asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the great interest now being taken by the public in the economical use of coal, he can state what results have been obtained from the researches carried out at the fuel research station at Greenwich; what is the staff at work at the station; and what is the annual outlay in connection with the same?

It is not possible within the limits of an answer to a question to give the results of the research into the national problems which the Fuel Research Station was established to investigate. Papers on certain aspects of the large question of fuel economy have already been issued. They include:—

In view of the importance of these lectures and statements, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to have them published and circulated?

Of course, I have no objection at all. I do not think it is usual to publish a lecture as an official document, but I will make inquiries.

Has any of this work been done on a commercial scale, or so far only on a laboratory scale?

On a sufficiently large scale to be able to judge of the manufacturing and economic possibilities involved.

Could a short White Paper be published giving roughly the facts of the investigation, for the information of the House?

I think it would be rather hard to ask the author of the paper to make an abstract of it. It was not an official lecture at all. I do not think it would be a good precedent to start the idea that official abstracts should be made of lectures given by private individuals.

I did not mean an abstract of the lecture, but an account of what is being done at this station, which is subsidised by public funds—not a résumé of the lecture, but a résumé of the work.

There is ample information given, or in process of being given—a very full account—and my hon. Friend would be well advised to consult the original authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if German ships obtain coal just now at a price equivalent to 20s. per ton and are manned at one-third of the prices paid to the crews of British ships?

Such information as we have goes to show that the cost of coal and of wages on a German ship is much lower than on a British ship, but I am not in a position to give exact figures. I am making further inquiries, and will inform the hon. Baronet of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average weekly consumption of butter per head of the population during the past six months?

It is estimated to be about 4 ozs., taking imported and home-produced butter together.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a differential export duty on palm kernels is imposed in territories held under a mandate?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is a sufficiency of consular officers to fulfil, without undue inconvenience to traders, the duties cast upon them by Clause 4 and other Clauses of the Safe- guarding of Industries Bill; and, if not, will necessary new appointments be made?

I have every hope that it will be practicable to discharge any such duties adequately without adding to the number of consular officers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what limits he proposes to set on the terms of reference to Committees set up under Clause 7 of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill to inquire into cases of alleged dumping?

I propose to make a statement on the subject when the Bill comes up for Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has formed any estimate as to the cost of the referees to be appointed under the Safeguarding of Industries Bill; and whether they can be dismissed by the Treasury?

Referees will only be appointed if and when their services are required, and it is not therefore possible to form any estimate of the costs that may be involved. There will be no standing appointments, and the question of dismissal, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the goods of any class or description referred to in Clause 2 of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill include articles partly manufactured?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister of Health recently stated exactly the reverse?

I missed that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the valuation of articles which have been exported to undergo processes abroad, the duty will be levied by the Board of Trade under Clause 3 of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill on the cost of the transport of the article outward and homeward as well as on the cost of the foreign process?

Duty is leviable in such cases on the difference between the value of the goods when received back in this country and the original value of the goods free on board when exported for further manufacture. The answer to the hon. Member's question is therefore in the affirmative.

Are we to take it then that we are imposing a duty of 33⅓ per cent. on the British shipping industry so far as this matter is concerned?

I should not say that.

asked the President of the Board) of Trade for what purpose is his Department requiring from firms the stocks of barley stored in their warehouses?

It has been decided by the Government that information regarding the amount and distribution within the country of certain important foodstuffs is of sufficient importance to warrant the continuation of part of the inquiries on this subject formerly conducted by the Ministry of Food. After consideration by the various Departments interested in the particulars obtained, it was arranged that the actual collection of the information should be carried out by the Board of Trade, the results being made available for the use of the other Departments.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered for what purpose these returns are required. Is it for the next war?

I think it is for the purpose of information.

Why should the Treasury be put to the expense and inconvenience of getting these returns only to satisfy the somewhat futile curiosity of Government Departments?

It is difficult to strike a happy mean. If we do not get them, we are accused of slackness. If we do, we are accused of extravagance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman apply the Safeguarding of Industries Bill to it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Report on the glassware trade prepared by a sub-committee appointed under the Profiteering Acts, in which it is stated that they do not consider profits made by members of the Northern Association of Pressed Glass Manufacturers since the Armistice to have been justified and that the necessity of Government supervision of such associations is urgent; and whether there is any prospect of immediate legislation along the lines recommended by the Committee on Trusts in their Report dated April, 1919?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second, I would refer to the answer given on the 30th June to the hon. Member for Wigan.

On a point of Order, several hon. Members whose names have been called are serving on the Railway Committee. Is there any possibility that such Members may have some indulgence and be allowed to have their questions put by someone else?

I think it would be dangerous to make a change without consideration. I will consider the matter, but I doubt whether it is possible to do it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the pleadings have been closed so that the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal may hear, without further delay, the case to decide whether British claims, lodged 18 months ago with the Clearing House, for enemy debts in respect of British balances handed during the War by German banks to the German custodian for enemy debts, are to be dealt with under Article 296 or Article 297 of the Peace Treaty?

As the result of discussions which have recently taken place in Berlin between the Controller of the British Clearing Office and the Director of the German Ministry of Reconstruction, the latter has now agreed to credit at once claims of the description referred to under Article 297, and there is therefore no occasion to proceed with a case before the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal.

asked the Prime Minister what is the present situation in Upper Silesia; what progress has been made with the disarmament of the insurgents in Upper Silesia; and when it is anticipated that a settlement will be reached with regard to the future of Upper Silesia?

Both the Polish insurgents and the German self-protection forces have been dissolved, and the members of these who have come from Poland and Germany respectively are reported to have evacuated the plebiscite area. The forces crossing the frontiers of Germany and Poland are being disarmed at the instance of the Inter-Allied Commission of Control in Germany and Polish authorities respectively. It is hoped that a settlement with regard to the future of Upper Silesia will be reached at the next meeting of the Supreme Council, the date of which is still uncertain.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has now received the official Report of the trials at Leipzig of alleged War criminals on the British list; if so, whether he will lay the same upon the Table, or circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT; and will he undertake to give the House an opportunity, before rising, of discussing the matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. Some portions of the Report of the trials referred to have been received and are being translated, and I am preparing a document for the information of the House. As regards the last part of the question, it was stated in answer to a question on the 23rd June last that it was intended to afford such an opportunity if that were the generally expressed desire of hon. Members.

Is not the statement to the effect that it had better be deferred until the results in the case of the French list had been completed?

Is it not a fact that the French and Belgian Governments have withdrawn their representatives from Leipzig owing to the nature of the sentences that have been passed, and is this country prepared to take joint action with our Allies in insisting upon transferring the remainder of the trials to their own countries and this country?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will wait he will find that the next question on the Paper deals with that matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the result of the Leipzig trials so far as the French list is concerned; and whether, in view of the derisory nature of the whole proceedings so far, he will confer with our Allies as to the desirableness of transferring the remainder of the trials to their own countries and Britain?

I have been asked to answer this question. As to the first part of it, I have no information beyond what is contained in the newspapers. As to the second part, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on the 29th June last.

Have the Government of France in this matter acted entirely on their own responsibility, without even consulting or informing the British Government, and are we always going to wait for a lead from France before we take action in dealing with Germany?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, he is as well qualified as I am to draw the necessary inference from the statement which has been made in the House. In answer to the second part of the question, I am not aware that we have waited either on this or on any other occasion.

Do I understand that France has withdrawn from this Leipzig farce without any communication with our Government? If so, cannot we at least do the same?

Whatever action has been taken by France—and I am not in the least adopting the hon. Member's description of it—has been taken without, so far as I am aware, any communication with us.

Are we going to submit a fresh list to Leipzig for trial?

The hon. Member knows that the answer to that question is in the negative. He ascertained that himself some time ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of persons employed by the Food Control Department; and what is the total monthly cost of its maintenance?

The total staff of the Food Department had been reduced by 1st July to 1,344, of whom, practically four-fifths are employed on the liquidation of stocks. The present monthly cost is approximately £30,000.

Are the regional and transport officers of the right hon. Gentleman's Department still in being, and, if so, how long are they likely to be continued if there is no work for them to do?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, on the dissolution of such War-time Ministries as National Service, Food, and Reconstruction, large numbers of those employed sought shelter in the Ministry of Labour: and will he say what effort is being made to bring the Ministry of Labour into line with other Government Departments as regards the displacement of its redundant officials?

I am bound at once to take objection to the implication clearly intended by the use of the phrase "sought shelter in the Ministry of Labour." The staff of the Ministry of Labour had to be increased in November, 1918, in order to provide for the transfer of labour duties from the Ministry of Munitions, the establishment of the Department of Civil Demobilisation and Resettlement, and the institution of the Out-of-work Donation Scheme; and considerable numbers of temporary officers were consequently transferred to the Ministry from other Departments. The staff engaged for these extra duties reached its highest point in May, 1919, and between that date and September, 1920, was reduced by 11,000.

Since then a large increase of staff has been necessary on account of the extension of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and the state of unemployment, but this has been engaged on a casual (week-to-week) basis, as I have already stated. Every effort has been made to reduce the staff of the Ministry as quickly as possible, and I may add that the special Investigating Committee presided over by the hon. and gallant Member for the Uxbridge Division, which was appointed last autumn to inquire into the staff and methods of work of the Ministry, found that the staff was not excessive or uneconomical, and in its Report went on to say: "The authorities of the Ministry appear to us to be fully alive to the necessity for economy in carrying cut that policy, and we are especially struck by the continuous reductions which have taken place."

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell us how many millionaires have sought shelter in the Middle Class Union?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is taking steps to ensure that time will be granted for a discussion on the admission of women to the Civil Service, regard being had to the Government's promise in this respect made some months ago?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now prepared to carry out the Government pledge that time would be granted for a Debate on the admission of women to the Civil Service; and is he aware that hardship is being done to many women because the Regulations which have been prepared are not effective till the Debate has taken place?

asked the Prime Minister when a day will be given to debate the Regulations admitting women to the Civil Service; and whether, in view of the fact that the Regulations cannot come into force until after the Debate, an early day can be named?

I regret that it has not yet been found possible to find time for this discussion, but my hon. Friends will appreciate the difficulty of allocating a special day for such a Debate in the present congestion of Parliamentary business. In the circumstances, I would suggest that, if time permit, the discussion should take place on the Treasury Vote, which is to be put down at the earliest possible date. If this course prove impracticable. I will endeavour to arrange for time to be given on one of the remaining Fridays of the Session, but at the moment I cannot make definite arrangements.

Will the Treasury Vote be the first Order of the day?

I hope to make it the first Order.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of issuing some definite statement on this matter, as many parents of limited means are allowing their children to enter for these examinations when there is no hope of their being selected, and the Civil Service does not in any way lead to the possibility of a job outside the Service?

I do not quite understand the hon. Member's question. The question on the Paper is a request for time to discuss Regulations which are already published. The Regulations are before the public, and parents ought not to make their plans without knowledge of those Regulations.

Most of the schoolmistresses in the London area are still taking children to be trained for the Civil Service examinations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Cabinet is aware of the feeling in the country that the Ministry of Transport might well be transferred to the Board of Trade or some other Department; and whether he will direct an inquiry to be made as to what economies could be effected by this action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave on Wednesday last to similar questions on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I purposely put the question at the end because it was not dealt with the other day? Will the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiries to be made as to the amount of the economy which might be effected by getting rid of his colleague and all his works?

The answer which I gave the other day was that I could not make a statement on the subject until there had been full time for consideration both of the amount of work which remains to be done and of the best means of doing it efficiently. Of course efficiency includes economy.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the reason for continuing the Development and Civil Engineering Department of the Ministry; what useful purpose it is serving at the present time; whether it has carried out any schemes of public utility during the past two years; when it will be finally abolished;

(2) what steps are being taken to secure an immediate reduction of the staff and expenditure in the Traffic and Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ministry; whether he will give particulars of the class of traffic it controls; and if he will state the salary paid to the director-general of traffic, together with the salaries of other directors?

In order to effect economy of staff made possible by the reduction of work, the Development and Civil Engineering Departments of the Ministry were each reduced by approximately one-half in March last, and the remaining staffs were amalgamated; at the same time considerable savings were also effected in the Traffic and Mechanical Engineering Departments. The details and salaries are shown in the Estimates. The present staffs are engaged in the administration of both permanent and temporary duties of the Ministry. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that, as already stated in an answer given by the Lord Privy Seal on the 22nd ultimo to the hon. and gallant Member for Reigate, a reorganisation is under consideration, including very considerable reductions of staff.

Was the Development and Civil Engineering Department set up to deal with light railway schemes? Has the department directly or indirectly established a single light railway in the country, and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that these two departments justify an annual expenditure of £48,000?

Did the right hon. Gentleman not state in Debate that these staffs were engaged in contemplation of great problems, and if they have been solving such problems, why have we not heard of them?

I did not say that. It was the right hon. Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith).

His statement was based on what you said.

May I have a reply to my supplementary question?

I am afraid I shall have to ask for notice of it, as I have not the exact figures to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has any check upon the number of hours in which civil servants are actually engaged upon official duties; and whether, with a view to national economy and the elimination of superfluous officials, the Treasury will instruct the heads of each department to make the actual working hours correspond to those of the banking institutions of the country?

The general control exercised by the Treasury over conditions of employment in the Civil Service applies also to the hours of duty. Every effort is being made to effect as rapidly as possible all feasible reductions in the staffs employed in Government Departments, but I should not regard as practicable a general increase in the hours of work already prescribed for the different classes of the Civil Service.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether he does not consider the hours for banking institutions as suitable hours for civil servants?

That is the question just answered.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the serious distress that has arisen owing to the great lack of employment, the Government will suspend the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, which enables landlords to further increase the rent of working-class houses 10 per cent. in the present month; if he is aware that the organised workers of this country are of opinion that, owing to the reduction that has taken place since the passing of the Act both in wages and the cost of material for repairs, the increase of rent is not justified: and if he will take action in the matter?

I can add nothing to the answer given on Friday, the 1st July, by the Leader of the House in reply to a Private Notice question by the hon. Member for Dartford.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the cutting down of their unemployment benefit many people are unable to pay their rent?

Will the Government at some future date consider the advisability of revoking this Act, in consequence of the modification of wages and other conditions?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration what would be the economic rents of cottages if the Rent Restriction Acts were abolished before confirming the suggestion of the hon. Member?

I am afraid it would have a very disastrous effect on building operations in the country if we were to repeal the provisions of that Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have decided that no housing subsidies will be paid in respect of any schemes submitted after the 1st July?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not in a position to give an answer to-day, but if the hon. Gentleman will put the question down for Thursday I hope to be able to make a full statement of the decision of the Government on housing.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Greek landing at Smyrna was in direct opposition to his pledge of 5th January, 1918, he will say whether this landing has given rise to the present situation and who was responsible for suggesting this landing?

The landing at Smyrna was in no sense a departure from the pledge of January, 1918. That applied only to the parts of Asia Minor and Thrace which were Turkish homelands. Sir Robert Borden, the British Commissioner who investigated the case of Smyrna, reported that the population was Greek in the majority, and not Turk The landing was effected at the request of the British, French and American representatives at the Peace Conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether any threat to Constantinople and the neutral zones of the Straits is anticipated from the Turkish Nationalists; and whether an attempt to negotiate with the Turks will be made before British naval and military forces become involved?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. British forces will not be involved, unless they be deliberately attacked.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, whether an attempt will be made to negotiate with the Turks, and could we have some information about the negotiations of General Harington and the Kemalists?

I am afraid that the news is not very satisfactory.

May we ask what is the news? Are we not entitled to hear of this matter?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Chamber has formally reported to the Prime Minister of France that after the Greek refusal of the Allied offer of mediation France should on no account afford the Greek Government, directly or indirectly, military or financial assistance; and whether these words describe the policy of His Majesty's Government in this behalf?

I am aware of the motion to which the hon. Member refers. In reply to the second part of the question, I need only say that His Majesty's Government has maintained, and desires to maintain, an attitude of strict neutrality in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware he cannot give too much emphasis to that, because in India and everywhere else we are under the suspicion of favouring the Greeks?

I shall carefully note the view of my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he and Monsieur Clemenceau decided to partition Albania in 1920; whether Mr. Wilson protested, and the policy was then abandoned; whether Albania has since then appealed to the League of Nations to delimit the frontiers between herself and other Members of the League of Nations; whether this impartial tribunal has been denied to her by the Supreme Council at the request of the Allied Governments; and if the former policy of partitioning the country is to be reverted to?

As regards the first two parts of the question, my hon. Friend has only to refer to the Treaty of London of the 26th April, 1915, to find that a partition of Albania was contemplated by that pact. President Wilson never accepted that pact. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, my hon. Friend is, I think, under some misapprehension. The Albanian Government has approached the League of Nations with an appeal for intervention in certain local differences which have arisen with their neighbours. The Council of the League decided not to intervene pending the discussion by the Ambassadors' Conference of the question of the frontiers, but expressed the hope that, in the meantime, all parties would abstain from provocative action, and that the Ambassadors' Conference would arrive at a decision without delay. As regards the last part of the question, the matter is at this moment being discussed in Paris, and I can, at this stage, make no forecast as to the course which the discussions are likely to follow or the decision which will be arrived at.

asked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, which Dominion Governments have refused to be associated with the Empire wireless chain under State ownership; and what are the declared reasons for such refusals?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is intended to constitute a permanent committee to promote intercommunication between the different parts of the Empire to carry on the work of the special committee of the Imperial Conference which is now considering the whole subject of imperial communications;

(2) whether it is the policy of the Government, in co-operation with the Governments of the Dominions and of India, to provide facilities for direct communication by wireless telegraphy between this country and each of the Dominions and with India, without more intermediate stations than are absolutely necessary, in order to reduce costs of transmission as low as possible?

I am not in a position to make any statement upon this subject pending the decisions of the Imperial Conference.

Is it not a fact that considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed by the Overseas Dominions owing to the slowness of progress under State enterprise, as compared with other enterprises in other countries which are not so dependent upon the State?

I think they would like to speed up.

asked the Prime Minister whether, after the Imperial Conference is over, he will revert to the usual constitutional practice and attend the House regularly at Question time?

I realise that it is a disadvantage that the Prime Minister cannot attend here every day to answer questions; but until there is some considerable reduction in the volume of work falling to the share of the Prime Minister, and which he alone can discharge, I fear that the present arrangements must continue. I may perhaps add that a large number, and, perhaps, even a majority, of the questions addressed to me should, and I say this quite respectfully, be addressed to those of my colleagues whose Departments are more immediately concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can expedite the appointment of the Estimates Committee so that at least it may commence its investigations before the House adjourns for the Recess?

The Committee was appointed by the House on Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, since their transfer to the Ministry of Labour, Employment Exchanges, which were set up for a limited and specific purpose, have assumed through advisory committees the power of laying down the terms and conditions on which those seeking employment shall or shall not accept the employment offered to them; and whether it is the policy of the Government that such powers shall be exercised by State Employment Exchanges acting through their committees?

No such power has been assumed either by the Exchanges or by the advisory committees connected with them. I explained in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 4th July that, in accordance with special rules made by the Board of Trade in 1913, certain of the juvenile advisory committees, which are voluntary bodies consisting largely of representatives of the local education authorities, have formulated standard conditions for the guidance of the Exchanges in dealing with boys and girls under 18. Apart from this the Exchanges are prepared to deal with any vacancy the terms and conditions of which are not illegal.

May I point out that I asked the Minister of Labour a precise question, and he gave me the same answer. As I think they are acting ultra vires, I am asking the Prime Minister to answer the question now. I do not want the Minister of Labour to answer. It only wastes his time and mine.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the over-staffing of the State Employment Exchanges and the consequent addition to the burden of the taxpayer; if he will ascertain whether temporary Employment Exchanges with a few hundred nominal names on their books have a staff of a dozen or more whole-time persons; and whether, in the interests of the taxpayer, this redundancy of minor Government officials will be put an end to?

With about 3,000,000 persons drawing benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act the staff of the Divisional Offices and Exchanges in Great Britain is at present 21,052, of whom 13,377 are on week to week engagements and 2,887 subject to one month's notice. The number of the staff can, therefore, be closely adjusted from week to week. Temporary Exchanges have only been opened in districts where they were necessary for the purpose of dealing with the present pressure, and will be closed as soon as unemployment shows an appreciable decrease. As regards Branch Offices, notice of closing has recently been given in a number of cases, and I expect to close a number more at an early date. Notice has also been given to a number of temporary clerks.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are very big staffs with no work to do?

I do not accept that. If the hon. and gallant Member will accompany me to some of the exchanges he will see something of the volume of the work.

Will the hon. Member accompany me to others, and I will show him the reverse?

Yes.

Is the hon. Member aware that in many districts there are no Employment Exchanges, and that men have to walk miles to register and get their unemployment pay?

I am not aware that people have to walk miles.

Barking to East Ham is over two miles, and it is the same distance back.

If the hon. Member-will give me particular cases, I will look into them.

Is the hon. Member aware that at one Employment Exchange when a man applied for a ploughman they sent him a photographer?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present shortage of water and of the fact stated in the Press that there is only three weeks' supply of water remaining for the Metropolis at the present rate of consumption, it is the intention of the Government to take such action as will compel economy generally in the use of water during the present shortage?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I have been in constant communication with the Metropolitan Water Board in regard to the great need for economy in the use of water in consequence of the continued drought and the steps taken by the Board have resulted in an average daily reduction in the week ending 1st July of 37,000,000 gallons below the figure for the corresponding period last year. This is due largely to the assistance of the Press and the ready co-operation of the public. I shall not hesitate to take further action to compel economy, should this be necessary.

Is it a fact, as stated in the Press, that there is only three weeks' supply of water for London if the present shortage continues?

It is not a fact.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of economising, if economies are necessary, in the direction of shutting the water off from the motor users who have been doing scorching on the road?

Will those members of the public who responded to the appeal of the Water Board not to use hoses in their gardens still have to pay the charges for the hoses?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many roads were being watered on Saturday afternoon?

Considering the shortage of water, will the right hon. Gentleman relax some of the restrictions on licensing?

asked the Prime Minister, whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee on the remuneration of Ministers in respect of the classification of offices and the salaries of Ministers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which the Leader of the House gave on Tuesday last to questions on this subject.

What is the obstacle to effecting a reduction at an early date?

If the hon. Member looks at the answer he will see.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received information that the conspirators at Constantinople included in their plans the sinking of British warships by means of mines; whether the head of the Russian trade delegation in Constantinople, by name Koudich, has lately been in London with a British passport, ostensibly for the purpose of discussing trade with Gospodin Krassin; whether, in view of this person's responsibility as head of the mission for their conspiracy, he has been arrested; whether the Government are now in possession of sufficiently clear evidence that the Russian Soviet Government has, since the signing of the Russian trade agreement, deliberately violated the terms under which they undertook to stop intrigue and interference against British interests or the British Empire, in view of the evidence of the activities of the Russian trade delegation at Constantinople, which have been officially stated to have included a plot for the assassination of the general commanding at Constantinople; whether he is aware that on 23rd March £50,000 was paid in Berlin by Soviet representatives for the purpose of fomenting rebellion in Ireland, and that, subsequent to the signing of the agreement, Gospodin Voronski, the Russian trade representative in Rome, stated that the Soviets had excellent relations with the extensive revolutionary movement in India; that, as the Russian trade agreement was signed on the 16th March last, these acts and statements constitute severally and specifically a breach of the preamble of the agreement; and whether he will call for an explanation of these breaches of the agreement in accordance with Article XIII., as a preliminary to renouncing the agreement, if no satisfactory explanation is forthcoming?

Monsieur Koudich is at present in London, but he does not, of course, possess a British passport. So far as His Majesty's Government is aware this gentleman has committed no offence rendering him liable to arrest. His Majesty's Government will not hesitate to make suitable representations to the Soviet Government as soon as this seems expedient. I have no confirmation of the reports referred to in this question, beyond the information regarding the conspiracy in Constantinople which has already been given to the House.

Is it not a fact that several members of this trade delegation at Constantinople were arrested as directly concerned with this plot which included the assassination of General Harington? If that is the case, how can it be said that Mr. Koudich is not responsible, in view of the fact that he is head of the delegation?

I have a further reply to give on this matter later on.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information about £50,000 being paid by the Soviet representative in Berlin to foment rebellion in Ireland?

I have said that I have no confirmation of the reports referred to in the question other than the information regarding the conspiracy in Constantinople which has already been given to the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reason for the arrest and deportation of the Russian trade delegation at Constantinople by the British military authorities and the seizure of the effects and money of the delegation; if he is aware that the members of the delegation were especially picked out for deportation from among the other Russian subjects arrested, including the seven-year-old child of the head of the mission, the parents now being in England; and what proof exists of any plot or conspiracy in which these persons were concerned other than statements by partisans of General Baron Wrangel?

Further information received from General Harington on Saturday confirms the implication of a member of the Russian trade delegation in Constantinople in a widespread plot to which reference has already been made in the House. General Harington has taken such steps as he has considered necessary, and His Majesty's Government have complete confidence in his discretion in the matter. Meanwhile further inquiries are being made. The hon. and gallant Member and the House will realise that daily reports cannot with advantage be given in regard to a plot which has threatened the position of the Allied forces in Constantinople and the life of the Commander-in-Chief himself.

If "a person" with the mission is implicated, why has the whole mission been deported, including the seven-year-old son of Monsieur Koudich, and has the right hon. Gentleman in a previous answer not said that this gentleman has committed no offence?

The whole of the mission has not been deported. In regard to the other part of the question, that is one of the matters which we have left to the discretion of Sir Charles Harington.

If "a person" is implicated, why were nine deported, and, in any case, why were representations not made to Moscow? Would we think of treating any other Power in the same way?

I said in reply to a former question that, if necessary, representations will be addressed to Moscow.

Have the facts recently brought to light in any way disturbed the touching faith of His Majesty's Government in the good faith of the Soviet Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a statement has recently been issued by the Admiralty that no reliance is to be placed on the fog signals on the Fastnet and other lighthouses on the South-West Coast of Ireland; whether these lighthouses are under the jurisdic- tion of the Trinity House Brethren, who, in turn, are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade, and that the Board of Trade has referred the hon. Member for Finsbury to the Solicitor-General for Ireland for information regarding the protection of these lighthouses, who has replied that the Admiralty cannot see their way to protect these lighthouses; that the fog signals were stolen from the Fast-net lighthouse by two boatloads of Sinn Fein rebels, who raided the lighthouse; and, in view of these facts, if the Government can co-ordinate their Department's activities in order to ensure that a suitable garrison is provided for these lighthouses, in view of their immense importance to Atlantic shipping, and the grave danger of a catastrophe occurring should the lights and fog signals be interfered with during thick weather?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General to a similar question on the 7th instant.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman answer for the Board of Trade who are responsible for the lighthouses of the United Kingdom? Is he further aware that I was asking the question as to what steps, if any, the Admiralty are going to take?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the present situation in Ireland prevents the possibility of these questions being properly discussed?

I have done my best to answer the question so far as I am concerned. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not satisfied with my answer it would be more helpful if the question were put to other Departments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Prime Minister that four different Departments are quarrelling over this lighthouse, and that meantime shipping is interfered with as the fog signals have been stolen?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no quarrel. I am one of those who believe that there will be no further need for a garrison in this particular lighthouse or in any lighthouse.

There is a new light in Ireland now.

( by Private Notice )asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement with regard to the position in Ireland?

I have had a telegram from Mr. De Valera:

"Telegram received. I will be in London for conference on Thursday next."

The telegram which I sent has already appeared in the newspapers.

( by Private Notice )asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any statement to make with regard to the tragic happenings in Belfast during the week-end, resulting in twelve persons being shot dead and over one hundred wounded; whether on Sunday Catholic districts were surrounded by Ulster special constables who for many hours swept the streets with machine gun and rifle fire; whether over forty houses of Catholics were set alight and burned out by Unionist mobs under the protection of the special constables; whether it is a fact that for the last week or ten days this force of specials had created a reign of terror in North-East Ulster; whether it it the undisciplined conduct and lawless methods of these specials that have been responsible for recent breaches of the peace in Belfast and district; whether peaceful Catholic citizens in this area are in a state of constant nerve strain and terror because of the conduct of these specials; and whether he will take immediate steps to have this force of special constables disbanded?

I have just received the following report by wire:

"Following the murder of Constable Conlon and the serious wounding of Constables Hogan and Dunne at Raglan Street, Falls Road, at midnight on Friday last serious rioting developed in various places in the City during yesterday. It commenced shortly after noon in Ashmore Street and Conway Street locality, spreading later in the afternoon to Townsend Street and Stanhope Street. The disturbances took the form of extreme activities on the part of Sinn Fein snipers who fired at Unionists and at police from the tops of houses, windows and various vantage points. Fire was returned and all available police turned out and in the districts concerned they were heavily fired on and returned the fire. This firing continued all the evening at intervals. Military armoured cars and armoured cars with a platoon of the Special Constabulary were turned out. During the afternoon and later on in the evening a number of Nationalist quarters, Stanhope Street, Cupar Street, Argyle Street and Ashmore Street, were attacked by civilians said to be Unionists, who set fire to a large number of houses in these areas. Notwithstanding the efforts of the police and fire brigade, a number of houses of both Nationalists and Unionists have been completely gutted. The ascertained casualties up to the present from gun fire are 14 killed and 102 wounded. Last night passed quietly. Order is now being restored, and the position is in hand."

The right hon. Gentleman Sir James Craig leaves to-day for Belfast to throw the weight of his influence upon the side of law and order.

May I ask whether the control of public order and peace in this city is taken out of the hands of the military authorities, and given over to special constables, who are political followers of the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister of Ulster (Sir J. Craig)?

No, the statement of the hon. Member is entirely untrue. The great majority of the police in the city of Belfast are members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the great majority of them are Irish Roman Catholics. There are a number of special constables in Belfast under regular Royal Irish Constabulary officers and subject to the discipline of that force.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say by whose authority these lorryfuls of constables and others, after the truce had been proclaimed, and after Curfew hours, went into these peaceful localities in the dead of the night, and attacked these people and burned down their houses?

I do not accept the hon. Member's statement. The truce was agreed to on Saturday; it officially became operative at 12 o'clock to-day. Unfortunately, the shooting of a policeman in Belfast on Friday night precipitated one of these deplorable riots, which, I think, tarnish the name of the Northern Capital of Ireland. I assure the House that I have always done and will continue to do all that I can to put down rioting, without regard to the politics or religion of the rioters.

Is it not a fact that during the last week we have repeatedly called attention to the murders, numbering something like 14, all over North-East Ulster, of peaceful citizens who have no connection with any political movement, and that not a single thing has been done to protect the remaining members of the community? Has one of these miscreants in uniform been brought to justice?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's statement.

In view of the desire now in all parts of Ireland for peace and for the creation of the spirit of goodwill, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have some military authority like General Sir Nevil Macready go to the North of Ireland, and devise some plan and take some steps to protect one-third of the community there while left absolutely without protection.

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's premises for a moment. I share with him, and all the world shares, the feeling of relief and hope engendered by the peace proceedings in Ireland, but the police in Ireland remain under the Imperial Government until, under the Government of Ireland Act, they are given over to Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. I still say that the police are not responsible for these troubles in Belfast, but that it is owing to them that the troubles have terminated as they have.

May I ask— [ Interruption. ] I am not going to be howled down here. This is a serious matter to my constituents and to the Catholics and Protestants of North-East Ulster. In view of the fact that military hostilities between the people and the police have ceased in the rest of Ireland, will the right hon. Gentleman now take steps to withdraw these special constables, and put in their place ordinary Irish constabulary and military, as these special constables are merely politicians, and it is believed by the people that they have committed all these crimes? I must press for an answer.

I am afraid that we cannot deal with this matter further to-day.

( Later ): May I ask the Leader of the House a question arising out of public business?

I am afraid that the hon. Member is now too late.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take the general sense of the House in regard to the holding of an Autumn Session as an alternative to sitting throughout the summer months?

It is necessary before the House rises to pass through all its stages the Railways Bill. This is the main measure which delays the House rising early in August, but its passage into law cannot be delayed until the Autumn. Under these circumstances I fear there is no alternative but for the House to continue to sit until this Bill is passed, when it is hoped that the House can rise until the beginning of next year, and so avoid an Autumn Session.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that, supposing a Bill be necessary to carry out any result of the negotiations regarding Ireland, we shall not be asked to sit until September to deal with a Bill of that kind?

That is too hypothetical a question for an answer now.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the recent differences of opinion as to the designs of the new battleships and cruisers, and to the fact that the late and present directors of naval construction have published diverse views in the Press; and whether the Government will follow precedent and appoint a Committee on Designs with members from all branches of the naval service and Lloyds Register to investigate the experience gained during the late War, and report to the Board of Admiralty?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The subject referred to by the hon. Member is too important and technical to be dealt with adequately in a reply to a question. I propose to make a statement on the matter during the discussion on Vote 8.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend understand that there are no technicalities in answering whether a Committee on Designs will be appointed or not?

I shall make a statement on that matter in the course of the discussion of Vote 8.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to place contracts for the new capital ships in this year's programme; and how many of these are to be dockyard built?

It is anticipated the Admiralty will be in a position to call for tenders about 1st September, 1921. Owing to the length of time and the expense that would be entailed by altering the slips, it has been decided not to build any of these ships in the Naval dockyards.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Report of the Committee dealing with the Canteen Fund will be forthcoming; and whether all moneys expended against this fund up to date are dealt with in the Report?

I have been asked to reply. The Report of the Committee was published this morning and copies are now available at the Vote Office.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman kindly reply to the last part of the question?

Will the hon. Member read the Report?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the quantity of coal produced from the outcrops of coal seams during the coal stoppage; how many fatal accidents occurred; and if the operations came under the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1911?

I have been asked to reply. It is impossible to apply the provisions of the Coal Mines Act to the unauthorised working of out-crops by miners during a stoppage. I have no information as to the quantity of coal so produced during the recent' stoppage. The number of fatal accidents, within the knowledge of the Mines Department, was 35.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the new system of times for starting trains on the London and South Western Railway; and whether, as a convenience to the public, he will cause investigation to discuss how far and in what way such a simplified system can be applied to other trunk railways?

I am aware of the system to which the hon. Member refers, and if it is found to be a convenience to the travelling public it will no doubt be adopted by other railway companies, who may find it suitable to the circumstances of their lines and traffic. It appears to me to be a matter which can best be left to the individual railway companies.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company submitted some months ago a complete scheme for the electrification of their suburban system and their main line to Brighton, Worthing, and Eastbourne to him for his approval; whether he is aware that the scheme showed that electrification would result in sufficient saving of coal and operating expenses to justify the capital expenditure; and whether the financial results of the present electrification are such as to justify immediately proceeding with the electrification of the whole of the suburban system of this company;

(2) whether the time required for carrying into effect the arrangements for grouping the railways must necessarily delay all developments, such as electrification, for several years; whether in view of the grave congestion and the crying need for greater traffic facilities so urgently wanted, the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company would be justified in at once proceeding with its electrification schemes and in raising the necessary capital; how far would this jeopardise them in the capitalisation of the Southern group; whether he can take any steps to secure the necessary work being put in hand?

The electrification scheme of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway has not been submitted to me for approval, but their proposals have been before me on a request from that company for State assistance in provision of the capital, for which, however, no public funds were available. The scheme has been considered by the Electrification of Railways Advisory Committee, and is dealt with in their Interim Report of the 12th July, 1920 (Stationery Office publication). I am in agreement with their conclusions. The company are fully alive to the importance of proceeding with the electrification of the remaining portion of their suburban system, and at the present time are installing electric equipment up to Croydon, which is a work of considerable size, and when completed will greatly relieve existing pressure. Future extensions, including the electrification of the main line to Brighton and other places, depend upon financial considerations and, far from the grouping of railways unnecessarily delaying such development, I am of opinion that the formation of a Southern Group under the terms of the Railways Bill now before Parliament should assist towards that end.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received complaints with reference to the platform accommodation at Newport (Mon.) station; if he is aware that trains for the Western Valley are often too long for the platform and passengers have to get in or out, as the case may be, with great inconvenience and risk to themselves; whether he has been notified of accidents having occurred in consequence and, if so, how many; if he is aware that a claim for damages is now pending against the company; and if he will take steps to have this remedied?