asked the Secretary of State for India whether any foreign-owned company controls the sale of monasite sand in Travancore State or elsewhere in India?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the grant of an additional pension of £100 a year to Army officers having held high civil appointments in India is conditional on such officers having held posts carrying a pay of Rs. 3,000 per mensem and that this condition renders many officers, even up to the rank of commissioner, ineligible for the benefits of this concession, he will consider the question of reducing the minimum limit to posts carrying a pay of Rs. 2,500 per mensem?

It was not the intention that this pension should be admissible to officers who have held civil posts of lower rank than that of commissioner. No commissionership of a division now carried less pay than Rs. 3,000 a month.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not think of making it a minimum of less than Rs. 3,000 a month?

I am not prepared to say that without consideration. I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, when the question of introducing in India the differentiation between single and married officers, which now exists at home, to officers of the British Army serving in India is taken into consideration, the question of applying the same differentiation to British officers of the Indian Army will also be taken into consideration?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has had under consideration the importance of the services rendered by the Navy to the defence of India and her trade; whether he can state what is the contribution of India to the Navy Estimates; and what has been the outcome of the deliberations in India and at the Imperial Cabinet in regard to an increase in this contribution?

I am fully aware of the importance of the services rendered by the Navy to India, in common with the rest of the Empire. The direct contribution from Indian revenues to Naval Funds is £100,000 per annum. In the present financial situation in India and in view of the heavy burden which already falls on Indian revenues in respect of defence, I can hold out no hope of an increase to this contribution at present. I am unable to make any statement as to the proceedings of the Imperial Conference.

Have the Board of Admiralty ever pressed for an increase, in view of the great services that the Navy renders to India?

Has anything been done to give effect to Admiral Jellicoe's recommendations contemplating an Indian Navy?

We have received Admiral Jellicoe's recommendations. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down another question.

May I press for an answer to my question? Have the Board of Admiralty ever pressed the Secretary of State for India to make a contribution, in view of the great services rendered by the Navy?

The services rendered by the Navy are not only to India, but to the whole Empire. With regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman as to the Board of Admiralty, I would suggest that question should be put to the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Must not any question of contribution from India to the Imperial Navy wait till India has control of her own finances?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering the opposition to the Sukkur barrage project of 1920, he will appoint a Committee to examine and report on the scheme before it is proceeded with?

My sanction to this scheme was accorded subject to reconsideration of the financial prospects. These are at present under discussion with the authorities in India. It is not my intention to appoint a further Committee of experts on the technical aspects of the Sukkur barrage scheme. The scheme has been exhaustively examined in India since the Committee of experts reported to my predecessor in 1913, and in its present form meets, I understand, all the objections raised by that Committee against the scheme then before them. I think there is no room for doubt as to the enormous benefits which this scheme would confer on Sind by the great new area which will come under cultivation and the population which it will benefit.

Is not one of the conditions of this scheme that the revenue assessment of the Sind should be increased, or rather doubled, and will not this in itself cause trouble in the Sind?

If the revenue assessment is increased, it is due to the fact that an area, roughly speaking, of about the size of Wales, which is more or less a desert, will be brought under cultivation.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this area can be brought under cultivation without building the barrage as now proposed?

That is exactly the question upon which the engineering advice at my disposal and the disposal of my predecessor differs.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has been able to comply with the request to the Treasury circular asking for a reduction in the Estimates for the forthcoming year?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a reply has been sent to the Treasury circular asking for a reduction in the Estimates for the next financial year; and to what extent it has been found possible to promise reduction?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, following the lines of the recent Treasury Order, he can give any indication as to a contemplated reduction of the staff of his Department during the next 12 months; whether he is able to state roughly the number which it may be possible to dispense with, together with the approximate saving of-cost to the country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what economies tare contemplated in the Estimates for his Department for 1922–23?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been able to comply with the request in the Treasury circular asking for a reduction in the Estimates for the forthcoming year?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, following the lines of the recent Teasury Order, he can give any indication as to a contemplated reduction of the staff of his Department during the next 12 months; and whether he is able to state roughly the number which it may be possible to dispense with, together with the approximate saving of cost to the country?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state approximately the amount of reduction anticipated in the forthcoming year in the Estimates of his Department; and what reply he has sent to the Treasury inquiries on this point?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a reply has been sent to the Treasury Circular; and, if so, in what terms?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, following the lines of the recent Treasury Order, he can give any indication as to the contemplated reduction of the staff of his Department during the next 12 months; and whether he is able to state roughly the number which it may be possible to dispense with, together with the approximate saving of cost to the country?

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can state approximately the amount of reduction anticipated in the forthcoming year in the Estimates of his Department; and what reply he has sent to the Treasury's inquiries on this point?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a reply has been sent to the Treasury Circular asking for a reduction in the Estimates for the next financial year; and to what extent it has been found possible to promise reductions?

asked the Solicitor-General whether a reply has been sent to the Treasury Circular; and, if so, in what terms?

I would refer to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Acton Division, in which I stated that the period allowed for replies to the Treasury Circular was until the 31st July; that as replies are received they require to be subjected to very careful examination; and that it is not possible to make any statement as to the economies to be effected until they have been individually and collectively so examined and discussed with the Departments concerned.

On a point of Order. Is it competent for the Secretary to the Treasury to undertake replies from many Departments on a question which concerns the interior economy of those Departments, and with which he must necessarily not be fully acquainted?

It is competent for the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to answer together a series of questions affecting his Department.

On a point of Order. May I, Mr. Speaker, draw your attention to the fact that the questions do not refer to the Treasury, but to internal economies which are desired in the different Departments, and of which, necessarily, the Treasury cannot have full knowledge. May I ask whether the Ministers of the Departments concerned are present to answer any supplementary questions which may arise in connection with the questions?

It is quite customary for questions of this kind to be referred to the Treasury. These questions refer to the Treasury Circular, and it does not seem misplaced that replies should come from the Treasury.

My question is number 30. The Financial Secretary said that these answers to the Treasury Circular had to be in by 31st July. That means, of course, that the Ministers of the Departments have sent the information. Are we not, as Members of this House, entitled to ask from each of the separate Ministers the information which he has sent to the Treasury, and if not, why not?

The Treasury Circular requested answers to be sent to the Treasury.

My point is that we, as Members, cannot get the information from the heads of these Departments as to what are the recommendations they make in regard to economy. Why is it we cannot get that, seeing the answers to the Circular have been sent, and the information must be in the hands of the Minister?

I have already said that replies to the Circular were to be sent to the Treasury, and that therefore it is proper for the Treasury to reply.

Will the hon. Gentleman put himself into communication with the First Commissioner of Works with a view to the removal of these additional buildings from the parks and lakes of London, and thereby secure a reduction of the staff automatically?

I am not sure that arises out of the questions I have just answered. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of it?

Can the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that before the House adjourns we shall have some information in regard to the replies?

A statement about that has already been made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; if the hon. Gentleman wants a further statement he should address a specific question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Is it intended to make a statement to the House before we adjourn?

Question 70 asks the right hon. Gentleman what buildings it is proposed to do away with, in order to make economies in the Office of Works. That is the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the General Staff were serving in the United Kingdom, in Europe (exclusive of Gibraltar), and in India, respectively, on 30th June last; and what were the corresponding figures for 1914 at the same date?

With the hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following are the figures:

The numbers of general staff officers serving on 30th June, 1921, and 30th June, 1914, in the areas named were as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, while some men of the l/6th Devons have been awarded the 1914–15 Star, others of the same battalion with identical service have not; and whether he can give the reason for this distinction?

I am not aware of any such cases. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with full details of the specific cases he has in mind, I will have the matter investigated.

If that information is not in the right hon. Gentleman's possession, I have got letters from the very men alluded to, and, if I supply the information, what steps will he take in this matter?

I have already said that I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Earl Cavan's tribunal on hard cases, to which the claim of the Wessex Division to the 1914–15 star was referred, recommended in favour of the claim; and why he did not adopt their recommendation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second point does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the reduction of 21 battalions of the Territorial Army will enable any corresponding economy to be made in brigade and divisional headquarters staffs?

No, Sir; the brigade and divisional headquarters staffs of the Territorial Army were appointed for the organisation of 14 divisions and 42 infantry brigades, and the 21 battalions in question are surplus to this organisation.

Is it not a fact that the staffs are at least as big as before the War, and is it proposed to reduce the fighting strength of the Territorial Army by 20,000, without any corresponding reduction in the staffs?

That is not at all the question put by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. It is totally different, because he asked me with regard to 21 battalions, and that is the question which I have answered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number and amount of pay and allowances of the permanent staff of the 54th East Anglian Division?

The number of the permanent staff of the 54th (East Anglian) Division on 1st Aqril last was 144, and the cost £58,770 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the many representations that are being frequently made that Deptford meat market should be restored to its pre-War functions, he will consider the advisability of transferring the Government Departments and stores now occupying the market to the unused portions of Woolwich Arsenal, and thus save the country £10,000 per annum now paid as rent for the market?

I regret it is impracticable to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. In view of the functions fulfilled at Deptford by the Supply Reserve Depôt and the Mechanical Transport Stores Depôt, the rent paid is not considered exorbitant, and is probably far less than the cost involved in proceeding with alternative sites if such a transfer could be effected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there were seven medical officers at the Defence Force camp at Blackpole, near Worcester, where there were on an average only 1,541 men during April; that the senior medical officer, finding there was no work for him, obtained indefinite leave on full pay at £2 10s. per diem and returned to his practice at Liverpool; that another medical officer left camp on leave on full pay to continue his studies for higher medical degrees; that other medical officers also left on indefinite leave to resume their civil jobs on full pay; that, in view of the state of the camp on 4th May, which had a strength of 1,541, all ranks, a cadre of 82, all ranks, field ambulance was necessary; and that a few regimental or brigade Royal Army Medical Corps vehicles would have been sufficient to take the cases to the nearest hospital; and will he have this case inquired into?

I have called for an early report on this matter, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that men who return from India and Mesopotamia complain that they are kept waiting for arrears of pay, sometimes for long periods and often without work or means, pending the arrival of their papers in this country; and whether he can arrange to expedite the final adjustment of pay and pension and ensure that the men receive something on account while they are waiting for their papers?

Delay has occurred in effecting a final adjustment of the pay accounts of men returning from India and Mesopotamia owing to the difficulty of obtaining last pay certificates from the India authorities. Steps have been, and are being, taken to expedite the receipt of these documents. All payments due for the voyage home or for service in this country are made, and final settlement is effected immediately on the receipt of the necessary information from India. The issue of pension is not affected by the absence of this information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any official information as to an alleged divulgence by an officer on Lord Kitchener's staff, who went down with the "Hampshire," of secret information respecting the journey of this vessel to Russia; and, if so, if he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

No, Sir; I have no official information of the character suggested, and the circumstances connected with the loss of the "Hampshire" do not reflect in any way on any member of the late Lord Kitchener's staff.

Is it not a fact that full confidential information has been sent to the right hon. Gentleman's Department by His Majesty's Commission that went to Berlin shortly after the War?

My reply was a carefully prepared answer to the question.

Is it not a fact that the selection of the "Hampshire" was only made at the last minute, and the route was not officially fixed until the forenoon of the date on which she sailed?

I believe that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to establishing a chain of tropical agricultural colleges in the tropical Colonies and Dependencies, where there is a great variety of conditions and tropical products, he will suggest to the Governments of Ceylon and West Africa to consider the foundation of colleges in those centres similar to that at present being set up for the West Indies in Trinidad; and whether he will also endeavour to arrange that those colleges shall, like that in Trinidad, be in close association with the large universities in this country, with the object of transference of undergraduates desirous of taking practical courses in tropical agriculture?

I fear that in the present financial condition of the West African Colonies such a proposal would not be practicable. In Ceylon a School of Tropical Agriculture has been in existence since 1916, and it will no doubt be developed in connection with the recently established University College. I shall always be pleased to give such assistance as may be within my power in the direction indicated in the last part of the question, subject to the willingness of the Colonial Government controlling the institution to provide any necessary funds.

Is it not the case that the Government of Ceylon had a project under consideration just before the War; and will the hon. Gentleman say whether that project has been laid aside or is it still under consideration?

I am not sure whether that is so or not. I think it is, but my hon. Friend will recognise that conditions have been appreciably changed by the War.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will call for a return showing the number of contracted labourers in the territory of British North Borneo, who, since the Ordinance No. 9 of 1916, have been sentenced to the penalty of whipping?

I will consult the British North Borneo Company on the subject.

When the hon. Gentleman receives the reply will he see that steps are taken to end the cruelties meted out to these labourers?

I cannot accept the suggestion of the hon. Member about the cruelties, but when I get the reply I shall be pleased to place him in possession of the information which I receive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a censorship of newspapers is still in force in Palestine; if so, why liberty of the Press is not permitted under the British mandate; if he is aware that portions of his own recent speech in this House on the Estimates for the Middle East Department have been censored out of the newspapers in Palestine; what is the reason for this action; and whether the cost of the censorship is borne by the British taxpayer or by the people of Palestine?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Censorship is considered essential in Palestine at the present moment while the country is disturbed with acute political problems; and large numbers of the public are ignorant and in consequence easily swayed by propaganda to resort to action which is detrimental to the public security. I have no information as to the third and fourth parts of the question, and have caused inquiries to be made on the subject. The cost of the censorship forms part of the administrative expenditure of Palestine which is borne by the local taxpayer.

Is it possible for them to censor the speech of a Minister of the present Government if they observe anything dangerous in the speech?

I have already told the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I have no information on the question, and that I am trying to obtain it. I think my right hon. Friend, in the interests of good government and security, might be disposed to acquiesce in a greater measure of compulsory reticence.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform me when he gets the information as to this extraordinary action in censoring Ministers' speeches?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what rate of interest is allowed by the Scottish Board of Health to approved societies under the National Health Insurance Acts on moneys belonging to the societies, but retained in the Investment Account of the Board, and what rate is actually earned by the Board of Health on such moneys; and why are approved societies not allowed the market rate of interest which they could obtain from the Government if they were permitted to invest the money themselves?

The rate of interest allowed to approved societies on their credits in the Investment Account with the Scottish Board of Health is fixed by Regulations of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee. The rate was formerly 3¼ per cent., but was raised to 4 per cent., at which it still stands, as from 1st January, 1918. The average rate earned at the present time is approximately 5 per cent, per annum, but it is necessary to apply some part of the interest receipts to a reserve to make good depreciation of securities, especially those representing investments made before the War.

asked the Secretary for Scotland during what hours licensed premises in Scotland can be open for the sale of liquor under the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) Regulations now in force?

Under the Central Control Board's Orders for scheduled areas in Scotland (which include the greater part of the country) the ordinary week-day hours for the sale of exciseable liquor for consumption on the premises are 12 to 2.30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and for consumption off the premises 12 to 2.30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. In the West Central, East Central, and Northern areas there is only a single opening period on Saturdays, namely, from 4 to 9 p.m. for sale of liquor for consumption on the premises and from 4 to 8 p.m. for consumption off the premises.

Do these hours apply to all the large towns in Scotland?

Does the hon. Member mean the last hour?

The right hon. Gentleman said that they applied to all the area over which the Liquor Control Board have authority. Does that include all the large towns in Scotland?

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General how many postal servants have been dispensed with; and what saving will be effected, and in what respect, by the abolition of postal facilities on Sundays?

No full-time officers have been dispensed with as a result of the abolition of Sunday facilities. The services of a certain number of persons employed on Sundays only have been terminated, but the exact figure is not available. The saving estimated to be effected in a full year is £1,000,000, the greater part of which is due to the cessation of the special pay, over and above normal weekly wages, earned by Post Office staff for their former Sunday attendances.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is not a fact that, in his reply to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, he stated that he was going to effect a saving of £1,000,000?

That announcement was made some months ago.

Are we to understand that there is no new economy?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not understand that.

What shall I understand?

asked the Postmaster-General whether lads of 18, employed in the General Post Office as junior sorters, are receiving at present a weekly salary which, including bonus, amounts to £3 3s. or more; and whether such a sum is the regular wages for lads of that age in the public services?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on the 19th July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the salary of £160 per year is precisely double that allowed for an entrance scholarship at an English University?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question whether that is the regular wage of lads of that age in the public service?

It all depends on the class of work the lad is doing. If a boy is training as a postman or telegraphist his rate differs. These boys are sorters.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman not answer the question instead of referring to another question which it does answer?

I think the hon. Member will find it was covered by my previous answer.

How many sorters of the age referred to are receiving this pay?

It is the basic wage plus cost of living for all sorters of that age.

How many are receiving it?

I have not the exact figure.

Is any reduction going to be made?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the salary of the chief scientific adviser and director-general of the Intelligence Department has been raised from £l,800 last year to £2,200 this year, in addition to bonus?

The increased salary was sanctioned in recognition of the importance and responsibility of the post under present conditions. It has been sanctioned as a salary personal to Sir Daniel Hall, the present distinguished occupant of the post. I may add that no bonus will be payable on the revised salary after the 1st September next.

Has the right hon. Gentleman sent in his report to the Treasury with regard to reductions?

That arises on another question. However, I have sent in a report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether temporary clerks who have qualified for permanent appointments in the Civil Service are, without regard to their age, experience and responsibilities, being paid the recognised rates of pay for youths of 18 to 22 years of age; whether he is aware that many of these clerks are men of mature age and are married, with families; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the matter will be reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply. I am unable to add to the answer which I gave on the 21st July to the hon. Member for Harrow (Mr. Mosley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there was a loss of £114,800 last year on the work of the Public Trustee's Office; and what was the reason of this?

The loss is correctly stated and the causes of it are discussed in the Public Trustee's Annual Report recently issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office. It is there pointed out (1) that the loss would have been reduced to about £60,000 had the new Fees Order been in full operation throughout the year, and (2) that the expenditure included a sum for war bonus which will decline with the cost of living.

If these new fees would have caused a loss of £60,000, may it not be necessary to increase the fees, so that the office may be run without loss?

The hon. and learned Member will see from my answer that there has been such an increase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the work of the military permit office is essentially the same as that of the passport office and the aliens department of the Home Office, and could be discharged by those departments; and what is the staff of the military permit office and its cost?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and as regards the latter part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply on 28th July last to the hon. Member for Silvertown (Mr. J. Jones).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information as to the progress of the repairs at present being undertaken to the telegraph cables to India; whether these repairs are being pressed forward as expeditiously as circumstances permit; whether messages paying the extra rate of 5s. per word are delivered promptly, whereas cable messages paying ordinary rates are sometimes delayed five or six days; and whether he can use his influence to ensure to the community that undue advantage is not being taken of the present position in order to force-users of the cables to send their messages at express message rates?

The repairs to the Eastern Telegraph Company's cables to India have been completed, and the delay on messages paid at the ordinary rate has been reduced to about 1 day in the outward direction and l½ days in the homeward direction. I am assured that all telegrams are dealt with by the company with the utmost despatch, and there is no ground for the suggestion that the delay is artificially increased in order to induce the public to send their messages at the urgent rate. The question of laying further cables is under consideration.

Is it not a fact that before the War cables to India arrived in a few hours or at least in a day?

The War has made a great difference, but I am able to say that improvements are being rapidly effected.

To what extent are commercial cables to India delayed by Press cables and can the right hon. Gentleman offer any hope that the delay will be reduced?

I hope that all causes of delay between this country and India will be rapidly reduced.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that picture postcards bearing five-word messages are being wrongly surcharged in certain cases with a fine of 1d., he will issue, for the benefit of the public, an accurate definition of what constitutes a formula of courtesy or a conventional message, such as are permitted to be sent on such cards by the Post Office Regulation P. 386?

As I have previously informed my hon. Friend, the rule referred to has been in operation for about twenty years, and I do not think that it is so frequently misunderstood by Post Office servants as to require definition or amendment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that such mistakes have occurred? Has he not issued a publication containing merely the words: "A formula of courtesy or conventional messages," which, although they may be intelligible to public servants, are completely unintelligible to the public?

I am afraid errors occur with regard to all regulations and laws, but that is not usually considered a good reason for abolishing all laws and all regulations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to circulars issued by Belgian firms in this country to British manufacturers and other firms, offering to print and post circulars, catalogues, company prospectuses, etc., for England in Belgium; whether he is aware that they point out the postage for 1,000 circulars in Belgium to England at the rate of exchange of 47 francs is £2 3s. 6d., while British postage in this country would be £4 3s. 4d.; whether, if such circulars are posted in Belgium, they would have to be delivered by the British Post Office here; and whether, in view of unemployment in this country in the printing trade, he proposes to take any steps to prevent work leaving this country through the present high postal rates?

I have seen a circular letter issued by a printing firm in Brussels which, from the figures quoted, appears to be the one referred to by the hon. Member. All circulars posted in Belgium and addressed to this country must be delivered in ordinary course, if prepaid, with the proper amount of postage. As I have previously stated, I cannot fix British rates of postage to meet the conditions produced by the depreciated currencies in certain foreign countries.

If the Post Office have to deliver these circulars which are posted in foreign countries, is it not the fact that the British Post Office must bear the greater part of the cost of delivery?

No, we only bear the cost at this end. My hon. Friend will see, if he studies the question, it would be impossible for us to fix our rates here on the depreciated currencies of foreign countries. Take, for instance, the case of Germany.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the rate for 8 oz. of printed matter posted in this country for China, and the postage on the same weight of printed matter sent from London to Birmingham?

The rate for 8 oz. of printed matter to China is 2d. The inland rate for a newspaper weighing 8 oz. is 1½d., and for other printed matter 2½d.

the Post master-General whether he has received any advice from the United States Post Office of any increase in the postage rates from the United States to this country; and what is the present rate and weights for letters and printed matter from America to England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The present postage rate for letters from the United States to England is two cents, per ounce, and for printed matter one cent, per two ounces.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a statement made in evidence before the last meeting of the Select Committee on the Telephone Service to the effect that a telephone service controlled and administered by a Government Department could never be so efficient or economical as a service in the hands of a company, as it was impossible for a Government Department to discharge honest but inefficient servants; and will he say, in view of these considerations, what steps he proposes to take to secure the administration of these great business undertakings on business lines?

As the question is printed a sentence has been omitted which asked if the statement before the Committee was correct, and whether it also applied to the postal telegraph service.

I was not aware that the sentence had been omitted, and I can say nothing as to it, but I think my answer now will cover the point. If the statement was made that it is impossible for a Government Department to discharge inefficient servants, it is inaccurate The Post Office submitted to the Select Committee on Telephones a return showing the number of dismissals in London for inefficiency and other reasons during the past three years.

Is it not the fact that the statement before the Select Committee was one made by Lord Gainford and applied to the time when he held the position of Postmaster-General? Has any change been made in the management of the Post Office since then?

I have stated the present practice that officials of the Post Office were dismissed for inefficiency, and some have recently been dismissed for that cause alone.

asked the Postmaster-General, in connection with the new toll telephone exchange, if he will state whether a subscriber, who in error rings up the London trunk exchange instead of the London toll exchange, or vice versa, will be charged the double call fee, namely 3d., as a penalty for his carelessness or want of knowledge; if not, how the double charge will be avoided; and whether he can see his way to dispense with charging the 1½d. fee in communicating with the trunk exchanges, which are in fact only departments of the Post Office itself and might well be covered by the trunk fee?

A subscriber will not be charged a double local fee in the circumstances stated as he will be put through to the correct exchange at once and a ticket recording the local and trunk fee will be prepared at the correct exchange only. The 1½d. fee in connection with trunk calls forms part of the new tariff approved by the Parliamentary Committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that parents are now compelled to keep their children at an elementary school until the end of the term in which they complete their fourteenth year, he can see his way to continue the subsistence allowance for children of war widows until such period as the children are released from compulsory attendance?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. Allowances in respect of children are granted under the Royal Warrant in all cases up to the age of 16, and in some cases beyond it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that boards of guardians are taking into account amounts received as disability pensions when dealing with applications for outdoor or Poor Law relief; and will he state the views of the Ministry on this question?

The guardians are not empowered to disregard such a source of income as a disability pension when dealing with applications for relief. As at present advised, I see no ground for proposing legislation to deal with the matter.

When an ex-service man has to apply to the guardians for some form of relief, is not that proof that some reconsideration of his disability pension is necessary?

That is not the question on the Paper.

The question was put on the Paper, in order to call attention to this point.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions appeals have been decided by the Lords Appeal Tribunal; in how many cases have the appeals been admitted, and in how many have they been refused; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing in the case of each refusal a fuller explanation of the reasons, so as to minimise the disappointment of the appellants.

The number of appeals decided by the Statutory Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales since they were set up on 1st November, 1919, up to 23rd July, 1921, is 31,721. Of these 9,070 have been allowed and 22,449 disallowed. 202 have been withdrawn by the appellants. Every endeavour is made by the tribunals to send appellants away, whether successful or not, with the feeling that their cases have been dealt with fully, carefully, and sympathetically, and, though reasons for disallowing appeals are given in very many cases, it has been found inexpedient to give reasons in every case.

asked the Prime Minister whether, early in 1920, the Allies at his request temporarily relinquished their demand for the surrender of the German War criminals, provided for under the Versailles Treaty, in order that the Leipzig Tribunal should deal with the matter; whether at that time the Allies, in a note addressed to the German Government, expressly reserved their right to claim the handing over of the accused and to prosecute them before their own courts; and if he will state whether the British Government is responsible for the delay on the part of the Allies in exercising the rights reserved to them in the face of the recent events at Leipzig?

I have been asked to reply. The representatives of Germany made an offer to try persons accused by the Allies of breaches of the Laws of War upon evidence to be submitted before the Supreme Court in Leipzig, as an alternative to the surrender of those persons for trial by the Allies. The Allies acting in concert accepted this offer, while they reserved all their rights under the Treaty of Versailles. I cannot admit that there has been any delay on the part of the Allies as suggested in the question. The matter is one that must be dealt with by the Allies as a whole, that it may be so dealt with at their meeting next week.

Will this question come up, and will it be decided whether these criminals are in future to be tried in the respective countries which are putting forward the various cases? In other words, will it be decided whether prisoners whose names we are putting forward shall be tried here?

I will not say, as I am tempted to say, that the answer is in the plural; I would rather say that that is one of the matters which will be considered next week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon we shall have the translation which has been promised us of the evidence and judgments in the Leipzig trials?

It is now in the printers' hands, but I understand that the printers are not quite so expeditious as usual.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Polish occupation of Vilna will be considered at the same time as the Franco-Polish action in Silesia at the forthcoming meeting of the Supreme Council?

The answer is in the negative. The question of Vilna is in the hands of the League of Nations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that M. Hymans, who is in charge of the Polish delegates, and the committee at Brussels, have declined to proceed with this case, and that the matter at present is not being dealt with at all?

I am not aware of that. The matter is in the hands of the League of Nations, and therefore is not one to be properly taken up by the Supreme Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the consuming public are unable to appreciate the reasons which are preventing them from benefiting by the lower price of coal at the pit-head and of meat and other food commodities in the country of production; and has he considered the possibility of nominating a panel of commissioners who, on a request made to the Government Department concerned by any organised section of consumers, could take evidence and report as to the fairness or otherwise of the prices charged?

I have been asked to reply. Such a panel as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests could only be invested with the proposed powers by legislation, and my right hon. Friend is not prepared to recommend this to the House.

Can the hon. Baronet say whether the Government is going to introduce legislation at all on this matter?

Statements have already been made that it is the hope of the Government to introduce a Bill to deal with trade combinations.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government is aware that there are men in Government employ who served several years in His Majesty's forces in France and overseas during the Great War, and who left the forces with excellent records, and have returned to their Government employment, but are still being punished by having money deducted from their salaries in consequence of their having been guilty of some breach of discipline or Departmental Regulations before the War; and whether His Majesty's Government will treat their offences as being purged by their subsequent War service, and extend such clemency to those ex-service men as would prevent them suffering any further financial loss through their pre-War misconduct?

I am unable, on the information before me, to accept the general proposal implied in the question, but the treatment of individual cases is a matter for the Department concerned in the first instance. I understand that the hon. Member has in mind a particular case, into which I am making inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister when the investigating board referred to in paragraph 9 of the third interim Lytton Committee Report will be set up; whether any ex-service men will be represented on this board; and, if so, what percentage?

I have been asked to reply. I beg to refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Islington (Sir N. Moore) on the 28th ultimo.

How many boards is it proposed to set up, and is it not a fact that already 17,000 cases of this nature are waiting to be dealt with?

I am afraid I could not on the spur of the moment tell the hon. Member the number of boards, but I will ascertain it for him and let him know.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to abolish casual labour in a clerical capacity in the Civil Service so far as ex-service men are concerned whilst non-service substitutional staff are retained in a temporary capacity?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the additional expenditure arising out of the retention of unnecessary staff that would result from the employment on a temporary basis of all persons at present engaged in a casual capacity, I am not prepared to adopt the course recommended by the hon. Member. The substitution of ex-service personnel for temporary non-service personnel is being continued as in the past on the lines recommended by the Lytton Committee.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that all the present ex-service casual men were previously temporary employés, and whether they are put on a casual basis so that they can be sacked at a week's notice while their places are occupied by non-service men and women?

I am not informed, and should have to ascertain, whether the whole or any large proportion of the clerks on casual employment were previously on temporary employment. If the hon. Member desires information on that point, perhaps he would put down a specific question.

Is it not the fact that owing to their being put on casual instead of temporary employment, they are subject to only a week's notice?

Undoubtedly, that is the difference between temporary and casual employment. Temporary employés are entitled to a month's notice, and casual employés are entitled to less—a week, or whatever it may be. But there are large regions of employment in which it is impossible to conduct the work in a businesslike and economical manner without a certain amount of casual clerical labour.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recognise the fact that this presses very hardly on these casual employés, because it does not give their associations who are looking after their interests an opportunity of fighting their case?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total liability of His Majesty's Government in respect of the zinc concentrates purchased from the Zinc Producers' Association, Australia; and what steps the Government propose to take to dispose of those concentrates?

I have been asked to reply. All concentrates delivered to His Majesty's Government to date by the Zinc Producers' Association have been paid for. As regards the last part of the question, there are at present no inquiries for the purchase of these concentrates at prices which I am prepared to accept, but it is hoped that a sale may be effected shortly of concentrates in Australia for smelting there.

Will the hon. Baronet answer my question, which was: What is the total liability on the concentrates purchased—not whether they have been paid for?

All the concentrates which have been delivered so far have been paid for, and therefore at the moment there is no liability. There is, however, as my hon. Friend knows, a continuing contract in regard to future production, but, as I am unable to say what the future production will be, I cannot say what the future liability may be. At the moment there is no undischarged liability.

Have the Government any purchases over there which have not been delivered and have not been paid for, and for which they are liable?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the terms offered by the Cabinet to Sinn Fein have been disclosed to Dail Eireann sitting in secret Session, he will also announce the terms to the House of Commons, also sitting in secret Session, as soon as possible?

No, Sir, but the Prime Minister hopes to be in a position to make a public statement before the House rises.

asked the Prime Minister whether, if there is no provision in the truce terms for reasonable notice being given of the termination of the truce should negotiations break-down, he will arrange for such provision at the next conference with the Sinn Fein representatives, in view of the fact that a plan to attack Crown forces by surprise in the event of a break-down in negotiations has been discovered in at least one area?

Yes, Sir. It was agreed between the Prime Minister and Mr. de Valera at their conference that if the negotiations broke down, there should be reasonable notice of the termination of the truce.

asked the Prime Minister if he will be in a position to make a statement on the Egyptian situation before the rising of the House; and whether it is anticipated that legislation will be necessary to give effect to any agreements come to or whether a treaty will be submitted to this House?

I cannot at present say whether it will be possible to make any such statement before Parliament rises, nor what form the agreement, if arrived at, will assume.