asked the Postmaster-General [ on Thursday , 14 th July , 1921] if he can state what progress has been made with the wireless enterprises of the United States, Germany, and France; how this progress compares with that of the British Post Office; and whether the French Government has come to the conclusion that the State cannot carry on the organisation as well as private enterprise?

in fulfilment of that promise then given, to-day circulated the following statement :

In all three countries wireless telegraphy is being worked, as it is in the United Kingdom, partly by private and partly by Government enterprise. On the whole, though the high-power stations in the countries in question are more numerous, and in some cases more powerful, than the corresponding stations in this country, there is reason to think that the commercial development of wireless communication is as far advanced here as elsewhere; and the position will be still more favourable to this country when the new Post Office stations near Oxford and Cairo are working, as they soon will be; and when the further stations of the Imperial chain are erected.

I am not aware that the French Government has come to the conclusion that the State cannot carry on the organisation as well as private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. W. P. Crosland, livestock officer for Cambridgeshire, has tendered his resignation on the ground that he cannot carry out his work efficiently owing to the restrictions put upon him by the Ministry; that the authorities concerned view his resignation with alarm, because of the very great efficiency of Mr. Crosland; and whether he can see his way to asking this gentleman to reconsider the matter?

I am not aware of the grounds on which Mr. Crosland resigned, but after full consideration of the case I am satisfied that he has not been subjected to any undue restrictions. He resigned of his own accord, and on the information before me I see no reason to ask him to reconsider it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many girl messengers are at present employed at the Admiralty, and at what rates of pay; the reasons for not allocating the posts of messengers to the many disabled ex-service men, for whom such work would seem to be most suitable; and the number of girls at present employed at the Admiralty for all purposes, together with the staff employed for administrative and welfare work as compared with the numbers so employed before the War?

There are at present 167 girls employed as messengers in the various buildings occupied by Admiralty Departments in London. The rates of pay vary from 18s. 6d. to 38s. a week. These girls are employed instead of boy messengers. The employment of boys was found to be unsatisfactory, as messenger's work was of no value in training a boy for adult work on his discharge at the age of 18. All the adult messengers employed under the Admiralty are pensioners of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The work formerly done by boys and now done by girls would not be suitable for adults, whose employment on it would be very much more expensive. Besides the girl messengers there are five girl telephone operators. All the other female staff of the Admiralty are women of over 18 years of age. The number of the staff of the Welfare Branch is six at present. The branch did not exist before the War, as there were then no girl messengers to administer, nor any women clerks for whom welfare work was required.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, under the re-organisation of administration, it is the intention to utilise the services of secretaries, assistant-secretaries, and finance officers of present local committees when making appointments to the higher grades under the revised scheme; and if not, what officers are to be selected for these posts?

Full consideration will be given to the claims of the existing principal officers of local committees. I have inserted an Amendment in the new Bill on these lines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether men in the Navy and Army who retired on Pensions before the outbreak of War, and rejoined, have had their pensions reassessed on the improved conditions granted to men who retired after the War; and can he see his way to grant retired civil servants who voluntarily returned to duty during the War credit for the (additional years' service rendered and reassess their retired allowances on the improved pension conditions prevailing in the Civil Service?

I do not think any appropriate comparison can be made between Navy and Army pensioners and Civil Service pensioners, in view of the difference between the pension systems applicable to them, and I am not prepared to accord to retired civil servants who returned to temporary duty during the War the uncovenanted benefit of pensions calculated on additional years of service and increased emoluments.

asked the Minister of Labour, with reference to the Civil Liabilities Department, how many of the 43 officers who, since January last, have definitely terminated duty and whose names have been sent to the Joint Substitution Board have been offered employment, and at what salaries; and how many have accepted these offers?

It is assumed that the officers in question are the 43 officers of the Civil Liabilities Department referred to in my reply of 14th July, 1921, to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). On this assumption the reply to the present question is that, of the 43 officers,

Of the 28 remaining officers, all have been offered clerical employment in the absence of administrative posts, and

asked the Minister of Labour when an appointment is likely to be made for the post of branch manager of the Employment Exchange at Dartmouth?

An offer of appointment was despatched on 20th July to the candidate selected by the Civil Service Commissioners for the post of branch manager of the employment office at Dartmouth. I may add that he is a disabled ex-officer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if certain conscientious objectors of the Civil Service, who were suspended during the War, have been reinstated; if so, will the period of suspension, including the time spent in prison, be allowed to count towards pension; and will he give the number who have been reinstated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, I beg to refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Keighley Division (Sir E. Clough) on the 23rd December last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in view of the dissatisfaction amongst the staff making use of the canteen at Cornwall House, where some 3,000 employés of the Enemy Trade Department, the Admiralty, Public Trustee, Civil Liabilities, etc., perform their duties, the accounts of this institution have recently been subjected to an independent audit, and that the reports of the auditor reveal maladministration on the part of the paid manager and the committee nominated by the various heads of interested Departments; whether he will call for copies of these reports and satisfy himself whether it is in the public interest that the present committee and form of administration should remain unchanged; whether he will sanction the circulation of these reports amongst the employés at Cornwall House; whether he will ascertain whether proceedings of any kind, legal or administrative, have been considered or undertaken in the case of the manager and his colleagues; and whether the manager is still employed in his old position?

I am causing inquiry to be made into the matters raised by the hon. and gallant Member. I understand, however, that steps have already been taken to obtain the services of a new manager.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether ex-service men who were temporarily employed in the Civil Service, and who have passed the necessary examination for permanent appointment are only paid a basic salary of £80 per annum, plus a bonus; whether this salary is similar to that of a youth of 18 years of age employed on the permanent staff; and whether, seeing that these men, the majority of whom are 26 years of age and over, bring into the discharge of their duties wider experience and a greater sense of responsibility, he will consider the advisability of increasing their salaries?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given to-day on a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley).

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the smaller Irish prisons, principal warders are still engaged on store and other clerical duties contrary to regulation and to the system which obtains in the English prison service; if so, will he now arrange that officers of the proper class be allotted to perform these duties as in England; whether, in the Irish prisons generally, the permanent staffs are largely reduced in numbers and, in many cases, the permanent discipline officers are less in number than the temporary officers; and, in view of the unsatisfactory condition of those staffs, will he take immediate steps to have a sufficient number of officers appointed to the permanent staff?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked by him on the 14th July.

asked the Chief Secretary how much of the money voted for pre-war pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary has been expended for that purpose; and if any balance remaining over will be used to increase the pre-War rates of pensioned police officers?

The estimated provision for this purpose in 1920–21 was exceeded by the expenditure. The second part of the question accordingly does not arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that men enlisted in Edinburgh for the Royal Irish Constabulary on the understanding that they were to be paid at the rate of 10s. per day, 1s. 6d. per week boot allowance, and 12s. per week bonus; that certain of these men are not receiving this bonus; whether the Government, on reviewing the bonus, decided, on account of the conditions prevailing, to continue the bonus until the 17th September, 1921; and what is the reason for excluding certain of these men from this privilege?

I am not aware of any cases in which men such as are referred to have been excluded from participation in any bonus to which they had a right under the terms of their enlistment. But if the hon. and gallant Member gives me particulars of any individual case I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland how many of the creameries that have been closed in the martial law area have been used as meeting places for rebels; whether he can furnish the names of these creameries; what, if any, charges may now be pending against persons for having used the creameries for rebel purposes; and, if no persons have been apprehended for the offence above stated, upon what evidence does he base this statement that such creameries are used for that purpose?

I am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that while there is no doubt that creameries have been extensively used as meeting places by rebels this has been cited by the military Governor in only one case as a reason for closure. This was the Coolmoyne co-operative creamery where arms were actually found on the premises. In other cases the reasons assigned were the fre- quency of outrages in the vicinity or the committal of acts of sabotage. To ascertain how many persons have been arrested for offences alleged to have been committed on the premises of a creamery would involve a minute investigation of evidence in a large number of cases, and no staff is available for this purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any decision has been come to regarding the claim for compensation made by the National Union of Vehicle Builders for loss arising out of the raid made upon their branch premises in Blackhall Place, Dublin; and whether the amount of compensation claimed is to be paid?

I have been asked to answer this question. No compensation is payable in this case in accordance with the general ruling that compensation is not payable for unavoidable damage done in carrying out searches for arms, etc. in Ireland. I am informed that arms and ammunition were found in various parts of the premises necessitating the removal of panels, floor boards, etc.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that with every application for a rebate of Income Tax there must be attached the necessary vouchers for Income Tax paid; that an enormous number of these applications were burnt when the Custom House, Dublin, was destroyed by fire; that the Income Tax officials in Ireland now insist that fresh vouchers must be forwarded before payment can be made; that this necessitates a request being sent to all the limited and other companies for the documents and the charge of 1s. being made by many companies for supplying same; and that this procedure entails a great deal of delay and expense; and whether he will direct the officials in Ireland to accept a certificate from the solicitor to the effect that when the claim was originally lodged the necessary vouchers were attached to it or a declaration by the claimant to the same effect?

A claimant to repayment of Income Tax is required to produce evidence that the tax, the refund of which is being sought, has in fact reached the Revenue, and in the case of dividends on investments, e.g., in British companies, the evidence is in the form of the vouchers which accompany dividend payments. I am aware that a considerable number of Income Tax repayment claims were destroyed in the fire in the Custom House, Dublin, and in these cases applications for the relaxation of the requirements as to production of vouchers will receive every consideration. But it is essential that the interests of the Revenue should be sufficiently protected, and I regret that I cannot give general directions of the kind which the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the reasons for the delay in the payment of her prize money to Mrs. Ada Holland, widow of Charles Holland, Royal Navy, of 5, Vaults Lane, Waterside, Barton-on-Humber?

The prescribed form of questions to enable Mrs. Holland to establish her claim as legal representative of the deceased seaman was sent to her on the 28th February last. As this form has not been returned, a duplicate was sent on the 18th instant. On its return duly completed, immediate action will be taken with a view to payment of the prize money being authorised as soon as practicable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has considered, or will consider, the question of providing free of cost or at a reduced rate railway travelling facilities for officers and men of the Royal Navy and also for their wives and families?

This question has been very fully considered, but it has been found impracticable, in view of the very heavy expense involved, to provide free travelling facilities for officers and men or their wives and families. Reduced railway fares are granted to officers and men in certain circumstances when going on leave, but under present conditions this concession costs the country a very considerable sum, and I regret that it is not possible to extend such facilities to wives and families.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of civilians now employed by the War Office in the various establishments in the Woolwich district; how many of these were pre-War employés; how many have been admitted since 1914 without any naval or military war service; and how many ex-service men have been admitted since 1914?

The total number of civilians employed at the principal war department establishments at Woolwich Arsenal, etc. is approximately 21,000. I am making inquiries as to the precise distribution of this total in the three categories specified by my hon. and gallant Friend and will communicate the result to him shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War the loss caused by the fire at the Iver rubber dump; whether there have been any other recent conflagrations at Government dumps of munitions and stores; and what steps are taken, in the great heat, to guard against fire outbreaks?

The property referred to did not belong to the Government, and I cannot say what loss was caused by the fire. There have been no recent conflagrations at Army depots, excepting one in Dublin. The usual precautions are taken to guard against fire outbreaks and the present drought has not been overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Lance-Corporal James Goodman, No. 14011, 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who, although nearly 50 years of age, enlisted in September, 1914, and went overseas in August, 1915; whether this man has been informed by his record office that he is not eligible for the 1914–15 Star; and; what is the reason for this decision?

I am making inquiries into this case and will let. my hon. and gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a large number of non-commissioned officers who received their promotion during the War, and for the temporary period of the War, still retain their higher rank, although there are not posts for them; whether this is the case in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Colombo, in which the normal establishment is still swelled from two Class I warrant officers to 11 warrant officers of this class; and if steps will be taken to remedy this state of affairs?

Temporary rank for the duration of the War was granted to regular warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to fill vacancies in authorised war establishments for which substantive promotion could not be given. They hold this temporary rank until the statutory termination of the War, and to revert them to their substantive rank before that date, except in oases of misconduct or inefficiency, would be a breach of faith. As regards the latter part of the question, there are no warrant officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps serving in Ceylon.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a claim has been made upon Captain W. A. Bankes, late of the 2/2nd Lancashire (H.B.) R.G.A., for the return of a portion of the gratuity paid to him after his demobilisation in February, 1919; whether this officer, though over military age, volunteered for service in September, 1915, and was gazetted as second lieutenant, with rank and pay of captain, to the Lancashire R.G.A. (H.B.), T.F., as officer commanding 3/1st and 3/2nd batteries until 27th August, 1917, and was then posted to the 2/2nd Lancashire (H.B.), R.G.A., reverting to the rank of lieutenant until 25th February, 1919, when he was demobilised, and was gazetted out of the Army on the 12th July, 1919, with the rank of captain, having at that time held His Majesty's commission for over 12 years; whether this officer was paid gratuity on the rank of captain on 26th July, 1919; and, having regard to Army Order dated 11th March, 1919, why a claim for refund has been made on this officer?

This officer was only entitled under the Regulations to a gratuity based on the pay of a lieutenant, the rank which he actually held on demobilisation. The gratuity was wrongly assessed by the Army agents, and the question of a refund rests between them and the officer. He was gazetted out with the rank of captain as he had held the temporary rank for not less than six months, but this did not affect the amount of gratuity to which he was entitled.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the sum of £34 14s., payable in final settlement of the award to J. E. Grafton, 50, Hall Street, Manchester, regional reference 3/MG/ 5,821, and promised to him on 7th February, will be paid?

The net amount due under this award, together with a statement of account, has now been issued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether pensions granted to regular officers under Articles 321, 536, 564, Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, are regarded as disability pensions or as service pensions in cases where the officer's service has been too short to entitle him to a pension unless previously passed as permanently unfit; whether he will give the date at which the increased rates of half-pay under the above articles come into force; and whether, prior to such date, the officer retiring under the above circumstances was entitled to the bonus of 20 per cent. on his pension of 7s. a day?

I have been asked to reply. Retired pay granted under the Articles quoted is regarded as disability retired pay; but for purposes of relief from Income Tax under the Finance Act difficulties of interpretation have arisen, on which it has been necessary to obtain a legal opinion. It is hoped to adjust all doubtful cases shortly. No increased rates of half-pay have been sanctioned in virtue of those Articles, but the Royal Warrant of the 2nd July, 1920, which has effect from the 1st April, 1920, allows of the increased half-pay rates laid down by the War Office in 1919 being given, under certain conditions and without any additions of any kind, as minimum disability rates to Regular officers disabled by service in the Great War. As from the 1st January, 1919, a bonus was allowed to an officer in receipt of a wound pension and of the 1914 half-pay rate, reckoned at 20 per cent. of the sum of the two awards, subject to a maximum of £300 a year; in other cases of Regular officers disabled by war service a disablement addition according to degree of disablement was added to the-1914 rate together with a bonus of 20 per cent. reckoned on the corresponding rate for a temporary officer, subject to the same maximum. If my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of any individual case he has in mind, I shall be pleased to have it investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has accepted the Burnham Committee's recommendation to make full allowance as regards yearly increments of salary for the War services of teachers; if so, whether a teacher who enlisted before his training was completed is entitled to have his minimum salary and yearly increments calculated as if he had received his certificate on the date he would have had it in normal circumstances; and whether, seeing that the alternative method of calculation, based upon the date of the actual receipt of the certificate, penalises an ex-service teacher in favour of a teacher who did not serve, he will secure ex-service teachers' rights by a definite ruling on this issue?

The Board consider that service with the forces of the Crown by men who were already teachers should be treated as teaching service. The question raised by the hon. and gallant Member relating to men who joined the forces before completing their period of training in a training college and obtaining their certificate is receiving very careful consideration, but I am not now in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of ex-service men engaged in the building trade under the scheme of training; the cost to date;

(2) the number of men employed under the scheme for ex-service men in the building trade?

With regard to the number of ex-service men employed, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle North on 15th July, a copy of which I am sending for his information. With regard to the cost of the schemes to date, the cost to the State of the training of fit ex-service men in the building trades up to 15th July is estimated at £550. It is not possible to give separately the aggregate cost of the training of disabled ex-service men, but the average monthly cost of training in the building trades in Government Instructional Factories is £7 10s. per man; to this must be added the average allowances, which amount to £13 per man per month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether considerable sums of money have been paid by the Post Office as wages to ex-service men during their training as postmen and indoor officers; the amount so paid during the past four years; and whether such expenditure has been paid from Post Office revenue or has been defrayed by the Ministry of Pensions?

Apart from the training of a few disabled men for employment in the two Post Office factories, no special expense has been incurred in the training of ex-service men for Post Office employment. Generally speaking, no previous training is necessary for Sub-Post Office employment as is available for ex-service men, efficiency in the work being mainly a matter of experience gained by the daily performance of the duties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in the case of Mr. Montague Fordham an inquiry as requested has been instituted; and why the Establishment Department of the Ministry of Labour has not withdrawn the notice of dismissal to Mr. Fordham pending the inquiry?

No inquiry has been instituted by the Ministry of Labour, and I see no reason for withdrawing the notice of dismissal issued to Mr. Montague Fordham which, in fact, became operative on the 5th July last. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his written question of yesterday's date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Mr. C. M. Ludlow, of 27, Spring Rise Road, Lewisham, was engaged as a foreman stoker and was on holidays from 26th July till 9th August, 1920, for which he was entitled to pay in accordance with Air Ministry Weekly Orders 826/19; that he made verbal application for payment, followed by written applications to Lieutenant Hawkins on 8th October and 6th December, 1920, and that no notice was taken of the matter until representations were made by his organisation on 18th March and 22nd and 27th April, 1921, and which were only acknowledged on 2nd May; that even then the Air Ministry had to be approached on 18th May, and that, although payment was decided by 20th May, no communication was sent to Mr. Ludlow until 4th June; and will he explain the reason for the long delay from the date of the first application?

The facts as stated are approximately correct, and I am making close inquiry as to the causes of the delay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to announce any new rates of pay that have been sanctioned for the Indian Imperial Police; and, if so, from what date the new rates will have effect?

With the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate the particulars as to the new rates in the OFFICIAL REPORT. They will also

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in many instances country telephone subscribers have to pay the same fee, plus

be found in convenient form in the India Office List, 1921, as an Appendix to the. Regulations for admission to the Indian Police. They will take effect from the 30th April, 1921.

The following are the particulars promised:

charges for additional mileage, as urban subscribers, although the former have no night service and the latter have; and whether he will adjust this disparity, so as to give equal service for equal charges?

At many of the small rural exchanges the number of calls is small, and the message fees are quite insufficient to meet the cost of continuous attendance. If a night service were introduced, the cost of attendance would be considerably increased, and, having regard to the very small use which would be made of it, it would probably be necessary in most cases to require the subscribers to pay the additional cost.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to take advantage of the wireless installation at Wick, in view of the limitation of telegraphic facilities enjoyed by this community as a result of the curtailing of the hours during which the telegraphic service is open?

The hours during which ordinary telegraph facilities are afforded at Wick are the same as at other similar places, and as the wireless installation is designed for communication with ships it would, I fear, be impracticable to make general use of it for other purposes. If, however, the hon. Baronet will be good enough to communicate with me and indicate somewhat more fully the nature of his proposal, I will consider the matter further.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of trade circulars at present being despatched to the Continent for circulation in England from those countries owing to the relative cheapness of this method: and whether, in view of this, any reconsideration of postal rates is contemplated?

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend on the 19th instant on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many Post Office buildings are in an insanitary condition; whether, in 1920, a special officer was appointed to visit offices and report upon these conditions; whether the staff have, in many instances, complained, and the local medical officers have also reported direct to the chief medical officer of the Post Office; and who is responsible for the delay in effecting the necessary alterations?

I am not aware that many post offices are in an insanitary condition. It is true that in some cases the inevitable postponement of structural alterations and of building works generally as a result of the conditions set up by the War and the present financial situation has delayed the carrying out of desirable improvements, but cases of complaint by the staff or representations by the medical officers are the subject of special investigation and attention. No special officer has been appointed to visit offices and report on their condition.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to a recent accident on the North London Electric Railway line near Ramsey Road, South Acton, when a three-year-old child named William Raffell strayed on to the line and was badly burnt by the electric current; and what safeguards there are on this railway to prevent accidents of this kind?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has seen a reference to this accident in the Press, and he has asked the railway company for a report on the circumstances attending it. My right hon. Friend will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member when he has received the necessary information.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount has been received since 1st January, 1921, for the benefit of the Road Fund under Section 7 (7) of the Roads Act, 1920, by way of penalties recovered in respect of offences under the Motor Car Acts, 1896 and 1903?

The receipts under this head paid to the Motor Tax Account from 1st January to 1st July, 1921, amounted to £3,135 1s. 2d.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of money collected under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act between the date of the enforcement of the Act and the date at which the German Government commenced to pay restitution to its traders; and what is the amount collected under the Act since the date when the German Government commenced such payments?

The German Government recently published a notice in the German Press stating that it would pay to German exporters the equivalent of sums paid to the British Customs under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, after the acceptance of the London ultimatum, but I have no information that such payments have yet begun to be made. The amount collected under the Act up to the 18th instant inclusive is £198,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total British share of the German indemnity payable this year?

Under Article 1 of the Spa Protocol the British Empire's share of Reparation receipts from Germany is 22 per cent. Various questions as to the distribution of the amounts received from Germany (that is, questions in reference to the prior charge for cost of the Armies of Occupation and the priority accorded to Belgium) have still to be finally regulated and I do not anticipate that any appreciable amount will be received by the British Empire on account of reparation until the beginning of the financial year 1922–3. On the other hand, I have every expectation that our outstanding claim in respect of Armies of Occupation will be discharged in full in the current financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether public funds are paid to the Agricultural Organisation Society; if so, what is the total amount paid for the past year and from what sources this money has been paid; whether it has been decided to continue public grants to that body during the current year, and, if so, upon what basis; and what is the total amount of affiliation fees contributed to the society during the past year by farmers, smallholders, and allotment holders respectively, each amount being stated separately?

The grants paid to the Agricultural Organisation Society for 1920–21 were £28,600 from the Development Fund and £4,000 from the Small Holdings Account of the Ministry of Agriculture. The grants already authorised for the current financial year are £11,586 from the Development Fund and £4,000 from the Small Holdings Account. I am informed that the total amount of affiliation fees contributed to the society during the past year was £3,977 12s. 4d. from farmers' societies and £1,049 15s. 11d. from smallholdings and allotments societies. Figures cannot be given separately for the last two classes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the total amounts spent during the past three years in Persia and charged, respectively, to Foreign Office, War Office, and Indian Government accounts?

The total military expenditure incurred in respect of Persia during the three years ended 31st March, 1921, is estimated approximately at £39,000,000, but the final incidence of this expenditure as between Army Votes and Indian funds is still under discussion. Expenditure other than military during the same period (including payments in respect of certain Persian forces) incurred by the Indian Government and by the Foreign Office amounts approximately to £6,000,000 and £6,500,000 respectively, but certain comparatively minor adjustments as between Foreign Office and Indian funds in respect of this expenditure remain to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is in the possession of the Treasury any information as to the average amounts of remuneration, including any taxation borne by the employer on behalf of the official, paid in 1913–14 and 1920–21, respectively, by the principal banks, railway, insurance, and mercantile companies, managers, secretaries, chief accountants, and chief engineers; and, if such information is not in the possession of the Treasury, whether he will take steps, by inquiry of the Board of Inland Revenue, to obtain it and furnish it for the information of this House?

From information in the Treasury, which is not in all cases so recent as 1920–21, it would appear that the average remuneration of general managers has increased approximately since 1913 in the case of the principal railway companies from £3,900 to £5,700, in the case of the principal banks from £2,900 to £7,200, and in the case of the. principal insurance companies from £4,600 to £8,600. With regard to the other officials specified, and to any officials of mercantile companies, no information is at present available, but I am considering the question of compiling a return of the average rates of remuneration paid before the War and at the present time to the leading officials of the principal industrial and commercial concerns in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a wage-earner is entitled to a deduction in his assessment for Income Tax in respect of the cost of travelling to and from his place of employment; and, if so, whether he will state the usual practice in this matter?

The question raised by the hon. Member was dealt with in the answer (a copy of which I am sending him) given on the 9th March last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Wise).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the imposition of a 10 per cent. tax on betting transactions in Belgium; and whether he will consider the possibility of such a tax in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am always prepared to consider the possibility of any proposal for raising revenue.

asked the Home Secretary whether in a case where a pension has been increased under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, and the pensioner comes within the age and income limits laid down by the Act, it is within the discretion of the police authority to fix a date from which the increase is to take effect?

I am advised that the grant of increased pensions in individual cases is a matter for the discretion of the local police authority, but if the hon. Baronet has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to inquire about it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to give any information respecting the case of ex-Police-constable Hamer, whose application to the Southport police authority to allow the increase in his pension to date from 1st April, 1920, was under consideration on 9th April, 1921?

I understand that the Southport Watch Committee have reconsidered the case of ex-Constable Hamer with those of other pensioners to whom they granted increase of pension dating from November last, but they are not prepared to pay arrears of these increases from 1st April, 1920. As the Pensions (Increase) Act stands, the matter is one within the police authority's discretion.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Salisbury police authority have refused to increase the pension of ex-Police-constable Bond, who retired from the force in 1903 on a pension of 19s. 8d. a week; and whether, in view of the fact that the pensioner is 67 years of age and is suffering from muscular rheumatism contracted when serving in the force, he proposes to take any steps to compel the police authority to apply the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, in a necessitous case such as this?

Particulars of this case have not previously been brought to my notice. As I have already explained, a police authority has a discretion as to the grant of an increase in individual cases, but I am drawing the attention of the Salisbury authority to this case and asking them to reconsider it.

asked the Home Secretary when the Report of the chief inspector of factories will be published?

This Report will be issued to-morrow.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether the Early Closing Act expires on 31st December next; and how he proposes, in the absence of an Autumn Session, to deal with the Regulations which will, presumably, be subsequently required;

(2) whether certain trades are dissatisfied with the present hours of early closing; and whether, in such cases, he is prepared to make concessions if furnished with evidence of general agreement on the point?

Representations for alteration of the present regulations have been received recently from organisations in the confectionery and ice-cream trades and from the Theatrical Managers' Association. Any proposals for amendment which are based on general agreement will be sympathetically considered, but the regulations being now in force under the Shops (Early Closing) Act of 1920, cannot be modified except by amending legislation, and having regard to the state of Parliamentary business, I can hold out no hope of any amending Bill this Session. The Shops (Early Closing) Act is in force only till the 31st December next, but it is proposed to ask Parliament to continue it for another year by including it in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether any statistics are available showing the comparison in the number of convictions for drunkenness in controlled and uncontrolled areas; whether he is aware that in 1919 uncontrolled Herefordshire had only 2·5 convictions per 10,000, while controlled Worcestershire (the adjoining county) had 4·5 per 10,000 of the population; that uncontrolled West Suffolk had only half the drunkenness of controlled East Suffolk in the same period; and that, taking the country all round, there has been no greater sobriety in areas under short hours than in areas under long hours?

All the available statistics as to convictions for drunkenness in England and Wales are contained in the Annual Volumes of Licensing Statistics, of which the volume for 1920 has just been published. A comparison in respect of these statistics between the areas scheduled for the purposes of the Central Control Board's Orders and those not scheduled can be made by searching in the volume, but it is difficult for many reasons, including the fact that the scheduled areas do not necessarily correspond with the areas for which are figures are shown, to draw exact conclusions of the nature suggested by the hon. and gallant Member; and I do not wish to be taken as adopting those which are indicated in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the experience of Government Departments and of private individuals, the use of leadless paints during the period of the War has shown them to be defective in point of durability, and consequently of economy; and whether he proposes to withdraw or modify circulars issued under his authority to the public in June, 1920 (Form 1,708, 203,818/91), and similar circulars to Government Departments, urging them to discontinue the use of lead paints?

Two Departmental Committees were appointed by the Home Office in 1911 to investigate the danger caused to the workers by the use of lead in painting, the one dealing with buildings and the other with coaches and carriages. These Committees, which included representatives of the employers and workers, conducted exhaustive inquiries, during which they took a great deal of evidence as to the experience both of Government Departments and private firms in the use of leadless paints, and both Committees recommended (the former with one dissentient, the latter unanimously) that, except for certain special purposes, the use of paints containing more than 5 per cent. of a soluble lead compound should be prohibited. Quite recently further evidence has been submitted as to the results obtained with leadless paints, which appears to throw some doubt on the conclusions arrived at by these Committees. This evidence, however, has not yet been subjected to critical examination, and I am about to appoint a fresh Committee to examine the new information and generally review the position. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not prepared on present information to modify, much less withdraw, the circulars mentioned.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total number of persons awaiting trial in custody during the years ending 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively, who were detained for one month anti under two months and afterwards acquitted; detained for two and under three months and afterwards acquitted; detained for three and under four months and afterwards acquitted; and detained for four months or more and afterwards acquitted?

To prepare returns in the form suggested by the Noble Lord would involve the individual examination of more than 20,000 records, and I have no staff available for this work. I am, however, making inquiries in the matter, and, as I stated in reply to a question on the 7th July, I propose, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, to endeavour to find a solution of the difficulties which have hitherto proved insuperable. I may say that I find that there are now in prison 42 persons who are awaiting trial at the Autumn Assizes, and who will therefore have to be detained before trial from 3 to 4½ months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give information as to the number of gas undertakings in the year 1920 which charged no hirage for gas cookers, meters, and gas fires; and the number of applications to and the number granted by the Board of Trade for each year since the operation of the Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase in Charges) Act, 1918, for power to increase the price of gas?

I am unable to state the number of gas undertakings which, in the year 1920, made no charge for the hire of gas cookers, meters, and fires. The number of applications made by gas undertakings under the Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1918, and the number granted in each year were as follow:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade Committee have recently increased the cost of New Zealand and Australian first-grade butter 24s. per cwt., making a total increase of 56s. per cwt. during the past month; if so, what is the reason for this increase; and whether, in view of the desirability of reducing the cost of living, the Committee can reconsider their decision in the matter?

During the past month the price of New Zealand first- and second-grade butter has been increased from 192s. to 257s. per cwt., and of Australian from 170s. to 237s., in accordance with the trend of market prices. Firsthand prices are still considerably below cost, and I cannot agree that it would be in the national interest at the present time to revert to a policy of subsidising the consumer at the expense of the taxpayer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether declarations of confidence in Adly Pasha and in Zaghlul Pasha, respectively, have been signed by members of public bodies in Egypt, and showing a very large proportion in favour of Zaghlul Pasha; and if any steps are being taken so as to enable that opinion to find expression?

I have no information showing the number of persons who have subscribed to declarations either in favour of or against the Government of Egypt; but, on the other hand, as I informed the hon. Member yesterday, a member of the Egyptian Legislative Assembly, in a letter published in the local Press, has pointed out that whilst the total population of Egypt is 14,000,000, over 17,500,000 signatures, purporting to be those of adult males, have already been affixed to declarations of confidence or lack of confidence in the Ministry.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state what decision has been come to on the question of securing British nationality for the children of foreign-born British fathers?

I recently laid proposals in this matter before a committee of the conference of representatives of the Dominions and India now sitting, and a resolution was passed commending to the favourable consideration of the Governments of the Dominions and India the principle of the proposals. The proposals provide for the acquisition of British nationality by persons of British descent of the second and subsequent generations born abroad, subject to the following conditions: ( a ) registration at birth; ( b ) renewal of registration as a British subject at majority. I shall now take steps to obtain, if I can, at the earliest opportunity agreement with the Overseas Governments on a Bill to give effect to these proposals.

asked the Prime Minister what sum has been contributed by this country to the League of Nations up to the end of the last financial year; and what sums have been contributed during the same period by other countries, respectively?

A sum of £44,984 12s. has been paid in the period ended 31st March, 1921 in respect of Great Britain's contributions to the expenses of the League for the first two fiscal periods, and a sum of £9,619 18s. 3d. on account of the contributions for the fiscal period ending 31st December, 1921. The amount contributed by other countries in the period to 31st March, 1921, is not known, but contributions amounting to approximately £409,298 were, received by the League from other countries in the period ending 31st December, 1921.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the plea of the Guildford corporation that their housing scheme should be endorsed, in view of the further 400 applications for houses received; and whether the contract arranged with the Building Guild last May at a reduction on former prices of £244 per house is to be cancelled?

According to the information in my possession no contract has been made with the Building Guild here, but tenders have been approved for the erection of 251 houses. The claims of this area can only be considered in relation to those of other districts and this will be done.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the official report of his chief medical officer calling attention to the already apparent traces of the lowering of vitality in the health both of mothers and little children due mainly to unemployment and its effects, he is taking any special precautions to ensure assistance so far as it can be given this winter to these victims of industrial unrest?

I am having this matter carefully watched and will give whatever assistance is possible within the limits of my financial resources.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can see his way, by the introduction of legislation if necessary, to provide that farm servants should be reimbursed for any decline in wages which may follow the cancellation of the minimum wage Clause of the Corn Production Act by requiring that a proportion of the acreage guarantee paid to farmers should be diverted to a fund for this purpose?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.