asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the widespread desire expressed in the Indian Press amongst the members of the Civil Services of India to take advantage of the proposals of the Government of India, in their letter of 5th March, 1919, regarding proportional pensions for those to whom service under the reform scheme is not congenial, but who cannot apply for permission to retire till they know the conditions of retirement that will be open to them; and will he, therefore, now inform the Government of India of the pensions considered by him to be suitable to the various periods of service, as recommended in Clause 36 of the Report of the Joint Select Committee of 17th November, 1919?

I am addressing the Government of India, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible after I have received and considered their opinion on certain points.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to carry into effect the assurance given by Lord Sinha, when Undersecretary of State for India, on the 26th July, 1920, that the franchise for the Indian Legislative Assembly should be conferred on retired Indian officers of the Indian Army?

If the hon. Baronet will refer to the remarks of Lord Sinha in another place, as officially reported, he will see that what he said was that he was sure that this proposal would receive favourable consideration when the next revision of the franchise rules takes place. He also alluded to the recommendation of the Joint Select Committee on the Bill that "the franchise as settled by the rules should not be altered for the first ten years." In the circumstances, no steps have yet been taken to effect this alteration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the exclusion of India from the export credits scheme is intended to be permanent or temporary in character?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department to the hon. Member for the Weston-super-Mare Division of Somerset on the 17th June, of which I will send him a copy. He will see that the announcement dealt only with present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the case of acting Sergeant-Major J. F. Callaghan will be settled, his furlough extended, and the money due to him paid; and is he aware that this man, who is a married man with a family, has received a sum of £35 only as advanced pay since November, 1920?

Sergeant-Major Callaghan's leave has been extended up to 11th June, 1921, and his discharge will be postdated accordingly. Owing to his having a heavy debit balance on leaving India, it seems improbable that any further amount will be payable to him, but I cannot give a final answer as the rate of leave pay admissible generally in this and similar cases is at the moment under discussion. I hope a final settlement will be possible shortly. In the meantime, Sergeant-Major Callaghan has no doubt been receiving his pension from the Chelsea Commissioners.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a copy of the petition sent by members of the covenanted staff to the directors or general managers of the Indian State Railways concerning the uneconomic position in which they find themselves owing to the continuing increase in the cost of living in that country; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending that the overseas allowances granted to other Government servants will be extended to them in accordance with their petition?

I am aware that a petition is being submitted by the covenanted subordinate staff of the Indian Railways to the superior authorities for certain concessions, including the grant of overseas allowance. It has not reached me officially from the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any particulars of the alleged wholesale destruction of forests in Kumaun under the incitement of non-co-operators and revolutionary agitators as reported in the Press; and what steps have been taken to punish the offenders?

I have no more detailed information than that contained in telegraphic summaries of a communiqué issued by the United Provinces Government, which appeared in the Press on the 3rd and 4th July. According to this telegram, 19 arrests have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether non-violent non-co-operation agrees with arson or not?

It is wholly inconsistent with it, as I understand it.

asked the, Secretary of State for India what were the credentials of the Islamic Deputation to this country, and by whom was Mr. Kidwai selected; what was the cost of the hospitality afforded to this Deputation by His Majesty's Government; what subsidies they received; and whether the amount paid was that demanded?

I have been asked to reply. The gentlemen referred to came to this country under the auspices of the Government of India and, as representing the Moslems of India, to place before His Majesty's Government the views of their community on the Treaty of Sevres. Mr. Kidwai was not among the gentlemen invited by the Government of India to come as members of the Deputation; he was introduced by His Highness the Aga Khan, with the Deputation, when my right hon. Friend first received it. In accordance with the recommendation of the Government of India, the expenses of the Deputation will be met from Indian revenues. My right hon. Friend cannot at present state the precise amount involved. The statements submitted by the members of the Deputation have been referred to the Government of India for examination and settlement in India, as far as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India what were the exact terms of the recantation of Mahomet Ali and Shankat Ali in; response to the threat of the Viceroy to arrest them; was a definite promise to desist from making revolutionary speeches given; if so, for how long; and have either of them made any speeches since?

My right hon. Friend will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the communiqué issued by the Government of India, which contains the exact terms of the apology and undertaking given by Messrs. Mahomet Ali and Shankat Ali, and which was communicated to the Press here on the 31st May. He believes that one of the brothers has spoken in public since.

" The attention of the public has doubtless teen drawn to the apology and undertaking issued to-day by Messrs. Mahomed Ali and Shaukat Ali to the Press. This document runs as follows:

'Friends have drawn our attention to certain speeches of ours which, in their opinion, have a tendency to incite to volence. We desire to state that we never intended to incite to violence, and we never imagined that any passages in our speeches were capable of bearing the interpretation put upon them, but we recognise the force of our friends' argument and interpretation. We sincerely feel sorry and express our regret for the unnecessary heat of some of the passages in these speeches, and we give our public assurance and promise to all who may require it, that so long as we are associated with the movement of non-co-operation, we shall not directly or indirectly advocate violence at present or in the future, nor create an atmosphere of preparedness for violence. Indeed, we hold it contrary to the spirit of non-violent non-co-operation to which we have pledged our word.'

In view of the publication of these expressions of regret and promise for the future, the Government of India desire to make it known generally that they had decided on the 6th of May to prosecute Messrs. Mahomed Ali and Shaukat Ali for certain speeches delivered in the United Provinces during the last few months. These speeches, in the opinion of the Government of India, were direct incitements to violence. The immediate object of the Government in determining to enforce the law on the present occasion was to prevent incitements to violence and to preserve order. After the decision to which reference was made was reached, it was urged upon the Government, that their immediate object could be attained without recourse to the Criminal Courts. The Government consequently suspended further action, and in view of the statements now issued over the signature of Messrs. Mahomed Ali and Shaukat Ali have decided to refrain from instituting criminal proceedings against them in respect of these speeches, so long as the solemn public undertaking contained in the statement issued to the Press is observed. Should the conditions of this undertaking not be performed, the Government of India will be at liberty to prosecute for these past speeches. It must not be inferred from the original determination for the Government to prosecute for speeches inciting to violence that promoting disaffection of a less violent character is not an offence against the law. The Government of India desire to make it plain, that they will enforce the law relating to offences against the State as and when they may think fit against any persons who have committed breaches of it."

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Cavalry Brigade, Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Veterinary Corps, Barrack Department, etc., at the Curragh, County Kildare, are not under the direct command of the General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, or the General Officer Commanding Midland District, Ireland, who is the same officer, but directly under the general in charge of administration, Headquarters, Irish Command; and, seeing that this arrangement leads to much unnecessary correspondence, in view of the fact that the General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, is continually corresponding with himself through his staff officers, and that much correspondence passes between the General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, and the General Officer Commanding, the Midland District, and then is often passed on to the Headquarters, Irish Command, and dealt with by that office direct with the units concerned, and the General Officer Commanding, the Midland District, notified for the information of General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, will he consider a more economic system of staff administration in this and other commands, and the reduction of a number of staff officers whose duties chiefly consist of inter-office correspondence?

I am informed that the troops mentioned are under the direct command of the General Officer Commanding, 5th Division. There is no General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, and the appointment of the General Officer Commanding, Midland District, does not now exist, having been absorbed on 1st November last by the General Officer Commanding, 5th Division. No correspondence, therefore, passes between the General Officer Commanding, Troops, Curragh, and the General Officer Commanding, Midland District. The appointment of Major-General i/c Administration, Irish Command, is now in abeyance. I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion that there are any staff officers serving in Ireland whose duties consist chiefly in dealing with inter-office correspondence.

I have been asked, and I am quite willing, to postpone this question, but as it is a matter of very great urgency, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is receiving his attention?

I shall be glad if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will postpone the question, as I have not yet got the information. I will get it as quickly as I can.

This is a matter of life and death to these country districts, and is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to have the Order delayed, or anything of the sort?

lam taking steps to get an answer to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman as quickly as I can.

I will put down a question this day week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long a period has ex-Lord Chancellor Campbell occupied an office qualifying him for a pension; what is the amount of the pension; and whether it will be a charge on, British or Irish revenues?

Sir James Campbell was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from the 10th January, 1917, to the 7th June, 1918, and Lord Chancellor from the 8th June, 1918, to the 26th June, 1921. His pension is £3,692 6s. Id. It is primarily chargeable on the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, but as from the appointed day under the Government of Ireland Act the cost falls to be deducted from the Irish residuary share of reserved taxes.

Does Sir James Campbell perform any judicial duties at present?

I am afraid I am not cognisant of all the facts.

Does the Treasury have any voice in the settlement of these offices, which involve such large pensionable rights?

It is not a function of my office to be concerned with appointments which are under other Departments.

Have inquiries been made as to the savings of these individuals before allocating their pensions, with a view to reductions being made?

What reason had the Government for removing this Gentleman and burdening the country with an additional pension?

I am afraid that does not fall within the duties of my Department.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in connection with the raid on a hall in Blackhall Place, Dublin, on the 29th May last, where a meeting of a branch of the National Union of Vehicle Builders was in progress, he is aware that a sum of £25 0s. 4d., branch funds, was taken from the table and only £22 17s. was returned; that the five officials who were arrested and subsequently released lost about five days' work; that two men lost two days' work in endeavouring to secure the return of the property taken from the hall; that the branch secretary's bicycle was taken; that damage was done to the branch box and a society emblem and frame destroyed; and whether, in view of the fact that nothing incriminating was found on the branch premises, and that the men arrested were released without any charge being brought against them, it is proposed to compensate the union for the damage sustained, details of which have been submitted to him.

A claim has been submitted in this case, and is at present under consideration by the military authorities.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is prepared to lay upon the Table of the House a copy of evidence given at the Ballymacelligott court-martial?

No, Sir. I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by adopting so unusual a course in this particular case.

Is it suggested that the Irish Office is too ashamed to allow it to be published?

No.

Is it not a fact that the evidence of this inquiry clearly shows that there never was an ambush, as stated by the Chief Secretary, that the burning of the creamery was pure arson, and that the men who were killed were murdered; and is not the Irish Office prepared to make a clean breast of this, to end it once for all?

( by Private Notice )asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the special constables in Newry broke out again last night, and engaged in another orgy of looting and robbery, that women were dragged out of their houses in night attire and fired on, and that one lady was shot dead, and whether he will undertake that steps will be immediately taken to give military protection to the Catholic citizens of Newry?

The hon. and learned Gentleman has given notice of a question which is not exactly similar in its terms to that which he has just asked. The question was only received at ten minutes past two. No information has yet been received on the matter. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be so kind as to postpone the question.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether it will be convenient to make a statement on the subject on the Motion for the Adjournment tonight?

If I receive information before, then I will let the hon. Gentleman know.

Is it not customary for the malefactors in those cases to send' reports of their malefactions?

Have any arrests been made in connection with the murder of a constable of the police force in Newry four days ago?

I have no information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the reason why, and state on whose advice, head- quarters, High Street, Portsmouth, was closed; what it is proposed to do with the building; why headquarters have been transferred to the house of the general officer commanding; can he give an estimate of the cost of transforming this fine house, situated in beautiful and large grounds, into offices; why this was done, seeing that it would have been more economical to have retained the old offices, which served before the War, and during the War when there were many troops in Portsmouth, and have sold the house of the general officer commanding there instead of turning this large house into offices at a time when there are very few troops in Portsmouth; and has it been found necessary to build a new house for the officer commanding troops?

The headquarter offices at High Street, Portsmouth, have not yet been closed, but it is proposed to do so and sell the building. As the command has been reduced to that of a colonel commandant, for whom a residence already exists, Government House has become vacant, and by utilising it as offices the present offices, and also certain hirings for which a rent of £100 a year, is paid, will be released. The cost of adapting Government House as headquarter offices is approximately £380, and the house will still be available if required at some future date as a residence for a high commander. It is not necessary to build a new house for the officer commanding troops, and the arrangements made will effect a saving to the State.

Would it not be better to sell this beautiful house for some thousands of pounds, so that it might be made into a palace for the new bishop?

That is practically the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question in other words. Headquarters office, Portsmouth, is to be sold, and, on the whole, the arrangement is an economical one.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the demobilisation of the Defence Force; what is the number of officers and men of this force in the various camps on this day; and what is the cost per diem to the Treasury?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. The strength of the Defence Force on 1st July was approximately 78,000 all ranks; and the cost per diem was about £50,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, having regard to the economic depression in our West African Colonies and Protectorates, and having regard to the fact that before the War approximately 250,000 tons of an aggregate quantity of 350,000 tons of palm kernels were exported to European countries, and whereas owing to the differential export duty now imposed upon palm kernels in the exporting Colonies and Protectorates those European countries are now importing palm kernels from foreign colonies, and in addition are procuring and using substitutes, he will consider the desirability of arranging to terminate at once this export duty in the various West African Colonies and Protectorates instead of allowing it to run its full term of five years?

I am already taking steps to appoint a representative Committee to consider various questions connected with the economic situation of the West African Colonies and this Committee which, it is hoped, will report in November will advise on this particular question also. I propose to await the report of this Committee before deciding in the matter.

Is it not almost time that this policy in West Africa was reversed?

My hon. Friend will see that the matter has been receiving my careful consideration, and he will also have gathered from my answer that there will be no undue delay in dealing with it.

Are these differential duties imposed on exports from mandated territories?

I should like notice of that question, but my impression is that they are not.

Is not November rather a long time to wait for this question, which is an urgent one: could not the Committee be asked to report upon this question first of all, apart from the other points which they will have to consider?

I entirely appreciate the importance of an early Report, but the reason this Report cannot be given before November is that the Committee is constituted under the Chairmanship of Sir Hugh Clifford, and he has engagements which will prevent him undertaking this work immediately, and it will not be possible, if the Committee is to have the advantage of his Chairmanship, to get an earlier Report.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that we may lose the markets owing to this action of his predeceseors?

That point has not been lost sight of. I do not think the delay will have that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the exorbitant tariff for warehousing goods charged by the Customs Department at Lagos; whether he is aware that the effect of such tariff is that in cases where a local buyer has defaulted or gone into liquidation the Customs charges normally exceed the total value of the goods by the time that fresh instructions can be received from England; and whether he is aware that the Governor of Lagos has admitted that these charges often constitute a legitimate grievance; and whether he will take action in the matter?

The tariff referred to has been in force since the 6th of December, 1919, and I am not prepared to admit that it is exorbitant. I have just received a return which shows that the chief importing firms in Lagos pay very little warehouse rent as they clear their consignments in the free period allowed. The Customs warehouses are not intended to be used for the storage of goods, and where a consignee has defaulted the banks or other business houses through which the goods are normally consigned can clear the consignments through the Customs. The matter has recently been fully investigated and I am satisfied that there is no legitimate grievance.

Will my hon. Friend go further into the matter if I send him some correspondence?

Oh, yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the correspondence between the Ceylon Workers' Federation and the Ceylon Colonial Secretary respecting the railway workers who were deprived of their posts in connection with the Ceylon riots of 1915; and whether, in view of the Governor's action recently respecting Europeans censured in connection with the same riots and in view of the desirability of general appeasement, he will order an inquiry into these 28 cases with a view to amnesty and reinstatement wherever possible?

This correspondence has not yet been forwarded to me by the Governor, but I will ask him to send it, with his observations.

If the hon. Gentleman is going to re-open this matter of 1915, will he also consider the propriety of reopening the case of Governor Eyre?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the approximate numbers in his Department who are entitled to the following annual holidays, exclusive of bank and other public holidays: four weeks' annual holiday and over 28 working days' leave?

The numbers of officers of the Home Office who are entitled to four weeks', that is 24 working days, leave is 185; the number entitled to 28 working days' leave or over is 287. In addition, there are about 400 officers whose annual leave is less than 24 working days.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why it is essential for the public service that officials of his Department should be employed as a press information section; and what is the estimated cost of this work for 1921–22?

One official of the Department is responsible for the issue of information to the Press. Recent examples of the kind of information issued are the notices in connection with the Government offer of airships and airship stores to any commercial syndicate, and that stating the conditions under which subsidies will be paid to approved cross-Channel aeroplane transport companies. A great deal of work also was done by this official in connection with the Air Conference, which was held at the Guildhall last October. His other duties include the editing and frequent issue of notices to airmen with regard to such subjects, amongst others, as the opening and closing of aerodromes, both at home and abroad; alterations in the lighting of obstructions on these aerodromes; the lighting of aerial routes for night flying, and information as to the state of emergency landing grounds at all seasons. He is also charged with the issue of information relating to wireless telegraphy installations, and with the communication to ground engineers on civil aerodromes of any amendments to existing instructions. The inclusive salary of this official is £900 per annum. Clerical assistance costs about £850 a year, but only a proportion of this amount can be regarded as expenditure on Press information work, and the advantages of having a single channel of communication for Press inquirers is considered amply to justify this expenditure.

Is this official an ex-service man?

I should like to have notice of that question; I am not quite certain.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the estimated cost in his Department of newspapers, press cuttings, washing of towels and dusters, and miscellaneous has risen from £3,567 in 1920–21, to £4,221 in 1921–22?

The increase of £654 in Air Vote 5, Sub-head F, in current Estimates over those for 1920–21 is not due to any increased expenditure on the items mentioned in the question, but to the provision under this Sub-head in 1921–22 for certain miscellaneous items, such as fees to examiners for marking examination papers, and fees for attendance on advisory boards, for which no provision was made in 1920–21.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in future please instruct his Department to make these things clear in the Estimates, so as to avoid the necessity for putting questions in the House?

The moment I saw the question I gave instructions that the sub-heads should in future be put more accurately.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any person or persons are employed at the Air Ministry in responsible positions who have not had any air experience on service in the late War?

Yes, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member may have some particular person, or persons, in mind, and, if so, it would be convenient if he framed a question in more specific terms.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state when 30, Belgrave Square will cease to be used as a Government office?

Arrangements are being made by which it is hoped that 30, Belgrave Square will be vacated by the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate numbers employed in his Department who are entitled to four weeks' annual holiday and over 28 working days' annual holiday exclusive of bank and other holidays?

The number entitled to four weeks' (24 working days) annual holiday is 676, and to over 28 working days is 561. These figures include, in addition to the War Office, the staffs of the Local Audit Offices and the clerical staffs at Chelsea Hospital and the Royal Army Clothing Department.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were arrested in Great Britain under the Emergency Powers Act, the Defence of the Realm Act, and the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, respectively, during the quarter ending 30th June, 1921; how many of those persons have been tried and how many convicted; what was the total length of sentences of imprisonment inflicted; and how many private buildings have been raided by police or military during the quarter ending 30th June under the above three Acts?

My right hon. Friend is not in possession of any of the figures asked for, and he does not feel justified in specially collecting them from the numerous authorities concerned. I may point out that neither the police nor the military are required to consult the Home Secretary before making an arrest or entering a private building.

Surely the matter of the number of arrests under these Acts has a bearing on whether they are to be continued or not? May I ask if the Home Office are watching the effect of these Acts in the country? Is it a matter of no importance what the number is of people who are arrested under what are really Emergency Acts?

The decision rests with the Government.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to recommend the setting free of all these prisoners who have been arrested under these particular Acts?

I am afraid that I could not undertake to do that.

Do I understand that the Home Secretary will not give the House of Commons the number of persons arrested under these special Emergency Acts?

The hon. and gallant Member will see, if he refers to the reply I have given, that my right hon. Friend is not in possession of the figures, and to collect them would entail a reference to a very large number of authorities and he does not feel justified in doing that.

Then the Home Secretary declines to tell the House how many have been arrested?

The Home Secretary does nothing of the kind, as will be seen from the answer I have already given.

Is not the whole of this information in the possession of a special branch at Scotland Yard, and could quite easily be produced?

No, that is not so. If it had been in their possession it would have been produced.

Now that the emergency is over, will the Home Secretary consider the propriety of releasing these people who have been arrested under the Emergency Acts?

That question had better be placed on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the sentence of death was passed upon the girl, Edith May Roberts, at the recent Leicester Assizes, which sentence has since been commuted to penal servitude for life; and if, in view of the whole of the circumstances, he will review the case with the object of a further reduction of the sentence?

The case will be reviewed and the sentence reduced later. It is too soon at present to advise a further reduction.

In view of the fact that this girl was the innocent victim of some other person surely something more might be done?

We are following the normal course which is usually taken in these cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether the attention of the police has been called to the increasing practice of motor omnibuses not pulling to the side of the road to set down and take up passengers; whether any action is to be taken to prevent this practice, which results in danger to the passengers and obstruction to traffic; and whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of omnibuses starting before the passengers have had time to get to their seats?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that his attention has been drawn by the Noble Lord to the practice of omnibuses not stopping close to the kerb and the necessary instructions have been issued to the police; the attention of the omnibus company has also been drawn to the requirements of the law. There have been a few complaints of omnibuses starting before passengers have properly entered, and, as far as possible, the police endeavour to secure the safety of passengers; but this obviously is a very difficult matter for them to control.

Is it not a fact that if a conductor gives the command to the driver to proceed before a passenger has got on board the company are liable to a prosecution?

I could not answer that question off-hand, but I know that cases have been forwarded on the representation of my hon. Friend to the companies, and I hope there will be some improvement.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the total number of salaries exceeding £1,000 a year paid to professors in each of the Scottish universities; whether these salaries include bonus or the value of official residences; and what is the average salary paid to the professors in the theological faculties in each of the Scottish universities?

The answer to the first part of the question is 62. Thirty of the 62 include bonus, but the value of official residences is not included. The average salaries paid in the theological faculties are St. Andrews, £850; Glasgow, £1,075; Aberdeen, £750; Edinburgh, £900. These averages do not take into account the value of the manses provided in the case of Aberdeen, or of the three official residences provided in the case of Glasgow.

Has my right hon. Friend got the figures for each of the universities with regard to the first part of the question?

No. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me a little longer notice on the next occasion I will endeavour to get the figures for him.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why the salaries of the theological professors in one university are practically double what they are in the other university? Is it not the case that the conditions of the Statute which provide that money out of national funds should not be used for that purpose has been infringed?

My hon. Friend should give me notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is his intention to enter into a contract for the conveyance of mails to and from Shetland; and, if so, whether he will agree to consult the County Council of Zetland and the Town Council of Lerwick regarding the terms of any proposed contract for their information before such contract is concluded?

The present arrangements for the conveyance of mails to and from the Shetland Islands rest upon correspondence, and it is not considered necessary at present to enter into a formal contract. The Town Council of Lerwick have already submitted their views in detail to the Post Office upon the mail service.

In the event of a change being contemplated with regard to the Shetland mail service, will the Postmaster-General be good enough to communicate with the local authorities?

I will see that that request is put before my advisers.

asked the Postmaster-General how many men are employed by him who are graded as electrical wiremen and assistants, and what number of those graded as electrical wire-men are fully-skilled electricians; and what is the reason for grading them as wiremen?

There is no recognised grading as wireman or electrician in the Post Office service. The men to whom the hon. Member is presumably referring are graded as "skilled workmen."

asked the Postmaster-General on what grounds have officers returning from leave on a Friday been instructed in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office to perform 3½ hours' overtime on that evening without pay?

The female staff of the Savings Bank have during the past few months been performing 3½ hours of overtime per week to meet arrears of work. The officers in question have simply been required to bear the same burden as their colleagues. No overtime is being at present performed.

Is this overtime paid for?

No. It is one of the conditions of the service that all the employés are required to give this 3½ hours' overtime when necessary. It is part of the agreement with the trade unions.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the general nature of his conversations with the Canadian Government regarding wireless communications with this country; how long these conversations have been in progress; and what has been their practical result?

The Report of the Imperial Wireless Telegraph Committee was transmitted to the Canadian Government who have expressed their readiness to discuss the question of the erection of a station in Canada with the Imperial authorities. My right hon. Friend hopes to find an opportunity of conferring with the Prime Minister of Canada on the subject during his visit to this country.

Has the Post Office any knowledge of the remarkable developments that are now taking place in the United States with a view to making the United States the world centre of wireless news, and what steps are the Post Office taking in view of that?

My hon. Friend can hardly expect me to answer that question further than to say that the Post Office have full knowledge of these developments in the United States at the present time.

:: If they have full knowledge, why are they taking no action?

As I stated in my reply, my right hon. Friend hopes to find opportunities of conferring with the Prime Minister of Canada with regard to this question, and if my hon. Friend will put down another question probably I can get the information he requires.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that this matter has been the subject of conversations with the Canadian Government for many months past, and that nothing has been done?

Yes, I am quite aware of that.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of William David Evans, No. 202831, late private, the Welsh Regiment, of Wesley House, Machynlleth, who, on discharge from the Army, was awarded a final weekly allowance in respect of a disability which the Ministry regarded as neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service; whether, on appeal, aggravation of the disability was conceded but that it was alleged to have then passed away; whether, by an oversight, a further appeal against this decision was heard and resulted in the award of a pension; whether it has subsequently been decided that the latter appeal was invalid, and the award cancelled; and, notwithstanding the irregularity of this procedure, can this soldier be denied the disability award which the appeal tribunal found he was entitled to?

My right hon. Friend proposes to review the whole of the circumstances of this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the orphans of soldiers killed in the War are in orphanages and similar institutions and how many are in Poor Law schools; and if the Ministry is undertaking the complete financial responsibility for all the children thus placed?

I regret that I am unable to state the number of orphan children of men killed in the War who are in orphanages and similar institutions not under the Poor Law. As regards children in Poor Law schools, there are approximately 140 orphans in the care of the Poor Law, and according to the information at my disposal some 110 of these are in cottage homes or Poor Law schools. Pension at the motherless rate is paid in respect of orphans in Poor Law schools or in other institutions, and where children who have been taken under the care of my right hon. Friend under Section 9 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, are, for any special reason, placed temporarily or otherwise in an institution, the full cost of maintenance is paid.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any statistics or accounts in the possession of his Department are available to refute published accounts showing that, after deducting charges of management, maintenance, repairs, rates, and taxes, 5d. in the £ remain for the landowner?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir, the Ministry has no statistics bearing on the question to which my hon. Friend refers. The matter is one which comes within the jurisdiction of the Board of Inland Revenue rather than of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that this particular class of landlord is being expropriated by process of taxation, and it is a class that will do anything for its tenants except raise their rents?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the Government scheme in operation in Australia for the payment of advances to farmers through the banks on account of sums due in respect of wheat produced; and whether he will consider the adoption of a similar system in relation to the payments in respect of the 1921 acreage of British wheat and oats, having regard to the embarrassed position of many farmers resulting from the financial commitments entered into in the belief that the Agriculture Act represented the Government's settled policy?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that a scheme is in operation in Australia whereby growers of wheat receive advances on wheat delivered to the State which carries out the sale of the crop either on its own account or through a Board representative of all the Australian States. A similar scheme could not be adopted for this country without instituting a measure of State control, which would be inconsistent with the policy of the Government. Under the proposals of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill the payments due to growers of wheat and oats this year will be made on the 1st January next, which will be four or five months earlier than would have been the case if the procedure under the Corn Production Acts remained in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the Air Ministry's present policy with regard to developing rigid, semi-rigid, and non-rigid airships, respectively?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statements made in Committee on the Air Estimates, and to the public offer of airships and airship material to any organisation prepared to develop them for commercial purposes. The policy, which is governed by the paramount need for economy, is, briefly, to discontinue the use and construction of all types of airships for fighting purposes, and to throw up existing material for disposal if no scheme of commercial use materialises by the end of this month.

Do the Admiralty agree with that policy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made in Committee on the Air Estimates.

May we take it that the Air Ministry are not to be stampeded by a Press agitation into reversing this decision?

No, Sir. The Government have been slow in arriving at the decision, and they mean to adhere to it.

Will not the development of ships of varying degrees of rigidity lead to more and more expenditure?

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) what has happened to Zeppelin L.64;

(2) what is the exact nature of the damage incurred by R. 36 at Pulham, and how the same occurred?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any damage has occurred to R.36; and if he can make any statement as to the cause?

The damage to R.36 consists of: with the temporary winch gear in use, it was not possible to prevent the ship being brought up suddenly on the mooring wire. Such accidents are avoidable by the use of reversible winch gear, but, owing to the limitations both of time and money necessarily imposed upon the present series of experiments, a cheaper form of winding gear was employed. Further damage occurred owing to certain guys carrying away when the ship was subsequently being housed. The hull of L.64 has been dismantled owing to the necessity of housing R.36 in the shed without delay. There was no empty shed at Pulham when the accident occurred. A special inquiry is being carried out into all the circumstances of the case. A report will be made, and I will send copies to the hon. and gallant Members.

Was L.64 fitted with nose tackle, so that if her gas bags had been inflated she could have been attached to the mooring mast instead of scrapped?

I do not think that L.64—an ex-German ship—has ever been out of the shed since she was put in, owing to the fact that her gas bags has never been in a proper condition.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say what has happened to L.64?

Dismantled—another word for taken to pieces.

Will the comparatively small damage to R.36 be made good, having regard to the splendid air-going capacity of that vessel?

The necessary repairs would involve six or seven weeks' work, and possibly an expenditure of from £4,000 to £6,000, and, in view of the Government intention to close down all these matters, the Ministry did not feel inclined to proceed with the repairs.

Are we to understand that she is a complete wreck?

Yes, L.64 a complete wreck.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress is being made in developing torpedo carrying aircraft?

Steady progress is being made in the development of torpedo-carrying aircraft. It is obviously undesirable that details of this work, which is still in the experimental stage, should be published.

May I ask whether this, too, will not cost more and more money?

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date the ex-German airships allotted to this country under the Peace Treaty were surrendered; and on how many occasions they have since been flown?

The ex-German airships L.71 and L.64 were surrendered on the 25th June, 1920, and 21st July, 1920, respectively. Neither has been flown since surrender, as the gasbags were found, on inspection, to be defective. Much valuable information has, however, been gained from a study of these craft.

How is it the hon. and gallant Gentleman said a few moments ago that L.64 was a total wreck, seeing that we saw it in the shed a few months ago?

The hon. Member did not listen to the answer. It had to be dismantled in the shed in order to make room for R.36.

asked the Prime Minister what progress, if any, has been made towards understandings with the United States and Japan on the subject of a general limitation of armaments and with the Dominions and Possessions on the subject of a revised apportionment of the burden of Imperial defence?

It is not possible for me to make any further statement on these subjects at present.

When will this matter be explained to the House and some opportunity be given for debating it? Why is the House of Commons the only place where it is not allowed to be discussed?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that many British women during the War married aliens in this country, and by such action have lost their British nationality, and that a number of such persons have been left in this country totally deserted; and if he will consider favourably the giving back to them of their British nationality?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am aware of cases of the nature indicated; but the suggestion in the latter part of the question can be dealt with only as part of the general question of the nationality of married women, which is one of a number under consideration in consultation with the self-governing Dominions, with a view to legislation at an early opportunity. The Secretary of State has no power to do anything without legislation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that many women married refugees in this country during the period of War, and that since the Armistice they have been left totally deserted, their husbands being in some other portion of the British Empire or in Europe; and, seeing that they are left on the streets, cannot the hon. Gentleman consider the matter, with a view to giving them British nationality again?

We are precluded by Statute from doing that, and can do nothing more without further legislation.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider with a view to getting the necessary legislation?

Notice should be given of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to carry out the recommendation of the Committee on the Remuneration of Ministers that the office of Chancellor of the Duchy should be unpaid?

The Committee proposed a rearrangement of salaries which would leave the total charge on public funds unaltered, and their recom- mendations must be considered as a whole. The Prime Minister has not, so far, had leisure to consider them. I ought to add that the Chancellor of the Duchy controls the management of the Duchy estates and revenues, and exercises the patronage vested in him on behalf of His Majesty, jure ducatus. His salary is paid from the revenues of the Duchy, and is not a charge upon the Exchequer. If the salary ceased, the benefit would go to the Duchy and not to the Exchequer.

Is it not the fact that these revenues are public revenues, and that the evidence given before the Committee made it quite clear that the office was practically a sinecure, without any duties at all?

I have not read all the evidence, but I think the extent of the duties performed by the Chancellor depends very much upon the amount of time and attention which the Chancellor gives to his duties.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the obstacle that stands in the way of making the reductions in salaries which the Committee recommended?

I have had very little time to give to the recommendations of the Committee, but, if I rightly apprehend their general purpose, they did not propose any reduction in the charge upon the funds. What they proposed was a redistribution of the total sum allocated to Ministerial salaries amongst the various ministerial recipients. That is a matter which must be considered as a whole. The Prime Minister, amidst the pressure of other and far more important matters, has not been able to find time for its consideration up to the present.

Is it not a fact that the Committee, after consideration, recommended that some Ministers' salaries should be reduced, and what is the reason why that cannot be done now?

Yes, Sir, the Committee recommended that some Ministers' salaries should be reduced, in order that other Ministers' salaries might be raised. They sought to provide what they considered to be adequate remuneration for the holders of certain posts, by reducing the salaries of the holders of other posts.

Is not that a pooling system? Why do you oppose one pooling system and favour another?

This is more suitable for debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Anglo-American Oil Company, being the British branch of the Standard Oil Company, is issuing capital in this country; and, seeing that such issue will tend to increase the strength of that monopoly, and so tend to raise prices, whether His Majesty's Government can take any steps to check such issue or results?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that the issue of additional capital has been authorised by the shareholders. For reasons of general financial policy, it was decided in November, 1919, to abandon the Government restrictions on capital issues imposed during the War, and it would be both impracticable and undesirable to re-impose such restrictions.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any advice as to why the Free Trade Labour party want to restrict American enterprise in this country?

asked the Prime Minister if he can state when the Imperial Conference will terminate its meetings; and whether it is his intention after the close of the Conference to make a full verbal statement to this House of the results of its deliberations upon the various points discussed?

It is not possible for me to answer these questions at present.

Is it not most important that we should have an opportunity of discussing this Conference after the decisions have been given?

I cannot undertake to make a hypothetical allocation of time without knowing the circumstances. While the Conference is sitting it is obviously not for me to give imperfect, partial accounts of its proceedings.

I think the right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I did not ask whether he would allow us to discuss any particular subject, but whether we should have a discussion on the Conference?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will repeat that question, when such publication as the Conference decides upon is made, I shall be very happy to give him an answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if gold has been transferred from Vienna to London on account of the Ottoman Public Debt; if so, what is the amount; and what debt does this go against?

Under Article 210 of the Treaty of St. Germain the Austrian Government has to deliver for safe custody to such authority as the Principal Allied and Associated Powers may designate, the sum in gold deposited in the Austro-Hungarian Bank in the name of the Council of the administration of the Ottoman Public Debt as security for the first issue of Turkish Government currency notes. The gold in question is being transferred to London.

Should not that credit go to the Reparation Commission, as a credit of gold?

No, I do not think it is credited to the Reparation Commission. At the present time it is in safe custody.

Has it been definitely decided that that money is going to be used to pay off the guarantee, and not the Public Debt?

No, I cannot say that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the prices charged for synthetic dyestuffs received from Germany under the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles are much higher than those charged by Germany to her own customers in other countries, and are consequently hindering the recovery of British textile industries; and will he state the names of the representatives of the consumers in consultation with whom the prices were fixed, and by whom they were appointed to discharge this duty?

I have no reason to think that there is any general divergence of prices such as the hon. Member suggests, or that the prices charged are retarding the recovery of the British textile trade, but I shall be glad to consider any definite evidence on the subject which he is able to adduce. As regards the second part of the question, the basis on which the prices charged by the Board of Trade for reparation dyes were originally fixed was unanimously recommended by the Trade and Licensing Committee. The representatives of the consumers on that Committee were, Mr. Henry Allen, Mr. Lennox B. Lee, and Sir Milton Sharp, all nominated by the Colour Users' Association, and Mr. Thomas Taylor, nominated by the Federation of Paint, Colour and Varnish Makers' Associations. The prices have since been revised from time to time, to meet changes in market conditions, in consultation with Mr. G. E. Holden (of the English Velvet and Cord Dyers' Association, Limited) and Mr. C. Rawson (of the British Cotton and Wool Dyers' Association, Limited), who were nominated for this purpose by the Colour Users' Association on the 5th August, 1920.