Nauru?

I have at present no information on the subject. I will make inquiry of the British Phosphate Commissioners, and communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

Is this amount paid to the Colonial Office or direct to the British Treasury?

I must ask my hon. Friend for notice of that question.

Does the League of Nations take any percentage?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present holding of the British Government in the British Cellulose Company; and what are the net receipts from this investment to date?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount which the Government has invested in the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Company, Limited; what is the amount of interest or dividend which the Government has received thereon for the year 1920; how many directors the Government has appointed to the board of directors of the company; and what is the remuneration of a director of the company?

The Government holds 1,450,000 7½ per cent. "A" cumulative participating preference shares in the company. No dividend has been received thereon for the year 1920. There are two Government directors on the board, who receive fees at the rate of £500 a year each.

Will the Government consider cutting their losses and ceasing to subsidise this concern, in accordance with the desire expressed by the President of the Board of Trade last week?

My hon. Friend will see that that question involves a question of policy which will have to be taken into consideration.

Is the Government subsidising this company at the present time? Is there any further subsidy being given?

No, Sir.

They have appointed two directors at £500 a year each.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated loss to the railways up to the present time due to the curtailment and loss of traffic and other causes arising out of the coal strike; and if he will state how such loss will be met?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The claims against the Government shown in the accounts presented by the controlled railways for the month of March amounted to nearly £3,500,000, and for the month of April to over £9,500,000. No later figures are available. The loss will fall upon the general taxpayer through the operation of the railway agreements and a Supplementary Estimate has been presented to Parliament so that the Government's obligation to the companies may be met.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of foreign coal that has been imported into this country during the month of May; what was the selling price of the coal to the buyers; whether any of the coal has been tested with the view of finding out whether the foreign coal is as good as steam navigation coal for generating purposes; and if he will take action in the matter?

The quantity of foreign coal imported during the month of May, 1921, as shown in the Trade and Navigation Returns, was 450,162 tons; and the average declared value per ton c.i.f. was 68s. 2d. The selling price to the buyers cannot be stated; it would include apart from the c.i.f. value many items such as the expense of handling and transport, of which no return is made. I do not propose to take any action in the matter of testing this coal, which comprises widely differing qualities. I presume that intending buyers have satisfied themselves as to its suitability for their respective requirements.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have bought many thousand tons of foreign coal, chiefly German coal, and whether they have been selling it to private individuals; and, if so, can he state what amount of profit has been made?

The Government have been buying coal from various countries abroad, and selling it for public utilty purposes. I do not know of any cases where abnormal profits can be said to have been made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the price paid for this coal was higher than the price that would have provided a decent wage for the workers of this country in producing coal?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, with the exception of Wales, very little navigation coal is produced and that the bulk of the coal produced in this country for steam raising is ordinary bituminous coal?

asked the Secretary for Mines what ports in the United Kingdom foreign coal is being imported into; whether importers are allowed to import what quantities they like; whether at every port such imported coal is being freely handled by all classes of labour concerned, or if there are any ports where coal is not handled; and, if so, will he give the names of such ports?

Foreign coal has been imported into a very large number of British ports, some 60 in all, including the Thames, Mersey, Clyde, Forth and Humber ports, Southampton, Bristol and Sharpness. A considerable quantity has also been brought into Ireland. There is no restriction on the quantity of foreign coal allowed to be imported by merchants. Foreign coal is now being freely handled by all classes of labour concerned at the ports to which it has been sent.

asked the Secretary for Mines if representations have been made to him to compel mine officials above the rank of deputies or firemen and below the rank of first-class certificated managers to have a second-class certificate; and, if so, will he consult the Institution of Mining Engineers before coming to a decision on the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I shall be glad to consider the suggestion made in the second part.

Is the right hon. Member aware that if he carries this into effect he will compel a large number of men to be deprived of employment, and that these men are good, practical men; and does he mean to suggest that men getting a certificate are better than practical men, even if they have no certificate?

All I suggest is that I should like to consult, as my hon. Friend desires, the Institute of Mining Engineers, and if what he says is correct, no doubt that will be taken into consideration?

asked the Minister of Transport how much money has been allocated since 1st January to Scottish local authorities to assist in the construction and maintenance of roads; whether the classification of roads in Scotland has yet been completed; and whether he will convene a conference of local authorities in Scotland to decide upon all outstanding questions between local authorities and himself on the subject of road classification?

As the answer to this question contains a considerable number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to hold a conference with Scottish local authorities?

Conferences have been going on all the time.

Has any money been allocated to Ireland in respect of roads?

The hon. Member will please put that question on the Order Paper.

The following is the answer:

In addition to the sums to be allocated to Scotland under the new classification scheme, grants and loans have been made or indicated from the Road Fund to Scottish local authorities between the 1st January and the 31st May, 1921, as under: Ordinary Road and Bridge Works. Grants made £97,081 Grants indicated but not actually made 56,465 £154,546 Loans £5,894 Unemployment Works. Grants made £157,822 Grants indicated but not actually made 357 £158,179

The classification of roads in Scotland has been completed. As I have explained on previous occasions, the classification is a provisional one for this year, and any representations submitted by highway authorities for its revision will receive full consideration. The Director-General of Roads is arranging to hold conferences with the local authorities in Scotland for the discussion of outstanding questions, including classification, as soon as convenient dates can be fixed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed terms of contribution set out in the circular issued by the Ministry on the 9th May, 1921, in respect of the classification of roads are not acceptable to many of the highway authorities; that the Ministry's proposals with regard to loan repayments concerning liabilities incurred previous to the passing of the Roads Act are regarded with much disfavour; and if he will consider the desirability of removing this restriction, having regard to the fact that it penalises those road authorities which have carried out large surfacing improvements on a loan policy prior to August, 1919?

I am aware that certain exceptions are taken to the Ministry's proposals in the circular of the 9th May with regard to repayments of loan charges in respect of expenditure incurred prior to August, 1919. Deputations are being received from the various highway authority associations upon this question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of granting powers to local authorities to prohibit the use of certain roads to heavy motor traffic, passenger-carrying or otherwise; whether local authorities are to be held liable for the extraordinary damage done to road surfaces and bridges by abnormally heavy motor traffic; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the annual tax on all motor vehicles unprovided with pneumatic tyres?

The point raised in the first part of the question is met by Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, to which I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the third part of the question, the reply is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport the gross revenue derived from the duties on motor and other vehicles for the five months ending 31st May, 1921, specifying the revenue obtained from quarterly and annual licences respectively; the actual amount paid to highway authorities from the road fund during the said period; and the amount which it is estimated will be paid out of the road fund to highway authorities for the financial year ending 31st December, 1921?

All returns have not yet been received, but estimating the receipt on the basis of those available and on past returns, the gross revenue derived from the duties on motor and other vehicles for the five months ending 31st May, 1921, is approximately £8,740,000. Of this, £8,040,000 is in respect of annual licences and £700,000 on account of quarterly licences. The actual amount paid to highway authorities from the Road Fund during the five months ended 31st May, 1921, was £2,863,243. It is estimated that approximately £11,000,000 will be paid out of the Road Fund to highway authorities during the calendar year ending 31st December, 1921. The excess over the proceeds of motor taxation will be met from accumulated resources.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the sum mentioned was collected from Ireland?

I would require notice of that question.

Will he say if the amount of revenue obtained from the motor car duties is quite up to the anticipations of the Government, and does it correspond with the figures estimated by them?

Yes, Sir, with extraordinary accuracy.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a big reduction of wages is taking place in many parts of the country, ranging from 10s. to 25s. per week; if he is prepared to bring about a reduction of railway fares for workmen's tickets; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am aware that in many industries reductions in wages are taking place, but the fares charged to workpeople travelling by cheap early trains are still on a very low basis, in comparison with those fixed for other classes of travel. I fear that I should not be justified in taking the action suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the increase in workmen's railway tickets was put on, it involved an increase of 2s. a week, which in some cases meant 10s. a week to a family?

That is a repetition of the same question in another form.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered what I asked him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is contemplated that the questions affecting the supervisory and working grades in the en- gineering and allied trades employed on railways are to be settled by bodies upon which the three trade unions who are parties to the agreement have representation, but upon which the unions representing the supervisory and other employés referred to above have no representation; and whether, in this event, the Government propose to give one group of unions a share in the control of men belonging to a different and distinct group?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the question asked in the second part does not, therefore, arise. I would point out that it is not intended that the machinery proposed to be set up by Part IV of the Railways Bill should deal with the wages and conditions of service of railway shopmen.

asked the Prime Minister if the Industrial Council set up in 1911 by the Board of Trade is in being; if so, whether it could be usefully employed in the coal, cotton, and engineering disputes; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of re-establishing it for that purpose?

I have been asked to reply. The Industrial Council referred to is no longer in being, and the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question therefore does not arise, but I am inclined to doubt whether a council constituted in this manner could have played a useful part in the coal, cotton or engineering disputes. Experience shows, I think, that trades such as these would be jealous of interference from a body representative of other industries. The whole question of the relations between employers and employed was considered by the Committee presided over by Mr. Speaker, and the machinery for conciliation or arbitration, or for the appointment of courts of inquiry, prescribed in the Industrial Courts Act, represents the policy advocated by that Committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, although a great amount of machinery has been established under the Act, the employers are now refusing to honour the findings?

I am not aware of any cases of that kind, but if my hon. Friend will draw my attention to them I will look into them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that only this afternoon there was a conference in connection with the tramway industry, and a report was given that wages should not be reduced before the end of the year, but the employers are now demanding an immediate reduction? Is not that a variation of the findings of the Court?

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of the Government for dealing with the present industrial position and the relations between capital and labour; whether it includes a recognition of the community of interest between employers and employed and the encouragement of the participation of the workmen in the management and profits of industry; and whether the Government intend, to take any steps to promote the revival and efficiency of the Industrial Council established in 1919?

The policy of the Government in this matter is based on the recommendations of the Committee on the Relations between Employers and Employed, presided over by Mr. Speaker. The main recommendations of that Committee concerned the setting up in organised industries of Joint Industrial Councils, representative of employers' associations and trade unions, to deal with matters of common interest to employers and workpeople. Such councils exist and are functioning in 70 industries. The Committee also made certain recommendations for the settlement of industrial disputes, which were carried out in substance by the Industrial Courts Act of 1919. The policy includes a recognition of the community of interests between employers and employed, but the Committee refrained from making suggestions as to participation in profits. In reply to the last part of the question, the National Industrial Council was not actually set up. This was due to a number of reasons, but mainly to the fact that it could not be made fully representative of the trade unions of the country. If my Noble Friend has any suggestions on this matter to make, they shall be carefully considered.

Is it not a fact that although the Industrial Council was not fully representative of all the trade unions, yet it was representative of the great majority of the trade unions?

It failed to secure the support of some of the largest and most influential unions in the country. That is the main reason.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the principle of profit-sharing in industry has over and over again been condemned and repudiated by practically every working-class organisation in the country?

Was it not supported by the Leader of Labour?

I do not think I ought to be invited to debate profit-sharing in answer to questions in the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all cases where the employers are now asking for a reduction of wages the workmen are asking for arbitration under the Act mentioned, and that the employers in every case are refusing to go to arbitration?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the 270 Members who accepted railway passes; and whether he will consider the case of those Members who surrendered their season tickets when passes were issued, and are now compelled to pay until the end of June ordinary fares, and are thus worse off than before this concession was given?

The names of hon. Members who used the travelling facilities offered to them are not known to me, and I do not propose to inquire into them. As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing to my previous answers. The business of the Government is to give effect to the decision of the House.

Is it a fact that the right hon. Gentleman does not know the names of Members who received these passes?

Yes, it is a fact.

Has not a record been kept of each of these railway warrants, and is it not an easy matter to ascertain to whom these warrants have been issued?

I have no doubt that that is so. A record must have been kept by the accounting officer or the authorities of the House, but the names are not known to me, and I see no public purpose to be served by inquiring into them.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman could not or will not take the trouble to find out from the officers who issued these coupons the names of the individuals who have got them, and how many coupons each Member has used?

I do not propose to do that. I do not see what public purpose would be served by it. Perhaps it is my fault, but I am at a loss to understand the object of these questions. The Government suggested that certain facilities should be given to certain Members. These facilities were given to certain Members, who used these facilities in good faith. When the matter was discussed in the House the House decided that they should be discontinued, and they have been discontinued accordingly, and I cannot see what public purpose is served by inquiring into who used those facilities.

Is it not a fact that a large number of those who were most strong in their opposition to these facilities being granted were the first to use them?

That may be so.

I know it.

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government intends to take to carry into effect the demand of the people of this country, as expressed in the recent by-election in the Saint George's Division of Westminster, for an immediate reduction in Government expenditure; and whether, having regard to the openly expressed will of the electors, the Government will take steps to effect economies now instead of waiting until next year, as was foreshadowed by the Circular issued by the Treasury?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in believing that economies are being postponed until next year, and if he will read the Treasury Circular to which he refers he will see that it states expressly that it is very desirable that the economies should be brought into operation this year.

Is it intended to make any definite cuts in this year's Estimates?

Such definite cuts as can be made in definite public services.

Does not the result of the Saint George's election show that what we need is a reversal of the policy which leads to expenditure?

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the result of the Heywood election?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have authorised the grant of £1,000,000, said to have been promised by the Colonial Secretary to the British Cotton-growing Association; and is he aware that most agencies for the purchase of cotton from natives in Africa are at present closed down by reason of the low-price of cotton and the heavy stocks on hand?

I have been asked to reply. No grant is proposed to be made to the British Cotton Growing Association. In pursuance of the recommendations made in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Cotton Growing within the Empire, a scheme has been prepared for the formation of an Empire cotton growing corporation, to be established under Royal Charter, and in the administration of which His Majesty's Government, the Governments of the cotton growing areas of the Empire, and trade interests will all participate. The corporation will not be a profit-making body, and its object will be the develop- ment of cotton growing in the Empire by provision of opportunities for training in tropical agriculture and connected subjects, the promotion of research, the establishment of experimental farms, co-operation with the agricultural departments of present or potential cotton growing areas within the Empire, and in such other ways as may be appropriate. The cotton industry in this country has agreed to a voluntary levy at the rate of 6d. a bale on all cotton consumed for a minimum period of five years, and the proposed grant of approximately £1,000,000 by the Government for the purposes of the corporation is conditional on this support from the trade. In the current Estimates the sum of £50,000 is taken for this year as the first of five annual votes for a corresponding sum for the promotion of cotton growing in the Empire; and the proposed capital grant is in lieu of these annual contributions. The grant is not to be derived from the taxpayer, but is His Majesty's Government's share of the surplus accruing from the operation of the Egyptian Cotton Control Scheme of 1918–19 which was carried out under a joint guarantee from the British and Egyptian Governments. I am aware that the general depression has for the time reduced very gravely in some parts of Africa the price at which cotton can be bought from the native grower, and that certain buying agencies have withdrawn from the business for the present, but other agencies are still continuing at work.

Is the result of the right hon. Gentleman's answer a restatement of the fact that we are not granting £1,000,000 to encourage the growth of cotton in the British Empire, and that the money is coming, not out of the pocket of the British taxpayers but out of the pocket of the Egyptian taxpayer? Is it an example of the new economy of the Government, that you are going to charge the Egyptian Government with the cost?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Angora Government have been receiving arms and ammunition from the Russian Soviet Bolshevik Republican Revolutionary Government; whether this is an infringement of the trade agreement, in view of the fact that the Angora Government are in a state of war with this country; and, in view of the fact that Article XIII of the Russian trade agreement provides that either party shall be free from the obligation of the agreement if either party shall violate it, he will give the necessary notice asking for an explanation, in accordance with Article XIII.

In spite of many rumours to that effect, His Majesty's Government have no definite information that the Turkish Nationalists have been receiving arms and ammunition from the Russian Soviet Government. The occasion, therefore, for the action suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend cannot be said to have arisen.

asked the Prime Minister what is the present situation at Constantinople and the Straits; why large British naval forces are being concentrated there; and whether all means of bringing about peace by negotiations have been exhausted?

As regards the first part of the question I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil on 18th April. With regard to the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government have not yet abandoned the hope of bringing about peace between the Greeks and Turks and will lose no opportunity of doing so.

Are any active steps being taken towards that end?

Why, since the Dardanelles have been neutralised, has the Greek Fleet been allowed to go through these neutral waters and bombard open undefended towns on the coast of the Black Sea?

Without accepting the allegations of my hon. Friend I think that I may fairly put it to the House that that is a question of which I should have notice. The question to which the hon. and gallant Member (Viscount Curzon) refers is engaging the consideration of His Majesty's Government, but on an occasion of so much delicacy and in which action with the Allied Powers is necessary I would ask the House not to bombard me with questions which may be injurious to the public interest.

Can we be assured that we are not giving moral support to the Constantine Greeks in these matters?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put a question on the Paper.

Have we a naval attaché with the Greek naval forces at present operating in the Black Sea, and are we getting complete information as to what they are doing?

Clearly the hon. Member must give notice of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have come to a decision as to whether they intend actively to support King Constantine of Greece in a war against the Turkish Nationalists although the French Government have declared they will help neither in men nor in money?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government has throughout been one of strict neutrality between the combatants, and no decision to depart from that attitude has been taken. As stated in reply to an earlier question, His Majesty's Government still hope that in conjunction with their Allies it may be possible to bring about peace between the Greeks and Turks.

Should any decision be taken, will this House be consulted before any irrevocable action is taken by the Government?

I think my hon. Friend knows that the Government have on all occasions sought to take the House into their confidence at the earliest possible moment in these matters. Some measure of discretion must be left to the executive Government. The interests of the country will be properly protected.

May not irrevocable action be forced on the Government through a Turkish advance on British troops at present standing behind the Greeks, and will the Government consider the withdrawal of those British troops?

That is one reason why executive action must be left to the discretion of the Government.

Will the Government withdraw their troops, as the French have done?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement in regard to the situation in Asia Minor, especially the attitude that the Government proposes to adopt in the event of the reopening of hostilities between the Greek and Turkish Nationalist forces; what is the present position at Constantinople; and have the British authorities there freedom of independent action under the sole direction of the British Government?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer to the answers I have already given to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet and to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. The answer to the last part of the question is that while the British authorities at Constantinople are under the sole direction of His Majesty's Government, the policy pursued there by His Majesty's Government is determined in concert with the French and Italian Governments.

Is it still part of the policy of the Government, as frequently outlined by the Prime Minister, that no body of Christians who have been liberated by treaties shall be given back to the bloodstained government of the Turks?

The right hon. Gentleman must put a question on the Paper on that subject.

asked the Prime Minister what are the commitments of His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government; and when these will be explained to the House?

If the hon. and gallant Member refers to commitments to support Greece against the Kemalists by by military or financial means, I can only inform him that no such commitments exist.

Have we any commitments in connection with the present troubles in Asia Minor, apart from military or financial support? Are we committed to help the Greeks in certain eventualities?

That is the question which I have answered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the surplus which will be available for the Irish Parliaments on the basis of the estimated yield of this year's Budget, and hew this amount compares with the surplus shown in the financial memoranda issued in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill last year?

I hope to issue a statement shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has yet been reached to discontinue as authorised military reprisals in Ireland the destruction of the property of those against whom no crime can be proved?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Harrow on 9th June. I would add that the Commander-in-Chief has recently issued orders that every action taken against property must be based on strictly military grounds defined by military orders.

Has a decision been reached as to affording compensation to those punished under the previous policy?

Is it the alleged on Saturday, that the Government have decided to stop reprisals in the meantime?

I have tried to answer that in the main reply, taken in connection with a previous answer to the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley) on 9th June.

Have the Government decided to stop reprisals?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only last week the competent military authority in Cork published a notice in the Press to the effect that they had burned two houses in connection with the murder of some policemen, although the owners of those houses were in no way accused of any participation in this hideous crime? In view of the right hon. Gentlemen's answer, would he say whether this kind of reprisal, long after the event and where there is no direct participation, will now be brought to an end?

I have tried to answer that by saying that the Commander-in-Chief has recently issued an order that every action taken against property must be based on strictly military grounds defined by military orders. If there be any infraction of that, it will be for the Commander-in-Chief to deal with it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say, not relating to the Commander-in-Chief, whether there has been any decision by the Government to stop reprisals?

It is impossible to answer that, for this reason, that different Members of the House have different definitions of the word "reprisals". My best answer is an answer that refers to the whole action of the Crown forces in Ireland, and I think it is an answer that meets the view of the House as exemplified in the recent Debate.

What is meant by the phrase "military grounds"?

Will compensation be paid to the innocent victims of the earlier policy?

There are still many more questions on the Paper.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary if he can give the House any information with regard to the tragic events that have taken place in Belfast during the week-end?

I only received notice of the hon. Member's question at twenty minutes past two to-day. I wired to Belfast, but I regret that up to the present I have not received any information.

I did not mean any discourtesy to the right hon. Gentleman, but may I explain that I sent the question to him after I had read what appeared in the very long accounts in some of the evening papers to-day with regard to these events.