asked the President of the Board of Trade if any quantities of any articles or materials used in the manufacture of clothing are held by the Government or on their behalf for disposal, and, if so, what articles or materials, and in what quantities and at what prices; if any increases have been made by the Government on the prices asked by them for such articles or materials during the last three months, and, if so, what increases; if any purchases of any articles or materials used in the manufacture of clothing are being made or are intended to be made; and, if so, what articles or materials, and at what prices?

The Board of Trade do not hold any stocks of materials used in the manufacture of clothing, but if the hon. Member has in mind any Government property held by the Disposal Board, I can only suggest that he should address a question to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. I assume that the hon. and gallant Member's question does not relate to stocks of reparation dyestuffs.

How do you regulate the sale of these things? Are they sold every day or every week? What do you do with them?

Just as the market will take them.

Is that how you get rid of them?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any quantities of any articles of food are in the possession of the Government or held on their behalf for disposal; if so, what articles and what quantities and at what prices; if any increases have been made by the Government in the prices asked by them for such articles during the last three months; if so, what increases; if any purchases of any articles of food are being made or are intended to be made; and, if so, what articles, what amounts, and at what prices?

The Government still hold limited stocks of wheat, sugar, bacon, butter, mutton and lamb. The wheat stocks total 53,000 tons and the sugar stocks 180,000 tons. For reasons frequently given to the House, it is undesirable to divulge quantities of other commodities held for disposal. I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member price lists for all the varieties of these foodstuffs for the last three months. No further purchases are being, or will be, made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government are negotiating for the sale of their stock of butter to a few large wholesale firms; and, if so, whether, in view of the great shortage of butter now prevailing, they will take steps to prevent the public being charged an unduly high price?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased work thrown on his Department by recent legislation, he anticipates the need for a larger Vote in the forthcoming year?

I do not anticipate that a larger Vote will be needed for the Board of Trade in the forthcoming year.

Are we to conclude that the Safeguarding of Industries Bill will be a dead letter and will impose no work upon the Department?

I think it is rather early to come to that conclusion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of his Department to hold a British trade exhibition next year; if so, in what building in London the exhibition will be held; whether it is possible to hold this exhibition, in the interests of foreign buyers, always in the same building, as the constant changing of buildings and districts during recent years has been most confusing to all buyers who regularly visit these British trade exhibits?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Negotiations are now in progress for holding the London Branch of the British Industries Fair of 1922 at the White City, where it was accommodated last year. I agree with my hon. Friend as to the desirability of securing a permanent home for the Fair, and there is a good prospect of such accommodation being eventually available in the exhibition buildings which the British Empire Exhibition propose to erect in Wembley Park.

Are the Government overlooking the fact that the Crystal Palace belongs to the nation, and that consideration might be given to exhibitions being held there?

I have very carefully considered that. An exhibition was held there once, but it is not nearly so convenient a site for an exhibition as that which has been selected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a direct service of electric trains from both the East and West of London?

I am quite aware of that, but we have now direct experience of holding fairs at both places, and it is not nearly so convenient as the site selected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the increases in import tariffs which have recently been brought into operation, or are now proposed, by the United States of America, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain; what steps he proposes to take to protect British export trade interests;

(2) whether he will issue a White Paper showing the increases in the import tariffs now proposed by the United States, Italy, and Spain on the principal articles of export from the United Kingdom;

(3) whether he is aware that the increases in the import tariffs proposed by the United States Government will have a serious effect, not only on our trade with America, but on many export trades in this country, probably involving the closing down of some works and causing further unemployment; whether he proproses making representations to the United States Government and pointing out that, owing to the present unsettled exchange throughout the world, any tariffs which prohibit the importation into America of British goods customarily sold there must necessarily severely lessen the power of British buyers to purchase their goods in America?

I am aware that the adoption of the tariff proposals now before the United States Senate may have a serious effect on our export trade. Any representations made to my Department about these or the other new rates referred to will receive careful consideration, with a view to framing arguments which could usefully be put to the foreign Governments concerned. Full particulars of the tariffs have already been published in the Board of Trade Journal, but I could not undertake to issue a comparative statement of the old and new rates, as such a compilation would, on account of changes in classification, involve an undue amount of labour and expense, and be of little practical service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the time has now arrived to adopt a policy of reciprocity?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the French Government has recently increased the import duty on machine-made cotton lace to such an amount as will make the export of these goods to France impossible; and that at the same time large quantities of lace of French manufacture are being imported into this country without the payment of any duty whatever; and whether, seeing that he has been requested by the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce to make representations to the French Government with a view to a modification of their prohibitive import duty and has declined to take any action, he will reconsider this decision?

I am aware of the facts referred to by the hon. Member, but on the information supplied to me by the Chamber of Commerce, I have not seen my way to recommend that representations should be made to the French Government. I shall, however, be happy to consider any further information which may be placed before me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present situation is seriously prejudicial to the staple industry of Nottingham, and that for the first six months of the year £376,000 worth of lace has been imported from France, while British labour is idle and capital unemployed?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, now, that the lace trade of Nottingham is struggling to revive, he will consider the propriety of paying our Allies the compliment of imitation by imposing a duty on this side?

I believe the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend (Mr. Atkey), and I have no doubt that any further information he desires will be sent to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the imports from Germany from the 1st January to 31st July, 1921; and if he can give similar figures for the same period of 1920?

The aggregate figures of the trade of the United Kingdom with individual countries are, for reasons of economy, prepared only quarterly. I am accordingly, unable to supply the desired particulars for the period to 31st July. The value of the imports consigned from Germany registered during the period from 1st January to 30th June, 1921, was £11,797,491, and in the corresponding period of 1920, £11,895,943.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been engaged by the recently published statistics of Canadian trade for the year ending 31st March, 1921; whether such statistics show that imports from the United States of America were more than fourfold those of the United Kingdom; and whether any steps are being taken by his Department to assist British exporters to obtain a large share of the trade of this highly important market?

The facts are substantially as stated, and active steps are being taken by my Department. Within the last few months His Majesty's Trade Commissioners from Toronto and Winnipeg have toured the United Kingdom and have interviewed over 700 firms. The chief subject under discussion has been the possibility of meeting competition of American firms. His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in Winnipeg brought with him from Canada a representative range of samples and catalogues of American-made goods which are selling in large quantities in the West of Canada, and which there is good ground to believe can be equally well supplied from this country. The exhibition of these samples, together with the information given by the Trade Commissioner as to prices, methods of marketing, etc., created great interest, and from the views expressed by many manufacturers and merchants I hope and expect that considerable business will result.

Is the Overseas Trade Department in a position to put exporters in touch with the right class of agents throughout Canada?

That is so. As a matter of fact, we have already done so in a number of cases arising out of this visit. In many cases exporters have been put in touch with agents, and I understand that several contracts have been made in the last few weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any steps are taken by consular officers to bring the catalogues sent them by British firms to the notice of prospective buyers?

Steps are always taken to bring the catalogues of British firms to the notice of prospective buyers, either by arranging and displaying them in the offices of the Consulate or by arrangement with the local British chamber of commerce. As an experiment a special catalogue and trade journal library has been installed at Rotterdam. The catalogues are numbered and indexed and advertisements are placed in the leading Dutch papers, and other steps taken to give the library publicity. The names and addresses of callers are immediately sent to the firms whose catalogues have been inspected.

What has been the result of this experimental library? If funds permit, will the Department make an extension of the scheme?

Will the Department encourage our traders to publish their catalogues in the language of the country to which the catalogues are being sent? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware—I think he is—that the absence of this precaution has given our trade competitors many advantages?

Yes, I am aware of that. The Department is always bringing the matter to the notice of firms. One of the most practical ways of helping is to give firms the opportunity of seeing, as we see, the catalogues of their foreign competitors published in the languages of the countries in which the firms compete. As regards the experiuental library, it has proved a success in the four months it has been working. Nearly 100 callers have been in to see the exhibition, and between 200 and 300 written inquiries have been made. In all cases the names of British firms have been given to the inquirers, and the British firms have been notified. With regard to finance, which is always difficult, if it is possible in one or two other places to extend the scheme, it will be well worth doing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps have been taken to obtain and display locally to British manufacturers samples of foreign-made goods with which British firms could expect to compete successfully?

A considerable number of local exhibitions of selected samples from the standing exhibition of foreign samples in London are held in manufacturing centres, where their display is arranged for in collaboration with the local chambers of commerce. Twenty-six such exhibitions have been held in the course of the last 12 months.

Do employée visit these exhibitions as well as employers?

Yes, that is so. In practically every case of these exhibitions in the provinces both workmen and employers have visited them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the retail price of coal has advanced since the coal strike ended; if so, what is the extent of the increase and on what grounds is it justified; and what steps the Government are taking to prevent the public being exploited in this matter?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Finchley and Southwark on the 25th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines the output of coal for each week since the miners have resumed work after the recent stoppage; can he say how they compare with the highest weekly output before the War and with the best weekly output during the War years; and if he considers still higher figures can be reached when the whole of the coal mines of the country return to normal working conditions?

I have been asked to reply. The output in the first three weeks after the resumption of work was 2,352,700, 3,935,200 and 4,331,800 tons, respectively. Later figures are not yet available. No weekly record was kept before February, 1914. Between then and the outbreak of war the highest weekly figure was 5,404,400 tone in June, 1914, and the highest achieved since 1914 was 5,309,000 in December, 1920. No doubt higher figures than those for last month can be reached when the whole of the nines return to normal working conditions, but the hon. Member will realise that actual output depends, of course, not only on productive capacity but also on market conditions.

asked the Secretary for Mines if any definite results have been obtained from the experiments with machines for the spraying of stone dust into the air of fiery mines; whether the information obtained up to date is available to the public; and whether, if it be the case that with the decrease in the fiery content of the mine atmosphere there is. also a substantial decrease of the moisture content, any means has yet been found of overcoming this new danger?

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid I cannot quite follow the hon. Member's question. General Regulations under the Coal Mines Act require, as a precaution against explosions, that coal dust in mines shall be treated in certain proportions either with water or with stone

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that whisky at the controlled price only yields the retailer 8 per cent. gross profit and that under the Licensing Bill he will be expected to

dust or other incombustible dust. I will send the hon. Member copies of these Regulations and the Reports on which they were based. The spraying of stone dust may in some cases decrease the humidity of the mine air, but this is rather an advantage than otherwise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if ex-service men are being discharged from the various Departments under his control in favour of those who have not served in the War; and, if not, is every effort being made to employ ex-service men in preference to those who have not served?

It is not the fact that ex-service men are being discharged from the Board of Trade in favour of non-service employés, and every effort is made to retain ex-service men in preference to those who have not served.

asked the Prime Minister if any Reports have been received from heads of Departments upon those ex-service candidates who failed to qualify in the late examinations; whether he is aware that there are already 17,000 cases of this nature waiting to be dealt with; in view of this position, whether he will give instructions for the Investigating Boards referred to in paragraph 9 of the Third Interim Lytton Committee Report to be set up without further delay; and whether any ex-service men will be represented on these Boards and, if so, what percentage?

I have been asked to reply. Heads of Departments are being requested to submit Reports on those ex-service candidates who failed to qualify at the recent examinations, but whose cases should, in their opinion, be considered by the Investigating Board when constituted. Meantime it is impossible to forecast the number of cases in point. With regard to the third and fourth portions of this question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 2nd inst.

asked the Postmaster-General whether disabled ex-service men are being discharged from the Post Office although they have performed their duties satisfactorily; and, if so, will he state the reason for this action?

If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the cases which he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of clerks and administrators employed in the Enemy Debts Section of the Board of Trade; and what was the number so employed 12 months ago?

On the 1st August, 1921, there were employed in the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts) 946 clerks, 133 typists and shorthand-typists, and 256 administrative officers. There were, in addition, 16 serving in Berlin, and 3 in Vienna. On the 1st August, 1920, the staff numbered 421 clerks, 57 typists and shorthand-typists, and 56 administrative officers. The expenses of the Clearing Office do not fall on the Exchequer, but are defrayed out of the charge of 2½ per cent. on payments made to British claimants. Twelve months ago the work of the Clearing Office consisted chiefly of collecting, examining, and forwarding the claims of British creditors against Germany. Very few German claims had then been received under Article 296 in respect of pre-War debts. The duties of the Clearing Office have since then been considerably enlarged, and to cope with the increase of work a corresponding increase in staff has been necessary. Over 200,000 claims have been received from Germany, amounting to about £43,000,000, and over 89,000 claims have been lodged against Germany, amounting to £67,000,000. British claims for £25,000,000 have been admitted, and the amount paid over to the claimants. A considerable number of claims have been contested by the Germans.

The Clearing Office has also taken over the administration of claims under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles in respect of British property, rights and interests in Germany, and up to date over 6,600 claims have been lodged, amounting to £42,000,000. Claims for proceeds of liquidation paid up to date to British nationals under Article 297 amount to about £8,500,000 sterling. The foregoing figures relate to claims as between the United Kingdom and Germany under Articles 296 and 297 of the Peace Treaty. The Clearing Office is, however, operating on behalf of many other parts of the British Empire as well. Work under the Austrian and Bulgarian Treaties has also been added to the activities of the Clearing Office. This involves not only handling the claims against Austria and Bulgaria, but also the duty of dealing with Austrian and Bulgarian property in this country and applying the proceeds towards the satisfaction of British claims.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to obtain the reduction of the Civil Service, apart from the Ministry of Pensions, to a pre-War basis in the course of the present year, he will confer with the First Commissioner of Works with a view to securing the demolition during the forthcoming vacation of the various temporary buildings erected during the War in the parks, lakes, and open spaces of London for the accommodation of additional staff necessitated by the War, seeing that this course would not only automatically secure the reduction in numbers of the Civil Service for which he is anxious, but would also remove a serious public eyesore, and restore to the people the open spaces to which they are entitled for recreation and enjoyment?

I trust the hon. Member will permit me to refer him to the very full statement made by the First Commissioner of Works with the full approval of the Government to Lord Gainford in another place on the 28th July last. Every effort, as he will see from that statement, is being made to get rid of the temporary buildings in the parks, but I would remind the hon. Member that so long as it is necessary to provide accommodation additional to that which is available in the permanent Government buildings, the temporary buildings on public sites for which no rent is paid are much less costly than accommodation that has to be rented.

Is it not a fact that these temporary buildings were erected to meet war emergency, and that the best way to get the Civil Service back to the pre-War basis is to remove these buildings and leave them with the same accommodation that they had pre-War?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he anticipates a reduction in staff, both in the higher and lower grades, in next year's Estimates?

asked the Minister of Transport what reductions in staff in his Department he thinks probable in consequence of the decontrol of railways; when these reductions will be made; and what saving in expenditure will they effect?

Substantial reductions in staff of all grades are now possible, and will be effected without any unnecessary delay, but I am not yet able to make a more definite announcement.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what buildings will be dispensed with next year; and what reductions he hopes for in staff?

The number of buildings which will be dispensed with next year will depend entirely upon further reductions in staffs of Government Departments generally, and it is practically impossible, at this stage, to make any definite statement. Apart from a number of small premises, the accommodation surrendered will be almost entirely buildings in parks and public spaces.

Do I understand that the First Commissioner of Works has recommended no decrease at all in public buildings next year, and no decrease in staffs?

No, my hon. Friend must not assume that.

What have they recommended?

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has recently engaged large suites of offices in the Old Bailey, London, E.C.; and for what purpose and what is the annual rent of same?

Large suites of offices in 7–11, Old Bailey, have been acquired on lease at a total rent of £7,250 per annum, exclusive of rates and taxes, for the accommodation of the Ministry of Labour Trade Boards and for the Department of Overseas Trade as show rooms for the exhibition of foreign samples. These samples were previously exhibited in premises in Basinghall Street, which have been surrendered.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if there was any reason for choosing this particular locality?

It was the most central position available in the City.

And the most costly.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the House, in view of the figure given of £7,000 as rent, what the rates will represent?

Not without notice. I will get that for my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether any article of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty provides for assistance being afforded by Japan to Great Britain in the event of internal difficulties or disturbances in India?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the hon. Member aware that the contrary is so frequently stated that it may lead to very serious consequences?

I have heard it stated, but there is no foundation whatever for it.

asked the Prime Minister if the Allies are prepared to offer mediation with a view to peace in Asia Minor between the Turks and Greeks; and whether the time for it has arrived; and whether the Greeks have asked or been given permission to occupy Constantinople?

The question of the present hostilities between Greece and the Nationalist Turks is likely to be discussed among the Allies at the meeting of the Supreme Council at Paris, and the reply to the first two parts of the question must depend on these deliberations. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to an Athens telegram alleging that Lord Granville has received a long telegram from him stating that Great Britain raised no objection to the aims pursued by Greece, even including the occupation of Constantinople by that State; whether he is aware of the disastrous results of such uncontradicted stories upon the minds of our Indian fellow subjects; and whether he can give an assurance that there is no truth in the telegram referred to?

The whole story is a fabrication.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of the Members of the Business Committee who are to consider the Reports of the various Departments respecting reductions in their expenditure?

asked the Prime Minister whether any Members of the House of Commons will be Members of the new Business Committee?

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference to the new Economy Committee will allow that Committee to consider the possibility of either reducing the status of the Ministry of Transport or of merging its functions and duties in another existing Ministry?

asked the Lord Privy Seal the terms of reference of the Committee to be presided over by the Minister of Transport; whether this Committee will take evidence; and whether the evidence taken by the Committee, as well as the Report, will be available for the Estimates Committee of this House?

In the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, I am unable to give the terms of reference to or composition of the Committee.

Is it not the business of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to look after the finances of the country, and not the business of an outside committee?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the primary financial authority in the Government, but it is open to him and to the Government to seek the assistance of anybody whom they think is capable of giving it on questions whether of finance or of policy or of administration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the terms of reference have been approved by the Cabinet; and, if so, is he not able to give them?

No, Sir. They have not been approved or considered by the Cabinet.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that it will be impossible for him to furnish the terms of reference to this House until the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer return from Paris?

Yes.

If that is so, that will not be until after the rising of Parliament?

Oh, no. I hope that my right hon. Friends are not going to be detained in Paris as long as we shall, unfortunately, be detained here.

Have any business men who have seats in this House been asked to join this Committee?

No.

I have already stated, that until the return of my right hon. Friends I am not in a position to make any statement as regards the composition of the Committee.

Does that mean that the Cabinet has not considered this question at all?

No, Sir, it does not.

asked the Prime Minister whether any saving on the Treasury Estimate will be made in consequence of the exercise of its functions by the new Business Committee?

I cannot say until the Committee has reported.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with reference to the contemplated examination of the replies of Departments to the Treasury circular of 13th May last by a special Committee of business men, it is proposed to divulge to that Committee information of a confidential nature or otherwise which has not been supplied to this House?

All information necessary to enable the Committee to report to the Cabinet will, of course, be available to it.

Will confidential information be given to these gentlemen who are outside this House?

Any information required to enable them to make the report which they are asked to make will be given.

Will the Committee have power to summon Ministers before them and ask for information?

A Committee of this kind cannot do anything without the sanction and authority of the Government?

And of this House.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Business Committee will review the financial position, including the revenue, of the country?

I am not sure that I rightly apprehend the purport of this question. If I do, the answer is that the Committee will not be asked to report on taxation.

Will they be asked to look into the whole financial position of the country as to whether we are paying our way, for example. Is not that necessary?

No. I do not think so. They will be asked to review expenditure in the light of the financial situation about which, if they are not already informed, they will get the information.

In face of the tremendous opposition with which this Committee is meeting, would it not be much better to drop the Business Committee altogether?

On what grounds is it considered that this Committee will be better able to discharge the functions of the Government than the Government itself?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Prime Minister if, on the question of the Albanian-Greek frontier, His Majesty's Government is supporting the Greek as opposed to the Albanian solution; and, if so, why?

The question of the future frontiers of Albania is at present under discussion with our Allies, and it is not possible to make any statement as to the course which these discussions are likely to take.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in the Press that we are supporting the Greeks against the Albanians, and can he contradict the statement that that is part of our policy?

I cannot be expected, without notice, to know every statement that appears in the Press, or to express an opinion as to a statement which I have not seen. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question he shall have an answer.

That is exactly what my question is—whether His Majesty's Government is supporting the Greeks?

asked the Prime Minister whether, after the passage into law of the Railways Bill, he will be able to make his promised statement as to the future of the Ministry of Transport?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject, on the 6th July last, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green.

Shall we have a statement before the House rises?

I cannot say.

asked the Prime Minister whether it has now been decided that the famine in South Russia will be discussed at the forthcoming or present meeting of the Supreme Council; and what is to be the attitude to this question of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in considering the question of Allied assistance being given to relieve the famine in Russia, His Majesty's Government's representatives will insist on precautions being taken to ensure that such relief should not be absorbed by the Red Army, and that the proposed relief shall only be accorded subject to a satisfactory agreement being entered into with the Russian Soviet Government as to the future disposition of the Russian Red Army?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Pending that discussion, I am not in a position to make any statement about the attitude of His Majesty's Government.

Does that mean that His Majesty's Government are going to Paris with no fixed policy, and if that is not true, why cannot the House be told what is the policy of the Government?

What it means is that when we have entered into discussion with our Allies, it is not helpful but prejudicial to any friendly agreement with them if statements be made beforehand of our intentions.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to obtain from the present Russian Government formal acknowledgment of responsibility for the payment of Russia's pre-War foreign debts; and what is the present position of the negotiations on the subject?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the declaration of recognitions of claims signed at the same time as the Russian Trade Agreement, and published with the Agreement. As regards the last part of the question, this is a subject which will come under consideration by the Supreme Council at present sitting.

Are the Government still pursuing the policy of the protection of the bond holders in this country?

Without accepting the particular form in which my hon. Friend has put his question, I can, perhaps, answer what he has in mind by saying that the attitude of the Government is unchanged.

asked the Prime Minister what is the name of the Railway Commissioner appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, who has experience in railway business, as provided for in Sub-section (2); and what is the nature and extent of such experience?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Commissioner in question is Sir Lewis Coward. His experience and qualifications are such that I was fully satisfied that his appointment came within the provisions of the Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks who is the person who has knowledge of railway business as provided in the Act? Is it not a fact that nearly the whole of Sir Lewis Coward's business life has been as a barrister, concerned only with legal matters?

I am fully aware of the Act and fully aware of the experience of Sir Lewis Coward, and it is not as my hon. Friend says.

Was it the intention, when these two eminent people were unfortunately called to other climes, that they should be replaced by lawyers who are now being recognised as men of business knowledge.

That is not so.

Surely that is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that accredited representatives of the Irish Republic are endeavouring to present their credentials and obtain recognition from foreign States; and is he able to say that the establishment of any form of government in the South of Ireland, with the right to separate diplomatic or consular representation, will not be conceded?

I am informed that no foreign government has granted recognition to any Sinn Fein representatives. As regards the last part of the question, I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to make before the House rises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have that answer sent to the Sinn Fein envoy to the Argentine.

I see no necessity.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he proposes to take the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill; when it will be printed so that Members may be able to see the list of Bills scheduled; whether the Bill will be taken in Committee of the whole House; and whether, seeing that for the first time very novel and highly controversial matter is being introduced, he will ensure that the Bill is discussed as early as possible?

This Bill was introduced on Friday. It is now in the hands of the printers, and should be available for the use of hon. Members to-morrow. It will be taken in Committee of the whole House, but it will not be possible to discuss the Bill before next week at the earliest. I fear that I do not understand the last part of my hon. Friend's question. I cannot agree that any novel or highly controversial matter is being introduced into the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill this year.

Is the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill intended to continue War-time restrictions? Is it not a fact that the Bill continues restrictions on the sale of sweets in theatres, which were supposed to be abolished no later than December, 1921?

The object of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill is to keep in force legislation which otherwise would expire.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railway companies now refuse to season ticket holders the privilege they have always enjoyed in the past of laying up their tickets for a period of over one month; and, if so, what is the explanation of this new departure?

No direction has been issued to the companies in regard to this matter. I understand that the privilege to which the hon. Member refers was withdrawn in 1918, but I am not aware of the reasons which led the railway companies to take that action.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any protests against refusals of railway companies to run morning milk trains, with the result that the milk when delivered is often sour; and whether he can impress upon the railway companies the desirability of proper arrangements in the public interest?

My right hon. Friend received only one complaint of this nature, which is being investigated with the railway company concerned. The provision of special facilities for milk must depend upon the volume of traffic offering.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the railway companies to run special excursion trains at reduced fares for the service of hop pickers in the southern counties during this month and next; can he state at what reduction on ordinary railway fares it is proposed to issue tickets; and for how long such tickets will be available?

I understand that it is the intention of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company to run such trains at reduced fares, and that the actual fares to be charged are under consideration by the company. Single journey tickets will be issued in each direction.

asked the Minister of Transport if and when he can take steps with a view of having the main roads of Northumberland put into reasonable repair and fit for motor and other traffic?

I must remind the hon. Member that the upkeep of the roads remains a responsibility of the road authority. Careful consideration is being given to estimates submitted to the Ministry of Transport by the Northumberland County Council for the repair and improvement of roads in their area, and I anticipate that the funds at the disposal of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will enable substantial assistance to be afforded to these schemes which should result in considerable benefit to traffic and road users.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the improvements contemplated take place at a reasonably early date?

As I have explained in my answer, it is primarily a matter for the local authorities. The function of the Ministry is limited to giving assistance to any authority which is carrying out the improvements which have been decided on.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that great hardship has been inflicted on the smaller shareholders of the North British Railway Company, who have been deprived of the whole of their income from their railway shares for this year owing to his refusal to accept the twice repeated judgments of the Railway and Canal Commission, and to pay the £985,000 due to the North British Railway Company; and whether his Department is prepared to make an interim payment and advance to any shareholders who can prove actual distress, ample security being in his hands to meet any judgment against the company through its share of the £60,000,000 provided in the Railway Bill?

I cannot add anything to the very full answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the hon. Member for South Kensington on 28th July, and to other hon. Members on previous occasions. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that any portion of the sum of £60,000,000 can be retained by the Government as security for any overpayments made to the railway company.

Surely the North British Company will receive some of that £60,000,000, and is not that security to enable him to do this act of justice and relieve distress?

As to its being an act of justice, that is the whole point to be settled. In reference to the receipt by the North British Company of portion of the £60,000,000, no money is to be paid over until the beginning of the new year. The 1st January, I think, is the date named. Then it has to be distributed among the companies according to certain conditions laid down in the Railway Bill. If it is a good security for the raising of money there is no obstacle in the way of the company doing so.

They would have to pay interest on a debt which the Government owes to them.

That is the whole point to be settled.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he received a letter from the Canal Association, dated the 11th June last, pointing out that the increases of canal rates, tolls, and charges authorised by him in September last will cease to be operative on the 15th of February, 1923, and asking for an assurance that the question of their continuance would be dealt with by the Government at an early date; whether any answer has yet been made to this letter, now two months old; and whether the Government has yet decided what steps shall be taken to preserve to canal owners and carriers the right to make these increased charges after the expiration of the present sanction?

The question raised by my hon. Friend is one of far-reaching policy and refers to tramway undertakings and docks in the same way as to canals. Almost all these undertakings have permanent charging powers which are to-day inadequate, and Parliament, in giving authority for temporary increases, delegated to the Minister of Transport the responsibility (after consideration by an Advisory Committee) of seeing that the charges, though adequate, with efficient and economical management, should not be excessive in the interests of the public. The policy to be pursued in this matter is one which must be reviewed, having regard to the need for reduction in administrative expenditure, and it should be possible, early in the autumn, to let these canal, tramway, and dock undertakings know the conclusion arrived at by the Government, in order to enable them to decide whether private legislation should be promoted or not.

Am I to understand that the Ministry will give notice to the Canal Association as to policy, in sufficient time to enable the companies to make up their minds whether private legislation is necessary or not?

Yes, it is desired to arrive at a decision in time to enable that to be done. Any decision will be subject to Parliamentary ratification by legislation next Session.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amount the High Commissioner reported to be the monthly cost of Armenian refugees at Bakonba and elsewhere; and whether the Assyrian camp still costs £26,666, the Russian camp £9,700, the Serb-Croat-Slovene camp £10,000, the Egyptian camp £12,300, and the Cyprus camp £2,800 a month?

I have been asked to reply. As far as the refugee camps in Mesopotamia are concerned, it would be misleading to give monthly figures of cost, as dispersal of the refugees is proceeding rapidly. The camps of Assyrian and Russian refugees have already been, or are on the point of being closed, and the sums of £400,000 and £20,000 respectively provided on the Middle Eastern Services Vote will, I anticipate, cover all expenses for maintenance and also for final disposal. In the case of the Armenians, there are nearly 5,000 who by reason of age, infirmity or other causes are unable to maintain themselves, but every effort is being made to find some means of providing for them without throwing a charge on public funds. If these efforts are successful, the £120,000 provided on the Estimate wil be a final charge. I am informed by the Foreign Office that the refugees in Serbia are not in camps, but are distributed over the country; the cost of their maintenance has now been reduced to £6,000 a month. The camps in Egypt cost £12,300 per month, and the camp of Russian refugees in Cyprus £2,800 per month.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this country should pay anything for refugees from Persia, which has just renounced us root and branch; and whether the Armenian refugees are to be permanently provided for unless they can provide for themselves, which they will never do voluntarily except for something that suits them better?

That is argument rather than a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been suggested that Japan's disabilities as to the right of emigration into British Columbia give her certain preferential rights in China, more especially those specific provinces; whether this contention has officially been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government; and, in this case, what these preferential rights in China are?

His Majesty's Government are unaware of any such suggestion. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the actual position to-day of the island of Heligoland and its inhabitants; whether the conditions of the Treaty handing over the island to Germany have not been carried out, and that Germany is now treating the islanders with harshness, and not in accordance with their promises when we gave them possession; and will the attention of the approaching Conference be drawn to this matter with a view to obtaining better treatment for the Heligolander?

The island of Heligoland is a part of the German State. Although the agreement of 1st July, 1890, under which the island was ceded to Germany, has not been revived, I have no information to show that the special privileges of the islanders have been withdrawn. There does not seem to be any reason why the attention of the Supreme Council should be drawn to the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether France has received any mandate for Syria, or whether she is still acting there as an occupying Power only; and, in the former case, whether the mandate contains any provisions as to the right of charitable societies and others to open schools?

France has been selected as the mandatory power for Syria by the principal Allies. The provisions of the Syrian mandate have not yet, however, been approved by the Council of the League of Nations. Although the draft mandate presented by the French Government to the Council has not yet been published, I understand that it contains articles similar to Nos. 8 and 10 of the draft mandate for Mesopotamia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received representations from the French Government concerning the position of France under the provisions of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill; and whether he is prepared to make any statement appertaining to the same?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but it is clearly not possible to state in advance what action under the Bill, when passed, it may be found necessary to take in regard to France or any other country.

Would it not be advisable to take action previously, so that if anything is to be done, it can be done in the Bill?

I do not see how action can be taken in advance.

What is the nature of the representations?

I could tell the hon. and gallant Member if he would give me notice of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consult Field-Marshal Lord Allenby, on his approaching visit to this country, as to the expressed desires of the Egyptian people and the possibility of the repeal of martial law and a free election to ascertain the wishes of the Egyptian people?

Lord Allenby will naturally be consulted on these and other matters relating to Egypt.

Is it the intention of the Government to carry out the promise of Mr. Gladstone to evacuate Egypt ultimately?

Ultimately!

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there have been recent instances in which the use of arsenic to improve the hair and skin of pigs for exhibition purposes has been followed by fatal results; and whether, in the public interest, he can state if arsenic is ever given to pigs to be used as food?

The Ministry has received no reports with reference to the use of arsenic for the purpose in question, and no instance has been brought to the Ministry's notice of arsenic being given to pigs which are intended for food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps were taken by his Department to notify the growers of wheat and oats of their right to claim the the payments provided for under Clause 2 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill; what period was allowed during which claims might be made; and what action he proposes to take in regard to claims sent in after the expiration of that period?

Very wide publicity was given to the requirements with regard to claims in respect of the minimum prices of wheat and oats, under the Corn Production Acts. A form of claim was sent at the end of May or beginning of June to every occupier of an agricultural holding exceeding one acre, and notices explaining the contents of the form and emphasising the importance of the claim being made before the 30th June were issued to London and provincial newspapers to the number of about 750 on the 21st May, 18th June, and 25th June. On the 21st June, moreover, a special notice was issued with a covering memorandum to editors of newspapers asking them to give it prominence. In deference to representations which were made that many growers of wheat and oats were unable to complete their claims by the 30th June, it was decided that claims might be made up to and including the 18th July, and a notice to this effect was issued on the 28th June, in which growers were warned that no further extension of time would be granted. In addition to the notices issued to the Press, notices were also published in the April, May, and June issues of the Journal of the Ministry.

It was necessary that a final date for the receipt of claims should be fixed, in order that they may be examined by the county committees as far as possible before the land is ploughed up, and, in view of the long period allowed in which to make a claim, I feel that farmers who failed to send in their claims by the prescribed date have no legitimate grievance. I do not propose, therefore to accept claims made after the 18th ultimo, except where the occupier entered into occupation of the land after the 30th June.