asked the Secretary of State for India for what reason demobilised officers in India, who have been detained for so many weeks past at Deolali pending transport to England, have been compelled to sign a declaration that they would not hold the Government responsible in the event of accidents occurring out of the trooping season owing to hot weather risks; whether this declaration applies to the wives of the officers concerned; and what compensation is to be given to those officers who have been kept long after the expiration of their contract date at personal loss to themselves?

The declaration was adopted at the instance of the War Office. It does not apply to officers, but only to their families, and is analogous to the undertaking required by the War Office from families going to India from this country. I am considering proposals of the Government of India as to the treatment of officers who may have suffered hardship in this connection, and hope to come to a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the seditious speeches which a Mr. Andrews is delivering in India; whether this person is a British subject and amenable to British law; and whether he will consider as to arranging for Andrews to be sent back to England with a view to his being placed on trial on a charge of sedition?

I have seen a Press report of parts of a speech made by Mr. Andrews. I am not prepared to express an opinion as to whether it comes within the scope of the criminal law. Mr. Andrews is a British subject. If a British subject commit an offence in India, the Courts in India are the proper authorities for trying the case.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the stirring up of strife is likely to increase if people of British nationality are permitted to make these seditious speeches and no official notice is taken of them; and will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the authorities in India with a view to ensuring a cessation of the activities of this so-called gentleman?

I must leave the necessary steps for the preservation of order in India to the Government of India and the local governments.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the proposal for the establishment and the number of units of the Indian Army in each arm of the service to be maintained in India, namely, 21 cavalry regiments and 132 infantry battalions, are based upon what was required by the Commander-in-Chief in India for the defence of India, namely, the 340,000 men employed for that purpose during the operations in 1919, or on the present demands of the Finance Department of the Government of India for reduction without consideration for the necessities of the defence of India; what is the total gross revenue of India, including the receipts both of the Government of India and of all the different Provinces; what is the proposed military expenditure after the proposed reductions in the Indian Army have been carried out; and what percentage does that expenditure bear to the gross revenue of British India?

As regards the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given in this House on 7th June, in which I informed him that the proposals were submitted by the Commander-in-Chief and based upon a detailed examination of what is required for the defence of India. The proposed military expenditure is 62.20 crores. The figures for the gross revenue of all the Provinces have not yet been received, so that I regret I cannot at present say what percentage of the gross revenue the proposed military expenditure represents. If my hon. and gallant Friend wishes it I will obtain the figures for which he has asked, but I would take this opportunity of pointing out that a more satisfactory comparison would probably be that between the proposed military expenditure and the net revenue of the Government of India.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will have the figures?

If my hon. Friend will tell me which figures he prefers, I will communicate with the Government of India, and try to get them.

The gross figures, both for the Government of India and the provinces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing the extent of unemployment, it is still necessary to maintain a Publicity Branch of the War Office to promote recruiting?

The promotion of recruiting is only one of the functions of the Publicity Branch of the War Office. I am satisfied that the continuance of this Branch is in the public interest, but I am hoping to effect certain economies in the near future.

In so far as employment is found, will the right hon. Gentleman see that preference is given to those who have served in the Army?

I will represent that view to my right hon. Friend.

Was there a Publicity Department at the War Office previous to the War?

I believe not.

Why is it necessary to have one now, seeing that the War has been over for two years?

I must ask for notice of that question.

What are the other branches of publicity that are now required?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him an exhaustive answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions why it is necessary to maintain a Publicity Branch of his Ministry, seeing the availability to the public of all information as to Pension Regulations, etc.?

With the assistance of the public Press, which my right hon. Friend gratefully acknowledges, the Publicity Branch of the Ministry, consisting of an experienced journalist, with a clerical assistant, has performed and is still performing much useful work in bringing to the notice of ex-service men and their dependants the benefits to which they are or may be entitled under the Warrants and Regulations of the Ministry. In view of the number of belated claims which are still being received in the Department, and of the misconceptions which still prevail, it is, I think, clear that the time has not yet arrived when the services of this Branch can be dispensed with. I may add that the publicity work of the Ministry has been under examination by the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, whose Report is shortly expected.

What method is followed by which these excellent gentlemen perform their work in the Department?

The method is to try by every means to let the pensioners know everything they are entitled to know. It would be very poor economy if we did not let pensioners know fully what are their rights.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that no ex-service man of whom I have ever heard has been in communication with the Department and these officers?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in addition to the £19,043 paid to publicity staffs of the ten Departments, there are Press or inquiry officers at these or any other Departments; what are the details of numbers, services, and cost; and has the recommendation of the Lytton Committee as to service in the War been strictly followed in all these publicity, Press, and inquiry appointments?

The figure in question covers all special arrangements for publicity work in the United Kingdom. As I explained in my answer on the 24th May, the usual arrangements is for publicity work to be performed by the ordinary officials as part of their normal duties. It would not be possible without undue labour to compile a return relating to officials who may, as part of their normal duties, be called upon as occasion may require to do publicity work. The recommendations of the Lytton Committee cover all Departments of the Civil Service, and I have no reason to suppose that they have not been applied to publicity branches. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries if he will be good enough to send me details.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly make inquiries whether in the War Office itself the men engaged in this work are men who did not serve in the War?

Perhaps the hon. Member will address some communication to me on that subject, and I will consider the matter further.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Admiralty Office employs 7,000 clerks in excess of the 1913 establishment, although the fighting personnel of the Navy is reduced; that the Air Ministry employs 4,300 persons in offices for duties which were performed by the War Office and Admiralty in 1913; and whether the Government intends, in the interest of economy, to abolish the Ministry of Labour, the Air Ministry, the Development Commission, and the Ministry of Transport, and to reduce all other Departments to their pre-War establishment of personnel?

I am informed that the Admiralty excess is rather under 6,000, not 7,000, as stated in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. I cannot accept the suggestion that the work of the Air Ministry to-day is no greater than that performed in respect of the air by the War Office and Admiralty before the War, nor that excesses in these Departments are a reason for abolishing other Departments which have no connection with them. But I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that it is essential to review the work and staffs of these and, indeed, of all Government Departments, with a view to making every economy consistent with the proper maintenance of public services, and this is now being done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this review or abolition of excessive staffs will take place in the course of the present year?

All economies will be made as rapidly as it is possible to make them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state approximately what these 6,000 extra clerks are doing, in view of the fact that we have won the War?

I do not wish to be put in the position of asserting that the retention of these 6,000 clerks, or of any particular number of them for any particular time, is necessary. My hon. and gallant Friend, I am sure, is aware that a great war means a great legacy of additional work, and all kinds of questions arise, as, for instance, in regard to the distribution of medals—

And prize money.

And other matters, as a direct result of the War. These involve a great amount of work which was non-existent previously.

Are we to understand that the Mines Department will now be disbanded, in view of the mines being decontrolled?

I have said nothing to give rise to that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the staff and annual cost of the Passport Office in London, the Passport Department in Paris, and any officials, male, or female, temporary or permanent who are engaged upon full-time passport work in any British office abroad?

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

The particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend are as follows:—

Passport Offices in London and Liverpool.

Total staff, 281.

Estimated cost of salaries, 1921–22, £54,000.

Incidental expenses, £90.

The numbers of the clerical staff will fluctuate from time to time owing to the seasonal variations in the volume of work; the numbers of the staff given above will probably represent the maximum staff employed at any one time.

Fees are collected by the passport offices in respect of the issue of passports, and the estimated yield for the current financial year is £122,500.

Passport Control.

Headquarters in London:

Number of staff, 10.

Estimated cost of salaries, 1921–22, £3,005.

Staff employed abroad:

Total number (including Paris, 25), 190.

Estimated cost of salaries, 1921–22 (including Paris, £10,000), £102,500.

The fees collected by passport control officers abroad during the year 1921–22 in respect of the grant of visas are estimated to amount to £150,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the war bonus for civil servants was calculated on the average Board of Trade figure for the first of each month for every four months, and revised consequently on 1st November and 1st March with resultant increases; and why the decision was then taken to wait six months untill 1st September, when the next revision, if taken on 1st July, would have resulted in a large saving to the State?

The hon. and gallant Member is in error in suggesting that there has been a recent decision on this point. The original agreement entered into in May, 1920, at a time when it would have been impossible to forecast with any degree of accuracy future fluctuations in the Ministry of Labour cost of living figure provided that the Civil Service bonus should be recalculated every four months during the first 12 months of its operation and every six months thereafter. Under this arrangement revisions were effected on 1st July, 1920, 1st November, 1920, and 1st March, 1921 and the next revision falls to be made on 1st September 1921, as correctly stated by my hon. Friend.

Why is it not possible to revise that decision of May, 1920, when it will obviously benefit the country if it be revised?

I think the reply to that question has been given in answer to similar previous questions, that this is an agreement made between two parties, and an agreement stands or falls as a whole.

Has the House had the sanctioning of the agreement?

Is it the case that the civil servants themselves would be prepared to alter that agreement?

I could not answer that question for obvious reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Captain G. B. Martin, M.C., who joined the Royal Air Force after serving for six years in the ranks of the Royal Marines; whether under existing War Office Regulations this service cannot be counted in assessing the pension to which this officer is entitled although similar service in the ranks of the Army would have counted for pension; and whether he will take immediate steps to have the Regulations in this matter altered with a view to the removal of this anomaly?

I think my hon. Friend is referring to Captain Martin, of the Manchester Regiment. The effect of the Regulations is as stated. Service in the ranks of the Marines does not count for either soldiers' or officers' Army pension. This Regulation was deliberately adopted, and it is not proposed to change it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these anomalous Regulations between sister branches of the service cause a great deal of discontent, and surely it is not in the national interest to maintain a Regulation for which there is no reason or excuse?

It is the same either way. Service in the Army does not count for pension in the Navy and vice versa. We must keep to the Regulations.

If a person from one branch of the Civil Service be taken out of that branch of the service, and put into another branch of the Civil Service, does that time count for pension or not?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Does not service in the ranks in the Army count for officer's pension?

Yes, service in the Army counts for pension in the Army.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this matter, as it is strongly felt that service in any other branch of His Majesty's forces should count for pension?

I will consider it, but I cannot promise that it will make any difference.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the practice has prevailed for a number of years for the War Office to apply the general conditions of employment and wages of the railway service to the men employed on the Government railways at Shoeburyness, but that, notwithstanding considerable correspondence between his Department and the National Union of Railwaymen during the past 12 months, several national settlements have not been put into operation on the Government railways; and whether, in view of this undue delay, he will take immediate steps to settle the matter and to see that the arrears of pay due to the men concerned are paid?

I am informed that the practice of applying the wages of the railway service to certain War Department employés engaged at Shoeburyness was introduced in August, 1919; prior to that date these employés were not in receipt of full railway rates of wage. I am not satisfied that railway rates are properly applicable to these employés. Dissatisfaction has existed for some time among the workers at Shoeburyness at the methods of fixing the wages of the different classes, and the whole question has been very carefully considered by me recently. Certain proposals for placing the whole staff at this station on a common basis of payment have been made to the representatives of the employés. As soon as these proposals are accepted by all concerned, I am prepared to consider an adjustment as regards arrears of payment.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what use it is proposed to put the two large German guns now on the Horse Guards Parade; whether they can be retained there permanently as trophies; and, if so, whether they can be disposed more symmetrically than at present?

Now that the Horse Guards Parade has been cleared, it is proposed to move the two guns in question to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether there are now a deputy-director and 36 general staff officers shown in the Army List as employed under the director of military intelligence at the War Office; and whether there will be an early reduction in these numbers, seeing that prior to the War there was no director of military intelligence and this work was done under the director of military operations, whose pre-War staff has only been reduced by 14 officers of these grades?

In addition to the Deputy-Director, there are 34 General Staff officers in the Military Intelligence Directorate, excluding two Staff officers of the Royal Air Force who are attached. The Directorate has been reduced by 10 General Staff officers since March, 1920. By the end of the present financial year it is hoped to effect a further reduction of about 14 General Staff officers by the amalgamation of the Military Operations and Military Intelligence Directorates.

Does not this mean that eight more officers will be employed than before the War, and can the right hon. Gentleman say when we shall get back to pre-War establishment?

I cannot answer that off-hand.

Cannot you make this reduction at once, and not wait until the end of the year?

I will represent that to my right hon. Friend.

Has not a circular been issued by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury asking that such reduction should be made?

That was referred to in my answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is one of the most important War Departments, and that it has always been found inadequate when war has broken out?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Pay Office clerks who were engaged before the end of 1919 are entitled, if they served in the Royal Army Pay Corps, to receive increments of pay based upon such service; whether men of the Royal Army Pay Corps who were asked during 1919 to defer demobilisation for six months or more, and who, on the completion of such extended service, were engaged as civilian clerks, are debarred from such increments; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of placing all Pay Office clerks on the same footing by making service in the Royal Army Pay Corps count for increments whether or not demobilisation was deferred at the request of the Department?

I am looking into this question, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend later.

I think that effect has been given to the suggestion in the first part of the question.

Kensington Gardens have been vacated by the troops, and were re-opened to the public on Saturday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued to the military governors in the martial-law areas in Ireland to avoid destroying the houses of widows or of ex-service men as official reprisals for crimes by unknown persons or by persons who cannot be captured, in view of the admitted cases of such reprisals that have occurred in which the property destroyed has belonged to widows or ex-service men?

No such orders have been issued, nor are they necessary. As my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary stated yesterday afternoon, orders, however, have been recently issued by the Commander-in-Chief that every action taken against property must be based on strictly military grounds as denned by military orders.

On military grounds, would it not be possible to avoid destroying the property of ex-soldiers, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only last week the home of an officer, serving in Mesopotamia, was wrecked in Queenstown in one of these terrible reprisals?

I am not aware that ex-soldiers are the most exemplary class of the community.

Is it not possible on military grounds, with a view to the morale of the forces, if for no other reason, to avoid destroying the property of men who are actually serving in the Army, as in the case I have specified?

As the legal adviser of the Crown in Ireland, can the right hon. Gentleman define what are "military grounds"?

I should say they are the grounds which the Commander-in-Chief considers necessary for the protection of the lives of the Crown forces and the suppression of rebellion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman lay before the House the instructions which are referred to as military orders?

Are we to assume that, prior to this order, reprisals were conducted for other than military purposes?

No, Sir. You must make no such assumption.

May I have an answer to my question, whether on military grounds it is not possible to avoid destroying the property of serving soldiers?

The hon. Member has had his answer, and must take it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the instructions that have been given by the Chief Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief will be laid on the table?

I must ask for notice of that question.

May I ask for some answer to my question?

The Government answer has been given, and if it does not satisfy the hon. Member, I cannot help it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has taken the opinion of the Law Officers as to his power to arrest persons in England and deport them under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act; and upon what words in the Act he is acting?

I have nothing to add to the reply given on Monday, 6th June, except that the words of the Act are: "His Majesty in Council may issue Regulations under the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act, 1914 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), for securing the restoration and maintenance of order in Ireland."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the remainder of the passage is "conferring on the Lord- Lieutenant or the Chief Secretary." If that is so, how do the powers come to be conferred under the Regulations of the Home Secretary?

Because they are conferred by Regulation.

The point of the question is, are the Regulations in consonance with the original Act? If so, what are the words? May I have an answer?

How are you going to restore order in Ireland by taking alleged criminals from England to Ireland?

They are not at liberty.

What are the words in the original Act conferring on the right hon. Gentleman the power to make these Regulations?

That is the question which I have already answered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that one of the legal advisers of the General Post Office in London and his wife have been in close touch with Michael Collins and other members of the Irish republican army in Ireland, and that they have entertained Michael Collins at their house in Ireland; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The officer referred to was dismissed some months ago.

What post has this officer held?

Solicitor.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any lighter-than-air aircraft have been or are being used to assist military and police operations in Ireland; and, if not, before such aircraft are scrapped or otherwise disposed of, could they be employed to assist in such operations and for the detection of hostile operations by rebel forces?

Lighter-than-air craft have not been and are not being used for operations in Ireland. The possibility of their employment was carefully considered and was decided against for good and sufficient reasons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what was the Budget Estimate of receipts from Ireland for the first five months of the year; and how much of the amount is expected to be realized?

The Budget Estimates relate to the financial year as a whole, and it is not possible to allocate a definite proportion of that Estimate to the first five months of the year. Moreover, in estimating the revenue for the year, no attempt is normally made to estimate separately the receipts for England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

In point of fact, is not the Chancellor of the Exchequer in possession of some estimate of what the receipts from Ireland will be, and, if so, what is that estimate?

I do not think that is so. Certain estimates have been put forward recently, as to revenue attributable to Ireland, which is, as my hon. and gallant Friend will realise, a different thing from revenue received in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a vacancy has existed for the past four or five months in the post of shipping inspector at the North Wall in Dublin, under the Department of Agriculture, and that a considerable number of applications for that post have been made by pre-War pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether, in filling up this post and other posts under the Irish Government at Dublin Castle and elsewhere, due regard will be given to the claims of pre-War Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners who are in a state of extreme financial destitution?

The reply to all parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a document now being circulated in Ireland, dated 14th April, 1921, and headed Importation and Sale of British Goods Prohibition Order (No. 2), and purporting to come from the Trade Department of Dail Eireann, and to be signed by Earnan de Blaghd, Minister of Trade, which orders that, on and after 14th May, 1921, the importation and sale of certain specified articles of British make is prohibited, and asserts that the purchase of any articles prohibited by the decree of Dail Eireann is an act of treachery; whether he can say who and what is Earnan de Blaghd; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been called to this document, which is one of a series emanating from the same source. The steps taken in regard to these publications consist in the orders issued to the police that they are to be destroyed when found. The real name of the person whose signature appears on this particular document is Ernest Blyth, who prefers to be known as Earnan de Blaghd. He has been under notice for seditious behaviour since 1914, and has been several times imprisoned. He was elected to represent North Monaghan in this House at the General Election of 1918. He was last arrested in September, 1919, and sentenced by court-martial to one year's imprisonment with hard labour. A few weeks later he was released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act, and was due to return to custody in December, 1919, but failed to do so, and has since evaded arrest.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, if he can find the persons who are responsible for issuing these impudent orders and purporting to exercise the functions of the Government, they will be prosecuted?

Certainly.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether he is prepared to make any report to the House as to the assassination of Alexander McBride, merchant, Cardigan Drive, Belfast, and William Kerr, Old Lodge Road, Belfast; whether he is aware that William Halfpenny was an ex-soldier who served 3½ years in the Royal Field Artillery in France, being wounded twice and gassed once, and whose four brothers also served in the Army during the War; whether William Kerr has a brother, a sergeant-major, in the Army, at present serving in Mesopotamia; whether these murders took place in the early hours of Sunday morning last during curfew; whether parties of armed men, some of them disguised, and provided with motor conveyances, drove to the houses of these three men, dragged them from their beds, took them from their homes, and shot them under circumstances of inconceivable brutality; whether the sister of one of the murdered men has stated that some of the assassins were in uniform; what steps have been taken, if any, to discover the assassins; and whether this is only one of a series of similar murders that have taken place in Belfast during curfew hours within the last few months; and what steps he proposes to take to bring the offenders to justice?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any information regarding the occurrences in Belfast during the week-end?

Disturbances of a serious nature occurred in various part of the city of Belfast on the 11th instant, following the murder of a police constable in the Falls Road on the 10th instant. The most serious of these disturbances took place in the York Street area. It originated in stone throwing and revolver firing between rival crowds which collected. The police were immediately on the scene, and were obliged to draw their revolvers and fire, with the result that 16 persons were conveyed to, and treated in, the various hospitals for gunshot wounds. In the Falls Road area considerable party excitement continued to manifest itself, especially in Ashmore and Conway Street. The constant watchfulness of the police prevented still worse disturbances. The three murders mentioned by the hon. Member for the Falls Division in the question took place in Belfast between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on the 12th instant, and, I am informed, by men in civilian dress under circumstances substantially as stated in the question. I am not aware of the statements alleged to have been made by the sister of one of the deceased men. Every effort has been made, and will be made, to trace the murderers and to bring them to justice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how it was that three motor cars entered different districts at a given hour clearly all coming from the same place, and went into the houses of these people, dragged them out and murdered them; what were the police doing, and why were these motor cars allowed to travel within curfew hours at one o'clock in the morning?

I have done my best to answer the hon. Member's question.

Are we to understand that this policy of Governmental assassination, which is the policy—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"] This is the third series of murders of a similar character which have been carried out in Belfast during the last 12 months. Am I to understand, since no redress was given to the relatives of the murdered men in the past, that this is another attempt to cloak your own villainy?

The hon. Member is not entitled to use such terms in a question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether there is any redress for the people who have been murdered in this way?

The hon. Member had better put down any further questions.

I beg to give notice that I shall move the Adjournment of the House upon this question.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chief Secretary whether Lieut.-General Jeudwine, the G.O.C. 5th Division at the Curragh, has reprinted in his Divisional Orders with his own approving comment a newspaper article praising the Regular Army and criticising the so-called "Black-and-Tans" and police, and whether the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to avoid a repetition of such criticism by officers of the Army, in view of the importance of all forces of the Crown in Ireland working in co-operation and without jealousy to put down murder in Ireland?

I have seen the statement referred to, and I am sure that General Jeudwine had no intention of casting any reflection upon the police forces in Ireland. The police and military are working in the closest co-operation, and the discipline of both forces, working as they are under conditions of great difficulty and extreme provocation, is splendid.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is another instance which shows that what is wanted in Ireland is unity of command?

Is the Chief Secretary not aware that the "Weekly Summary" mostly consists of newspaper extracts containing the most violent denunciations of his political opponents?

No, I am not aware of that. More than that, I am aware that it is not true.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the "Weekly Summary" describes the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) as being a member of the murder gang?

No, I am not aware of that.

That is a long way from the question on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions that the military authorities in Ireland are not to cast reflections on the Royal Irish Constabulary?

Did not the Lord-Lieutenant himself cast reflections upon them?

Will the right hon. Gentleman call for a copy of this article which has appeared in these Orders, and then he can say whether, in his judgment, it does or does not cast serious reflections upon his own troops?

In order that Members may form an impartial opinion on this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman so arrange that every hon. Member of this House can have a copy of the "Weekly Summary," instead of only a few hon. Members receiving it?

I hope every, hon. Member will have an opportunity of seeing the article referred to. May I ask whether the article described as making an attack upon the Royal Irish Constabulary was not an attack on the Black-and-Tans? [HON. MEMBERS: "On both!"] I gather that it would be the Royal Irish Constabulary, which is a temporary force, which has been added. Was not the condemnation with regard to the Black-and-Tans, and is it not a fact that those remarks represented the opinion of a huge majority of decent soldiers in Ireland and in England, and do they not correspond with the statements made by the Viceroy as to the abominable crimes committed by this Force?

I regret that I cannot answer all these supplementary questions, but I can say that the Viceroy made no statement about "abominable crimes" committed by the police in Ireland. He made certain statements about horrible crimes committed by certain members of the police force, and he referred particularly to the murder of Canon Magner, which everybody condemns.

Did not the Viceroy mention Black-and-Tans in his speech?

With reference to the publication called the "Weekly Summary," a copy of it is laid in the Library every week. As for calling for a report from the General, I will ask him to let me see a copy of the Order. I am convinced that he never intended to make any reflections upon the police force in Ireland.

Why do not Members read it in the "Daily Mail"?

Is it not proof that they are fed up with your dirty work?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is a strong desire for more representative constitutions in certain of the West Indian Colonies; whether he will consider the desirability of sending out next winter someone like the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to inquire into the whole matter and to devise more suitable forms of government than at present exist; and whether he will consider as well the desirability of entrusting to anyone he may send the task of drawing up, in consultation and collaboration with leading persons in the West Indies, a scheme for a central advisory council to deal with the common affairs of those Colonies, with the object of submitting such scheme for the consideration of the various Legislatures after they have been reconstructed?

I have not hitherto received any conclusive evidence that a general desire for a constitutional change exists in any West Indian Colony, except Grenada. My hon. Friend is aware that steps are being taken to effect an alteration in the Grenada Constitution. As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Chelsea on the 7th June, I will, without committing myself in any way, consider the suggestion contained in the second half of the question; but I am disposed to think that the object of any such inquiry, if undertaken, should rather be to assist His Majesty's Government to estimate the trend of local public opinion, than to initiate schemes for political changes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the governor of British Guiana has declined to remove the embargo on the export of rice from the Colony, which was established as a precautionary measure during the War; whether there is any justification for this control of an important local industry two and a half years after the cessation of hostilities; whether he is aware that the continuance of control is causing grave dissatisfaction in the Colony and discontent and distress among the grocers; and whether he will recommend to His Excellency the desirability of the removal of the embargo, so that the important rice industry may return to its normal condition and its progress be governed by the ordinary laws of supply and demand, having regard especially to the fact that there is now ample rice available for general requirements?

The Governor reported in November, 1920, that, owing to a probable shortage in the supply of rice before the 1921 crop could be harvested, he had prohibited the export until October, 1921. He is still satisfied that the supply for local requirements is not excessive, and, as contracts have been made on the basis of the Government's policy for the year as announced in the autumn of 1920, I consider that intervention on my part would be justified neither by the interests of the consumer nor by those of the industry as a whole. I have no doubt that the Governor will remove the prohibition at the earliest practicable date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any competitive examination is held for candidates for the Colonial service; and, if not, whether he will take steps to abolish the system of nomination and to bring the Colonial service into line with the diplomatic and foreign services by introducing a system of admission by competitive examination under the Civil Service Commission?

The system of competitive examination for cadets and police probationers in Ceylon, Malaya, and Hong Kong, which was suspended during the War, is being resumed. The possibility of a similar system being adopted for the administrative services of other Colonies has been considered, but I do not think this course possible or desirable in present circumstances. I would point out that there is no unified Colonial service, but that the Government service of each Colony is distinct, and this fact and the diversity of conditions as between the various Colonies are obstacles to a system of competitive examination.

What is the reason for reviving the system in Ceylon and other places where it is in force and saying that it is not opportune to introduce it into other Colonies?

My hon. Friend is, I think, aware that the system as applied to the cases named in the question is only of limited application and that within those limits it has been found possible to apply it. I must not be taken as prejudging the question in the sense in which my hon. Friend wishes to see it reopened. All I have done is to point out the serious obstacles to introducing the new system at this moment.

Would it not be better to open out the Colonial service so as to give a better chance of promotion to those who belong to it?

I think that there is a great deal to be said from that point of view. Of course, my hon. Friend is aware that the great difficulty in many cases is financial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the differences in salary of officials in Kenya Colony, Uganda, and Nigeria; and whether he will inquire into these differences with a view to seeing whether they are still justified by climatic or other reasons?

I am aware of the differences in salary referred to, and, as my hon. Friend is aware, these have been in some degree attributable to climatic and other differences between the Colonies concerned. At the present time, however, financial limitations are such as to make it impossible to offer the same salaries in East as in West Africa, and I do not see, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by the inquiry suggested.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Chief Constable of Portsmouth has addressed a communication to various branch secretaries of labour organisations, requesting to be supplied with the number of members belonging to the unions in the district, to enable him to complete his records at headquarters; whether such circular letter has been issued with his knowledge and approval; and, if so, will he state the purpose for which the information asked for is required?

These inquiries were not made with my knowledge or approval. I have asked the Chief Constable, who had overlooked a circular I issued more than a year ago, to discontinue them.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the bad condition of the food frequently served to the prisoners in Holloway Prison and, in particular, the bad fish and sour milk offered to prisoners; that complaints have been made frequently to the governor, the doctor and the visiting committee of magistrates, but without apparent result; whether it is proposed to abolish the hospital at the prison, and to otherwise increase the severity of the regime; how many girls under 17 years of age have been imprisoned at Holloway during the last 12 months; and whether any girls under 17 are there now?

The allegations which the hon. and gallant Member repeats are without foundation; no complaints of the food have been made to the visiting committee. Members of the visiting committee constantly test the quality of the food, and are satisfied with it. Individual prisoners sometimes complain of the food, and on one occasion the fish supplied to a prisoner was found to be insufficiently cooked, and she was given something else, but otherwise the complaints have proved to be groundless. No complaints appear to have been made of the milk being sour.

The number of girls under 17 years of age are as follows: In custody during the past twelve months: Convicted 6 Remanded 27 In custody at present time: Convicted 1 Remanded 3

It is not proposed to abolish the hospital, or to increase the severity of the régime.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted any prisoner with regard to the quality of the food? Is he aware that prisoners who have been there make these statements?

The hon. Member must put some specific question.

Have any of the visiting justices any personal pocket interest in the catering for this establishment?

Is it not true that the waiting is shockingly bad, and that the coffee and liqueurs are not of proper quality?

asked the Home Secretary whether action is being taken by the Metropolitan Police against those individuals who play the game of poker; whether such action is being taken all over the country universally; why the game of poker is singled out; why is similar action not taken against those individuals who play other card games, such as old maid, beggar my neighbour, nap, bezique, bridge, etc.; and if similar action is contemplated against those who indulge in these unsafe and demoralising games of chance?

I am informed by the Commissioner that action is not being taken against all individuals who play poker, but only against those persons who are responsible for it being played in such a way as to involve a breach of the law as to gaming houses, and similar action is taken with regard to the illegal playing of other games of chance when evidence is forthcoming. The question whether the law has been infringed in any particular case is, of course, one for the Court to decide, but the suggestions made by the Noble Lord in the latter part of the question will receive appropriate consideration.

Has the attention of the Metropolitan Police been drawn to the lottery which is about to take place in connection with the Victory Loan?

Yes; I think it has.

asked the Postmaster General whether the administrative work, such as payment of old age pensions, Army and Navy allowances, Inland Revenue documents, licences, savings certificates, National Health and Unemployment Insurance, sales of stamps, entertainment stamps, and Income Tax stamps is paid for by the various Departments of State involved or whether these extraneous services are paid for out of sales of stamps and telegrams, etc.?

As explained in my statement on the Post Office Estimate, no part of the charge for the services referred to by the hon. Member falls on the ordinary customers of the Post Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ordinary person fails to read into his speech any explanation of how these expenses are borne by the respective Departments involved?

I am sorry. I thought that I had made it quite clear that the charge of over £5,000,000 is met by the other Departments for whom these services are rendered, that they are shown in the commercial accounts, and that not a penny cost falls on the customers of the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Post Office in Glasgow cannot give a telephone connection, in the event of a change of address, in less than a month, although all that is required is removal of the instrument from one office to another and connecting up to existing wires; and will he see that his Department is made more efficient in this respect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, although delay in effecting telephone removals may occur in Glasgow, as elsewhere, when there is a shortage of exchange equipment, or underground wires. It is desirable that a month's notice of removal should, if possible, be given in order to facilitate the arrangement of the work generally.

asked the Postmaster-General the increase in the number of telephones, respectively, in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom for the two years ended 31st December, 1920?

The increase in the number of telephones belonging to the Bell system (American Telephone and Telegraph Company) and the companies connected with it, comprising 90 per cent. of the telephones in the United States, was 729,748 in 1919 and 806,188 in 1920. There are about 1,500 independent telephone companies in the United States, of which it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics. The increase in the number of telephones in the United Kingdom was 57,894 in 1919 and 75,027 in 1920.

Is it not obvious that this great increase in the United States as compared with this country points to the superior efficiency of private enterprise?

I do not think that that should be pressed too far, because, as a matter of fact, the percentage increase in this country was greater than the percentage increase in the United States.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he had one telephone one year and two telephones next year there would be 100 per cent. increase?

I am quite aware of that.

Then why use such an argument in the House?

asked the Postmaster-General whether telephone subscribers who have been compelled to relinquish their instruments owing to change of address and cannot obtain a new installation will be compensated for that period during which they have not employed the service?

It is not the practice to compensate subscribers for the absence of telephone service in circumstances described by the hon. Members; but rebate is allowed for any period after the expiry of a month following the notice of removal during which a subscriber is without service. If the subscriber gives a month's notice of removal, as he is asked to do, he will lose nothing on his rental.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of part-time officers employed and whom it is intended to employ, for the purpose of reducing the excessive overtime in the women's branches of the Savings Bank Department; and to what extent, if any, their employment has so far resulted in reduced overtime?

Approximately 200 part-time officers are employed and it is not at present proposed to increase the number. The arrangement has not yet reduced the amount of overtime as there are still heavy arrears of work to be overtaken.

Considering the large amount of unemployment amongst men and women, is it not possible to employ some of those men and women instead of allowing so much overtime?

I think the present part-time staff is the largest that could economically be used, and I am anxious that overtime should be severely reduced.

Then why not do it?

Because it is impossible.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that considerable apprehension exists amongst the members of the outside staff at the Middlesbrough Post Office that the cessation of Sunday deliveries may involve reductions in their weekly wages varying from 7s. to 17s.; and will he consider whether it is possible to lighten the burden that would thus fall on some of the lower-paid workers?

I am not aware of the exact amount of the reductions of Sunday pay involved at Middlesbrough. The effect of the abolition of Sunday posts upon the conditions of service of the staff is about to be discussed with their representatives.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the panel of arbitrators under the Agriculture Act selected by the Lord Chief Justice has now been constituted; whether any disputes between landlord and tenant have yet come before them; and whether this machinery is working satisfactorily?

I have been asked to reply. The Lord Chief Justice is now considering lists of arbitrators which have been submitted to him by the Ministry and the various institutions interested, and I understand that his Lordship will shortly be in a position to complete the panel to which my hon. Friend refers. Pending the completion of this panel, the Ministry has continued, with the concurrence of the parties interested, to appoint arbitrators on the lines hitherto adopted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average wage of an adult agricultural labourer in Great Britain as fixed by the various agricultural wages boards throughout the country?

I have been asked to reply. The present weekly minimum wage for ordinary male agricultural workers aged 21 and over in England and Wales, as fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board, is in 35 counties 46s., but allowing for higher rates which are in force in the other counties it is calculated that the average weekly minimum wage throughout the country is about 46s. 7d. For information relating to the minimum wages in force in Scotland I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

As a matter of fact, are not the earnings very much more than the minimum wage mentioned, seeing that the agricultural labourer nearly always receives a cottage at a rental greatly below the economic value?

In some cases that is so.

Is it not the case that the agricultural labourer gets a cottage and garden for 2s. 6d.?