asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that most of the men who are receiving their discharge from the Defence Force have no employment awaiting them and therefore immediately begin to receive unemployment benefit whilst many others, who are normally engaged in agriculture, are badly needed at their work during this time of harvest but cannot get released; and whether, in view of the lack of occupation for this Force, he will consider the desirability of disbanding it altogether, or at least releasing those men who have employment awaiting them?

No men are being discharged from the Defence Force at present except for medical, disciplinary, or compassionate reasons. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the disbandment of the Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could give a table showing the number and grade of the staff officers employed at the Staff College on the 1st August, 1914, on educational or administrative duties?

The officers employed on 1st August, 1914, at the Staff College on educational or administrative duties were: 1 Commandant (Brigadier - General, General Staff). 2 General Staff officers, 1st Grade. 10 General Staff officers, 2nd Grade. 2 Deputy Assistant Quarter - Master Generals. 1 Adjutant and Quarter-Master. 1 Librarian.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could give a list showing the number and grade of officers employed in Military Operation Directorate and Military Intelligence Directorate, respectively, on the 1st August, 1914?

It is not possible without some research to say what the numbers and grades were on the 1st August, 1914, but those provided for the Military Operations Directorate in Army Estimates, 1914–15, were: 1 Director of Military Operations. 5 General Staff officers, 1st Grade. 11 General Staff officers, 2nd Grade. 1 Deputy Assistant Director-General, Army Medical Service. 20 General Staff officers, 3rd Grade. 1 Quarter-Master.

A separate Military Intelligence Directorate was not in existence on the 1st August, 1914.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether since the Budget was introduced it has been found possible to reduce the number of Government-rented buildings; and, if so, the amount of money thus saved?

During the present financial year, 37 Government-rented buildings in London have been given up, the annual rental value of which is £24,997. In addition, requisitioned build- ings have been, or are being, vacated, the approximate annual rental value of which amounts to £21,550.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Department has actually before it at the present time any requests for further increases in the salaries or wages of civil servants; and, if this be the case, what they are and how much financial liability their acceptance would entail to the nation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It would, in my opinion, be undesirable, and would tend to mislead the House, were a statement to be made such as that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend about proposals while they are still in a preliminary and undefined stage. For the same reasons, it would not be profitable to give any precise estimate of the financial effects of such proposals. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that all such proposals will be considered in the light of the urgent need for confining national expenditure within the narrowest possible limits.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the existing War bonus paid to the Civil Service can only be varied after submission of specific proposals to the Service Whitley Council; and whether, in view of the state of the national finances, the Government will consider the desirability of taking this step?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes to take an early opportunity of making a statement on the question of Civil Service bonus.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the total cost of the Royal Irish Constabulary and special constables in Ulster, including pay, maintenance, and allowances, for the first quarter of the present financial year?

The total Royal Irish Constabulary expenditure (including that of special constables in Ulster) which will be incurred in the quarter to 30th June. 1921, is estimated to be about £2,090,000.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will issue a monthly return similar to Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 1364, of 1902 (Martial Law in Cape Colony), specifying all persons convicted of crime or offences under martial law in Ireland in the years 1920–21, showing state and place of trial, charge against the prisoner, and sentence inflicted?

The Command Paper referred to is the Report of the Royal Commission for the revision of martial law sentences after the South African War. A periodical return on the lines of the schedules contained in this Report would involve considerable additional labour, which I do not think would be justified at the present time, especially in view of the fact that under the arrangements at present in force the results of courts martial are issued to the Press from General Headquarters. The results of trials by Military Courts held in the martial law area are also made public sometimes locally, but usually through General Headquarters.

asked the Chief Secretary who is responsible for the administration of the Dundrum State Asylum, in view of the fact that the staff work over 12 hours a day and that repeated promises made many months ago to improve their general conditions of service have not materialised?

Arrangements have already been agreed to which should enable the hours of work of the staff of this institution to be substantially curtailed. The administration of the asylum is in the hands of the Governor, subject to the usual administrative and financial control.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of murders of members of the Crown forces attributable to Sinn Fein committed from 1st January, 1919, to 31st May, 1921, distinguishing in each case between the murders of military and police?

The following Table shows the number of military and police murdered by Sinn Fein in each county in Ireland in the period from the 1st January, 1919, to the 31st May, 1921: Counties, etc. Police. Military. Totals. ULSTER. Antrim 1 — 1 Armagh 4 — 4 Belfast City 9 — 9 Cavan 1 — 1 Donegal 5 — 5 Down 2 — 2 Fermanagh 2 — 2 Londonderry City 5 — 5 Londonderry County — — — Monaghan 4 — 4 Tyrone 2 — 2 Totals 35 — 35 LEINSTER. Carlow 2 1 3 Dublin City 21 24 45 Dublin County 10 — 10 Kildare 3 — 3 Kilkenny 2 — 2 Kings 4 — 4 Longford 14 — 14 Louth 1 — 1 Meath 1 1 2 Queen's 1 — 1 Westmeath 3 — 3 Wexford 3 — 3 Wicklow — — — Totals 65 26 91 CONNAUGHT. Galway 10 2 12 Leitrim 1 1 2 Mayo 11 — 11 Roscommon 11 4 15 Sligo 9 1 10 Totals 42 8 50 MUNSTER. Clare 26 7 33 Cork City 15 14 29 Cork County 67 47 114 Kerry 31 9 40 Limerick City 8 — 8 Limerick County 24 5 29 Tipperary 32 9 41 Waterford City — — — Waterford County 4 1 5 Totals 207 92 299 Grand Totals 349 126 475

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the circular recently sent by the Markets Committee of the Dublin Corporation to the Dublin Cattle Sales-masters' Association, warning them that on and after the 20th June it shall not be permissible for any pen-holder in the Dublin cattle markets to sell stock for any member of the Royal Dublin Society until the Royal Dublin Society amends the overwhelmingly non-Catholic and anti-national personnel of its governing committees and its various sub-committees; whether, in view of the hardship and loss which this illegal action on the part of the Dublin Corporation Markets Committee is inflicting on farmers who are members of the Royal Dublin Society, he intends to take any and, if so, what steps in the matter; whether he proposes to appoint a Committee to take over and discharge the functions of the Dublin Corporation; and, if necessary, to introduce legislation with this object?

I understand that there has been an amicable settlement of the difficulties which arose between the Dublin Corporation Markets Committee and the Royal Dublin Society.

asked the Home Secretary of the Irish Self-determination League was holding a conference at the Club Union Buildings, Holborn, on Saturday last, when a number of police officers attended and arrested Mr. P. J. Kelly, the president of the conference, who was taken to Scotland Yard in a taxi-cab; and the reasons why the police officers in question were ordered to attend the conference and arrest the president?

The facts as stated are correct. Mr. P. J. Kelly was detained in consequence of the outrages committed on the railways and elsewhere in the London area by persons connected with the Irish Self-determination League.

asked the Minister of Health what towns are now still paying a war bonus of 90 per cent. to 100 per cent., 100 per cent., to 120 per cent., and 120 per cent. to 150 per cent., respectively, to their officials over and above their pre-War salaries?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that recently a rural councillor of the Romney Marsh Rural District Council, Kent, bought some permanent buildings at the Little stone aerodrome from the Government, the granite and rubble from which he in January last sold to his council, the Romney Marsh Rural District Council, for the roads at a profit; and whether, in view of the practice as to a rural councillor accepting a contract for his own council, he will have inquiry made into the matter?

The case to which the hon. Member refers appears to be covered by Sub-section (2) of Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 1894, which provides that a person shall not be disqualified from being a member of a district council by reason of his being interested in any contract with the council for the supply from land, of which he is owner or occupier, of stone gravel, or other materials for making or repairing highways or bridges.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the present muzzling restrictions in force at Lee-on-Solent; if there is any chance of the restrictions being removed within the near future; and what is the earliest date at which, in any case, the restrictions could be removed in this area should no more cases of rabies occur?

A Muzzling Order has been applied to an area which comprises portions of Hampshire and Wiltshire, and in which Lee-on-Solent is situated, in consequence of outbreaks of rabies at Southampton and Salisbury. All dogs in the scheduled district are re- quired to be muzzled when in a public place, and no dogs can be moved out of the district, except by licence from the Ministry, granted under conditions requiring six months' quarantine on premises of a veterinary surgeon, which have been approved by the Ministry. In view of the proximity of Lee-on-Solent to Southampton in which four cases of rabies have been confirmed during the last four months, the latest of which occurred on the 6th instant, it is improbable that the restrictions will be removed in the near future, and at present I can give no indication of the date of the withdrawal of the Muzzling Order.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of Government directors and assistant directors of agriculture now stationed throughout the country and the total amount of their salaries; and what, shortly, are their duties?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend presumably refers to the post of County Director of Agriculture. Appointments of this nature have been made by 26 county councils in England and three in Wales. The total amount of salaries paid is £22,939 a year. So far as the Ministry is aware, no county council has created a post of Assistant Director. The duties of the Director of Agriculture are, speaking generally, to take charge of all branches of county agricultural administration and to co-ordinate the work of all members of the county agricultural staff. In many cases the officer concerned is carrying out, in addition, the duties attaching to the post of county land agent or other subordinate officer, and his appointment is, therefore, not an addition to the county staff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total sum expended by the Timber Control Department up to the 31st March last in connection with home-grown timber operations, and what is the revenue derived for the same period; how many persons are still employed; in what localities; at what cost per month; and at what date it is proposed to terminate these operations?

Particulars of the trading operations of the Home Grown Timber Department together with a balance sheet have been furnished to 31st March, 1919, in Command Paper 1062; and similar information will shortly be furnished to 31st March, 1920. The total charges to the trading account to that date are £18,297,024, while recoveries (including stocks on hand) amounted to £15,215,155. Later accounts are not available, but are in course of preparation. The number of persons still employed on the timber operations is 1,015, including the staffs at the divisional offices, and the localities in which they are employed are: Newcastle, Haverfordwest, Cirencester, Exeter, Chester, Cambridge, Lyndhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Oxford, Catford, Marshmoor and Scotland. The current cost per month is £12,442. The dates on which it may be possible to terminate these operations cannot be stated at present, but it is anticipated that with the exception of the Exeter and Cirencester divisions, all the divisional offices will be closed shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a British merchant ship, s.s. "King Alexander," recently arrived at Constantinople from the Piræus flying the red ensign and entirely manned, with the exception of a British wireless operator, by Greeks, none of whom were either naturalised British subjects or held a British Board of Trade certificate; and whether the manning of this ship as above described is in accordance with the law and, in particular, with the provisions of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as I am aware, the manning of the vessel to which the hon. Baronet refers does not contravene any provision of British law. Section 5 (1) of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, which prohibits the employment of an alien as master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom, specifically excepts ships employed habitually in voyages between ports outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether orders were given by the Foreign Office to clear on her outward voyage a British merchant ship, s.s. "King Alexander," recently arrived at Constantinople from the Piræus, flying the red ensign, and entirely manned, with the exception of a British wireless operator, by Greeks, none of whom were either naturalised British subjects or held a British Board of Trade certificate; who gave those orders, and why; whether any protests were made against such orders; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 27th June on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the White Star Line Company have purchased an ex-German steamer, "Columbus," a vessel of 35,000 tons gross, for the service between Southampton and Cherbourg and New York; whether the ship in question was one of the reparation ships; and, if so, what amount of money was paid to the Reparation Committee for the same?

I understand that negotiations are in progress for the purchase of the "Columbus" by the White Star Line from the Reparation Commission. It is not considered desirable to publish at present the prices paid for individual ships.

asked the Home Secretary what is the value of the tithe rent charge collected by the Welsh Church Commissioners for the first complete year; the number of persons employed to collect the same; and the total cost of collection involved?

The amount of tithe rent charge collected by or on behalf of the Welsh Commissioners in the year ending 31st March, 1921, has been: Through agents £106,136 5 10 By the Commission itself 18,159 3 0

The number of agents employed is five, and the commission allowed to them is 5 per cent. on amount collected (6½ per cent. for the urban area of the Cardiff collection). On the work of collection by the Commissioners' office four members of the staff are employed, but for a portion only of their time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police raided premises in Knight's Hill, Norwood, where there is a small printing press for the production of the "Norwood Pioneer," a local Labour journal; that the police found nothing of an incriminating character; whether the raid was made in consequence of the receipt of an anonymous letter; and, if not, the nature of the information upon which the police acted; whether no regret was expressed for the inconvenience to which the tenants of the premises were subjected; and whether he will give instructions that raids of this description shall not be made unless upon information of a reliable character?

On the 29th May police officers visited premises in Norwood Road for the purpose of tracing the printer of certain leaflets which contravene the law. They satisfied themselves that the press used for the production of the "Norwood Pioneer" had not been improperly used. The information upon which the police acted was not anonymous and, though mistaken, was, apparently, given in good faith. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused to the tenants, but clearly the police must in such cases act if they have reasonable grounds for suspicion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of adults who died without property that was worth taking the trouble to pay a few shillings to obtain authority of the Inland Revenue to be legally dealt with for the financial years ending 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the increase in the cost of repairs and to the trouble, inconvenience, and expense cast upon owners of small dwelling-houses in making claims under Income Tax, Schedule A, for an allowance for repairs, etc., in excess of the present quite inadequate flat rate deduction as regards this class of property, and also in view of the probability that the present staff of the Claims Branch of the Board of Inland Revenue may be unable expeditiously to cope with the great increase in the number of such claims, the Government are prepared at an early date to introduce legislation embodying the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Income Tax that increased deductions should be made from 16⅓ per cent. to 25 per cent. in respect of houses up to £20 annual value, and from 16⅓ per cent. to 20 per cent. in respect of houses from £20 to £40 anuual value?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the question he now raises is being brought before the House in a Clause which has been put down for the Report stage of the Finance Bill by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. M. Scott). My hon. Friend will not expect my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to anticipate the discussion of that Clause.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if lie will state in detail all the departmental duties of the Patronage Secretaries to the Treasury in 1914; and what are the departmental duties to-day?

The principal duties of the Patronage Secretaries were in 1914, and are now, to make all arrange- ments necessary for the conduct of Parliamentary business. There are, in addition, certain duties in connection with appointments to certain public posts.

asked the Prime Minister whether it will be part of the business of the Imperial Conference to consider a measure providing that marriage with an alien shall not necessarily deprive a woman of her British nationality, in order that such a Measure may be introduced in each legislature of the Empire?

I do not anticipate that it will be possible to deal with this question at the present Conference.

asked the Prime Minister by whom the miners who came up from Nottinghamshire last week to appeal for open pits and free working were received; and what reply was given to them on behalf of the Government?

The miners to whom my hon. Friend refers did not approach the Government and were not received by them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, under the Regulations made in pursuance of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1911, where a Court of Referees recommended payment of unemployment benefit, and the recommendation was referred by the Insurance Officer to the Umpire, the claimant was entitled automatically to receive payment pending the Umpire's decision; whether, under the Regulations now in force, payment is not made unless the Court of Referees make a specific recommendation to that effect; and, if so, the authority for this alteration in the Regulaions?

The National Insurance Acts, 1911 to 1919, and the Regulations made thereunder, which provided for the automatic payment of bene- fit pending the Umpire's decision, were repealed by the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and the Regulation which provides that an insured contributor shall receive unemployment benefit pending the decision of the Umpire, if the Court of Referees so recommends, was made under the latter Act.

asked the Minister of Labour how many married women, and how many single women, are drawing unemployment pay who were old enough for, but were not actually in, employment before the War; and whether, before grants are made, inquiries are instituted as to the private means of such persons?

The total number of women of 18 years or over who were wholly unemployed and drawing unemployment benefit on 10th June was 468,022. There were in addition 304,022 women on short time. I cannot say how many of the women are married or how many were old enough for, but were not actually in employment before the War. The Unemployment Insurance Acts do not make the possession of private means a disqualification for the receipt of unemployment benefit, and no inquiries are made as to claimants' means.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Treasury have been ordered to pay £430,000 to the North British Railway Company; if a deduction of this amount was made by the Government Departments from the railway company's account; whether any efforts were made to arrive at a proper settlement before the case was taken to the Edinburgh Tribunal; the amount of money the trial cost; and whether any other railway companies are contesting the Ministry's claim?

As the question of appeal is under consideration, the hon. Member will perhaps excuse me from replying in detail. I would, however, refer him to the correspondence in Command Paper 1162, where the circumstances in which this deduction was made are explained.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the amount of grant being made, or proposed to be made, either as a capital sum or annually, to Oxford University in respect of the new single centre of training in forestry; how much is being contributed by India or Australia or other Dominions towards the expense of the centre; and whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of discussing or voting upon this question before any grant is finally made?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by him on the 26th of May last. The position remains the same.