asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the many cases of ex-officers and men who are playing organs and musical instruments in the streets, and are thereby appealing for public charity on the ground that the Government, after fully availing itself of their services, has left them broken and penniless; and what steps, if any, he has taken to inquire into the genuineness and facts of these cases, with the object of nullifying such grievances as exist and thereby ending a grave public scandal?

Inquiries are made by my Department regarding any particular case in which it is suggested that the man was disabled in the War and has not received his due from the Ministry. Further than that, I do not think I can interfere; but I may inform the House that in many instances inquiries have shown that the representations made to the public were far from being genuine, and that the real reason for adopting this means of livelihood is to be found in its lucrative returns.

Will the right hon. Gentleman concentrate his attention upon these individuals who are masquerading as ex-service men?

We have done that in one or two cases, and shall keep an eye on them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all ex-service men of the same grade who have qualified for permanent posts in the recent Civil Service examination will be paid the same rate of salary irrespective of age; and, if so, whether, having regard to the recommendations in paragraph 26 of the Ramsay Report on the organisation of the Civil Service, and paragraph 9 of the Scott Report on temporary staffs, and to the hardship to older and married men who have qualified and will receive the same salary as successful candidates of 18 years of age, he will introduce some arrangement to remedy this inequality?

The question of the initial pay of ex-service candidates appointed to the clerical class as the result of the recent examination was fully considered by the Lytton Committee, who arrived at the conclusion that it would not be right to base the rate of starting pay either on the age of the candidate or on the length of service rendered, but that it would be more equitable to determine it by reference to the rate of pay received in a temporary capacity. H.M. Government are satisfied that this decision is the fairest that could be reached in the circumstances, and they see no reason to depart from it.

Are we to understand that in some cases middle-aged married men will draw the same pay as candidates who are 18 years of age?

I do not know that there are cases so extreme as that, but certainly the result of the basis to which I have referred will be that the limiting condition for starting pay is not the age of the candidate, but his temporary pay.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the great anxiety felt by thousands of war widows and others entirely dependent on such money in anticipation of a promised revision of such rates with a view to permanence, he is in a position to make a statement indicating whether there is any intention to abolish, or very seriously curtail, the allowance to widows, orphans, and dependants; and whether he purposes making special provision for the elementary, secondary, and technical education of war orphans and fatherless children?

The Bill at present before the House does not in any way interfere with the amount of rates of pensions and allowances to ex-service men and their dependants.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many persons, male and female, are employed at the regional office for the south-western area; what is the total of salaries and wages per annum; and what is the cost, under the various heads, of rent, rates and taxes, lighting, heating and cleaning, stationery and printing, travelling expenses, and miscellaneous?

The total number of staff employed in the Regional Headquarters Office is 396 male (of whom 384 are ex-service men) and 37 female. The total annual expenditure on salaries and wages in respect of this staff is £93,994. I am making inquiries regarding the remainder of the question, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Does not that seem to be an enormous total for salaries and wages, apart from upkeep?

I know, and if my hon. Friend will do me the honour of reading my Second Reading speech he will see that I appreciate that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information to the effect that a French steamer laden with war material, including 38 cannons and 608 tons of munitions, destined for Poland, has lately arrived in Danzig?

I have no information on the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries on this matter, with a view to making it clear whether munitions are going into the Danzig district, and for what purpose?

I will consider that, and perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me the source of his own information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the district commissioner of Al Mahalla, together with his assistant, beat with a whip a man named Abdul Kader Sharaf, because he would not sign a declaration of confidence in the Adly Cabinet; that the authorities entered the house of the daughter of the late Mustapha Khalil Pasha, arrested her son, and took from him declarations of confidence in Saad Zaghloul Pasha, signed by 6,000 persons; that the village police of Meet Abu Ghaleb, in the Sherbeen district of Gharbez province, and of other places, have been made to sign declara- tions in support of Adly Pasha at the time when they were receiving their pay; that the mayor of Khalama forcibly took from the inhabitants of that village declarations of confidence in Zaghloul Pasha; and that the mayor of Samadone, in Mennfeza province, together with his assistants and the village police, all resigned as a mark of protest against acts of coercion which they were required to perform in order to obtain support for Adly Pasha?

No, Sir, I have no information with regard to any of these alleged incidents.

Is it not a fact that these occurrences have been widespread, and that in spite of these occurrences there has been a large number of declarations in favour of Zaghloul Pasha?

There appears to be an equal number of declarations in favour of Adly Pasha.

Is not there an overwhelming majority in favour of Zaghloul Pasha?

If my hon. Friend will read the answer which I gave to him yesterday, he will see that it appears that the number of signatures to these various appeals far outnumbers the total population of Egypt.

If I send the hon. Gentleman the figures and statistics that we have, will he try to verify them?

I will do my best, but perhaps my hon. Friend will guide me as to the best way of verifying them.

Are there any such places as the two provinces called "Gharbez" and "Mennfeza"?. I have never heard of them.

I had not hitherto heard of them.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many scholars were on the roll of the elementary schools of England and Wales in August, 1914, and the number on the roll at present; and whether the accommodation for seating is equal to the pre-war standard?

In 1913–14 the number of scholars on the registers of elementary schools in England and Wales was 6,111,028. On 31st January, 1919, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the number of scholars was 5,917,854. Owing to difficulties of building, movement of population, and the financial condition of the country, it has not been possible in all cases to maintain the standard of accommodation at the level prevailing before the War.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that there is adequate school accommodation for the number of children who are eligible?

Certainly not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman really satisfied with the figures he has just given?

Is not the keeping up of the pre-War standard of seating accommodation in elementary schools the least we can do?

It is certainly very desirable that the pre-War standard should be maintained, but I think hon. Members will realise the very great difficulties under which the Board labours at the present moment.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of scholars on the roll of the secondary schools of England and Wales in August, 1914, and the number on the roll at present; and whether the accommodation for seating is equal to the pre-War standard?

The number of pupils in secondary schools in England and Wales recognised for grants was about 198,000 in 1914 and 339,000 in 1920. Owing to the difficulties in the way of building, many of the schools are overcrowded, or have had to make use of temporary accommodation, such as Army huts or private residences, and the standard of accommodation is consequently and inevitably in many cases lower than it was before the War.

Is not that also the case in many private schools and in public schools?

Fifteen in a class, and we have got 80 in ours!

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will see that responsible government is not given to Rhodesia without votes for such responsible government being given to the natives on an educational franchise and. on the same terms as given to Europeans, or until sufficient native electors are on the roll to protect native interests?

The existing law, which contains an educational test, enables a native to be registered on exactly the same qualifications as a European. Lord Buxton's Committee recently recommended that the natives' right to the franchise should be protected, and this recommendation has the hearty approval of His Majesty's Government. Beyond this, however, they are not prepared to go.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the present time there are so few natives with votes that if responsible government is given to Rhodesia the interests of the natives cannot possibly be looked after?

My hon. and gallant Friend is aware that Lord Buxton's Committee was very careful to lay down provisions by which the rights of the natives should be protected. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government those provisions, if carried out, are adequate.

Will they be carried out?

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the only way in which the interests of the natives can be permanently guaranteed, once responsible government is given, is by the natives having a vote proportionate to the importance of their interests?

I cannot accept that, because that would imply criticism, which I do not think is well founded, of the administration in the past.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the experience in Natal in 1906 conclusively proved that the safeguards proposed by Lord Buxton's Committee were absolutely nugatory in practice?

No, I cannot accept that view. My hon. Friend will find the matter argued at length in the Report of Lord Buxton's Committee, and I am not disposed to share his criticism of their judgment.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Report of Lord Buxton's Committee is one of the most reactionary documents that ever came out of South Africa?

That is clearly a matter of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is expected that he will receive the delegation of the Rhodesian Legislative Council to discuss the outstanding financial and constitutional questions regarding the future of Southern Rhodesia; and whether he will give an undertaking not to promise any payment or loan-guarantee at the expense of the Imperial taxpayer to Rhodesia before consulting Parliament?

I am expecting the delegation of Elected Members towards the end of September. No financial obligations will be undertaken without the consent of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present estimated white and native population, respectively, of Southern Rhodesia; what were the same populations in Natal when responsible government was granted to that Colony; whether, when responsible government was granted to Natal, the Natal Government had any assets in the way of land, minerals, or railways at its disposal; and whether any grant or loan was made by the British taxpayer to the responsible Government of Natal during the first five years of its existence?

The European population of Southern Rhodesia as disclosed by the census taken last May is about 33,500. The native population is estimated to be 770,000. The corresponding figures for Natal when responsible government was granted are approximately 47,000 and 456,000, and there was also an Indian immigrant population of 41,000. The Natal Government at that time owned about 400 miles of railways and 3,500,000 acres of unalienated land. Land sales in 1893–94 amounted to £36,000. The revenue derived from minerals seems to have been negligible No loan was made by the Treasury during the first five years, but there was a public debt of about £7,000,000 at the end of 1893.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the constitution given to Natal provided adequate safeguards for the interests of the natives and the Indian population?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before any further financial or constitutional commitments are entered into by this country in respect of Southern Rhodesia, the Government of the Union of South Africa will be fully consulted; and whether he has received from the Government of the Union of South Africa any representations regarding the proposals with regard to the future holding and disposal of the remaining unalienated lands of Southern Rhodesia as set forth in the Buxton Committee's Report?

As stated in reply to another question by my hon. Friend, I am expecting a delegation of elected members at the end of September to discuss the proposed Constitution, and no action will be taken in the meanwhile. With regard to the second part of the question, I have received no representations from the Union Government.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the costly repast given at the expense of the Government's Hospitality Fund at the Savoy Hotel on Friday, 15th July, to the Anglo-American professors of history; if he will state the actual cost per guest entertained; whether he is aware that many of the American guests considered the parade of expensive liquid refreshments to be quite unnecessary, in view of their national attitude on this matter; and will he consider whether greater economy can be exercised at all hospitality functions in the future, in view of the urgent need for national economy?

The First Commissioner, who administers this fund, is reluctant to publish cost sheets of Government entertainments, which vary in scale, character, and cost; but he is quite willing to meet any hon. Members interested in the subject, and explain the actual outlays to them. The expenditure is, of course, submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor-General. The First Commissioner does not share the opinion of the hon. Member that the recent entertainment of the Anglo-American professors was extravagant, and he can further give an assurance that every possible economy is exercised at these functions, and that both he and the Treasury will continue to maintain strict control over the expenditure of the fund.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the opinion of extravagance is one formed by many of the guests?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman observe the statement that their view was that the parade of expensive liquid refreshments was quite unnecessary in view of their national attitude on this matter? It says nothing about their personal attitude, and it is possible their attitude may be that of the Scottish magistrate, a teetotaller, who was found drinking champagne at a. deputation, and said it was purely local business.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government are prepared to favourably consider the erection of further houses under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, in those districts where there is a surplus of unemployed labour in the building trade and where the absence of further housing provision will inflict serious hardship on the district?

The special circumstances of individual local authorities in relation to housing will receive careful consideration within the general limitations of the housing programme which I explained last Thursday.

As, owing to the shortage of houses, mobility of labour is not possible, would it not be more economical to use the labour where it is.

The forthcoming Debate will afford an opportunity of discussing that question.

( by Private Notice )asked the Minister of Health whether private builders who have purchased land for building purposes, and who have had plans prepared prior to 14th July, and are in a position to commence building within the next five weeks dating from 21st July, can proceed with their building operations, relying upon the Government subsidy being granted subject to the above conditions being complied with?

The answer to the question is in the affirmative. I will explain the position in detail in the statement which I shall make later in the afternoon.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the action of certain local rating authorities in raising the assessments on houses recently converted into flats to a figure in excess of the assessment on pre-War flats of similar size and value; whether such action is in accordance with the policy of the Government; and, if not, what instructions he proposes to issue to local authorities in the matter?

My attention has been called to cases of this kind, but I am advised that there is nothing in the Rent Restrictions Act or any other Statute to limit the assessment of new or reconstructed houses to that of pre-War houses of a similar character, and, in any case, I have no authority to give any directions to assessment authorities on the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the widespread distress in Hanwell, Middlesex, through the lack of proper housing accommodation; whether huts, capable of housing about 100 families, are standing empty and unused in Framfield Road, Hanwell; whether these huts were utilised during the War for housing Belgian families; and whether they can now be employed in accommodating ex-service men and their families, who, in some cases, are compelled to live in one room with as many as seven children?

I will have inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether contracts for new capital ships will be placed before the results of the negotiations for naval disarmament are known?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Conference shortly to be held at Washington on limitation of armaments and the urgent need of economy in every direction, he will give instructions to the Admiralty to suspend all work on designs and collection of material for new capital ships until the recommendations of that Conference have been carefully considered by the Government?

As stated in the First Lord's Memorandum, explanatory of the Navy Estimates, it cannot be too strongly emphasised that, in making this long-delayed beginning with the replacement of obsolete ships, the Government neither commits itself to, nor contemplates, any building " Programmes" in answer to those of any other Power. Indeed, it trusts that it may be possible, as a result of frank and friendly discussion with the principal Naval Powers, to avoid anything approaching to competitive building, either now or in the future. But, meanwhile, it would be a dereliction of duty on the part of the Admiralty to allow the efficiency, training, or moral of the Royal Navy to deteriorate through neglect to provide it with material which is equal to the best, and in which it can feel confidence. It is also imperative to avoid an irrevocable loss of time and building facilities, which might make it impossible to maintain our sea security if it should be threatened. These are the reasons which make it essential for the Government to proceed with its policy of replacing obsolete capital ships, and this necessity is not affected by the possible success or failure of the forthcoming Wahington Conference.

Is it not a fact that once a contract is placed we are committed to the programme? Would it not be possible to postpone the placing of the contract until, as we hope, the good results of the Conference are known?

I do not see how the Washington Conference could affect these four ships at all.

Does this mean that if there were no opposing navies at all we should still be replacing these obsolete ships?

Does it mean that whatever the results of the Washington Conference we are definitely pledged to spend £28,000,000 on these four ships?

Assuming that the Washington Conference is a complete success I do not think that would remove the obligation we are under to build these four ships.

Then we may take it the results of the Washington Conference will not relieve our naval expenditure?

asked the Prime Minister who will be the British delegates to the Washington Conference?

The arrangements for the Conference have not yet been made.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to dispense with the sanctions enforced by the occupation of Dusseldorf, Duisburg, and Ruhrort?

I can make no statement on this matter, pending the meeting of the Supreme Council of the Allies.

When will that meeting take place?

I think there is a question later on that point.

asked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to report any further progress in the settlement of Upper Silesia; if he is aware of the great damage done, and being done, to industrial undertakings in the province during the Polish insurrection and invasion; and who will be required to make good this damage?

No further progress in the settlement of Upper Silesia can be effected until the next meeting of the Supreme Council, the date of which is still the subject of negotiations between the Allied Governments. I have no details as to the amount of damage done to industrial undertakings. This question, as also that of reparation for the damage, is being examined by a special tribunal appointed by the Inter-Allied Commission, who will doubtless report their conclusions in due course.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that all the Allies are acting in complete . accord in Upper Silesia as far as that policy is concerned?

If the French refuse an opportunity for discussion of the Upper Silesian question, is there any means whatever by which we can force a settlement?

asked the Prime Minister if the task of selling German shipping on behalf of the Reparation Commission or the Government has been undertaken in this country by any State Department, and, if so, which; what staff is employed; what are the salaries paid; if the Department is assisted by advice from others than members of its staff; and what, if any, are its responsibilities to the Reparation Commission?

German ships allotted to Great Britain are being sold on behalf of the Reparation Commission by Lord Inch-cape. Lord Inchcape is making no charge for his services. He is assisted by an Advisory Committee, consisting of Sir Joseph Maclay, Sir Ernest Glover, and Sir John Esplen, together with a representative of the Treasury. All sales have to be approved by the Maritime Service of the Reparation Commission.

asked the Prime Minister who are the members of the Reparation Commission; whether they fixed, during 1919, 1920, and the first four months of 1921, that Germany should pay any part of her obligations for reparations in ships; and, if so, will he say whether any part of her obligations has been paid in such manner, and, if so, in what instalments and on what dates; also, if he will say what value, if any, in gold marks Germany placed on such ships; what steps the Reparations Committee have taken to realise the value of these ships, and, if any, whether the whole or any number of the ships have been sold, and, if so, what has been the equivalent amount in gold marks realised on those sold; and what is the equivalent value in gold marks of those remaining unsold?

The answer to this question is lengthy, and, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

The members of the Reparation Commission are:—

Monsieur Dubois, Chairman and French Delegate.

The Marquis Salvage Raggi, Vice-Chairman and Italian Delegate.

Sir John Bradbury, G.C.B., British Delegate.

Monsieur Delacroix, Belgian Delegate.

Mr. Sekiba, Japanese Delegate.

Monsieur Diouritch, Serbian Delegate.

In addition, each of the above countries is represented by an assistant delegate.

Mr. Boyden is unofficial representative of the United States of America.

The obligation upon Germany to deliver ships by way of reparation is laid down in Annex III to Part VIII of the Treaty of Versailles; the Reparation Commission had the power under Article 235 to demand the delivery before 1st May, 1921, of ships other than those referred to in this Annex, but did not exercise this power. Up to 1st May, 1921, Germany had delivered 402 ships of 2,148,654 gross tonnage. I am unable to say in precisely what instalments and at what dates delivery has been effected, but the process of delivery has been continuing since the coming into force of the Treaty. Up to the present time about 2,500,000 tons have been delivered and about 250,000 tons remain to be delivered. I am unable to state what value Germany placed upon the ships delivered, but I understand that the German Government has agreed that the estimate of their value originally submitted to the Reparation Commission was too high. The ships allotted to this country (which form roughly 70 per cent. of the whole) are being sold on behalf of the Reparation Commission by Lord Inchcape. Up to the 18th instant, 320 vessels of about 1,430,000 tons had been sold at a price of about £18,300,000, or roughly 300,000,000 gold marks (from which considerable deductions for delivery and other expenses have to be made). I am unable to reply as to ships allotted to other countries, nor can I give figures as to the value in gold marks of the ships remaining unsold.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the cost of production per ton during 1919, 1920, and the first four months of 1921, of shipping similar to that of the German ships, if any, which have been taken over by the Reparation Commission and offered for sale in this country?

The ex-German ships sold on behalf of the Reparation Commission were of very varied types, and it would be impracticable to give a figure representing the present cost of production per ton of that fleet; but there is no doubt that the present-day cost of building is much greater than the price at which the ships are being sold.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet ratified the convention for the establishment of the permanent Court of International Justice?

The instrument of ratification has been submitted to the King for His Majesty's signature. It will be deposited at Geneva as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to a Notice of Motion relating to the Leipzig trials standing in the names of a large number of Members representative of all sections of the House; and whether, in view of this evidence of widespread interest in the subject, ho will grant a day for discussion of the Motion?

Yes, Sir. I have seen the Motion referred to. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to what I said to him on Monday last is reply to a similar question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the 23rd June, speaking on behalf of the Government, the Solicitor-General said:

"When the present series of trials at Leipzig has been concluded, and further information concerning them is available, this House will be afforded an opportunity of discussion, if that is the generally expressed desire of hon. Members."— [OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd June, 1921; col. 1539, Vol. 143.]—

and that on the 11th July, the Attorney-General answering a similar question said:

"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."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th July, 1921; cols. 877–8, Vol. 144.]

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that these two undertakings, given on behalf of the Government, are to be disregarded, and that we must take our chance on the Consolidated Fund Bill when anybody can talk about anything?

I am not certain that there is the generally expressed desire on the part of the House to which my right hon. and learned Friend referred. We must consider the general condition of public business and the work we have to get through, and having regard to that, I am sorry that I am unable to afford any opportunity other than the Consolidated Fund Bill discussion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Notice of Motion bears the signatures of nearly 100 Members, representing every section of the House. If he cannot give a day for this motion, will he put down the Foreign Office Vote one day, on the understanding that the discussion will be taken then?

All the Votes will be taken by arrangement through the usual channels. The number of Supply days still remaining is very small.

I beg to give notice that, at the end of questions, I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most of these persons are Freemasons?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that very considerable inconvenience, and at times very serious losses, are being incurred by traders from the delays in passing German goods through the Customs under the Reparation Act; that large quantities of goods for which full statutory declarations have been made are being held up in the Customs, not merely weeks, but months, without any reason being given; that considerable misunderstanding exists as to the exact form the affidavits should take; and will he, in the interests of the business community, arrange that a notice shall be issued by the Customs stating the exact form of proof required?

I assume the hon. Member refers to goods in respect of which claims for exemption have been made, and I would refer him to the reply given on the 23rd June to the Hon. Member for the Spen Valley Division. Public notices indicating the various exemptions from the levy and the manner in which claims for exemption should be made have been freely distributed to importers. In cases where the claim to exemption is not in order the requirements are explained by letter, attention being drawn to the fact that, pending completion of the claim, immediate delivery of the goods may be obtained under bond.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made for carrying out the duties of the Minister without Portfolio until the end of the present Session?

The duties of the Minister without Portfolio, as far as the Cabinet is concerned, naturally ceased with his resignation. His duties on Committees will be discharged as required by other Ministers.

Are we to understand that the work of the Cabinet has decreased since the resignation of the Minister without Portfolio?

It must surely be obvious, even to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, that you cannot appoint a special Minister for one month.

Are we to understand that what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the absolute necessity of this Minister when he was defending his retention is not so?

I do not see why the hon. Member should make that assumption. It undoubtedly is an inconvenience that my right hon. Friend should have resigned before the end of the Session, and that we should have to get along the best way we can, but we cannot appoint a Minister merely for one month.

Could not we do without the lot of them?

asked the Prime Minister to which newspaper or newspapers will in future be granted the special facilities hitherto enjoyed by the "Times?"

I have nothing to add to the full statement which I made on Monday last in reply to questions on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when he made that statement he said there were very special facilities accorded to the " Times " newspaper? Is that the case, and if it were the case are these special facilities to be given now?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the withdrawal of certain privileges from the "Times" newspaper, he will state whether any newspaper or newspapers may be now considered as representing official opinion?

No, Sir. There is nothing in this country in the nature of an official Press.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement of the "Times'' that their news service is better than the Foreign Office news service?

Has the editor of the "Daily Herald" had the same privileges as all the other papers?

Is it a fact that the "Times" newspaper had special privileges? If so, are those special privileges now dispensed with, or are they to go to another newspaper, and, if so, which?

That question was put to me before.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the important ruling of Mr. Justice Paterson in the case of A. G. Marshall v. Mary Grinbaum and others, where the plaintiff, as holder of Russian State bonds, failed in his claim to seize 7,500 gold roubles deposited in the Bank of England, and of which the said Miss Grinbaum was custodian, as agent for the Soviet Government; what steps he proposes to take to protect the holders of the many millions' worth of Russian securities held by British citizens; and what action he intends to take to protect the interests, not only of the holders of Russian securities, but of the taxpayers who advanced millions to that country during the War?

The decision referred to was based on the failure of the plaintiff to establish that the gold roubles were charged with the payment of the State bonds, and the Government does not propose to take any steps in consequence of the decision, the soundness of which there is no reason to question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the flogging, tarring, and feathering of the Rev. Philip Irwin, a British subject, at Miami, Florida, for preaching social equality between blacks and whites; and whether any representations have been made to Washington respecting the treatment of this Christian, who is also a British subject?

My attention has been called to the case in question. I feel confident that the proper United States authorities will take all such steps as may be necessary to see that justice is done, without representations to that effect from His Majesty's Government.

Have His Majesty's Government considered the desirability of advising emigrants to the Southern States of North America as to the desirability of imposing their opinions of international brotherhood as expressed in the Scriptures?

Has the hon. Gentleman observed that the hon. Member for Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) pointed out that the Sinn Feiners engaged largely in outrages were the only teetotallers in Ireland, and is not that due to prohibition in America?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, as promised in the King's Speech and in the House of Commons, will introduce and carry into law a Minimum Wage Bill which would ensure a decent standard of comfort in the houses of the workers of this country; and whether, as the passing of such a Bill would tend to allay indus- trial unrest in the country, the Government will consider the advisability of having an Autumn Session to deal with this and other important matters?

For reasons already given, the Government think it important to avoid an Autumn Session this year, and we are not prepared to propose the re-assembling of Parliament in the autumn for the consideration of a Bill on this subject.

Is this to be considered as another of the broken pledges of the Government? Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out no hope of this Bill being passed in the short life of the present Parliament?

Did not the Prime Minister give a very definite and specific pledge on this matter less than two years ago?

Did the pledge include a Minimum Work Bill at the same time?

For lawyers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, as part of the suggested terms of settlement of Irish affairs, make provision for the grant of improved pensions for pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police which will relieve the men and their families from the condition of poverty verging on starvation in which many of them now find themselves?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's description of the position of these pensioners. In any case questions of this character must be dealt with on their merits.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether in considering this question of a settlement in Ireland consideration will be given to the claims of this unfortunate class, the Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners and their families?

My hon. and learned Friend may rely upon it that in any settlement that may take place it will be regarded as an obligation of honour on our part to see that these gallant men are looked after. I can assure my hon. Friend that this is one of the questions we considered last night, and we felt that it was an obligation on our part to make it one of the considerations of a settlement.

Will the same consideration be shown to the old-age pensioners in England?

They are treated better than in any other country in the world.

In speaking of the Royal Irish Constabulary, did the right hon. Gentleman include the Auxiliary Division attached to the Royal Irish Constabulary, and will their case be taken into consideration?

They are part of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Hear, hear!

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that pensions are to be paid to these men who have been brought over to Ireland from England?

I am not going to say what will be done. We shall certainly consider their case and see that fair play is done to them in any settlement which takes place. That is our obligation.

Has the Leader of the House any statement to make as to the position with regard to the Irish situation?

At 11.30 this morning, the Prime Minister and Mr. de Valera had a further conference which lasted about an hour.

A basis for a formal conference has not yet been found. Mr. de Valera has arranged to return to Ireland to-morrow and to communicate with Mr. Lloyd George again after further discussion with his colleagues.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the vital importance of medical research to the health of the nation, the prevention or cure of disease and the alleviation of pain, there can e provided a fund from which can be paid awards for discoveries or inventions which contribute to the general health of the community and which are placed gratuitously at the service of the public, pensions to those who have become totally or partially incapacitated in the course of research; and pensions to dependents of those who have directly or indirectly as a result of their devotion to research?

I see no ground for differentiating medical from other forms of scientific research which may be of equal value to the community, and I doubt whether any system of pecuniary rewards would in the long run be beneficial to science or medicine. The difficulty of apportioning merit for even the greatest of discoveries is often overwhelming; monetary rewards would lead to jealousy instead of co-operation among research workers, and might prove to be an incentive to work for results which are sensational rather than for the advancement of scientific knowledge. The question was fully discussed at a deputation which I received on 7th March, 1920, at the Privy Council Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that in one branch alone, the research into the value of X-rays, a great number of medical men have lost their lives, and their dependents get no recognition from the nation?

I believe there were in the early days of X-ray investigation very serious results to some medical men who lost their lives. Of course, their dependents are eligible for pensions. The Royal Bounty Fund is available for this purpose. Whether the Royal Bounty Fund is large enough is a question on which I am not competent to give an answer.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give a day for a special debate when the replies of the Government Departments have been received in regard to reductions in their expenditure?

As I have already stated, the replies to the Treasury-circular are not due until the end of this month. When they are received they will require careful and detailed examination by the Treasury, which must inevitably occupy considerable time, and until that examination is completed any discussion on the subject would be premature.

Are we to have any discussion on this important matter before the House rises?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any replies from the Government Departments to the Treasury letter of 13th May respecting reductions in their expenditure?

A certain number of replies have been received, chiefly from the smaller Departments.

Before the Session closes, can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication to the House of what reductions the Departments propose?

It would be a great mistake, and it would serve no useful purpose, if we were to place a half-digested report before the House. It is obvious that after the Departments report what they can do it will be necessary for the Treasury officials and myself to make investigations to see what more can be done or whether enough has been promised. It would be useless to put before the House reports upon which we might not be going to act and which might require very much further discussion before anything could be done.

Will not the result be that the House of Commons will have no opportunity of considering the effects of this new policy of economy until next year, when it will be too late to do anything effective to regulate the expenditure of the country?

On the contrary, the House of Commons will have every opportunity before the expenditure of next year is decided to deal with the matter.

Does not every Department insist that its work is the most important in the State, and if a Department refuses to give way what is going to happen?

We have a great many other questions on the Paper.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that the Army Estimates for the current year to the amount of £103,315,000 were introduced some months ago and have never yet been discussed, he can state on what day this Vote will be taken?

I regret that I see no prospect of being able to allocate one of the remaining Supply days to this discussion. Of the 20 days allotted for Supply under Standing Orders, 18 have already been taken, to-day being included in that number. An additional day over and above the 20 allotted days has already been promised, and I hope that it may be possible to grant a further day, but both these days will be required for discussions on other Votes. In these circumstances, I fear that it will be impossible to arrange for a discussion on the Army Estimates, but I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that there was a full discussion on Army expenditure on 15th March. There were also further discussions on the 18th and 20th April in connection with the Supplementary Estimates, while the discussions on the Middle Eastern Services were concerned to a very large extent with Army expenditure.

Is there any precedent in Parliamentary history for Army Estimates amounting to over £100,000,000 not being brought up for discussion in this House?

My hon. and learned Friend is resting on a technicality. The discussion this year took place on a Vote on Account instead of on the Army Estimates, owing to a change in the form in which the Estimates were produced.

Were the Estimates produced at the time the Vote on Account was taken?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Debate to which reference has been made was in no sense a Debate on the Estimates in the sense to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, but that it was a very general Debate and not a Debate on the Estimates such as the House has always been accustomed to?

The Debate was what it pleased Members of the House to make it. The Government are not responsible for that. If the right hon. Gentleman and the House generally prefer to have the Army Estimates on one of the remaining days, I will, of course, meet their wishes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the advisability of the House meeting on Fridays at 11 o'clock instead of 12 and rising at 4 instead of 5, thus enabling Members whose homes are several miles from Westminster to attend the whole sitting of the House and return to their homes for the week-end with much less inconvenience than is possible when the House does not rise till 5 o'clock?

If it is the general desire of the House that my hon. Friend's proposal should be adopted, I would gladly put a Motion on the Paper making the necessary alterations of time for Friday sittings, to take effect for the remainder of this Session. I hope that any hon. Members who have views on the subject will be good enough to communicate them to the Patronage Secretary so that we may gather what is the opinion of the House.

Will the Government consider the advisability of meeting every day at 2 o'clock, and finishing at 10 o'clock?

That is a. matter quite separate from the question of Friday sittings.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is intended, at the close of the Session, to dispense with the-services of one of the Patronage Secretaries; and, if not, what departmental or public business he will be charged with when the House is not sitting?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green on the 4th July. .

Has not the right hon. Gentleman already said that this appointment was a temporary one, and can he give me some definite time for its termination?

No. I have nothing to add.

May I ask a question, and a rather personal one? Is it not a fact that a position had to be found for the ex-Minister of Food, and that he was appointed owing to that fact?

No. That is not true.

This matter has been debated in the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of many miners who are in arrears with their Income Tax; and, if so, will he empower the collectors to allow an extension of time to pay such tax, as the arrears are unpaid owing to the lock-out?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given yesterday to the hon. Member for Seaham.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men have been summoned to recover payment of these taxes?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 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?

I regret to be unable to adopt this suggestion, in view especially of the present financial position. The Government have accepted responsibility for the payment of pensions in respect of merchant officers and seamen who lost their lives or were injured through War perils, and provision is made for this purpose in the Estimates, Class VI, Vote 4. The capitalised cost of these pensions is likely to exceed the profits received by the Exchequer from the various Government Marine War Bisks Schemes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right that we should be less generous to the men of our mercantile marine than the Norwegian Government?

We are not less generous. We provide pensions to an extent that exceeds any profits which we have made on war risks.

Is there no regular allotment of money for the widows of these men, and cannot the matter be considered in view of the reparations that have been received?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost per annum to the country of the various Wages Boards now in existence; the total number of staff employed under these Boards; whether it is the policy of the Government to dispense with any of them; if so, in what particular industry; and what will be the reduction, if any, in the cost of maintenance?

There are 71 Joint Industrial Councils as well as a very large number of voluntary Conciliation Boards dealing between them with wages and other questions affecting a large proportion of the industrial population of the country. There is no staff provided by the Government for these voluntary Boards and the State is not in any way responsible for the cost of maintaining them.

The total cost of the administration of the Trade Board Acts in Great Britain by the Ministry of Labour, including the travelling expenses and allowances of the representatives of employers and workers on the Boards, during the last financial year was £106,000; the total staff, whole-time and part-time, is 209.

There are, in addition, various Wages Boards dealing with particular industries under the control of Departments other than the Ministry of Labour. The cost of the Agricultural Wages Board is at the rate of £86,000 per annum, and the total number of staff employed by the Board and the District Wages Committees in England and Wales is 109. The cost of the Central and District Agricultural Wages Committees in Scotland is approximately £5,000 and the staff, mainly part-time, number 19. I am informed that the Central and National Railways Wages Boards involved no direct charge to the Exchequer last year, other than an item of approximately £100 for shorthand writing.

As regards the latter parts of the question, the hon. Member is aware that under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill, it is proposed to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board. The existing Central and National Railway Wages Boards are proposed to be continued as reconstituted under the Railways Bill. As regards Trade Boards, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour to the hon. Member for Ardwick on the 13th April last.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these Boards of all kinds have done exceedingly good work in the interests of wage earners, and is it not the fact that they have been the means of saving many strikes and lock-outs?

Undoubtedly that is so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of war bonus payable to officials in his Department, including the subordinate departments, earning a salary of £300 and over; and what is the amount of extra salary payable under the assimilation scheme?

The total amount of war bonus at present payable to officers earning salaries of £300 or more is as follows:

The additions to salary consequent upon the assimilation scheme are approximately £2,700, divided as follows:

Treasury, £1,190.

Subordinate Departments, £1,510.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the expense of maintaining the Scottish Board of Agriculture, whose salaries alone have increased from £13,000 in 1913 to nearly £150,000 last year; whether the officials thereof allege that the increase is due to land settlement; whether, in point of fact, each smallholder settled has cost, in administrative expenses alone, from £1,000 to £1,500; and whether, since it would be more economical to give the smallholder the use of the interest upon the capital sum involved in settling him and let him find a small holding for himself, he will disband this Department, for which practical and productive agriculturists have no use and which so far has been of no financial benefit to those for whose benefit the Department was inaugurated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer I gave to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dumfries on the 7th July. The estimate in part three of the question is erroneous, and consequently the fourth part does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the discrepancy is and what was the cost of each smallholder?

For 1921–22 the administrative expenses were £98,000 and about 1,000 men were settled on the land during that period. My hon. and learned Friend will see how outrageous his figures are in the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the need for trained sanitary inspectors, he is dispensing with the services of four fully qualified women, who were invited by the Ministry in August, 1919, to give up permanent appointments with local authorities and to accept temporary appointments as sub-inspectors in the Housing Department; and whether he will consider the advisability of transferring these women either to the headquarters staff of the Ministry or of facilitating their transference to other suitable branches of the Civil Service for which their training and experience have fitted them?

I can only refer my Noble Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West on 15th June last. The volume of work at headquarters would not justify me in transferring these officers to headquarters. I have no knowledge of any other Departments in the Service in which their services could be utilised.