asked the Minister of Labour the reasons why trade unions are called upon to pay for the vacant tickets for their members; and if he will take action in the matter?

The supply of vacant books or vacant tickets is part of the cost of administering State benefit in respect of which associations, having arrangements under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, receive a grant from State funds. The associations have always been required to provide the vacant books at their own expense, but until recently vacant tickets were supplied free. Vacant tickets are an alternative to vacant books and under those circumstances there is no reason why vacant tickets should be supplied free.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that about 60 members in the General Workers' Union working in the paint and colour trade at Hull have signed the unemployment book and have been working three days a week; that they signed on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd June, and again on the 28th, 29th and 30th June; that under the Act of 1920 the men in question would have completed the waiting period of three days and have been entitled to three days'. State pay for the 28th, 29th and 30th June; that, as the Act of 1921 came into operation on and from the 30th June, the men in question were ruled out from receiving the unemployment benefit; and if he will take action in the matter 1

I am informed that the facts stated in the question apply to a certain number of claimants at Hull. A case raising the point at issue will come within the next few days before the Umpire, who alone is empowered to give a final decision. I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that problems of labour, including unemployment, are under the terms of the Government of Ireland Act to be dealt with by the Parliament of Northern Ireland and the Parliament or Government of the South of Ireland, he will say what proportion of the Estimate of £290,454 for the Irish Department of his Ministry he will be able to return to the British Treasury?

The amount cannot be stated until a date for the transfer is fixed, and this date is still under consideration. I should add that some part of the services performed by the Irish Department of. the Ministry of Labour are reserved services, such as the training of disabled men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is intended to continue the Appointments Department after the present financial year; what officers or applicants for positions were placed by the Department during the months of April, May, and June, respectively; and is the considerable staff employed by the Department necessary for the work it is called on to perform?

As already stated in the House, we are at the present time very carefully considering what form the future organisation of the present Appointments Department should take. We hope to discuss the question with the Joint Committee of the Officers' Association and of the Ministry of Labour at an early date.

The placings during the periods referred to were as follows:

Substantial reductions have already been effected in the staff of the Department during the current year, and the administrative changes will continue to be adjusted to the volume of work to be accomplished, but without prejudice to the interests of ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the duties of the 55 non-compliance inspectors of the Employment Department in his Ministry?

Sections 12 and 29 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, provide for the appointment of inspectors to make visits of inspection, principally at employers' works, in order to ensure that unemployment insurance contributions are duly paid. Since 1st June, 1921, this work has been performed on behalf of the Ministry of Labour by the inspectors employed by the Ministry of Health in connection with Health Insurance. The Ministry of Labour, accordingly, no longer employs any inspectors directly for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what date increased pay and allowances was sanctioned for British officers and Regular troops in India; and why the pay has not yet been issued?

The dates on which the last general revisions of pay for British officers and Regular troops in India were announced and the dates from which they took effect are as follow:

For British officers, on the 3rd October, 1919, and 1st July, 1919, respectively.

For British non-commissioned officers and men, on the 31st August, 1920, and the 1st July, 1919, respectively.

Some further minor increases in pay of rank in some cases have been sanctioned for British officers of the Indian Army. T cannot at the moment say whether these have yet been announced in India. They will take effect from the 1st April, 1921. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with the particulars of any cases in which the pay has not yet been adjusted to the new rates I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of issuing in concise leaflet form the exact proposals of the "War Pensions Bill, to enable all ex-service men, both beneficiaries and potential claimants, to understand exactly how they will be affected

My right hon. Friend is in full sympathy with this suggestion, and will take steps to ensure that, as soon as the Bill becomes law, an explanation of its provisions shall be available to all ex-service men through the local committees. My hon. Friend will appreciate that, in view of the probability of Amendments in Committee, any statement issued now might create a very misleading impression, which would be difficult to remove.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the appeal of F. W. Lee, formerly lance-corporal, No. 20,951, Essex Regiment, and now of 1, John Street, All Saints, Manchester, which the Ministry informed the local committee had been sent forward for hearing to the tribunal on the 12th April, will be dealt with; and whether he can expedite the hearing of this appeal?

I understand that the tribunal decided this case in the man's favour on the 13th instant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that, before payment of the bounty of £50 to an officer of the Special Reserve called up in the recent state of emergency, the command paymaster requires answers to a number of questions, such as his business address, who is his inspector of taxes, if he is married, the number of children, all of which appears to have nothing to do with his claim to receive the sum for services rendered; and can he say the object of these questions?

The pay issued to an officer of the Special Reserve called up in the recent emergency is to be assessed to Income Tax by the Income Tax authority for the district in which the officer normally resides or carries on his business or profession. The officer is asked to state his business and private address in order that the pay issued to him may be reported to the inspector concerned in the assessment and that the inspector may be in a position to identify him. He is also asked to state whether he is married and if so the number of children under 16 years of age, in order that the inspector may know approximately, pending receipt of a full Income Tax relief claim, to what Income Tax reliefs the officer is entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a labourer named McCully employed at the gun wharf, Chatham dockyard, was discharged from his employment on Friday, 10th June, 1921; that this man was informed that he was discharged on account of an adverse report by his foreman, but when the foreman was brought face to face with the man he stated he had no fault to find with McCully's work, and that the ordnance officer promised to issue a. good character to the man if he would ask for his discharge voluntarily; and. in view of the contradictory nature of the statements made in the case, if he will reconsider the whole matter with a view to the man's reinstatement?

Mr. McCully was discharged on the 10th June, 1921, for consistently unsatisfactory work and inefficiency and a statement to this effect was included on the notice of discharge issued to him by the ordnance officer. At a subsequent interview the ordnance officer informed Mr. McCully that if it would assist him in any way, he would be prepared to accept his resignation, but no offer of a good character was made. On the facts before me, I find no foundation for the suggestion that any statement was made to Mr. McCully by his immediate superiors conflicting with their reports to the ordnance officer. I do not think this case calls for any reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Committee under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield (Sir S. Roberts), to inquire into the operations of the Navy and Army Canteen Board, has completed its inquiries; if so, when the Report will be published; and when it is intended to lay it before Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Report was published as Command Paper 1280 on 11th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons employed at what was formerly the Deptford Cattle Market, and the nature of the work now being carried on there; and whether, as the premises were taken over for purposes connected with the War, he will consider the desirability of giving up the market premises, in order that they may be restored to their original purpose, namely, the reception of cattle from Canada and elsewhere for immediate slaughter?

The Deptford Cattle Market is used as a supply reserve depot for the Army and for the receipt and despatch of articles included in the ration issued to the troops in the United Kingdom and overseas. The number of persons employed at the depot is 1,252. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply on 14th July to the hon. and gallant Member for Leeds, South-East Division (Captain O'Grady).

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will arrange to publish weekly the amount of the coal output in Great Britain, as was done prior to the stoppage?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is competent for His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, before computing the liability to income tax of a taxpayer, to demand the production of his balance sheet in addition to the production of a trading and profit-and-loss account for the year under review?

Taxpayers are not obliged to produce their balance sheets for the purpose of the computation of their liability to Income Tax. On the other hand there is nothing to prevent Inspectors of Taxes and Income Tax Commissioners from asking for such information and many taxpayers are glad to supply it, as affording the best means of arriving at a correct computation of the liability and of avoiding disputes. In the event of an appeal against an Income Tax assessment, the Commissioners concerned have power to require full information, including balance sheets.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the annual cost of the National Savings Committee's establishment at the Salisbury Hotel; how many persons are employed there; and how many in the provinces?

Provision is made on Subhead A of the Vote for the National Savings Committee (Class VI, Vote 8) for a staff of 294 at a cost of £72,412 per annum. On 1st July the paid staff numbered 246 at headquarters and 28 in the provinces, or 274 in all.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount expended weekly by the National Savings Committee in advertising; and what Vote this amount is included in?

The average weekly amount expended by the National Savings Committee on Press advertising of National Savings Certificates during the last six months—excluding the greater part of the period of coal dispute when advertising was suspended—was £1,630. The expenditure is chargeable to the Consolidated Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what outstanding claims against the Government there are in connection with commandeered hotels; whether any, and, if so, what amount of such claims have been admitted and are unpaid; and whether he proposes to discharge the indebtedness at an early date?

There are 80 claims outstanding in respect of commandeered hotels. Figures are not readily available as to the exact amounts provisionally agreed but unpaid. All such agreements are subject to the consent of the War Compensation Court, who are dealing with outstanding claims as rapidly as possible, and payment will be made as soon as awards are announced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why permits have been refused for the discharge of eight cases of German goods lying at Grimsby docks to the order of Mr. Isaac Taylor, of 46a, Market Street, Manchester, although they arrived before the 8th April, 1921, and although all requisite statutory declarations and affidavits have been sworn?

Permits have not been refused for the eight cases in question; on the contrary, they have now been issued. The examination of the claim at an earlier date was not possible for the reasons explained in my answer of the 23rd ultimo to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers), but I am informed that Mr. Taylor's attention was drawn to the facilities for obtaining immediate delivery under bond by letters dated the 14th and 31st May.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take the opinion of the House on the suggestion to adjourn the present Session at the end of the present month, and to resume it again in November; and whether he is aware of the strength of sentiment in favour of this course?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 11th instant to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson).

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government has now received the report of the conference on licensing legislation presided over by the Attorney-General; and, if so, whether it is intended to introduce a Bill during the present Session of Parliament for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the conference?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have received and considered the Report of the Conference and have approved a Bill for presentation to Parliament to-day. I hope to proceed with the Bill on Friday next.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to continue in existence Section 6 of the Licensing Act of 1902 dealing with the compilation of a black list of consumers; how many such lists are in existence; and whether the police regard such existence as being of real value or utility?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police that there are no longer any such lists in London, where they have not proved to be of much value. I cannot give the information for other districts.

asked the Home Secretary how many paid and accredited alien Bolshevist and Communist representatives are engaged in propaganda work in this country; how many have been warned by the police regarding violent and provocative language; how many have been prosecuted and deported; and what steps are being taken to check the landing of aliens whose open and avowed mission is to stimulate discontent and unsettling agitation

It is not possible to give the figures asked for in the first three parts of this question. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to my answer to a somewhat similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on the 31st May last. An alien with a mission such as is indicated in the last paragraph of the question would, in the first instance, under the visa system at present in force, be refused a visa authorising his journey to this country, and if he succeeded in reaching these shores would be refused leave to land.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the annoyance and inconvenience caused to residents in Westminster by itinerant musicians and barrel-organ performers, who disturb invalids and interfere with the legitimate occupations of inhabitants of the district; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to abate this nuisance?

I am informed that some complants as to street musicians in Westminster have been made recently to the police. Under the Metropolitan Police Act, 1864, the police have power, if street musicians disturb invalids or interfere with the legitimate occupations of the inmates of houses, to require them to move on under a penalty of 40s., but they can only do so at the request of the householder who must, if necessary, go to the police station to charge the offender; and I understand that the difficulty arises from the reluctance of householders to take these steps. I am satisfied that the police have offered all possible assistance to complainants, but without the co-operation of complainants no further action on their part is practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the present inefficient means of transit across the river from Gravesend to the Essex shore; whether he is aware of an agitation supported by a number of local authorities in favour of the cutting of a tunnel; whether he has been requested to receive a deputation on this matter; and whether the interview de sired will be arranged at an early date?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to the proposed tunnel under the Thames, and he has already intimated his willingness to receive a deputation of persons interested in the scheme, which he hopes to do on the earliest date mutually convenient.

asked the Prime Minister whether at the coming conference at Washington the League of Nations Council will be represented, with the object of avoiding any conclusions at variance with the principles of the League to which most at all events of the Powers represented are committed?

The representation of the Powers who will take part in the Conference at Washington is not yet decided. All of them, except the United States of America, are members of the League.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the recom- mendations in paragraph 9, page 4, of the Treasury circular on reduction of public expenditure, dated 13th May, 1921, have effected economy in the administration of national services; and how far the policy of the Government has been modified in order to meet the terms of this circular?

The policy of His Majesty's Government has already been modified as regards agriculture and housing. As has been frequently pointed out, the Departmental replies to the Treasury circular are not due to reach the Treasury until the end of this month, and they will require to be examined and considered by the Cabinet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position with regard to the treaty of peace with Hungary; what steps have been taken to restore the conditions necessary to enable British holders of Hungarian Government or municipal stocks to deal with them; and when he anticipates that these facilities will be in operation?

The Treaty of Peace with Hungary has been ratified by the Governments of Great Britain and Italy. The Bill enabling the French Government to ratify has been passed by the Senate, and the deposit of ratifications will take place in Paris shortly, although I am not yet in a position to give the exact date. The treaty will then come into force. The last two parts of the; question are not clearly understood, as there is no legal prohibition which would debar British holders of Hungarian Government or municipal stock from dealing with them. I may, however, remind the hon. and learned Member that, in accordance with the ninth paragraph of the Annex to Article 186 of the Treaty of Trianon, British holders of unsecured bonds of the Hungarian Government debt are required to deliver the bonds which they hold through the agency of His Majesty's Government to the Reparation Commission, and will receive in exchange new issues of bonds corresponding to their surrendered bonds. An announcement as to the steps to be taken in the analogous case of Austrian bonds was made by the Administration of Austrian property in the Press on the 21st of October, 1920, and I understand that a similar announcement will be made as regards Hungarian bonds when the Treaty of Trianon has come into force. The Treaty contains no special provisions as regards municipal securities.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason for restricting the privilege of having letters despatched from London to Scotland on Sundays, on payment of an extra fee of 1s., to the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow; on what ground a similar privilege is denied to the city of Aberdeen; and whether he can see his way to extend the list so as to include the burghs of Frazerburgh and Peterhead?

These despatches were arranged experimentally to provide an outlet for urgent letters from the largest towns in the United Kingdom. I do not propose to extend the service elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths were certified by registered practitioners in each year during the past 10 years; how many deaths were uncertified; and how many of the latter deaths were reported to coroners?

It is not possible to state the number of deaths which were certified by a registered medical practitioner or the number of those which were not so certified. The available statistics are derived from deaths registration; and a death which is the subject of an inquest is registered on the certificate of the coroner, whether it had or had not been previously certified by a registered medical practitioner. The figures of deaths registered respectively on the certificate of a registered medical practitioner, on the certificate of a coroner, and without either a medical certificate or an inquest are as follows:

With regard to the last part of the question, registrars of births and deaths have been required since 2nd March, 1914, to report all cases of uncertified deaths to

a coroner, but complete information as to the number reported in the previous years is not available.