asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a report as to the wounding of Mr. M. Leahy, who was shot by one of three men at Wren's Hotel, Cork, on 18th June; whether Leahy had been previously arrested and only released from prison that morning; and whether his attackers have yet been traced?

:I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that Mr. Leahy was arrested on the 14th ultimo and released on the 17th ultimo, with orders to report to the Royal Irish Constabulary twice a week. He was shot on the night of the 18th ultimo. Up to the present no information has been obtained as to the person by whom this murder was committed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a young man, named Cole, was shot in County Clare, by soldiers, on the 30th June; whether an inquiry has yet been held; and what was its finding?

:This refers to the martial-law area, and I have asked the Commander-in-Chief for a report.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can give any information in regard to the destruction of the residence of. Colonel Head, Derrylahon, County Tipperary, which was burnt by Sinn Feiners on 2nd July?

:This refers to the martial-law area, and I have asked the Commander-in-Chief for a report, which I have not yet received.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the fact that whilst a service was being held in the Catholic Church at Kilnamryal, Elphin, County Roscommon, on Sunday morning the 29th June, a party of auxiliaries and Royal Irish Constabulary coming from the direction of Castlerea opened fire on the building without warning and caused considerable panic among the congregation and did a considerable amount of damage; whether he is aware that the congregation, on leaving the church, were rounded up and the women and children allowed to proceed after being warned to hand over any documents they might have upon them and threatened that if they did not do so they would be stripped of their clothes; that the men were lined up and searched and some of them beaten; that a number of them were detained; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter?

:The inquiries which are being made into these allegations are not yet complete, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone his question for a few days.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will give details of all compensations which have up to the present been paid to civilians in Ireland for injuries committed by members of the Crown forces; the names of the persons compensated; the date and nature of the injuries; and the amounts awarded?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. T. Griffiths) on 20th April last, when it was explained that there is no means of ascertaining the total amount of damage involved in cases in which allegations of unjustifiable action by the Crown forces have been made.

asked the Chief Secretary how many houses have been destroyed in official reprisals during the month of June; how many of these belonged to women; and in how many cases has opportunity been offered to the owners to make any explanation before the destruction was carried out?

:I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that the number of houses destroyed by official orders during the month of June was nine. Of these four belonged to women. All cases were carefully investigated before destruction was ordered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the Annual Report of the Board of Superintendents of the Dublin Hospitals issued list week; whether he is aware that the report states that the board are satisfied that all the hospitals are conducted in an economical and thoroughly efficient manner, but all are in a more or less critical condition financially; that the indebtedness of each hospital is as follows: Westmorland, £7,946, Meath Hospital and County Dublin Infirmary, £6,688, Cork Street Fever Hospital, £5,882, House of Industry Hospitals, £5,843, Rotunda, £5,014, Coombe, £4,355, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear, £7,500, Royal Hospital for Incurables, £7,279; and whether he will take immediate action to have grants made to these and to other hospitals in Ireland out of the £500,000 which has been allocated for the relief of voluntary hospitals in the United Kingdom or an equivalent grant to relieve their financial difficulties?

:I am aware of the facts and figures disclosed in the Report of the Board of Superintendents of Dublin Hospitals for the year ending 31st March, 1920, but in regard to the mode of relieving the financial condition of the hospitals I can only refer to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary's reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Rathmines (Sir M. Dockrell) of 30th June last. The Member's figures need a small correction in one item, namely, the figure of £7,946 is that for Stevens Hospital, not for the Westmorland Hospital. The latter hospital has, I understand, no deficit.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information respecting the murder of Constable Joseph Shelster, aged 22, at Bansha, County Tipperary, who was shot dead on 1st July?

:The police report states that Constable Joseph Shelster was killed at about 10.30 p.m. on 1st July, shortly after leaving the house at which he had been paying a visit. There were shot gun wounds in the eye and on the forehead and a bullet wound in the chest. His revolver and ammunition with several articles of equipment were missing. The police think that the murder was probably committed by the same body of rebels who held up a train in this neighbourhood on the previous day. Extensive searches have been carried out, but so far without any result.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what rent is paid by the firm of Shanghai solicitors who occupy a part of His Majesty's Government's Post Office building at Shanghai; what rent is paid by His Majesty's Government for the premises now occupied by the Naval Agent in Shanghai; where the Naval Agent was housed before the War; and why he cannot be accommodated in the Post Office building?

:The rent paid by the solicitors is £310 per annum. I am informed by the Admiralty that the Naval Agent, who before the War was housed in Peking Road and later in Kiukiang Road, is now housed with other naval authorities in premises for which a rent of £744 per annum is paid, and I am not in a position to apportion this rent between the various occupants. The suggestion that the Naval Agent should be accommodated in the Post Office building is already under consideration.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the annual grant for the maintenance of public buildings is being reduced without regard to the growth of the Departments, the increase of staff, and the extension of buildings; and the amount allocated to the building, engineering, and supplies sections, respectively, of the Office of Works?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The grant for maintenance of public buildings is allocated as follows:

asked the Minister of Pensions the approximate numbers in his Department who are entitled to the following annual holidays, exclusive of bank and other holidays: four weeks' annual leave and over 28 working days' annual leave?

:The number of officers of my Department who are entitled to 24 working days' annual leave is approximately 1,300, or about 5 per cent. of the total staff. The number entitled to 28 working days or over is approximately 820, or about 3 per cent. of the total staff.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any agreement has been reached with the staff of the Pensions Issue Office regarding the repayment of losses incurred by the Ministry by reason of over issues?

:No decision has yet been reached on this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in effecting reductions of staff in the Customs and Excise Department, due regard will be had to the necessities of the service; and whether the contemplated reductions at Ipswich and Southampton compare favourably with those to be effected at Liverpool and Manchester?

:Due regard will be had to safeguarding the Revenue in any proposals for effecting economies in the Customs and Excise Department. I am not aware of any special proposals relating to the staff at the four ports in question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of the staff of the Cabinet Secretariat, the number of messengers, porters, and charwomen included in the staff, and the amount of wages paid to them?

:The total staff of the Cabinet Secretariat on the 1st July, 1921, was 121, including 3 officers loaned from other Departments, and

19 messengers and 2 porters, with wages (including bonus) from £3 11s. 7d. to £4 4s. l0d. per week.

16 charwomen, 1 with wages (including bonus) £2 13s. per week, and 15 at £2 1s. Id. per week.

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

:The number of the staff of the Foreign Office entitled to not more than four weeks' ( i.e., 24 working days) annual leave is 203, while 150 officials are entitled to over 28 working days' leave annually. It may be added that owing to pressure of work, which at present shows no signs of diminution, many of the officials in the latter category have been unable for several years past to take the full period of leave to which they are entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether by Army Council Instruction 157, of 1920, the officers in charge of temporary clerical staffs at the Army Pay Office were told to give their redundant clerks a month's notice, and as far as possible a month's period of warning before such notice; whether Mr. A. P. Jones, of the Hounslow Pay Office, who served there right through the War, was discharged without such period of warning, in spite of having an excellent character; and what steps he proposes to take?

:The arrangement referred to is a temporary concession to be adopted where possible. Owing to the fact that a reduction of establishment had to be effected at short notice, it was not possible to follow the arrangement in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, as a unit in the Territorial Force, trained between 11,000 and 12,000 officers during the War; that, in consequence of temporary recruiting difficulties, the corps has now been ordered to choose between disbandment, amalgamation with another corps, or the acceptance of the status of a corps outside the Territorial Force, whose members will be enrolled and not sworn in; and whether, in view of the regiment's distinguished record and its good service during the War, he will reconsider the desirability of maintaining it as a separate unit of the Territorial Force?

:I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply on Tuesday last to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Maddocks).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who rejoin the Territorial Army after service in the Defence Force will be allowed to count their training in the force in lieu of Territorial drills or attendance at camp?

:Men who rejoin the Territorial Army after service in the Defence Force will be allowed to count such service towards a proportion of the obligations which must be fulfilled for the purpose of qualifying for bounty. The conditions are laid down in Army Orders 165, 209, and 211 of 1921, copies of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that on the 3rd of April, 1921, spring leave to visit their homes was granted the crew of H.M.S. "Hood" during her annual refit at Rosyth, and that, having accepted this, they paid their return railway fares themselves, at the rate of £2 18s. 7d. from Edinburgh to London, and higher for more distant destinations, such as Devonport; that on their arrival at their homes the crew were recalled immediately, owing to labour troubles in Scotland, and rejoined H.M.S. "Hood" accordingly, remaining on duty until the 13th of June; that on that date, the "Hood' being in Portland harbour, an order was issued that all men proceeding on leave after recall were to be issued with travelling warrants and claim expenses for outward and return journeys, provided the amount did not exceed the cost of travelling at the port at which their ship was lying at the time of recall; and that this order included travelling from Devonport to London and back at £1 12s., and also from Portland to Devonport, where 50 per cent. of the crew live; and whether he is prepared to order the refund to the men of the difference arising where the return railway fares paid by them from Edinburgh have exceeded the amount of the present fares, especially as their fares to Devonport would be only nominal at the cost of the Admiralty as compared with fares paid by the crew from Scotland?

:The matter of repayment of the expenses incurred by officers and men of H.M.S. "Hood" is still under consideration, but I hope to be in a position to answer the hon. Member's question at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether considerable salvage and dredging operations are being carried out in Belgian waters; and what is the cost of these operations to this country?

:Considerable salvage operations have been in progress, but they are now practically completed. Their cost is being borne by the Belgian Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the disappearance of Mr. Garnet Kellaway, warrant engineer, Royal Navy (retired), and of his failure in consequence to provide any maintenance for his wife, payment of a portion of the pension to which he is entitled may be made to her, since she is left wholly without means of livelihood?

:The course suggested is not within the powers of the Admiralty. The Admiralty has informed this officer that his retired pay has been, and will remain, suspended until he satisfies them in this matter of the proper support of his wife

asked the Minister of Pensions if Mrs. Horan, of Barnard Castle, an old woman aged 74, who lost three sons and a son-in-law in the late War, has been advised that she must not draw her old age pension because she is getting a pension for the loss of her sons in the War; if such old age pension can be drawn by her; and if he is aware that, due to her infirmity, she has to get and pay for assistance?

:Mrs. Koran's means having increased, it became necessary for the pension officer to submit to the local pension committee the question whether she was in receipt of an old age pension at a higher rate than that to which she was entitled. Payment of the old age pension was not stopped, but, in accordance with usual practice, the pensioner was warned that the question was being raised and that, if the old age pension was revoked or reduced, she might be called upon to refund any overpayment. The decision on the question rests with the local pension committee or with the Minister of Health if the committee's decision is appealed against either by the pensioner or the pension officer.

asked the Prime Minister how many days the steamship "Politician" has been detained at Mauritius waiting to load sugar; and whether the demurrage charge on this steamer amounts to £300 per day?

:I have been asked to reply. The steamer "Politician" was reported ready to receive cargo on 12th May, and loading was completed on 2nd June, no demurrage having been incurred.

asked the Prime Minister how many steamships have been, or are now, waiting at Mauritius to load sugar; whether the facilities at that place are only sufficient to load two steamers at one time; what will be the total sum for demurrage on this transaction; and whether all these steamers were chartered at rates much in excess of present-day rates?

:I have been asked to reply. The number of steamers that have loaded sugar at Mauritius during 1921 is estimated at 46; it is understood that none are now loading or waiting to load. The port facilities at Port Louis allow of four vessels being loaded simultaneously. I am unable to answer the last two parts of the question, as many of the steamers were privately chartered for importation of sugar on private account.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent statement of the Lord Privy Seal to the effect that it was not then proposed to fill the three remaining places in the Court at the Hague awarded to the British Empire in case any matter might be referred to it of interest to the Dominions who are not represented separately at the Hague, he, having held conference with the Dominion Premiers, is now in a position to proceed with the appointments to the three vacant places?

:The matter has not yet been decided.

asked the Prime Minister whether an undertaking was given or implied to Germany precedent to their acceptance of the Allied nations' ultimatum of the 5th May to the effect that upon the acceptance of the terms of the said ultimatum the sanctions would be withdrawn; and whether Germany agreed to the ultimatum on the condition that the sanctions should automatically be withdrawn?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Germany 'accepted the ultimatum unconditionally, and no undertaking was given or implied that the sanctions previously imposed would be withdrawn.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Government has been informed of cases of civilian British subjects who during the War suffered in Germany at the hands of German subjects injury to person and health and loss of property, particularly while interned as civilian prisoners under German legislation; that many of such persons are, as the result of the injury and loss thus suffered, now in serious want and distress; whether any, and, if so, what public funds exist out of which the needs of such persons can be immediately and adequately relieved; and to whom requests for relief should be addressed?

:I am asked to reply. The claims lodged with the Reparation Claims Department disclose that a number of British civilians who were in- terned in Germany have been injured in person and health, and the particulars furnished indicate that some of these) persons are in straitened circumstances. Persons whose property in Germany has been confiscated or damaged under German War legislation have a remedy under the economic Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, and all claims in respect thereof should be lodged with the Clearing Office. Those cases falling within the reparation provisions of the Treaty of Peace will be submitted to the Commission which the Chancellor of the Exchequer is now setting up, and with regard to the payment of any sums awarded, I can only draw my hon. Friend's attention to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on the 20th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the reason for the delay in the settlement of enemy debts through the Clearing Office?

:I have been asked to reply. There is no avoidable delay on the part of the British Clearing Office in the settlement of enemy debts. On the 15th of each month the British Clearing Office pays all debts of which it has received notice of admission from the German Clearing Office during the preceding month. The amount so paid up to the 15th June, 1921, is £23,818,984 19s. 8d., and a further sum of £1,662,013 14s. 8d. will be paid on the 15th instant.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the sums estimated to be expended in the year 1921–22 upon salaries, bonus allowances, and travelling expenses in connection with land settlement in Scotland?

:The estimated sums are respectively £44,600, £35,570, and £17,670.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can indicate the date on which the Report on the cost of working-class dwellings in Scotland will be published?

:The Report is at present in the hands of the printers. I cannot yet state the date of publication; but I hope it will be available for issue in about a fortnight's time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, notwithstanding the fact that he has undertaken to insert a Clause in the Finance Bill exempting Scottish education authorities from payment of male servant's duty in respect of their janitors, and in that way clear up the doubt in the present position, the Customs and Excise Authorities in Scotland are nevertheless taking proceedings against the Renfrewshire education authority and others for payment of this duty, the test case to be heard at Paisley on Monday next; and whether, having regard to what is now the policy of the Government in this matter, he will give instructions to stop the proceedings?

:In view of the proposed legislation, instructions have been given to stop these proceedings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether negotiations have been proceeding with the United States with a view to the funding of the British debt; whether certain plans have been discussed; what is the result of such negotiations; and when may a result be expected?

:No negotiations have taken place on this subject since the summer of last year, when some tentative discussions took place, but were not proceeded with.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Treaty, 1911, is not procurable at the Sale Office of the House of Commons, it being out of print; and whether, in view of its importance, he will give instructions to have it reprinted?

:The Treaty in question was reprinted in 1920 and is procurable at all Government Sale Offices. Arrangements have been made for its being obtainable at the Sale Office of the House of Commons.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Japanese Alliance presupposes a common policy in respect to China; and whether His Majesty's Government is able under this Alliance publicly to dissociate itself from aspects of Japanese action which do not recommend themselves to opinion in this country?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply just returned by the Prime Minister to other questions on this subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether' the late managing director of the firm of contractors for the printing of Treasury Notes is now employed at His Majesty's Stationery Office printing works at Harrow; and, if so, what are his duties and the amount of his salary?

:The gentleman to whom I understand the hon. and gallant Member to refer was formerly connected with the firm of contractors in question, in the capacity of joint general manager, and not as managing director. He is not now employed in the Stationery Office at a salary, but as a member of the Advisory Committee on Government Printing Offices under the Chairmanship of the Deputy-Controller of the Stationery Office, which renders expert assistance and advice on the management of the Government printing works at Harrow and elsewhere. For his expert services on this Committee the gentleman in question receives a fee of 1,500 guineas payable in three annual instalments.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the report of a public meeting at Hull addressed by Mr. Reginald Wilson, of the British Empire Union, in which it was stated that the union had a great deal to do with the imprisonment of people who proclaimed what was termed revolutionary opinions; that the union had a secret service department and were working in conjunction with the Government; and what the relationships are between the Government and the British Empire Union?

:I have not seen any report of the meeting. There is no relationship between the Government and the British Empire Union. The union has not influenced the Government in the prosecution of offenders, and I have no knowledge of their secret service department, if such a department exists.

asked the Home Secretary how often Church of England services are held in convict prisons on week-days?

:Church of England weekday services are held, generally speaking, once a week. Formerly there was a short service daily, but this was changed on representations made by chaplains of convict prisons, supported by the chaplain inspector, that a better spiritual result would be likely to follow from one longer service, with an address, on one week-day only, and experience has justified the change.

asked the Home Secretary how often and under what conditions a visiting prison minister, other than a Wesleyan or Roman Catholic, is allowed to hold a religious service for prisoners of his denomination; whether such a minister would be allowed to visit prisoners on more than one afternoon in the week; if he is usually provided with a cell key for that purpose as is the case with Wesleyan ministers; and whether in most prisons it is usual to encourage all Nonconformist prisoners to attend the services held every three weeks by the Wesleyan prison minister?

:Ministers, who are duly appointed by the Commissioners, are allowed to perform divine service at such times as may be appointed, which must depend on the numbers attending and other local circumstances. There is no limit to the number of visits they may pay. Cell keys are provided where appli- cation is made and where due regard for security can be arranged. All prisoners are informed on admission of their privileges as regards visitation by their own ministers, and it is not the practice to encourage prisoners to attend services other than those of their own persuasion.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a statement reported to have been made by a governor of one of His Majesty's prisons, i.e., that the long interval between the commitment and trial of a prisoner was very bad, and that the notice of the Prison Commissioners had been called to it with a view to alteration; and, seeing that an alteration of the law is necessary, and that such would not be contentious and likely to receive every support in the House, will he introduce legislation this Session to deal with this urgent matter?

:I am aware that cases occasionally occur of long detention in prison before trial. They are happily few in number, and I am anxious to find a remedy; but the matter is an extremely difficult one, and no remedy has been suggested which does not raise many points of controversy. I propose, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, to examine the whole question and endeavour to find a solution.

asked the Minister of Health the aggregate amount in Poor Law relief distributed in the three months of April, May, and June, as compared with the figures for the corresponding months in 1920?

:I hope to be able to give an approximate figure at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of his statement made on the 15th June to the effect that the grant of out-relief to able-bodied persons was a matter for the Poor Law guardians to decide, having regard to Article XII of the Relief Regulation Order, 1911, which lays down that until the Ministry approve the relief is un- lawful and the guardians should be surcharged, he proposes to withdraw or amend Article XII?

:I think my hon. Friend has misread the Regulation to which he refers. It provides that if the guardians deem it expedient to depart from the Regulations and report the departure to the Ministry, then, either if the Ministry approve or if the relief shall not have been given after notice from the Ministry disapproving thereof, the relief granted, shall, if otherwise lawful, not be deemed unlawful or subject to disallowance.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the total expenditure on salaries of teachers in public elementary schools for the year ended 31st March, 1914; and what is the estimated expenditure on such salaries under the allocation of standard scales approved by him and the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the current financial year and for the next three financial years?

:In 1913–14 the expenditure was £16,415,827. For 1921–22 the local Education Authorities have estimated it at £43,298,855. The Board are examining these Estimates which may require correction in view of the conclusions at which the Board have arrived, on a review of the Reports on Standard Scales and their allocation made by Lord Burnham's Committee. The Board estimate that the full cost of salaries on the new salary scales, when applied to the number of teachers last year, will rise to £45,228,000 in 1923–24.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has power to bring agricultural labourers under Trade Boards; and, if not, whether power to do so will be taken?

:I cannot undertake to express an opinion as to whether the agricultural industry is a trade to which the Trade Boards Acts could be applied, but from the reports of the proceedings when the Act of 1918 was under discusion I do not gather it was contemplated that it would be so treated. The proposals of the Government in this connection are indicated in the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received representations asking for an inquiry to be held into the working of the Disabled Ex-service Men's Training Scheme; and if he can state his decision in the matter?

:I have received from one source a suggestion that an inquiry should be held into the working of the Disabled Men's Training Scheme. I do not consider that there is any necessity for such an inquiry, though of course the working of the scheme in all its features is under my daily personal supervision.

asked the Postmaster-General the cause of the delay now being experienced in the receipt of cables from South Africa; whether he is aware that this delay amounts in some cases to five days; and that it is causing a great deal of inconvenience?

:The recent delays on South African cable traffic have been due to the unavoidable interruption of some of the Eastern Company's cables. I am assured by the company that every effort is being made to reduce the delays. The position is improving, and the present delay on South African full rate traffic, both outward and homeward, is about 1½ days.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether exceptional profits were made in the exporting districts during the period before decontrol; whether such profits were pooled; and whether the effect of such pooling was to enable a reduction in price of coal to be made throughout the country?

:Exceptionally high profits were made on exported coal during part of the period of control, and the Government restriction on export made it necessary to pool those profits. But the pool is estimated to have been exhausted before the termination of control by the losses made in the inland, and, latterly, in the exporting districts.

asked the Secretary for Mines what amount was taken in profit by the mineowners during the five years preceding the War for every £100 taken in wages by the workmen?

:It has been estimated that in the year 1913 the amount taken in profits was £23 for every £100 paid in wages. For the four years prior to 1913 the same data are not available, but on such data as are available the comparable figure for 1912 is calculated to be about £19, and that for the average of the five years 1909–1913 about £16. I ought to add, however, that there is always a question as to what exactly constitutes net profits, and under the terms of settlement this question has to be decided for the future by the National Board. It is impossible therefore to make any exact comparison between the ratio of profits to wages before the War with that which is provided for in the new agreement.

asked the Secretary for Mines on what date the Government were made aware that if economic conditions were allowed to have full play the wage reductions necessitated thereby in South Wales, Northumberland, Cumberland, Scotland, Lancashire, and North Wales would be so great as to justify Government aid in those districts?

:I have nothing to add to the full explanation of the position that was given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 28th June.

asked the Secretary for Mines what were the new facts brought before the Government on the 27th June, 1921, which convinced the Government that without Government aid there could only be a very partial resumption of work in the coalfields?

:I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to his question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers and men called up during the coal lock-out from 1st April till the settlement as reservists, etc.; and the cost to the nation?

:The numbers called up from the Reserve of Officers and the Army Reserve were about 60,000. The extra cost on this account is estimated at £2,600,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is intended to introduce a Bill dealing with the Irish railways before the House rises; and, if not, what provision, if any, is to be made for the continued control of the Irish railways until necessary legislation has been passed?

:Control of the railways in Ireland, as of those in Great Britain, ceases on 14th August. It is proposed to introduce a short Bill this Session dealing with the claims of the Irish railways arising out of control.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the considerable number of accidents to heavy motor vehicles conveying passengers which are attributed to brake failure; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take for the protection of the public using this means of conveyance?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. I am aware that certain accidents have occurred to heavy motor vehicles conveying passengers owing to brake failure. All vehicles-licensed to ply for hire are liable to be inspected by the Licensing Authority. The question of what, if any, further steps can be taken will be considered by the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Road Vehicles.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any, and, if so, what, steps have been taken to recover the sum of £140,129 lost on the sale of imported feeding stuffs which were purchased by the Wholesale Agricultural Society in 1919, and which were taken up by the Ministry of Food and realised by them for the account of the society?

:I have nothing at present to add to paragraph 18 of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (Cmd. 1368), except that the statement which the society promised to submit has just been received, but has not yet been considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what price was obtained for the 22 ex-enemy trawlers lying in Immingham and Grimsby just sold to a British buyer with option to transfer to any flag; whether they were sold as they lie without bottom examination; and who was the purchaser?

:The trawlers were sold by Lord Inchcape, on behalf of the Reparation Commission, to Sir Alec Black, without the usual clause as to bottom examination. As stated on previous occasions, it is not desirable to publish at present the prices paid for particular ships or blocks of ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Soudan is one of the territories included within the area for the production of cotton within the British Empire that will have the support of the Government scheme?

:Without going into the question of the status of the Soudan, that country is within the area for the production of cotton that will be within the scope of the Government scheme.

asked the Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department what arrangements have been made for the British Trade Delegation at Moscow; what is its composition; when will it get to work; and what are the returns of British trade with Russia for the successive months which have elapsed since the signature of the Anglo-Russian Trading Agreement?

:A house has been secured in Moscow for the British Mission. The composition of the Mission was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Hexham Division for Northumberland (Captain Brown) on the 23rd June. The Mission will leave for Russia about the middle of the present month. As regards the last part of the question, the f.o.b. value of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned from the United Kingdom to Russia during recent months is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the statement contained in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on trading accounts and balance sheets that a sum of approximately £100,000 has been overpaid to the distribution agents in connection with the sales of condensed milk; whether the Ministry has taken legal advice on the question and, if so, what advice was given; and whether the Ministry is taking any, and what, steps to recover the amounts overpaid?

:I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second that it is proposed at once to ask the Law Officers for their opinion. The third part, accordingly, does not at present arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Jewish colony at Richon-la-Zion, near Jaffa, and the other Jewish colonies in Palestine, founded there 20 or 30 years ago, are completely self-supporting and now paying their way, or whether they have to be kept going by outside subscriptions?

:I have no official information as to the financial position of the colonies referred to, which were founded by private enterprise, but I can place the hon. and gallant Member in touch with possible sources of information if he so desires.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the action, Everett v. Griffiths and Anklesaria, and to a pamphlet, entitled, "Judge-made Law," published by the plaintiff and appellant in the said action; and whether, in view of the serious charges contained therein, he can have an independent public inquiry made into them?

:I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave upon this matter on the 22nd June last.