asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German Government has fulfilled its obligations, as promised under the Reparations Clauses of the Treaty of Peace; and whether it is proposed to raise the Rhenish sanctions accordingly?

The House has already been informed that it is not possible to deal with this matter by question and answer, and that it will be fully considered at the next meeting of the Supreme Council of the Allies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what other countries are collecting a levy comparable to that collected under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act?

Since my reply to the hon. Member's question on 22nd June last, the French and Serbian Governments have suspended the operation of their special legislation. As far as my information goes, Roumania is the only country where the levy on German goods is actually being collected at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the Supreme Council will meet to consider the delimitation of the frontiers of Upper Silesia in accordance with the result of the plebiscite; and what is the cause of the prolonged delay in arranging this matter?

The date of the text meeting of the Supreme Council is now under discussion. Its postponement up to the present time has been due to a number of causes, some local, others general, which have rendered it difficult for one or other of the Powers to attend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the total possible number of beds in Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, and the maximum and minimum number occupied in the first six months of 1921?

The total possible number of beds in Haslar Hospital is 1,118. During the period 1st January to 30th June, 1921, the maximum number occupied was 549, and the minimum 370.

asked the Secretary of State for India when it is intended to issue marriage allowance to officers of the British Army serving in India in accordance with the promise given that they should be put on the same footing as officers of British units serving at home in this respect?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of an Indian Army Order issued on the authority of the Commander-in-Chief on the 3rd October, 1919, from which I think it will be seen that no definite promise was given that officers of the British Army in India should receive marriage allowance. Paragraph 17 of the Order shows that the question of introducing in India the differentiation between single and married officers which now exists at home will be taken into consideration when the Indian scale of pay which came into force from 1st July, 1919, is reviewed with a view to introducing a more permanent scale. The question of what may be the most opportune time for, introducing a permanent scale is engaging the attention of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed with large expenditure on the construction of a fort near Mombasa, will he delay the issue of a loan for this purpose until the matter has been discussed in the House of Commons?

No fort near Mombasa is in contemplation, and I presume that the hon. Member refers to the construction of a port at Kilindini. With regard to this, I would refer him to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley on the 30th June, in which I stated that the contract had already been let.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of workmen formerly employed in the Rhondda Valley as moulders, teamsmiths, brickmen, washerymen, and miners are at present unemployed and unable to get the unemployment benefit, and that they have been informed that, notwithstanding the statement of the employers that the unemployment of these men has no connection whatsoever with the recent coal stoppage, the claims will not be paid until such time as the cases will be heard before a Court of Referees and, if necessary, before the umpire; and whether the Minister will give instructions that, where the unemployment has no reference to the recent coal or any other dispute, such claims shall be paid in accordance with the Statutory Regulations and so avoid undue hardship?

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I will make inquiry in the matter. As he is no doubt aware under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, the decision whether benefit is payable rests in the first instance with the insurance officer, who, if he is satisfied that benefit is properly payable, allows claims without reference to the Court of Referees. So far as I am aware, claims made by workpeople engaged in the mining industry whose present unemployment is due solely to circumstances in no way connected with the recent stoppage, have in all cases been allowed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many blast furnaces there are in this country; how many are effective; how many are now operating; how many are being rekindled; what is the cost of such rekindling; and how many men are dependent on them?

I am informed that there are at present about 500 blast furnaces in existence in Great Britain, of which about 400 may be classed as effective. The latest information I have, which related to Friday last, 15th July, was that none were in operation. I am unable to say what preparations are being made for rekindling. I am informed that the cost of rekindling ranges generally between £3,000 and £5,000, according to the size of the furnace and other circumstances. The total number of workmen needed for direct work in connection with all the furnaces, were they in full operation, would be about 40,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total possi- ble number of beds in Cosham, Military Hospital and the maximum and minimum number occupied in the first six months of 1921; and the distance of the hospital from the great naval hospital at Haslar?

There are 200 beds in Cosham Military Hospital. The maximum number occupied during the first six months of 1921 was 104, and the minimum number was 39 (on dne day only). The approximate distance from the naval hospital at Haslar is 12½ miles by road, and seven miles by road and ferry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious loss involved to medical practitioners in Ireland, immediate steps will be taken to restore the fee to be paid for the notification of infectious diseases to its pre-War amount of 2s. 6d.?

Having regard to the temporary character of the provisions of the Local Government (Emergency) Provisions Act, 1916, under which the reduction of fee was effected, no special action appears to be called for at present.