asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is in a position to say what is the population of each county in Scotland and of each of the larger burghs according to the recent Census, with the increase or decrease as compared with 1911?

I am informed by the Registrar-General for Scotland that, according to the preliminary examination of the returns of the recent Census, the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend is as given in the following Table. The figures, though believed to be substantially correct, are provisional and subject to corrections after the Census returns have been thoroughly examined. The statistics relating to counties include the populations of burghs situated within the counties. Those showing the populations in 1911 represent the populations of 1911 of the areas included within the present county and burgh boundaries:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the reorganisation of the Territorial Army, it is pro- posed to drop the title of the Cambridgeshire Regiment; whether he is aware that a rumour to this effect has caused grave apprehension as to the results of such a step in the minds of officers of this regiment; and whether he can give the assurance that the name will be continued?

The Cambridgeshire Battalion is affiliated to the Suffolk Regiment, and it will continue to be known as the Cambridgeshire Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. There is no Cambridgeshire Regiment in the Regular Army

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the 4th of August, 1914, a special Army Order was published to enlist from civil sources additional trained men, such as cooks, tailors, hospital subordinates, and clerks, at 4s. a day, and that many members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade enlisted under this order; and whether they have the right to claim the difference in their pay over and above the 1s. 6d. a day which was actually awarded to them?

The special enlistments referred to were only open up to 14th August, 1914, and were for general service. All men who enlisted under the Army Order have been paid the special rate of pay. The majority of the men of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade enlisted for home service only, and many enlisted too late to get the special rate. All such men were entitled to ordinary rates of pay only.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many capital ships are projected but not laid down, so far as is known, for the United States, Japan, and the British Empire?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many capital ships, the date of laying down of which was subsequent to the battle of Jutland, have been built or are building, respectively, for the United States, Japan, and the British Empire?

The figures are as follow:

The United States battlecruiser "Ranger" has not been counted as building, as she has not actually been laid down yet. It is understood, however, that a considerable amount of work has been carried out in connection with her.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many capital ships are maintained in full commission by the United States, Japan, and the British Empire?

On the 1st July, 1921, there were 16 capital ships in full commission in the United States Navy. The United States Fleet is now being redistributed, but as far as can be judged the number for this fiscal year to 1st July, 1922, will average approximately the same. Japan has 18 capital ships in full commission. This figure does not include one battleship attached to gunnery school nor one battle cruiser attached to torpedo school. The figures for the British Empire are:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the increase of pensions under the post-War scale of disability pensions?

I regret I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter. Every effort, however, is being made to expedite a settlement.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension of Arthur Cooper, A/c. 2 M.S., Labour Corps, 501,037, S.F.O. 190,473, was withheld from 31st March to 18th August, 1920; whether allowances made to him during that period by the Manchester local war pensions committee, amounting to £19, have been deducted from later payments; and if he will make inquiries into the case?

Pension was not withheld during the period stated, but some delay occurred owing to the authority for payment issued on the 10th May, 1920, having gone astray in the post. The pensioner's account has now been adjusted, and the balance owing, after allowing for payments made by the local committee on account of interrupted pension, has been despatched to him, together with an explanatory statement of accounts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Article 302 of the Treaty of Sèvres implies that British subjects residing in Turkey on the outbreak of the European War are debarred from the rights granted to all other British subjects outside Turkey to recover debts owing in Turkish currency at the pre-War rate of exchange; whether, if this implication be correct, British firms and individuals residing in Turkey who are owed money in Turkish gold currency can only collect the same in Turkish paper money, and must thus incur a loss of about 80 per cent. on the capital sum due to them, while the Turkish debtor benefits by the difference, his capital in terms of paper money having increased proportionally; and will he consider some means of removing this anomaly?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. Allied nationals resident in Turkey at the outbreak of war who did not secure payment of their debts are not by the Treaty of Peace given any further rights beyond those which they had under their contracts.

asked the Prime Minister what amount of merchant ship tonnage is being built in German shipyards for the Allies under Section 5 of Annex III of the Treaty of Versailles; for which Allied or associated Power or Powers is this shipping being built; whether Germany has defaulted as regards this portion of the Treaty; whether some 150 German vessels on the Rhine belonging to private persons or companies have recently been seized by the Allies, as stated in the Press; and for what reason was this action taken?

I have been asked to reply. Up to the present the power to require Germany to build merchant ships under paragraph 5 of Annex III of the Reparation Section of the Treaty of Versailles has not been exercised by any of the Allies. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise. I have no official information as to the reported seizure of river craft. Great Britain is making no claim to reparation in kind in the form of river craft under paragraph 6 of Annex III.

asked the Prime Minister by whom the Advisory Committee on the Sale of ex-German Ships was appointed; what are the terms of their appointment and to whom they are responsible; who are the members of the maritime service of the Reparation Commission, by whom they were appointed, what are their duties, where are their offices, and at whose charge these functions are being performed?

I have been asked to reply. There was no formal appointment of a Committee, but it was arranged by the Shipping Controller with Lord Inchcape and the Treasury that representatives of the Ministry of Shipping and of the Treasury should assist Lord Inchcape in questions relating to the sale of ex-German ships. The maritime service of the Reparation Commission is composed of a managing board consisting of five members nominated respectively by the British, French, Italian, Japanese and American delegates to the Reparation Commission, and their duties are to carry out such matters as may be allotted to them by the Reparation Commission, which, in fact, are those relating to the delivery of German ships under Annex III of Part VIII of the Peace Treaty with Germany, and the corresponding annexes in the Treaties with Austria and Hungary, and to the disposal of such ships. Their offices are at Bridgewater House, and the cost of the service is payable by the enemy Governments.

asked the Prime Minister, in respect of the German ships allotted to Great Britain, how the proceeds of their sale are accounted for as between the Reparation Commission and the British Government; whether on the basis of the value placed upon them by Germany, or on the actual prices realised, or on what other basis; whether any of our Allies are entitled to receive any part of the proceeds of sale; and what is the deadweight tonnage of the ex-German ships allotted to this country and delivered up to the end of June?

The net proceeds of the sale of ex-enemy vessels allotted to this country have up to the present been retained by this country on account of (1) repayment of the advances made to Germany by this country under the Spa Coal Deliveries Agreement of July, 1920; and (2) the cost of the British Army of Occupation, and will continue to be retained up to the amount of the cost of occupation prior to 1st May, 1921. Under Article 6 of the Spa Protocol the amount to be debited to this country is the net amount realised by the sale of the vessels. I understand that the detailed accounting arrangements in connection with the delivery of these vessels are still under the consideration of the Reparation Commission. I understand that the gross tonnage of ex-German ships allotted to this country up to the 9th instant was 1,672,726 gross tons. As many of the ships are passenger liners, any estimate of the total tonnage in terms of deadweight would be misleading.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British mercantile community in Turkey whose stocks in trade, both before and after the outbreak of hostilities with Turkey, were requisitioned, whose properties were forcibly occupied and damaged, and their homes pillaged, have filed claims against the Turkish Government without response; and whether, in view of the fact that more than two and a half years have elapsed since the suspension of hostilities, the British Government will take immediate steps to force the Turkish Government to pay these indemnities?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government are most anxious to expedite the pacification of Asia Minor and the entry into force of a Treaty of Peace with Turkey, but it is impossible to anticipate the latter event, so far as the payment of indemnities is concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the change of the Government's agricultural policy, he hopes to be able to make economies in the Ministry of Agriculture and to discharge inspectors; and, if so, whether he is in a position to say how much such economies would come to?

Substantial economies in the Vote for the Ministry will be made as a result of the change in the agricultural policy of the Ministry and it will be necessary to dispense with the services of a number of the staff. I am not in a position to give precise details at present, but I may say that it is anticipated that there will be a reduction of not less than 20 per cent. in the cost of the staff of the Ministry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the public dissatisfaction at the delay in the official announcement regarding the bonus of the Civil Service; and whether he can now make any statement of Treasury intentions in the matter?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to make a statement on this subject tomorrow on the occasion of the Treasury Vote.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reduction in the total monthly payments to Civil Servants of all grades he hopes to effect as from September in accordance with the reduction in the cost of living?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement on this subject which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to make to-morrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the regrading scheme for the Public Trustee Office has been submitted to and discussed by the Departmental Whitley Council; whether it has now been agreed to by them; and, if so, when it will be ratified by the Treasury?

A scheme of reorganisation of the Public Trustee's staff, other than professional and technical grades, has been discussed and agreed to by the Departmental Council. The date from which the scheme will take effect is at present under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if any letter has been forwarded to the Greenock Corporation to delay the erection of 1,200 dwelling-houses in the Kip Valley, Greenock?

The Town Council of Greenock recently submitted to the Scottish Board of Health a proposal that a firm of engineers in London should supervise the construction by constructional companies with which the firm was associated of 1,200 State-assisted houses at Kip Valley, and that the firm should be remunerated on a percentage of cost basis. The terms of the proposal were not acceptable to the Board, and the town council were informed of that fact on 4th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Abersychan (Mon.), on account of the shortage of houses, a family of seven are being compelled to live in a van, and the mother gave birth to a child last week under these conditions; and whether he will give the local council every help and facility to carry through their housing scheme, with a view to giving the people an opportunity of bringing up their families decently?

I have recently given careful consideration to the housing scheme of this district. The local authority are already proceeding with the erection of 50 houses by direct labour, and I am prepared to consent to the erection of a further 50 provided satisfactory tenders are forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any justification for a local authority, being the local sanitary authority under the Increase of Kent and Mortgage Increase (Restrictions) Act, 1920, to refuse to grant a certificate under the Act as to the sanitary condition of premises of the rental values within the Act, and in respect of which it is sought to increase the rent payable, such refusal being based upon the alleged ground that the applicant is in a financial position to obtain professional advice as to the condition of the premises; and whether he will issue a circular to local sanitary authorities, pointing out what their duties are under the Act, and informing them that such duties must be performed irrespective of the financial status of the applicant so long as the premises are within the rental limitations of the Act?

I presume that this question has arisen out of an application made to the Ealing Town Council with respect to which I have been in communication with them. I am informed that the Town Council are advised by counsel that there is no obligation upon them to supply a certificate under Section 2 (2) of the Bent Restriction Act, but that they can exercise their discretion whether or not they will do so. I am not empowered to give the Town Council any instructions in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the West Ham board of guardians have offered to place shelters at Whipps Cross infirmary for the accommodation of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, and that these shelters are well adapted for the purpose of dealing with phthisis cases; and whether he can now give reasons why the offer of the board has been refused, in view of the great shortage of accommodation for this class of patient?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) on the 14th instant, of which I will send him a copy. A medical officer of the Ministry has now been instructed to visit this institution, with a view to investigating the proposal of the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men that are employed on the various housing schemes throughout the country?

I regret that I have no information as to how many of the 149,854 men engaged on the 1st July on the housing schemes of local authorities and public utility societies are ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour why it has been found necessary to close the Lords Roberts' workshops in Nottingham; and will he reconsider his decision in view of the fact that many men incapacitated in the Great War are thereby thrown out of employment and unable to earn a living?

The decision to close the Lord Roberts' Memorial Workshops, Nottingham, was taken, as I understand, by the central committee of the Lord Roberts' workshops. As was stated on 23rd June, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the South-Eastern Division of Essex (Lieut.-Colonel Hilder), an offer on certain conditions of temporary Government assistance at the rate of £25 per head of disabled men employed has been made to the central committee of the workshops. The aggregate amount of the grant which can be offered to the committee is now being assessed by inspection of the workshops.

asked the Minister of Labour why the application of Thomas Merrill, Cornwall House, reference D.N.C. 1,401, was refused, seeing that applications from other men who completed training at a later date have been approved for the same purpose?

The application of Thomas Merrill was refused on the ground that it was out-of-date, as, being a trainee, he should have applied to the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department within three months of the termination of his training. Merrill completed his training on the 9th March, 1920, but did not apply for a grant until the 15th February, 1921. The date at which a man completes his training is immaterial, provided he makes application within three months of the termination of such training.

asked the Postmaster-General whether during the past two years ex-service men have been offered the posts of postmen and indoor officers in many towns and villages, and have been unable to accept them owing to no houses being available for living in; and whether he proposes to take steps to erect buildings to provide for his staff and to ensure that old soldiers having been offered employment in the Post Office can accept it?

Without specific details it is only possible to answer the hon. Member's question in general terms. There have been isolated cases where housing difficulties have arisen in connection with the Post Office staff, in common with the other inhabitants of particular districts. These cases have not been numerous; and the conditions have not been such as to warrant the Post Office in embarking upon a general scheme for housing its employés.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the competition for appointment as sorter and sorting clerk and telegraphists (postal) is limited to temporary male sorters and temporary male sorting clerks and telegraphists who have been employed for at least a year, and were employed before the Armistice, thus excluding many ex-service men; and, if so, will he state the reason?

Generally speaking, all male adult posts in the Poet Office, so far as they are not filled by promotion, are reserved for ex-service men; and some 20,000 of such men, of whom about half are disabled, have been admitted into the Post Office service since the Armistice. The only exception of any importance is in respect of the competition announced for a limited number of poets (not exceeding 200 at the outside) as sorters in London and the provinces. It was thought right to afford the temporary staff engaged on this work, most of whom had given several years' satisfactory service, and whose skill was of considerable value to the Department, an opportunity of competing for these posts; and a competition has accordingly been announced for September. My hon. Friend will doubtless have observed that, in their Third Report, the Lytton Committee state that they do not recommend the direct entry of ex-service men into the sorters class.

asked the Postmaster-General why the telephone instrument was removed and re-installed four times in succession from that dwelling known as Transylaw, Dunfermline, within a period of a few years, notwithstanding that each successive tenant had intimated timeously that they wanted the telephone?

On no occasion was the instrument removed when it was possible to ascertain beforehand from the incoming tenant that he required the service. Six different subscribers have rented the telephone circuit since 1915, and on the three occasions on which the telephone was removed 6 months, 5 weeks, and 11 weeks, respectively, elapsed before application for the service was received from the new tenant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has issued instructions absolving district post offices from stamping early delivery letters with the dates and times; whether complaints are being made that letters of later delivery are frequently similarly unstamped; and whether, in view of the increased postage rates, he can take steps to ensure that letters and telegrams are delivered more promptly?

The practice of date stamping letters included in the first morning delivery was discontinued many years ago. Letters distributed in London by deliveries other than the first should be date stamped; and I am not aware that the instructions on the subject are neglected. If the covers of any letters and the delivered copies of any telegrams in respect of which complaint arises can be forwarded to me, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General under what circumstances, if any, he is prepared to accept liability for the loss of articles of clothing belonging to members of his staff?

As I informed the hon. Member, in reply to his question of the 17th March last, each case is carefully considered on its merits, but no general rule can be laid down.

asked the Post master-General if the Andover fire telephone system, which is operated direct from the local police station and gives no work therefore for Post Office telephone operators, is now to be charged a rental of £46 4s. per annum though the initial cost in 1902 was only £50 and the Andover Corporation have already paid £529 by way of rental; and whether he can see his way to make some abatement of the rental charge which has recently been increased by 50 per cent.?

As intimated in the reply of the 9th May to the previous question of my hon. and gallant Friend, the tariff rates for fire alarm systems cover the recurring charges incidental to their provision, maintenance, and renewal. The increase of 50 per cent. in the rental does not seem unreasonable, in view of the great increase in labour and plant costs. The new rental is £40 13s., not £46 4s.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average tonnage of letter mail per week from England to South Africa?

The average number of bags of letters and newspapers dispatched weekly during the three months which ended on the 30th June last was 1589. It is estimated that 15 bags go to the ton measurement, and on that basis the volume of a single dispatch would be slightly over 100 tons.

asked the Postmaster-General whether representations have been made to him on behalf of the Gresham Furnishing Stores, Ltd., 375, High Street, Stratford, E.15, respecting tampering with their letters; whether these representations extend over several months without satisfactory result from his Department; and whether anything is being done to prevent pilfering from this firm's letters?

These complaints are under investigation, and I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the results.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to cases in which persons entitled to a share of income under a will receive from the trustees the net amount due to them after Income Tax at the full rate has been paid at the source and send in claims for repayment of overpaid Income Tax; whether it is customary for surveyors of taxes to refuse to entertain such claims until a statement of the whole trust income is furnished, together with the relative dividend warrants and receipts, such statement setting out in detail the different sources of income, and, if from houses or lands, the full address of each item of property and amount of rent receivable, with particulars of charges on the income, giving the nature of the charge and the name and address of the recipient; and whether, seeing that such requirements impose upon trustees and revenue officials an unnecessary amount of work, he can see his way to direct surveyors of taxes to accept certificates of trustees as to the amount of income and that the tax has been, or will be, duly paid thereon, so as to avoid departmental waste and expense to persons claiming and delay in their obtaining the relief to which they may be entitled?

My hon. Friend will appreciate the necessity for requiring a claimant to repayment of Income Tax to produce evidence that the tax, in respect of which a refund is sought, has in fact reached the Revenue. In the class of cases to which my hon. Friend is referring, it has usually been found convenient to arrange for the trustee to produce each year to the inspector of taxes for the district in which he resides, a statement of the income of the trust estate, accompanied by the necessary vouchers as to the tax borne upon that income. In these circumstances, when the beneficiaries of the trust estate make their individual claims to repayment of Income Tax, the Board of Inland Revenue are in a position to check the accuracy of the certificates from the trustee which are annexed to the claims, and it becomes unnecessary for the beneficiaries to produce details of the trust income. In ordinary circumstances therefore the difficulties indicated by my hon. Friend are avoided, but if he has in mind any particular case and will communicate the deails to me I will have enquiry made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Government is aware that certain wealthy organisations have already relieved their directors and other employés of their obligation to pay their own personal Income and Super Taxes, and that such organisations are now sharing out among their employés the reliefs to which they are not entitled on the basis of the cash values of such reliefs as they would have been entitled under the Finance Act, 1920, had they paid their own personal taxation, it is now proposed to extend the same privileges to those soldiers and sailors who, under the Finance Act, 1919, were granted their pensions free of Income Tax, by paying over to these soldiers and sailors the values in cash of the reliefs which they would have been entitled to had they not received their pensions free of Income Tax?

As regards the matters referred to in the early part of the question, I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 14th July. I understand that the pensions referred to are the wounds and disability pensions dealt with in Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1919. By that Section it is provided that these pensions shall be outside the scope of the Income Tax charge, not that they shall be treated as net sums after deduction of income tax. No question can, therefore, arise of granting to the recipient of these pensions the uncovenanted benefit to which the hon. Member alludes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, according to an official estimate, the cost to the nation of the additional reliefs under the Finance Act is no less than £30,000,000; whether, in such circumstances, he will consider the advisability of continuing to allow persons who pay no Income Tax or Super-tax on the emoluments they earn to participate in these reliefs as if they had paid such taxes; and whether, in view of the fact that such gifts being allowed as deductions in computing profits assessable under Schedule D and liability to Corporation Profits Tax constitutes an avoidance of personal tax at the expense of other taxpayers, the Government will take steps to abolish the practice in question?

The net effect of the altered graduation and differentiation of the Income Tax and Super Tax enacted by the Finance Act, 1920, involves an estimated loss in a complete year of about £18,000,000 and not £30,000,000, as stated in the first part of the question. With regard to the remainder of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on this subject on the 14th July, and to which I cannot usefully add anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the possibility that the institution of responsible Government in Southern Rhodesia on the lines indicated in the Report of Lord Buxton's Committee [Cmd. 1273] might involve His Majesty's Government in an obligation to find large sums in cash or to pledge the Imperial credit for the raising of any loan by Rhodesia, an assurance can be given that no such action will be taken in the matter without the prior approval of this House, either in the form of a Supplementary Estimate or Loan Guarantee Bill?

Yes, Sir. A Supplementary Estimate on the Colonial Services Vote (Class V.2) for the first instalment of the proposed loan has already been presented (House of Commons Paper 172).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the advantage of putting clubs and public houses on the same footing by abolishing the licence fees paid by the latter and substituting a duty of 6d. in the £ on exciseable liquors, as paid by the clubs?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not consider that the hon. Member's suggestion is practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the total yield of the Excise duty on beer for the year ending 31st March, 1921, and also the number of standard barrels brewed, distinguishing, if possible, between England, Scotland, and Ireland?

The total net yield of Excise duty on beer for the year ending 31st March, 1921, was £123,394,000. The quantities of beer charged with duty in that year were:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the definition of male servant in the Finance Bill, 1921, excludes persons employed by any authority having power to levy a rate or undertaking the administration of education;

(2) whether he will consider the exemption of any duty leviable before 1st January, 1921, upon any servant employed by any authority having power to levy a rate or undertaking the administration of education?

Under the proposals contained in Clause 10 of the Finance Bill, the conditions of exemption from male servant licence duty depend solely upon the nature of the employment in a particular case, and the authorities in question would not be liable to duty in respect of male servants not employed in a personal, domestic, or menial, capacity. Janitors employed by such authorities would be exempt. Clause 10 is not retrospective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the yearly sums expended by His Majesty's Government in the purchase of zinc concentrates from Australian mines; what amount of these ores is subsequently disposed of; if so, at what price; if he is aware that the production of zinc concentrates has been brought to a standstill in this country owing to the lack of a market, though the quality of the ores mined are superior to those purchased from the Australian mines; and whether, in view of the damaging effect on home production of the policy of the Government, apart from other possible objections, any change of policy is contemplated?

The sums expended in the purchase of Australian zinc concentrates were:

4,972 tons of concentrates have been sold at an average price of £7 17s. per ton c.i.f. The spelter industry throughout the world is at present extremely depressed, and there is practically no market for ores. I have no reason to think that the Australian purchase contract has contributed materially to the suspension of zinc mining in this country, which is mainly due to the inability of British mineowners to produce except at prices quite out of proportion to the market price of spelter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of the loss sustained on the stocks of bacon requisitioned by the Ministry of Food from private importers on the re-control of bacon and ham in August, 1919; and if he has yet received the Report of the Law Officers of the Crown on these transactions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The settlements already effected, as well as the negotiations in progress, have been guided by the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the first sale of ex-German ships took place in this country; and if he will say, in respect of each subsequent period of three months to the end of June, what has been the total deadweight tonnage sold in each such period, and what has been the price for which it has been sold?

The first sale of ex-German ships in this country was made on 10th October, 1920.

The subsequent sales have been as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much money was advanced to the British Cellulose Company, Limited, approximately a year ago; and what steps were taken by His Majesty's Government to ascertain the financial stability of this company before accepting as security for money advanced, the shares issued by it?

I have been asked to answer this question. No money has been advanced to -the company by the Government since the date of the reconstruction of the company, and the issue of preference shares in March, 1020. Advances amounting to £1,450,000 had previously been made for war purposes The preference shares held by the Government were taken in exchange for debentures after the fullest consideration by the Government of all the circumstances of the case, including the financial position of the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the Food Prices General Summary, given in the official "Labour Gazette" for July, 1921, on page 347, it is stated that the rise in retail prices since July, 1914 is given as Belgium 307, Germany 796, France 263 (Paris 212), and Finland 1,037; whether he will consider the desirability of changing the method of stating the percentage increases so that the real values, that is, value exhibited in £ sterling, shall be given in future, as it is obvious that the figures now given in the depreciated currencies do not represent the increased cost to the consumer in the countries mentioned; and will he also consider the desirability of giving these figures on the basis of the current rates of exchange prevailing at the date when the monthly calculations are made?

The "Labour Gazette" is a Ministry of Labour publication, and I have been asked to reply. The percentages of increase in the retail prices of goods in various countries, which are given in the "Labour Gazette," are not computed in the Ministry of Labour, but are received in their present form from authoritative sources in the several countries. They indicate, and are intended to indicate, the increased cost to the consumer within the country, in terms of the currency of that country, of a certain range of commodities. Inversely, these percentages constitute a measure of the depreciation of the cur- rency of each of the countries when applied to the retail purchase of necessaries within that country. My hon. Friend is, I think, confusing the internal and external purchasing powers of a currency. The former only is relevant in this case, and to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion would have the effect of depriving these percentages of their present value as an index of changes in the level of prices and a measure of currency depreciation within the given country, and would not furnish results of any practical utility.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that a manual worker is entitled to unemployment insurance benefit whatever his earnings amount to when he is in work, and that a non-manual worker earning more than £250 a year is excluded, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to remedy this inequality?

The provision of the Unemployment Insurance Acts excluding non-maunal workers whose rate of remuneration exceeds in value £250 a year follows the precedent established by the National Insurance Act of 1911 for health insurance. It is scarcely practicable to have a corresponding limit of remuneration for manual workers.

asked the Minister of Labour if men employed at New Brancepeth (No. 3) Colliery, County Durham, have been idle since 28th January, and were told then that the stoppage was due to trade depression, and that the men and boys have not yet been paid the unemployment benefit; and what steps, if any, are being taken to pay them the same?

I am making inquiries and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the financial provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Bill will be in any way invalidated by firms rearranging their hours of labour so as to evade the provision affecting the exclusion from benefit of workers who have not been out of work for a full week; and whether, in that case, the practice will, in the interests of the State economy, be discouraged?

I am not aware that it is possible to evade this particular provision by any re-arrangement of hours of work. I assume, however, that my hon. Friend is referring to the effect of the new Act as regards payment of benefit generally to workers on short time. Owing to the amendment of the rule defining continuity of unemployment workers working for three consecutive days in each calendar week and off work for the other three days are no longer eligible for benefit. Those working each alternate week, or working two days and then off work two days alternately, remain entitled to benefit, as they were before the new Act, the only change being that there are now six "waiting days" instead of three before benefit begins to be payable to those making new claims on this basis

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received an application, dated 30th May, 1921, from the Surrey Education Committee, asking for sanction for the adaptation of the Epsom Technical Institute as a secondary school for girls to accommodate 160 pupils; whether he has since received letters from the Epsom Urban District Council and other bodies supporting the Surrey Education Committee; whether the total cost of adaptation and furnishing the building is estimated not to exceed £1,500; whether the Epsom Urban District Council have volunteered to bear half that cost; whether he is aware that Epsom is a town of some 20,000 inhabitants, with two railway stations, making it a convenient centre for a wide area; that at the present time there is no facility for education, other than elementary, for girls in the town of Epsom or its immediate neighbourhood; and that the recent decision of the London County Council to demand far higher fees than heretofore from children residing outside its own administrative county will create a new and large demand on the already inadequate secondary school accommodation of the northern part of Surrey; and whether, in view of the very low cost of the Surrey Education Committee's proposals, and the strong local support, especially financially, for the scheme, he will give his consent to the adaptation?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education has informed the county council that he is prepared to approve the proposal.

asked the Home Secretary if Mr. Morris Hillquit, an American subject, was refused permission to land at Dover on 20th July by the immigration officer; and the reason for this refusal?

Mr. Hillquit was, on the 20th July, refused permission to land, for the purpose of allowing inquiries to be made with regard to him. When the inquiries had been made he was given permission to land on 21st July.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the heroic rescue of a boy from drowning in the Basingstoke Canal on 10th June last by Mr. J. Hartnett, of Odiham; and on what grounds he has refused to recommend him for the Albert Medal; and whether he has forwarded the sworn statements concerning the incident to the Royal Humane Society?

My attention has been called to this matter. Mr. Hartnett showed promptitude in effecting the rescue of the boy, but there is nothing to show that he incurred such imminent danger to his own life as would bring the case within the very high standard fixed for the Albert Medal. I have complied with the request of the gentleman who brought the case to notice that I should forward the statements to the Royal Humane Society.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the feeling of anxiety on the part of the Jewish population of Palestine as a result of the action of the native police; and whether, in view of the repeated participation in acts of violence and plunder by the Arab police, he will consider their replacement by more dependable guardians of law and order?

I am aware that various complaints against the Palestine police have been made by the Jewish section of the population. I cannot, however, admit that members of the force have repeatedly participated in acts of violence and plunder. I wish to remove the impression that the Palestine police is an Arab force. It is a Palestinian force, and there is nothing to prevent Jews as well as Arabs from enlisting in it. Hitherto, however, I understand that comparatively few Jews have come forward. The whole question is engaging the earnest attention of the High Commissioner, and steps are being taken to raise the standard of discipline and efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any further report is to hand concerning the murder of the well-known writer, Mr. I. C. Brenner, and his five friends in Palestine; whether the body of M. Luidor has been recovered; and is he satisfied that the police have no complicity in these crimes?

"An investigation of the Brenner ease has been carried out by specially selected Jewish and Arab investigators under the direct control of the Advocate-General, but owing to the circumstances of the case it has been found impossible to obtain evidence. The Mr. Brenner and his friends lived in an isolated farmhouse surrounded by orchards owned by Arabs. The murder is presumed to have been committed by a party of Arabs returning from a funeral, but none of the neighbours would give any information on the matter. The body of Mr. Luidor has not been found. A special Jewish investigator who was engaged on the case, and was consulted on the specific point raised in the third part of the lion. Member's question, stated that there was no evidence that the police took part in this murder, and that it was not probable."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Tanganyika is alienating land; if so, on what terms of tenure and rent or tax; and whether that Government exercises any control over the alienation of tribal lands by native chiefs?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member in reply to a question on 4th May, the whole policy of land tenure in the Tanganyika territory is now receiving the attention of the Governor. So far as I am aware, no land is being alienated to non-natives by the local government. The transfer of land from natives to non-natives cannot be carried out without the previous sanction of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he intends, in consultation with the Governor on his arrival in this country, to consider means and methods by which the development of Kenya Colony can be expedited; and whether any steps have been commenced to improve harbour and railway facilities, and establish better internal communications, to assist British settlers in making a living on their land?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A contract has been placed for the construction of a deep water port at Kilindini, and a route has been surveyed for a railway to the Uasin Gishu Plateau which will serve a large number of settlers, old and new.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government intend to issue any information in regard to the present conditions and future prospects of Kenya Colony with the object of re-establishing confidence in the future of that territory and assisting British officers and men who have settled out there by encouraging the investment of British capital in the development of the country

Any statement such as my hon. and gallant Friend contemplates must await the result of my conferences with the Governor, but I may state at once that I have every confidence in the ultimate prosperity of Kenya, subject first to a revival of world trade, and secondly, to the provision of the transport facilities which will be supplied to the utmost extent of the funds available.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, in the case of Scottish leases deter- mining this year where the white crop is to be taken over at a valuation as a growing crop by the ingoing tenant, Scottish agriculturists are in doubt as to whether claims under the Corn Production Bill of this Session for this year's crop should be lodged by the outgoing or the ingoing tenant, and also as to which tenant payment will be made; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

I am advised that in the case referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend the claim falls to be made by the incoming tenant to whom the payment will be made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a scheme for the partial reconstruction of main roads in the Isle of Skye, so as to permit of the passage of mail cars and other motor traffic from the railway terminus, has been approved by his Department; and when a decision may be expected, so that work may be begun?

Negotiations are proceeding between the Skye District Committee and the Ministry of Transport with a view to the improvement of roads in that area. I hope that satisfactory arrangements with regard to financial assistance will shortly be arrived at, so that the works may be put in hand at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister if the Bill for the reform of the House of Lords, stated by the Leader of the House as being the chief business of the next Session of this Parliament, will include a provision for the repeal of the Parliament Act?

It seems to me inexpedient to attempt a description of the contents of a Bill before it is drafted.

asked the Attorney-General the reason for his refusal to grant an inquiry into the recent decision of the Lords of Appeal who tried the action Everett v. Griffiths and Anklesaria, in view of the fact that Parliament has a right under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1873, Section 5, to review decisions given by the Lords of Appeal; and whether he will therefore reconsider his previous decision, especially in view of the serious issues involved in the action?

I have no power to grant an inquiry of the kind referred to; but I ought, perhaps, to add that, even if I had the power, I should not use it in this particular case, for the reasons already given.