asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement regarding disturbances reported to have occurred at Aligarh?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information I have received about these disturbances.

The following is the information:

I communicated to the Press on 6th July the first details of these occurrences which I received that day. I received on the 14th a further report, which, though issued to the Press that evening, came too late to secure general publication. It appears that the main facts are as follow: On the 5th July a political agitator named Malkhan Singh was on trial at the Magistrate's Court, Aligarh. A crowd, composed of townspeople and villagers, had collected outside the Court, probably originally intending to make a demonstration. But, excited by agitators and by the rumour that another individual who was seen to enter the Court had been arrested, the crowd endeavoured to rush the Court. This was prevented by the police, who, after two warnings, used their batons. The crowd then moved off, intending to attack the bungalow of the reserve police inspector, which is some distance away. This was frustrated, and meanwhile judgment appears to have been pronounced convicting Malkhan Singh.

Later on a mob attacked and burned certain buildings in the City, including police quarters. One of the buildings attacked was the Treasury, the armed guard on which was compelled to fire. The magistrate visited the Non-Co-operators' headquarters in the evening, and warned them that any further dis- turbance would be severely repressed—a warning which had the desired effect. Disturbances had entirely ceased before reinforcements of British and Indian troops arrived from Agra.

It seems quite clear that the attacks in the city were directed mainly against the police. No attacks were made on the houses of Europeans. Thirty arrests were made—chiefly rioters caught red handed in the police headquarters and persons with gunshot wounds. One constable was unfortunately killed and three dangerously wounded. It is not clear from my information whether any rioters were killed, but a number were wounded. The Mohammedan University was not affected, and, so far as is known, no students took part in the disturbances.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make any statement regarding labour disturbances in Madras?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme, of which I will send him a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider favourably the summoning together of the Legislative Council of Madras, in order to deal with this question so that it may not rest entirely with Lord Willingdon?

I do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman would regard it as proper for me to consider this subject, because it is one which is entirely in the discretion of the Governor of the Province. I am quite convinced that if any useful purpose would be served by summoning that Council, Lord Willingdon would consider it himself.

Am I to understand that these outcasts have been used as strike breakers to break up the men's: unions in Madras?

That question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present approximate total annual cost of national defence in India, including naval, military, and air forces; what is the approximate annual cost per head of the population of the Indian Empire on this account; and how these amounts compare with the present approximate cost of national defence in Japan, amounting to £108,280,000, which works out, roughly, at £1 8s. per head of the population for the total Japanese Empire?

The total cost of national defence in India for the year 1921-22 is estimated at 62 one-fifth crores of rupees. This gives a rate of expenditure of 243 rupees per head of the population of British India. A just comparison with the cost of national defence in Japan would involve other highly important factors, as, for instance, the ratio of defence expenditure to total expenditure, and the ratio of expenditure per head to average income per head of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of the acquisition in the autumn of 1920 by the military authorities of a bungalow, No. 33a, in the staff lines, New Cantonment, Allahabad, and as to why the appeal to him sent on 8th November, 1920, has not been dealt with?

The acquisition of the bungalow in question took place in 1913, not 1920. The memorial to me of 1920 was withheld by the Government of India because over five years had elapsed since the passing of their final orders in 1915 against which appeal was made.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of his statement that reductions in military expenditure in India could only be achieved if compatible with the internal and external security of India, and his assurance that no further reductions would be made pending the inquiry by the Committee of Imperial Defence, and considering that in addition to the reduction of 18 cavalry regiments the 44th Infantry has now been disbanded, another, the 80th Infantry, is under orders for disbandment in September, and it is believed others are to follow suit, that in conse quence the whole Indian Army is gravely perturbed, and having regard also to the fact that both internal riots and external frontier attacks are of increasing occurrence, he will now give orders for the strict observance of the undertaking which he has given, and put a stop at once to the disbandment of pre-War units of the Indian Army till the Report of the Committee has been considered?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Twickenham on the 23rd February and the 23rd March, and to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 6th, 19th and 26th April and the 7th June. As regards the units to be disbanded, I would refer to my replies to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 3rd, 10th and 31st May and the 12th July, and to the hon. Member for the Cromac Division of Belfast on the 5th July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every one of these replies was entirely unsatisfactory and can he give me a more satisfactory reply?

I do not share my hon. and gallant Friend's view as to the unsatisfactory nature of the replies. My difficulty is to find a formula in which to answer the same question so often.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of putting a stop to these disbandments which are so suicidal at the present time?

That is the same question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction amongst the members of the defence forces of those Crown Colonies and Protectorates which are not defined as a theatre of war in Army Order XX of 1913 and Army Order 301 of 1919 at the non-award of a war medal; whether it is a question of expense which is delaying a decision in the matter and, if so. whether he is aware that the Governments of the Crown Colonies and Protectorates concerned would be unlikely to raise any opposition to defraying the cost of these medals; whether the defence forces in India during the War have already received War medals; and, in any case, whether he can now state whether a decision has been reached in the matter, and what it is?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now announce the decision of the Army Council regarding the claim of the Wessex Territorials to the 1914–15 Star, based upon the explicit promise of the late Lord; Kitchener?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to make his promised statement with regard to the decision of the Army Council on the claim of the Devon Territorials to the 1914–15 star?

Perhaps my hon. Friends will kindly repeat their questions on Tuesday next, when I hope to be in a position to make a definite statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with the view of saving expenses, permission will be given to officers to continue to wear the blue serge frock with trousers as mess dress after the 31st December next?

No representations have been received as to financial hardship caused by the Army Order of December, 1920, which laid down that all regular officers must provide themselves with mess dress by 1st January, 1922, this period being allowed with the special intention that officers should be able to spread the expenditure over 12 months. The Army Council are, however, anxious to regard sympathetically any representations on this score which may be made, but at the same time wish to lay stress on the desirability of uniformity of dress in mess. It is, therefore, now proposed that officers should, at the discretion of the commanding officer of their unit, be granted an extension of the time within which they must provide themselves with mess dress up to a limit of 12 months, making two years in all from the date of the Army Order. It is hoped that this will meet the views of my hon. and gallant Friend.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but will he take into consideration at the end of the two years whether it would not be desirable to abolish the present mess dress?

Of course, that is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the recent proposal to disband the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps or to amalgamate it with a territorial battalion, in view of the facts that it furnished over 10,000 officers to the British Army during the years 1914-18 and that if it should be disbanded there will be no institution left in existence capable of giving such a supply in any future crisis?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply on 5th July to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Nuneaton.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is able to inform the House of the composition of the Committee set up to inquire into the advisability of combining the duties of the Pay Department and the Record Office; and if he will state the terms of reference?

As the reply to this question is somewhat lengthy, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The following is the composition of the Departmental Committee which has been set up to consider the question of the amalgamation of the Record Offices and Regimental Pay Offices in Commands:—

Major C. G. C. Hamilton, M.P. ( Chairman ).

Lieut.-Colonel J. H. T. Cornish-Bowden, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Adjutant General's Department, War Office).

Colonel D. J. M. Fasson, C.B., C.M.G. (Officer in Charge of Records, Royal Field Artillery).

Mr. H. H. Fawcett, C.B. (Director of Finance, War Office).

Mr. J. T. Hewetson (Treasury).

Colonel W. B. Lauder, C.M.G. (Chief Paymaster, War Office).

Mr. A. C. Pedley, C.B., I.S.O.

Mr. M. H. FitzGerald (War Office) ( Secretary ).

The following are the terms of reference of the Committee: —

To make recommendations

(1) For the amalgamation of Pay and Record Offices with a view to securing greater efficiency and economy in financial and record duties.

(2) For the transfer of any military duties which it may be impossible to entrust to the amalgamated organisation.

(3) To make estimates of the savings to be effected by the scheme recommended.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the salary to the chaplain to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, has been increased from £445 annually, with quarters, to £730 annually, with quarters, and the two chaplains at Sandhurst from a joint payment of £775 to a joint payment of £1,380; whether, all told, there were only 118 chaplains before the War, and now there are 251; and if he will state, in view of these facts, what has been done by his Department to comply with the letter of the Prime Minister in the summer of 1919, indicating that everything in excess must be ruthlessly cut down?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the rates of pay of army officers generally were revised and increased in 1919, and commissioned chaplains share in these advances. As I explained in answer to a question on 21st June last, the pre-War establishment of army chaplains did not include a varying number (between 40 and 50) of acting chaplains paid the minimum rate of a commissioned chaplain. These are now included in the establishment shown in the Army Estimates, 1921–22, which represented the maximum number which might be employed. On 1st June the number had fallen to 260, and by 1st April next it is hoped that it will be still further reduced to 200. The scattered distribution of garrisons at home and abroad has necessitated the employment of a larger proportion of chaplains than before the War. When more normal conditions are restored, further progressive reductions will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and other persons connected with the branch of the Military Intelligence Service known as M.I.5 were employed in censoring, or otherwise supervising, the correspondence between trade unions and their branches during the recent dispute in the coal trade; and will he state the object of interference with such correspondence?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the other part does not therefore arise.

Were the young officers stationed at the Post Office in London there only to reassure the ladies' staff in case of danger?

I must have notice of so intricate and delicate a question.

What were they doing there?

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the maximum age at which men were called upon to serve in the late War; and whether, in certain cases, the age limit was 56?

The Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, extended the liability for military service to men who had not attained the age of 51 years and to qualified medical practitioners who had not attained the age of 56 years. The Act also provided that the age limit could be extended, by Order in Council, to 56 years for all classes of men, but this extension was not carried out.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, that the other day he stated that the Publicity Officer was too old to go to the War, and is it a fact that his age is now 63?

I think that would be a rash assumption on the part of my hon. and gallant Friend. Personally I forget his age.

ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to disband the 6th Battalion of the Welch Regiment, and include in the Welsh Territorial Division a battalion from outside Wales; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's declaration that Wales should have a division of her own, he will use his influence to maintain Wales as a separate entity?

It is not proposed to disband the 6th Battalion but to amalgamate it with another battalion of the Welch Regiment. Two battalions outside geographical Wales, but inside the Welsh Territorial area are to be absorbed into the Welch Division. I am not aware of any pledge given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that Wales should have a Territorial Army Division of her own.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the ground on which the amalgamation or disbandment of the 7th Royal Scots was decided was that it was not up to strength and did not seem likely to come up to strength; whether, in view of the fact that the battalion is now approximately 600 strong, he will reconsider his decision;

(2) how many battalions of the Territorial Army which are to be preserved are below the strength of 600; and why he proposes to disband or amalgamate a battalion which reaches that strength, whilst preserving others which have fewer numbers?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the extraordinary response to the appeal for recruits to the 7th Battalion Royal Scots, and the fact that this now brings the battalion nearly up to strength, he will allow this battalion to continue its independent existence?

As regards the amalgamation of the 7th Battalion Royal Scots, I have nothing to add to the general statement made on 11th July and to the answers to questions on 14th July. As regards the first part of Question No. 22, 144 battalions, which are unaffected by the proposed scheme of amalgamation, were below the strength of 600 on the 25th March last (the date of the last complete returns).

Why does the right hon. Gentleman disband a battalion which is over strength, and retain battalions which are under strength?

I have already said I am not disbanding them.

Well, amalgamating them.

There is a difference between disbanding and amalgamating. The rest of the question the hon. and gallant Member asked at some length on the 11th July, and it was then answered.

Is it not the fact that of the four battalions that are losing their identity in the Lothians, two are in the Royal Scots Regiment?

In view of the distinguished services of this battalion during the War, its career all through since volunteering was instituted in 1859, and the great sacrifices it made during the War, will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee to continue it?

My hon. Friend appeals to me in a way I should like to be able to answer. These battalions did magnificent services during the War, and their reputation and continued existence for a long time prior to the War does entitle them to every consideration. On the other hand, I am advised, both on military and financial grounds, that it is not justifiable to continue them unless they are amalgamated. I believe they will amalgamate, and lose none of their usefulness in the amalgamation.

Was that advice not given before it was known that a very large number of recruits had joined up?

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly reply to my question whether it is not the fact that of the four battalions that are losing their identity, no less than two come from the Royal Scots Regiment?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the period November, 1918, to April, 1921, only 10 promotions to substantive major were made in 142 battalions of infantry, whilst in the same period there were 25 promotions in 10 battalions of the guards and 78 in 31 regiments of cavalry; and, if so, whether he can explain this disproportion?

During the period from the Armistice to 31st March last, the number of promotions to substantive major in the permanent Regular Army was: infantry, 13; Foot Guards, 29; and cavalry, 111. The reason for this apparent disproportion in the number of promotions is that, during the War, it was found necessary in the infantry to promote officers to the rank of major after 15 years' service, in order to provide a sufficient number of officers of this rank for the New Armies. In consequence, at the time of the Armistice there was a very large surplus of majors to be absorbed. This temporary War expedient was not required to be adopted in the cavalry, and did not affect the Foot Guards to the same degree as the infantry. In the Foot Guards only a few senior captains had 15 years' service, and promotion was therefore mainly by establishment. Promotion to major in the cavalry, both during the War and since, has been solely by establishment.

Is it not a fact that in the infantry there are still large numbers of majors who were either sent home or were physically unfit for the greater part of the War, and how much longer are these officers to be retained in the service to the prejudice of more efficient juniors?

I do not think my hon. Friend has the facts correctly. If he will give me particulars of any cases, I will look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether under the new Constitution of Malta the list of voters for the Lower House will be raised approximately from 5,000 to 20,000; and whether regard will be had to the advisability of a dissolution within 12 months to allow the new franchise to operate?

I am advised that the first election under the new Constitution will be under the new franchise. So that the question of a dissolution does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, seeing that a committee consisting of employers', workers', and Home Office representatives, after months of investigation, reported that efficient substitutes for mouth-suction shuttles in the cotton-weaving trade were in existence, and that they ought to be introduced in a certain definite time after which mouth-suction shuttles should be prohibited, if he, in view of this Report, proposes to take such steps as will lead to the abolition of the practice known as shuttle kissing?

The representatives of the employers' association intimated at a conference last autumn that their association would be prepared to recommend its members to provide hand-threaded shuttles for use wherever practicable, on condition that the operatives on their side gave an assurance that shuttles so provided would be used by the workers. Subsequently, the employers' association represented to the factory department that, in view of the abnormal conditions prevailing in the industry, it would be useless to press the question on its members, and that it was sure that the operative would acquiesce in this view. This was communicated to the Weavers' Association, and no objection having been received from that association, it has been assumed that they did acquiesce. The matter is one which should be settled by agreement between the employers' and workers' representa- tives, and the Home Office will be glad at any time, at the instance of either side, to take steps to reopen the negotiations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the operatives have come to a definite agreement with employers and with representatives of the Home Office that this system is disgustingly dirty and unhealthy; and will he not consider the feasibility of making the practice illegal, seeing that now it is properly acknowledged by all three parties that an efficient substitute exists"

I am not aware that that is so.

asked the Home Secretary whether Scotland Yard officers entered on Saturday a meeting of 70 representatives of the Egyptian students from seven British universities; whether the police discovered that this meeting was assembled to register their protest against the official delegation from Egypt now in this country and to record their support of Zaghloul Pasha as the national leader: whether the police took the names and addresses of those present; whether a protest against this violation of the right to hold a peaceful meeting was signed by all present and handed to the police; and why this raid was ordered and at whose request?

It is the case that the police attended the meeting referred to, that they were supplied by those present with their names and addresses, and that a signed protest was handed to them. The action of the police was based on the information received, showing that the objects of the meeting were not confined to a peaceful protest.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a lady was knocked down by a motor car in Bond Street about 8 o'clock on the evening of Tuesday, 24th May; that her medical attendant, seeing she was seriously injured, went to Vine Street Police Station the following morning, and found that the accident had not been reported, although there was a police officer present; whether, in view of the fact that the injured lady was taken home in the car, which was then driven by the chauffeur, and the owner, who had been driving at the time of the accident, remained behind with the police officer, he will make inquiries why the accident was not reported; and whether, as injured people in such circumstances may be unable to take the number of a car, he will take precautions to ensure that motor cars and drivers cannot quietly disappear without trace after such an occurrence; and will he do all he can to help the injured lady to identify the car, so that she may be able to proceed against the owner of the car for compensation should she desire to do so?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he is investigating this occurrence, but has not so far succeeded in ascertaining all the facts. The police will give the lady any assist once they can to identify the car, and if a police officer be found to have neglected his duties, appropriate action will be taken,

Is there any record kept of each squad of policemen acting in a particular area?

Yes, but the difficulty in this particular case is that there are in the area a number of men very close together, almost overlapping. The Commissioner, however, has the matter under his personal investigation.

asked the Home Secretary whether any representations have been made to him to the effect that the next appointed stipendiary magistrate in London should be a woman; and what, in that case, has been his answer or will be his policy?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, the claims of any properly qualified applicant for a police magistracy will be considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a fatal accident which took place on 14th July last at the crossing of Peterborough Road and Tyburn Lane, in Harrow-on-the-Hill; and whether, in view of the fresh evidence of the necessity, he will reconsider his former refusal to place a policeman on permanent duty at this crossing?

The Commissioner of Police has considered a report on this accident which took place at 7 o'clock in the morning, but he is not able to modify his conclusion that the continuous employment of police officers on traffic duty at this point would not be justified. He thinks the case would be met by adequate measures of the kind referred to in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 28th February last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that such measures have been taken? Will he state how many more serious accidents are to take place here before he takes action?

My information is that the measures have not been taken.

asked the Home Sceretary whether he can yet make any statement upon the work carried out in the control of traffic by the motor cyclist branch of the metropolitan constabulary?

The Commissioner of Police has called for reports by the end of August, and hopes by that time there will have been sufficient experience to enable the arrangements referred to to be properly reviewed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that picture postcards bearing not more than five words of simple greeting are allowed to pass at the old 1d. rate, he will explain why picture postcards bearing not more than five written words of simple greeting are now being surcharged 1d. when posted at certain offices, while at others postcards stamped with 1d. and containing five words of commercial information pass without any surcharge?

I am not able to answer the hon. Member, in the absence of the documents upon which his question is apparently based.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be surprised to know that in one case the words of greeting on the card were "Love to Moyna," and in the second the words were "Danish butter, 23s."; and that in the one case the receiver of the card was fined 1d., while the other card got through free?

The hon. Member had better transfer to the Treasury Bench.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Colonial parcel post rates have been raised twice in the past year; that these rates are hindering the mail order trade with our overseas possessions; and whether he will keep in close touch with this situation with a view to reducing the charges as soon as possible?

I regret that it should have been necessary to raise the parcel post rates to the Dominions; the increases have been due in part to the increased costs incurred by the British Post Office, in part to the higher cost of sea transport, and in part to claims for increased payment made by the Dominions concerned. I can assure the hon. Member that the situation is kept under review in order that the public may be given the benefit of any reduction in costs which may be practicable.

Is it not the fact that the rates, instead of being increased, have been very considerably reduced? How does that square with the answer he has just given?

I have given a statement based on facts. The various steamship companies have not reduced their rates in the direction I have indicated.

They have reduced them considerably. How does that account for the increase in prices?

I do not think a general question will get over particular instances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look after the case of the Crown Colonies and Protectorates as well as the Dominions?

Certainly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will order a Report by an independent accountant, to be made to him for the information of the Treasury, of all Post Office operations in wireless telegraphy now and for the past two years?

I see no necessity for employing an independent accountant for this purpose. The facts are in the possession of the Comptroller and Accountant-General of the Post Office, and Reports to the Treasury, which were only suspended during the War, are on the point of being resumed.

When will the Report be published? There is no information now as to the actual cost to the Post Office.

I will consider that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the French Post Office accept circulars to England in open envelopes for a postage of 10 centimes, or slightly over a halfpenny at current rates of exchange, as compared with the inland rate of 1d. for printed circulars charged in this country; and whether, seeing the loss to the revenue which is now resulting from sending circulars addressed to destinations in this country to France and Germany in bulk for postage there, he will now amend the postal regulations to enable printed circulars to be accepted and posted at the old rate of a halfpenny?

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent English firms are making a practice of circularising English customers through French agents in order to avoid the increased English postal rates; whether he is aware that, in this way, one English firm with 8,000 direct customers saves £16 in postage on each batch of circulars; and will he take steps, in the interests of the postal revenue and of English trade, to reduce English postal rates?

The minimum international printed paper rate in France is 10 centimes. I am aware that in a few cases British firms have thought it proper to evade the Inland British rate by posting abroad, but so far as I can ascertain such postings at present are, in the aggregate, inconsiderable. In any case, it is impossible to fix the British Inland rates of postage by reference to the depreciated currencies of foreign countries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why, quite apart from the depreciated currency. Belgium can handle this class of postage up to 2 ozs. for five centimes, which is one quarter of the depreciated exchange and one-half of the normal exchange? Does this mean that our Post Office is four times as extravagant or one-quarter as efficient as the Belgian Post Office?

No, Sir, I do not see how that conclusion can be arrived at. It is the depreciated currency. It would be impossible to fix our rates quite with regard to the depreciated currency in Europe.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest it is depreciated four times?

Will the right hon. Gentleman fix it at the normal exchange which is one-half in Belgium what it is here? May I therefore assume that the Belgian Post Office is doubly as efficient, or am I to take it it is four times as extravagant?

I do not think the hon. and gallant Member may assume that ten centimes is the rate in Belgium and our rate is 1d.

It is 5 centimes in Belgium up to 2 ozs.

Does this case not come under Clause 2 ( b ) of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill?

asked the Post master-General if applicants for telephones are now being asked to pay a deposit, although there is no immediate prospect of the installation being carried out; and can he state what sum of money the Post Office Department holds as covering these unfulfilled obligations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.' Where an applicant paid the surcharge under the regulations in force up to the end of last year and has not yet been provided with telephone service, the surcharge would be refunded on his signing an agreement for the service at the new rates.

asked the Postmaster-General what economies he has made, or contemplates making, to meet the serious diminution in the revenue of the telephone department?

The revenue of the telephone service does not show a decrease, as suggested by the hon. Member, though the recent industrial unrest and prevailing trade conditions have caused a reduction in the number of calls made by existing subscribers and a falling off in the rate of new orders. To meet these temporary conditions the recruitment of telephonists has been suspended.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. Frank Lang, 33, Virginia Street, Glasgow, had his telephone disconnected at the beginning of June by the Post Office telephone department owing to his refusal to sign the tariff agreement; that this Mr. Lang paid the annual rent of his telephone yearly in advance and that his year does not expire until the 3rd December, 1921; whether he can explain why the officials of his Department have disconnected the telephone, which has been paid for and the hire of which does not expire until the 3rd December; whether the original agreement under which this telephone was installed was under the 1906 terms, which made it necessary for four months' notice from either side; and whether he will give instructions that this telephone be reconnected?

Under the provisions of the relative agreement, executed in 1916, the rental was payable annually in advance, but the agreement could be determined by either party giving to the other three calendar months' notice in writing, to expire at the end of the first year or of any successive periods of three calendar months, any prepaid unexpired rental to be refunded by the Post Office. The necessary three months' notice was given, in connection with the general revision of rates, to terminate the agreement on the 3rd June, and the service was withdrawn on the 4th June, after the subscriber had been warned that this action would be taken if he did not sign the new agreement. I am not prepared to issue instructions for the service to be restored until the new agreement is signed.

Will the telephone facilities, for which this man is paying, be restored until this question is finally settled?

In regard to any facilities that are paid for, the Post Office will carry out the agreement. There was power given in the agreement in this case to terminate the agreement by three months' notice on either side.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that no less than 13,958 members of the staffs of nine Government Departments are entitled to an annual holiday of four weeks' duration, exclusive of Bank holidays and other public holidays, and that no less than 8,140 members of the staffs of the same nine Government Departments are entitled to an annual holiday of from five to six weeks' duration, exclusive of Bank holidays and other public holidays; if 22,000 of the. staffs of nine Government Departments are entitled to four weeks' or more annual holiday, will he say what is the total number of all Government staffs entitled to four weeks' or more annual holiday; will he state what are the present scales of holidays applicable to the various Government Departments; and, in view of the fact that in ordinary business and commercial circles much shorter holidays are customary, will he consider what public economies might be effected by a revision of the present scales of holidays in all Government Departments?

The figures given include a number of naval and military officers, and show, as entitled to five to six weeks' holiday, a number of civilian officials who are, in fact, limited to 28 days a year. They, however, appear to be substantially accurate otherwise. In answer to the last part of the question, the total number of Government employés entitled, subject to the exigencies of the Service, to four weeks or more annual leave, is, approximately, 30,000 out of a total of 370,896. The scales of leave allowed vary with the very numerous classes of employés, and I arm sending my hon. Friend a copy of a statement on the subject, which was circulated in reply to a question on the 22nd June by my hon. Friend the Member for West Fulham (Sir C. Cobb). I am not satisfied that a reduction of the privileges, which are always subject to the exigencies of the public business, would be productive of economy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether holidays running up to eight weeks might not be reviewed, in view of the present need for national economy, and considering that in commercial and business circles very much less holidays are given?

I am not aware that the holidays, which are given to similar servants in other employments, are in any way less than those in the Civil Service. I am as eager for economy as any hon. Member, and if I can achieve it by any method whatever that is fair to the employés concerned, I will do so.

If the right hon. Gentleman is not aware of it, will he kindly make inquiries in the City of London, and ascertain what holidays are granted to high officials in important mercantile firms?

I am already well aware of them in many cases, and I find that the holidays granted to many of them are just as great as, and in many cases much greater than, those granted to Civil servants of the same class.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Treasury representative in the Ministry of Transport is paid £5,000 per annum, a salary largely in excess of that paid to the highest officers in the Civil Service?

The salary of this officer was fixed by the Board of Treasury after full consideration of all the relevant facts, including the limitation of the appointment to a period of three years, and was not assessed with reference to, or on the basis of, the rates of remuneration prevailing in the permanent Civil Service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it costs so much more to look after the Ministry of Transport than after any other Government Department?

I think that if my hon. Friend had taken an intelligent interest in what has been produced—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!" and "Withdraw!"]— in what has been produced to the House of Commons in connection with the accounts and all that has been investigated in connection with the British railways, he would have seen that it requires a very special type of officer in order to investigate these accounts, and that this investigation has saved the country very many millions. The kind of question which my hon. Friend puts to me really puts me in a difficult position. I have the greatest possible desire to save the money of this country, but if every occasion is taken when any special officer gets a special salary for a duty which has to be performed, with special abilities which command far higher rates outside, it makes it impossible for me to effect any economies at all.

May I very respectfully ask the right hon. Gentleman why it is necessary to pay a bigger salary to that official than to the permanent heads of the Department in the Civil Service?

Because, as I have said, he has very special qualifications for this particular task—[HON. MEMBERS: "So has Geddes!"]—qualifications which command far higher rates outside than they do in the Government service.

Will there be a saving of £5,000 a year after August, owing to the disappearance of the present Minister of Transport?

I cannot say that, but this particular officer has sent in his resignation to the Government, and therefore the salary paid to him will not be required. Whether we shall require another officer of a similar character I have not yet determined, but I do beg the House not to look at these matters in the wrong perspective. If they were aware of the salaries paid outside to this class of people, they would realise the impossibility of getting such services unless you pay an adequate remuneration.

We must not now have a Debate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the heavy cuts in wages which are being assented to by the skilled workers in the cotton, woollen, engineering, and other trades; and whether, quite apart from the bonus, he will consider the desirability of making reductions in the salaries of all public servants so as to ensure some equality of sacrifice aid place them somewhat on the same footing as all other branches of workers in the country?

I am aware that wage reductions have been accepted in a number of outside industries. With regard to the second part of the question, I should be obliged if my hon. Friend would await the statement that I propose to make on the subject of the Civil Service bonus when the Treasury Vote is taken.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the men doing supervisory work, who have been assimilated to the lower clerical class, were only acting supervising assistant clerks, who reverted in the ordinary course to their substantive rank of assistant clerk for purposes of assimilation, and were thus never actually supervising the work of their own grade; and whether, on the other hand, first-class women clerks, now required to supervise the work of second class women clerks, both having been assimilated into the lower clerical class, are being called upon to perform a duty which is not one of those laid down in the reorganisation report as proper to the lower clerical class?

It is the case that the substantive rank of the men referred to in the first part of the question was, prior to assimilation, that of assistant clerk, and that their assimilation was determined with reference to their substantive rank. It is not the case that they reverted to their substantive rank of assistant clerk, or that they never actually supervised the work of their own grade. On the contrary, they continue where required to perform such supervision. As regards the second part of the question, the grade of first class woman clerk was a substantive grade superior to that of second class clerk, but it was agreed on the Reorganisation Committee that women clerks (first and second class) should be treated as one class for purposes of assimilation. The scale of the class to which they have at present been assimilated is considerably better than the scale of either of the old classes of woman clerk. The position of individual officers who are temporarily, and pending reorganisation, performing higher duties than those of the grade to which their class has been assimilated is not affected by sex, and is uniformly postponed for consideration on reorganisation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Report of the Departmental Committee on Pensions Administration has been issued as a Stationery Office publication, and that no copies are available in the Vote Office; and whether, in view of the great interest taken by ex-service men and their organisations in this report, and the fact that Stationery Office publications are issued: at a higher price than Command Papers, he will arrange for any new issue or reprint of this report to be treated as a Command Paper?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. In view of the general inter- est taken in the report referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question, directions were given for a free circulation to all Members of the House. I will give careful consideration to the suggestion in the last part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why Members of this House were asked to discuss the Second Reading of the War Pensions Bill without this Report, although they made repeated applications for it and the Report was essential to a proper discussion of that Bill?

This was discussed on Friday week.

Will reasonable time be given before the Committee stage of the Bill, in order that we may read the Report?

That also was discussed on Friday week.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Anglo-Japanese alliance which still exists, he can state the obligations of Great Britain should China become an ally of the United States and make common cause with her in any conflict with Japan, more especially in view of the accepted interpretation of Article IV of the said Treaty?

I do not think it would be desirable to make any statement, particularly at the present time, in reply to this hypothetical question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the salary of the Secretary of State for India will be taken?

I am not in a position to name a date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, considering the inade- quacy of the sentences passed on war criminals, the Government intends to continue its representation at the trials at Leipzig; and what steps it intends to take to redeem the pledges given at the last election?

HALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the French Government have withdrawn their representatives from Leipzig as a protest against the prejudiced attitude of the Supreme Court in connection with the trials of German War criminals now proceeding there; and if he will state whether, as the German Government are using these trials to create an atmosphere favourable to Germany as regards the barbarous methods of waging war employed by her, the British Government propose to take any further part in these unreal proceedings?

I have been asked to answer these questions. I have no information other than that which has appeared in the public Press as to the course taken by the French Government. The series of trials arising out of the preliminary list submitted by the British Government to the Supreme Court at Leipzig has been concluded. The question of the course to be taken in the future will be carefully considered by the Allies.

When will a decision be arrived at?

I could not say. At the earliest possible moment.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if he will not give a date?

I cannot if I would.

Will these trials be taken as specimen trials, and will the Allies determine what is going to be done in regard to action?

That is one of the questions which we shall have to consider.

In view of the fact that last Wednesday the French Prime Minister stated in the French Senate that a communication had been sent to the British Government, and gave the Senate its terms, will the right hon.. Gentleman inquire whether the letter has miscarried?

The hon. Member, if I may say so, disappoints me. He said yesterday that he was going to send me that communication. I want to see it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I did this morning send him a copy of the French Prime Minister's speech?

I have not received the document.

Have any steps been taken yet to arrest Commander Patzig at Danzig?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the results of the War criminal prosecutions at Leipzig, the Allies propose to proceed with them; and what is the cost of such prosecutions to date so far as this country is concerned?

I have been asked to reply. As to the first part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer already given to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall). The cost of the prosecutions, including travelling expenses, has, I understand, been borne by Germany. I should like to add that the Solicitor-General, following the practice of the Law Officers of the Crown at the Paris Conference for the purpose of settling the terms of the Peace Treaty, declined to accept any fees for his attendance at the sittings of the Court at Leipzig.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in the case of goods bought in Germany and coming under the new Reparations Act being delivered free on board at Hamburg, whether, in such case, the British consignee has to pay the 26 per cent. on the freight and insurance; and, if so, whether the funds so derived are treated as reparations and go into the Allied pool?

Under Section 3 (1) of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, freight and insurance are excluded from the value on which the Reparation levy of 26 per cent. is calculated.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can give an estimate of the capital outlay and annual cost of upkeep required to establish an all-British rigid airship service between England and Southern Australia, with airships leaving England and Australia once a week each, and including the cost of the airships required and their necessary sheds, mooring masts, repair outfits, gas-making plants, etc., to be established on. the route; how many airships in commission would be required to run such a weekly service; and how many of these are now available?

No trustworthy figures are available. A paper has, however, been circulated to members of the Parliamentary Air Committee, giving very broadly the assumed cost of such a service. This paper can be made available if desired. I have sent the hon. Member a copy of the Paper.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has no statistics as to the cost of such a service?

They are stated in the Paper to which I have referred.

Why cannot I have an answer now?

Because it is too long.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that it takes one-fourth of a year for the Prime Minister of Australia to travel to and from an Imperial Cabinet in England; and whether he can frame any estimate as to the saving in time that would be effected by an Imperial airship service of rigid airships?

I believe the fact is as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, it is estimated that, when once a regular airship service has been established, an airship should be able to complete the journey from Melbourne to London and back in about three weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the aeroplane flown by Mr. Hawker on the occasion of his fatal accident was fitted with a parachute; and what regulations exist as to the supply of parachutes to aeroplanes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. There are no regulations as to the supply of parachutes to civil aircraft.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases during the War pilots, when their machines took fire, saved themselves by means of parachutes?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will study the evidence given at the inquest he will remain in doubt whether the assertion that the machine caught fire in the air is accurate or not.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how much longer the huts in the Victoria Embankment Gardens between Westminster Bridge and Northumberland Avenue will be required; and why furniture is from time to time taken to these huts and also removed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Harrow on the 15th ultimo. The removal of furniture is necessary in connection with the rearrangement of staffs.

asked the Minister of Health (1) in what districts the difficulty of obtaining roofing materials has been experienced; whether the stock of slate purchased by the Ministry has been disposed of; if so, to whom and on what date; what inquiries, if any, were made of the Welsh slate quarries as to stocks available before purchasing tiles of foreign manufacture at prices in excess of those for which Welsh slate could be obtained;

(2) whether tiles of foreign manufacture are being used on the following housing schemes, namely: Bellingham, Dagenham, Ilford, Tottenham, Hertford, Hammersmith, King's Lynn, Ipswich, Norwich, Chelmsford, Brighton, Watford, Wembley, Dover, Hastings, Haslemere, Bexley, Beckenham, Buxted, Epsom, Fleet, Burgess Hill, Portsmouth, Abercarn, East Grinstead, Purley, Sutton, East Croydon, Swindon, Winchester, Roehampton, Maidenhead, East Cowes, Emsworth, Walker-on-Tyne, Macclesfield, Blackburn, Liverpool, Southend-on-Sea, Kingsclere, Betchworth, Hampton Court, Manchester, Otley, Goudhurst, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Southport, Blackpool, Atherton, Salford, Stockport, Swinton, Altrincham, Prestwich, and Chester-le-Street; whether the plans and specifications were submitted to and approved by the Housing Department of the Ministry of Health; and whether the tiles are in many instances purchased by the Building Material Department of the Ministry'.

My Department has not purchased any tiles of foreign manufacture. A certain quantity of Welsh slates was purchased, and the bulk of these slates has been sold at various dates to local authorities in different parts of the country. The comparatively small stocks still held by my Department are being disposed of in the same way. Many housing schemes in different parts of the country have been delayed by shortage of roofing materials. In some cases (I have not verified all the cases quoted by my hon. Friend, but I have no reason to doubt that he has been correctly informed) contractors to local authorities, with a view to obviating delay in completing houses, have proposed to use foreign tiles. Approval has only been given after consideration of the possibility of obtaining, in reasonable time, materials of British manufacture at an acceptable price. My hon. Friend will realise that slates cannot always be used in districts where tiles are the normal roofing material.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether married naval officers are receiving less in pay and allowances than officers of their approximate age and standing in the Army; and, if this is the case, what steps it is proposed to take to remove this discrepancy?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative as regards officers of certain equivalent ranks, though I ought to add, in qualification of this, that Army officers are, generally speaking, somewhat older than naval officers of the same relative rank. As regards the second part of the question, I can only repeat the assurance which I gave in this House on the 11th instant, that I hope to make a statement upon the subject before the end of the Session.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a memorandum from the China Association setting forth the danger of allowing our policy in China, and especially in Shantung, to be identified with that of Japan; and whether the boycott of Japanese trade in China is practically complete?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the letter from the China Association which was published in the Press on 8th July. I have received no other. No recent reports on the boycott of Japanese trade in China have been received, but according to such information as I have the boycott has varied considerably in different localities and seems, generally speaking, to be diminishing in importance.

Is not the hon. Gentleman of the opinion that some recommendation should be made to the Cabinet to recognise the sovereignty of China?

I do not see that that question arises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the activities of the Commissions on Ancient and Historical Monuments can be reduced in view of the urgent need for departmental economy whenever it can be effected?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on the 14th instant in which I stated that the Treasury are at present in communication with these Commissions with a view to reduction of their expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any information of the Mexican Government resuming the payment of interest on Mexico's external public debt?

I have no official information on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate amount of the American dollar securities returned to the Treasury; and what is the approximate amount the Treasury is still holding?

The total nominal amount of securities lent to the Treasury was £438,311,000, of which securities to the nominal amount of £320,454,955 have been returned to the holders, leaving £117,856,045 still on deposit. Of the latter amount £25,588,887 is under notice for return in August, September and October. The greater part of the balance is pledged as security for outstanding loans in America.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Government will pay to the farmers about £20,000,000 under the Agriculture Act, Part I, it is still intended to pay to the Agricultural Organisation Society public subsidies for organisation of farmers; whether the Government is assured that the farmers are unable to pay for their own organisation, and that these subsidies to the above-mentioned society are necessary; and whether, in view of the demand for economy and the expressed view of the Government that subsidies must go, he will immediately stop all further grants to the Agricultural Organisation Society?

The arrangements proposed under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill are not considered to afford any sufficient reason for terminating the grants made from the Development Fund to the Agricultural Organisation Society. I am satisfied that the grants are required in order to enable the society to establish itself on a self-supporting basis. As previously stated, they are on a diminishing scale, and will terminate in 1923.

What educational research has been attempted by the Agricultural Organisation Society?

The hon. Member should put down a separate question for that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that out of the net profits made by the Mutual Norwegian War Risks Insurance Association, carried on during the War under the auspices of the Norwegian Government, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association have, in recognition of the bravery of the men of the Norwegian mercantile marine during the War, inaugurated a seamen's fund for the benefit of Norwegian seafarers, the capital of it amounting to between 16,000,000 and 20,000,000 kronen, out of which two-thirds will be used as a pension fund, four-thirtieths will be spent on homes for old sailors, three-thirtieths for education purposes, and three-thirtieths for seamen's homes and missions and life-saving institutions; and whether, having regard to the large profits made by Government war risks associations in this country, the Government will consider the propriety of allotting out of these profits an amount which would create an adequate nucleus for a national pension fund for the masters, officers, and men of the merchant service of this country?

My attention has not been called to the question. It is rather a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this question of the profits made by the Norwegian Association, and make a recommendation to the Treasury?

The hon. Baronet had better address that question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles, or the Sea of Marmora are neutral waters?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies returned to the hon. Member for Yeovil on the 18th April and the 21st June, which show the present position. To those replies I am unable to add anything.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether or not Greek warships are operating in these neutral waters?

That point does not arise out of the question, but if the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I have referred he will find a complete reply.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have often looked at previous answers and found that there was no answer at all?