asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons were engaged by his Ministry in consequence of the passing of the Agriculture Act, 1920; and whether the services of all such persons have been, or will be, dispensed with in consequence of the repeal of that Act?

No additional staff was engaged by the Ministry in consequence of the passing of the Agriculture Act, as the necessary staff had been engaged previously for the purpose of the Corn Production Act, 1917, and the food production schemes initiated during the War. The repeal of Part I of the Act of 1920 and of the Corn Production Act will enable the Ministry to dispense with the services of all those persons who have been employed for those purposes. Notice has already been given to 97 persons, and I am considering what further reductions of staff can be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he requires a staff of 3,460; and what are the main duties upon which they are engaged?

The number given in the hon. and gallant Member's question includes the staff of the Ordnance Survey and of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The staff of the Ministry itself on 1st August numbered 2,007. Of this number 192 are employed in the Fisheries Department and 133 of the remainder are accounted for by the purely temporary staff engaged for the annual agricultural returns and the claims in respect of the corn subsidy. The rest of the staff is engaged on the normal work of the Ministry, which includes the promotion of agricultural education and research, including the publication of the Ministry's Journal and leaflets, the improvement of livestock, the control of animal and plant diseases, the training and settlement on the land of ex-service men, the collection of agricultural statistics, and the administration of a large number of miscellaneous Acts of Parliament, including those relating to tithe rentcharge, land drainage, glebe lands, agricultural holdings, commons, copyholds, etc.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in what Departments of the Ministry he has recommended reductions in the answer which he stated he nub sent to the Treasury circular?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the answers which I have already given on this subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which Departments of the Foreign Office he hopes to effect reductions in next year's Estimates?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to similar questions on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the decision arrived at with regard to the question, to which he promised to give careful consideration, as to the inclusion in the official side of the Civil Servants Whitley Council of a certain number of members who are not civil servants?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not yet in a position to say what decision has been arrived at on the question referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual cost to the State of substituting Grade I men for women in the Civil Service?

If the hon. Member would be good enough to inform me whether his question refers to temporary Grade 1 clerks I should be glad to furnish him with the information asked for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the repayment of the Land Values Duties repealed by the Finance Act, 1920, has been completed; and, if it has, how many officials engaged on the work have been discharged and for how many has other Government work been found?

Except in a few outstanding cases the repayments applied for under Section 57 of the Finance Act, 1920, have now been made. Of the 16 officers who were engaged on the repayments work five have been discharged. The remainder are engaged upon other duties in the Inland Revenue Department, where, as my hon. Friend appreciates, great pressure of work continues to prevail.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in pursuance of recommendations recently made by a committee, reductions are to be made in the expenses of his Department in next year's Estimate?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Alfred T. Davies) on the 3rd of August.

asked the Home Secretary whether the hon. Member for Cork City is in solitary confinement in prison in this country; for how long has he been in solitary confinement; and for what reason is he so confined?

"Solitary confinement" as generally understood is not known in the prison system of this country. This prisoner is not under punishment, but is under medical observation in a hospital cell. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given him on 8th March.

asked the Chief Secretary whether there will be any reduction on the Vote for Public Works (Ireland) in next year's Estimate?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I am not in a position to add anything at the present time to answers already given on this subject, but I would remind the hon. Member that some of the expenses provided for in the Estimate will fall on the new Irish Governments as from the transfer of the services to which they relate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a communication from the City Council of Edinburgh unanimously protesting against the proposal to amalgamate the 7th Battalion of the Royal Scots with another battalion; whether, in view of the indignation felt in the district regarding the proposal, he can see his way to modifying his views on the subject; and, if not, whether he can agree to receive a deputation to consider the matter?

The communication referred to has been received, but I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given on Wednesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn). My right hon. Friend is prepared to receive a deputation if it is generally desired, but I can hold out no hope that any alteration will be made in the plan of amalgamation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the corps of military police has been increased since 1920–21; and, if so, for what reason?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise. I would explain that the increase in the numbers shown in Vote A for 1921–22 is due to the fact that reductions which were expected to materialise in the course of 1920–21 were not realised. The actual numbers at present are considerably below the 1915 other ranks shown in Vote A for 1921–22.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the present obsolete and uncomfortable pattern uniform collar and bow, now the compulsory kit of Classes I and III, is intensely disliked by these ratings; and whether, in view of the fact that no expense to the Crown would be involved, he will consider the introduction of a more up-to-date and smarter collar and neck-tie?

The Admiralty do not agree that the uniform pattern collar for Classes I and III is either obsolete or uncomfortable. The uniform pattern of tie to be worn by Classes I and III ratings for "dress" is a made-up black silk bow. The question of authorising the sailor's knot pattern to be worn for "dress" was considered in July last, and it was decided to make no change in the Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider extending the same privilege, as now enjoyed by sergeants of Marines, to chief petty officers and petty officers of the Royal Navy, namely, the wearing of brown leather gloves instead of the present white woollen gloves?

I regret that I am unable to comply with this request.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Chambers, late sergeant, No. 8516, in the West Riding Regiment, who enlisted on the 3rd October, 1905, and re-engaged to complete 21 years' service on the 17th February, 1919, was discharged on the 11th November, 1919, under paragraph 392 (XVIa), King's Regulations, with a total of 14 years and 40 days' service, is not eligible for the recent concession of a service addition to his disability pension given to soldiers discharged after 14 years' service, owing to the fact that he was discharged from the service under paragraph 392 (XVIa), King's Regulations, and not under paragraph 392 (XVI), King's Regulations; and, if so, will he have his warrant amended so as to include all soldiers of 14 years' service invalided under paragraph 392 (XVI) or (XVIa), King's Regulations?

This matter is at present under consideration, but I hope to be in a position to communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to appoint civilians to the vacant posts on the Glasgow war pensions committee; and, if so, will he reconsider the matter, in view of the strong feeling in favour of reserving these appointments for those who have served?

I have refused to give my approval to the proposed appointments of non ex-service men.

asked the Prime Minister whether the new Business Committee will report to the Prime Minister or the Cabinet; and whether its Reports will be laid before the House of Commons or the Estimates Committee?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply to supplementary questions on this subject on the 3rd August.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be a member of the Business Committee; and, if not, will the Committee communicate independently with Departments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the organisation of the Treasury will be available for the Committee in its communications with Departments.

asked the Prime Minister whether any staff will be at the service of the new Business Committee; and, if so, what will be the personnel and cost?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on the 4th instant, except to explain that of course the Treasury organisation will be available for the service of the Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether Albania appealed to have the frontier questions between herself and Serbia and Greece arbitrated upon by the League of Nations under Article 10; whether these questions are now being decided by the Conference of Ambassadors in Paris; and if the Conference of Ambassadors in Paris has the legal right to withdraw these questions from the arbitration of the League of Nations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers returned to him on 21st June and 11th July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, in the civil engineers' department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, journeyman craftsmen are in receipt of 23s. to 30s. per week more than the foremen who are responsible for the work done; and, in view of the fact that foremen in other departments of this railway company have been considerately treated, will he give the position of the foremen of the civil engineers' department his consideration?

I am making inquiries in this matter, and so soon as these have been completed I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that questions as to the wages of foremen craftsmen in the civil engineers' department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway have not been dealt with, although the foremen in other departments have had their wages adjusted; and whether, in view of the fact that the foremen in the civil engineering department have, for the last 18 months, been receiving less than the men in their charge by as much as 23s. to 30s. per week, he will make representations to the company on this matter?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is making inquiries in this matter, and, so soon as these have been completed, I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Transport how it is that since, approximately, 07,340 motor vehicles, including motor cycles, are registered in Scotland, producing annually £776,000 in taxation, only £570,605 have been paid to Scotland from the inception of the Road Board in 1910 to September, 1919; and whether, taking into account the scattered population in Scotland, the difficult roads, and the peculiar circumstances of soil and climate in certain parts of that kingdom, he will undertake that the whole of the money raised by motor taxation in Scotland is spent upon Scottish roads?

The £776,000 mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member refers to moneys collected this year under the recent taxation of mechanically propelled vehicles; it has therefore no relation to the sum actually disbursed by the Road Board up to September, 1919, prior to the inception of this taxation. While my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport cannot undertake that moneys collected in each particular area in Great Britain shall be spent in that area, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that full consideration is being given, and will continue to be given, to the needs of the roads in Scotland, and in the current year the payments to Scotland will be more than the corresponding income from Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made arrange- ments with the Home Office and the Scottish Office whereby all accidents to motor machinery of public carriages have to be reported to the Ministry of Transport; how many accidents were reported, or known, to the Ministry of Transport during the month of July and the first week of August; how many accidents were due to brake failure on account of the fact that no public carriage is tested for its brakes fully laden; and whether, considering the number of passengers carried and the lack of special examination of drivers, he will name a date by which the Departmental Committee now considering such matters will report?

Formal arrangements with the Home Office and Scottish Office, as suggested by the hon. Member, are being considered, but multiplication of reports leads to multiplication of officials and expenditure. In the meantime the divisional road engineers are reporting on any accidents of this type in their area, with a view to eradicating the causes as far as possible. During the month of July five accidents to public carriages have been brought to the notice of the Ministry. The report received on one of these shows that it was due to a collision and not to mechanical defects or to the condition of the road; the other four are all stated in newspaper accounts to have been caused by collision, but I am awaiting the reports from the road engineers. Apparently in no case was the accident due to defective braking. I anticipate that the Departmental Committee will report in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is possible for local authorities under Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, to prohibit motor public carriages over a certain length and weight from using certain roads within their areas; whether the police have any authority to arrest and prevent owners of such public carriages from persisting in using roads that are considered dangerous; and whether the local licensing authorities, under the Heavy Motor Car Orders, 1904 to 1921, or by any other Act or Regulation, have the power to insist upon vehicles conforming to certain standards and the drivers undergoing certain driving tests?

Orders under Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, prohibiting or restricting the driving of vehicles of any specified class on any specified highway can only be made by the Minister of Transport upon the application of a county council or county borough council after a public local inquiry has been held. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Vehicles which are heavy motor cars must comply with the provisions as to weight, width, speed, etc., provided for in the Heavy Motor Car Orders. Authorities with power to license mechanically propelled stage carriages to ply for hire can require that the vehicles shall conform to certain standards, subject to an appeal to the Minister, and also have a discretion as to whether or not they will grant a licence to a driver.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Didcot, New-bury, and Southampton Railway and the Midland and South Western Junction Railway, which, under the provisions of the Railways Bill, are to be absorbed by larger companies, are to participate in the £60,000,000 Government grant; whether they will get the benefit of the higher fares now charged pending the purchase of their railways by the larger companies; is he aware that these companies provide most important connecting links for the larger companies, and, if they are deprived of the increased fares as laid down in their working agreements and in their Parliamentary Acts, they will be taken over at totally inadequate prices and the shareholders will suffer considerable loss; and will he introduce a provision in the Railways Bill to remedy this injustice?

It would not be proper for me to attempt to indicate to the hon. and gallant Member the precise manner in which individual companies may be affected by the proposals contained in the Railways Bill, and I can only refer him to the relevant Clauses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether institutions for higher agricultural education and research in England and Wales have been called upon to reduce their estimates by 20 per cent, or more in respect of all sums contributed by his Department?

No, Sir. I am glad to say, in view of the special grant of £850,000 proposed under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill, it is not necessary to consider the question of reducing expenditure on agricultural education and research, a measure which in the national interests I should strongly deprecate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, have been taken by the Lancashire County Council to provide land for small holdings for ex-service men at Dalton-in-Furness; whether he is aware of the extreme difficulty in applicants obtaining acknowledgment or reply to their applications; and whether he will make immediate representations to the Council with a view to the demand for land in the district being adequately met?

After protracted negotiations, the Council have now succeeded in acquiring for small holdings 36 acres of land at Dalton-in-Furness, and possession will be obtained on the 1st October next. The Ministry understands that this will satisfy the requirements of five out of the eight ex-service applicants in the neighbourhood, and inquiries will be made as to what further steps the Council propose to take to meet the demands of the remaining applicants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the keen demand for permanent allotments in Acton; whether he is aware that for some time efforts have been made to procure through the district council 30 acres for this purpose at Gunnersbury estate; that the total cost was estimated to involve a rent of £17 10s. per acre payable by the allotment holders, with liability to be dispossessed at 14 days' notice at any time; that in the total cost were, among others, amounts of £253 18s. per annum payable to the present tenant as compensation, £55 a year for rates, and £16 a year for the cost of the lease; and whether, in view of these charges and the unsatisfactory character of the present law as regards acquisition of land for allotments, he will consider the introduction of legislation for the purpose of remedying the present state of affairs?

I have ascertained from the Acton Urban District Council that a compulsory hiring Order was made with regard to the land referred to, and as a result of the notices to treat served under the Order, claims were received from the owner and tenant for rent and compensation which, if accepted, would have resulted in the high rent stated by the hon. Member being charged to the allotment holders. Without expressing any opinion as to the reasonableness of the claims made by the owner and tenant of the land, I would point out that the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts, 1908–1919, and the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, provides that claims for rent and compensation in regard to land compulsorily hired for allotments can be referred to an official arbitrator. I have not been informed why the council did not take advantage of the existing legislation and require the matter to be referred to an official arbitrator, and I have given instructions for a communication to be addressed to the council on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department collects each week statistics showing the prices realised by the producer for farm products, e.g., milk, bacon, eggs, beef, mutton, veal, etc., and the prices charged to the consumer for such produce; whether any attempt has been made by his Department to analyse the difference between the respective figures; and, if so, whether these figures, together with the analysis, can be published for the information of this House?

Statistics of the prices ruling for the various descriptions of agricultural produce, with reports thereon, are furnished weekly by the Ministry's reporters for a number of the principal markets throughout England and Wales, and are published in the Ministry's "Weekly Return of Market Prices." The particulars collected relate solely to wholesale prices, and are intended primarily for the information and guidance of the producer. The Ministry of Labour secures information from a wide range of sources regarding the retail prices of certain of the principal articles of food, and the results of its inquiries are published monthly in the "Labour Gazette." As it is not in contemplation to institute any control either of wholesale or of retail prices, the studies which have been made of the relation of these prices in recent periods have not been sufficiently thorough or complete to furnish material suitable for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will inquire whether three copies of the wireless news obtained by the naval authorities are supplied to Mr. Robertson, acting Governor in Malta, and how they are disposed of; whether the paper that has published the news is the same "Malta Chronicle" that was raided during the Malta riots for alleged undue support of the Robertson-Refalo administration; whether Mr. Robertson proposed in Council and carried by the official majority a vote of over £9,000 as compensation for damage to that newspaper by the riots; whether the Government of Malta will take further evidence as to whether machinery capable of printing the "Malta Chronicle" could be purchased chased for less than £1,000; and whether £9,000 was paid, notwithstanding that damaged machinery was set up again?

I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member that I have no information as to whether the "Chronicle" has in fact received copies of the wireless news, and until I receive the report for which I have called, I am not in a position to say whether any Maltese paper has published the news or not. With regard to the latter part of the question, a claim was submitted by the owners of the "Malta Chronicle" for £30,000 in respect of damages done during the riot. The claim was investigated by a committee assisted by experts, and reduced to £9,879 15s. 5d., which sum was paid after further consideration by the Governor in Council. It would be the normal duty of the Lieutenant-Governor to bring forward such a vote in Council. I have no information showing that the machinery was set up again, and I see no reason for reopening now the question of claims which were carefully scrutinised, and, in most cases, very largely reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it can be and will be arranged that the special jury contemplated in Clause 57 of the Malta Constitution shall not be a selection from the old jury lists compiled from the minority who have made Italian their language of education; and whether, under Clause 67 of the new Letters Patent for Malta it will be established that persons who declare that they are better acquainted with English than Italian shall be entitled to be tried before jurymen empanelled without regard to their knowledge of Italian?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can find no reference to special juries in Section 57 of the Letters Patent. The method of selecting, ordinary and special juries is prescribed in Articles 579–594 of the Malta Criminal Laws (1914 Edition). As to the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 2nd of August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Jewish immigrants into Palestine since our occupation?

The number of Jewish immigrants into Palestine for the period December, 1919-September, 1920 was approximately 6,500. The returns of the Department of Immigration and Travel of the Palestine Administration show that from October, 1920, until the end of June, 1921, the number of immigrants was 8,579. The total number is," therefore, approximately 15,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in possession of any information from, the Canadian Government of the continuance of a moratorium in various provinces in Canada, which is inflicting hardship to people in this country who have lent money on mortgages; and at what date the moratorum will be raised in these provinces?

I regret that I have no information as to the intention of the authorities concerned with regard to the continuance of the legislation in question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mohamed Abdin, ex-mayor of Kafr Zikry Menofieh, was dismissed from his office as mayor, without trial, simply for supporting S. Zagloul Pasha, whom he considered sole representative of the Egyption nation?

I have no official information on the subject which is one solely concerning the Egyptian Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office on 30th July received a telegram from representatives of various provinces and governorates in Egypt, assembled under the chairmanship of His Excellency Fathalla Pasha Bacarat, protesting that, while His Majesty's Government declares its desire to settle the Egyptian' question by recognising Egypt s independence, martial law still continues and the right of free speech in Egypt is denied to any who hold views in opposition to the present Cabinet; and what reply, if any, he has given or proposes to give to this telegram?

The telegram referred to by the hon. Member is one of many which have recently been received from Egypt. A large number of these telegrams contain protests against the questions which the hon. Member and others have asked in this House as casting injustifiable aspersions on the methods of the Egyptian Government. No useful purpose would be served by replying to this or similar telegrams.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any prospect of the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Russian Soviet Government?

No change is at present contemplated in the relations which have existed between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government since the signature of the Trade Agreement.

asked the Home Secretary whether any and, if so, what steps can be taken to permit the sale of chocolates and sweets in confectioners' shops and in theatres till 9.30, as desired by all the interests directly concerned; and, if not, whether an opportunity will be given to the House to debate the subject?

As I have already pointed out in replies to previous questions, the Regulations now in force under the Shops (Early Closing) Act of 1920 cannot be altered except by amending legislation, which cannot be undertaken this Session. It would not appear practicable in the present state of Parliamentary business to set aside any special time for a discussion on this question.

asked the Home Secretary whether an application was received from the solicitor for Mr. Julius Jung, of 14, Bancroft Road, Stepney, research chemist, for a certificate of naturalisation on or about the 26th August of last year; whether Mr. Jung has resided in this country for the past nine years and is a son of the late rabbi, Dr. Jung, the spiritual head of the federation of synagogues in London; whether such certificate was supported by several well-known public men, including two peers and two baronets; and if he will state the result of the inquiries made by his Department as to the eligibility of Mr. Jung for naturalisation, and inform the House whether there is any ground for withholding the same?

An application for naturalisation was received from Mr. Jung about the date mentioned. According to a statement by Mr. Jung in possession of my Department, he has not resided in this country for as many as nine years; his father in an application on his own account described himself as chief minister of the federation of synagogues. There are no public men or persons of title among the referees supporting Mr. Jung's application. No inquiries into the application have yet been made. There are large numbers of applications submitted before this one still awaiting consideration, and it has not been reached.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department encourages the sale by local authorities of houses built with the aid of the State subsidy; whether a profit to the State results from such sale; how many such houses have been already sold; and whether the money thus saved to the State can be used to subsidise other houses to which local authorities are committed, but which do not come under the benefit of the housing scheme as a result of the recent Ministerial statement in the House?

Every encouragement is given to local authorities to sell houses provided by them under assisted schemes, subject to the maintenance of the houses as houses for the working classes. Up to the present 26 authorities have adopted sale schemes or have intimated their intention of doing so, but information is not available as to the precise number of houses sold to date. No profit results from the sale, as in all cases the prices at which sales are approved are considerably less than cost.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the members of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Mine Rescue Workers' Association at Crumlin have repeatedly asked their employers' representatives to grant them a meeting to discuss their grievances and have been persistently refused, with the result that no training has taken place at this station during the last six months; and, as this suspension of training may be fraught with disastrous results, will he carry out the promise made on 7th April, 1921, and have inquiries made with a view to remedying this complaint?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is making further inquiries in this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General how many inquiries there were made for the years 1913 and 1920, respectively, under the Land Charges Registration and Searches Act, 1888, in connection with the dealings with properties throughout the United Kingdom; what amount was paid in respect thereof for each year and what is the search fee; and what staff was employed on this particular duty, and the amount of the salaries and expenses incurred?

I understand that the facts are as follow:

( c ) The fee for a personal search is 2s. per name. The fee for an official search is 10s. for the first name and 3s. for each succeeding name in the same transaction.

( d ) The staff employed in both years numbered four, and the salaries and expenses (exclusive of War bonus) amounted to £1,864 and £2,718 respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether at the Port of Narvik, in Norway, there is about a million tons of iron ore which was purchased by the British Government more than 2 years ago and is still stored at that place; whether the storage involves a heavy charge; if so, what is the amount; and whether steps will Hoe taken to discontinue this unproductive expenditure?

In 1917, 1,000,000 tons of Swedish iron ore were purchased for the account of the British Government, of which only 165,000 tons, a portion of which is sold, still remain at Narvik. The total storage charges incurred in connection with this contract amount to £10,000, and it is not anticipated that any further expenditure will now be incurred on storage.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether His Majesty's Office of Works are only inviting tenders from federated associations of builders, although they are more likely to get most economical contracts by inviting tenders from all builders?

Tenders for works in the North East Coast area of England are invited only from federated contractors, because the latter will not tender in competition with non-federated firms, and because the Federation and the Trade Unions have entered into an agreement whereby members of the Unions shall not work for non-federated firms. The latter, therefore, would not be in a position to secure the necessary labour for carrying out a contract in that area. The normal procedure of open competition holds outside this particular area. The First Commissioner recognises that the restriction in question is not satisfactory, and the matter is receiving his consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give any figures to show the number of general managers of railway companies in the country who receive salaries amounting to £5,700 a year, of general managers of banks, who receive salaries of £7,200 a year, and of general managers of insurance companies who receive salaries of £8,600 a year?

As the answer to this question is in tabular form, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, cause it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the table referred to:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the full conditions upon which subsidies are paid this year to the Agricultural Organisation Society; and what steps are taken by the Treasury, the Development Commission, or the Ministry of Agriculture to secure that the conditions are strictly adhered to and the money properly spent?

The conditions upon which this year's grant from the Development Fund to the society is being made are as follow:—

(1) That the advance now sanctioned be paid over to the society at such times as may seem fit to the Ministry of Agriculture, provided that a final instalment of grant, amounting to £1,000, shall not be paid over till 31st March, 1922, upon the Development Commissioners being satisfied that the conditions of the grant for the year have been observed.

(2) That the Ministry of Agriculture be represented upon the executive committee of the society by two nominees, one of whom shall be the officer of the Ministry under whose supervision payments from the Development Fund are, in fact, transmitted to the Society.

(3) That no alteration shall be made in the constitution of the society without the Ministry's approval.

(4) That no pecuniary aid whatever shall be given by the Agricultural Organisation Society to a co-operative society whether or not affiliated.

(5) That the grants from the Development Fund shall be strictly confined to

(6) That if any of the three appointments of the chairman of the society's executive committee, director-general and director of financial services become vacant, the approval of the Ministry shall be obtained before any person is approached, formally or informally, with a view to filling the vacant appointment.

(7) That the society shall furnish any reports or information concerning their work which the Ministry or the Development Commissioners may desire; and that the Ministry and the Development Commissioners shall have the right to make at any time such inquiry as they see fit into the, conduct of the society's affairs.

(8) That no increase in the scale of salaries or number of posts mentioned in the society's budget proposals, 1921–2, be made without the approval of the Development Commissioners.

(9) That no increase in the salaries of existing officers should be sanctioned during the current financial year without the approval of the Development Commissioners.

(10) That the officer of the Ministry upon the executive committee shall be charged with the duty of securing the observance of conditions (1), (4), (5) and (8) above, and shall be instructed to report to the Ministry if he finds, or has reason to suspect, that they are being disregarded.

The Ministry of Agriculture secure the due compliance with these conditions through their nominee on the executive committee. I am informed that they are furnished monthly with copies of all minutes and reports, and that they conduct an audit of the society's accounts. Advances on account of the grant are made by the Treasury from time to time on the recommendation of the Ministry, and the final instalment will be made when the Development Commission, after consultation with the Ministry, are satisfied that all the conditions have been complied with.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money paid to private landowners for the use of their land during the War by each Government Department concerned?

I regret that the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not at present available. I am advised that the investigations necessary for their preparation would involve a considerable expenditure of time; and I hope, in the circumstances, that my hon. Friend will not think it necessary to press for this information.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury particulars in the case of the 12 persons upon whom, while abroad, the honour of knighthood was conferred, necessitating an expenditure on account of Letters Patent of the sum of £367 4s., which expenditure appears in the Civil Contingencies Fund Supplementary Estimate for the year ending 31st March, 1922; and what were the names of the 12 persons?

Letters Patent are necessary to confer knighthood on persons resident abroad, who are not able to attend in this country to be dubbed by His Majesty, and the sum of £367 4s. in question represents the stamp duties payable on these Letters Patent. It is considered to 'be unreasonable to require persons living abroad to bear this charge, which they would not have to pay if resident in this country, but the Treasury has no power to waive the statutory duties, and it is necessary therefore for the money to be specially voted by Parliament. The actual cost of preparing the-Letters Patent is negligible. The gentlemen in question are mostly distinguished public servants in the Dominions and' Colonies. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a list of their names.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give an estimate of the world's production of pig-iron and steel in 1920, and the quantities produced in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany, respectively?

The quantities of iron and of steel produced in the year 1920 in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the quantities and values of cotton manufactures and woollen manufactures, respectively, exported in the six months ending June, 1913, and the corresponding six months in 1921, and the quantities and values of textile machinery exported in the same periods?—

The following Table gives the exports of cotton and woollen yarns and manufactures, and of textile machinery, manufactured in the United Kingdom, registered during the six months ended 30th June, 1913 and 1921, respectively. In the case of cotton piece goods,

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether

woollen and worsted tissues, etc., the returns of exports were stated in linear yards in 1913 and in square yards in 1921. Consequently it is not possible to give a statement showing the quantities of those goods in the same units for the two years:—

his attention has been drawn to the statements appearing in the advertisements of Messrs. W. Sinclair and Son, Limited, in connection with their agricultural fertiliser, a product obtained from the phosphatic deposits to be found on Nauru Island; whether the claim of this company, that the fertiliser obtained by them from this source is of guano origin, received his sanction in view of the fact that the Ministry's acquiescence in these claims is indicated in the circulars issued by the company; whether the New Zealand Department of Agriculture has pointed out that the expression of guano origin should only be made use of in describing the strictly genuine article; and if any steps will be taken to safeguard the agricultural interests of the country from misrepresentations of this kind?

Yes, Sir, my attention has been drawn to the advertisements and circulars issued by Messrs. Sinclair and Son, Limited, in connection with the fertiliser known as "Slag Phosphate." The technical advisers of the Ministry are satisfied that while the Nauru phosphate, which forms part of this fertiliser, cannot properly be described as guano, it has originated from guano and may accurately be described as a "phosphate of guano origin." The description applied to slag phosphate by Messrs. Sinclair and Son, Limited, namely, that it is made from basic slag enriched by phosphate, of guano origin from Ocean and Nauru Island, is, therefore, one to which, I think, no reasonable exception can be taken, nor is it likely that agriculturists would be misled by such a description, which, after all, is in accordance with the facts. I am not aware that the New Zealand Department of Agriculture has issued an expression of opinion such as is indicated in the hon. and gallant Member's question in connection with Nauru and Ocean Island phosphates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the issue of the special clasp to the men of the mercantile marine who served at the Dardanelles was definitely promised; and, if so, whether it is only on the score of economy that the issue has not yet been made?

I cannot trace any definite promise having been made on the subject of these clasps, but it was proposed that clasps should be awarded, and this proposal, with others involving fresh expenditure, has had to remain in abeyance for financial reasons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state how many registrars, assistant registrars, and clerks are employed in the administration of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916; what was the total cost of the Department for the year ending June, 1921; what were the total receipts for the same year; whether he is aware that a certain firm of solicitors in the City of London, consisting of a father and son carrying on business under the title of the surname with the words "and Son" added, are being prosecuted at Bow Street by the Board of Trade for refusal to register; and what is the object of such prosecution, seeing that the purpose of the Act, under which the prosecution is taking place, was to compel aliens trading in this country to disclose their nationality?

In the administration of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, in England and Wales, one registrar, one assistant registrar, and 40 clerks are employed. The registrar receives no salary in connection with this work. The total cost of the Department for the year ending June, 1921, was £6,260 10s. 5d., and the receipts for that period were £4,358 9s. 6d. In accordance with a new Rule made on the 6th June, the fees payable under the Act have been increased as from 1st July. I am aware of the proceedings referred to; these are being taken in consequence of the refusal of the firm to register until a decision of the Court has been obtained. The provisions of the Act are not limited to aliens trading in this country for the purpose of compelling them to disclose their nationality. All firms and individuals who come within Section 1 of the Act have to be registered in the manner directed by the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Government propose to introduce the promised Industrial Insurance Bill?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Bill has now been introduced in another place, and a statement on behalf of the Government will be made on the Motion for Second Reading on Wednesday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of a miner, Arthur Allen, formerly working at the Sneyd Colliery Company, who has been refused unemployment benefit; and whether a decision has been reached or will be hastened?

I am informed that the workman to whom my hon. Friend refers made a claim to unemployment benefit which was disallowed on the ground that he had lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute. He entered an appeal which was returned to him through the post for the completion of necessary details. These have not yet been supplied, and it has therefore not been possible to proceed with the matter. If, however, the workman will now attend at the Kidsgrove branch employment office and supply the information required, steps will be taken to expedite a final decision on his claim.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the lists of conditions of employment issued by some local advisory committees to applicants for domestic servants are sent out as from the employment exchanges themselves and, if so, at whose expense and with whose approval; and whether these advisory committees are empowered, and, if so, how, to issue any announcements over which the Ministry of Labour has no control and supervision?

The lists of conditions of employment in domestic service referred to are not issued as from the Employment Exchange, but as from the juvenile advisory committee or choice of employment committee, as the case may be, for the area concerned. These lists are in no sense in the nature of approved Regulations. They merely embody the views of the local committee and are issued for guidance. The juvenile advisory committee are provided with secretarial assistance and stationery. As regards printing the conditions for distribution, this has been done in some half-dozen cases only, and has been carried out by the Stationery Office. My right hon. Friend issued on 3rd August a reminder to local officers that the advice and assistance offered by these committees is designed exclusively for young persons under 18. Further, he is at once issuing an, instruction on the same subject in relation to the administration of unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of industries in which Trade Boards are now established; the number of these industries in which women employed predominate; and the number of industries, if any, in which Trade Boards have been replaced by Whitley Councils?

Sixty-two Trade Boards have been established—33 for Great Britain, 5 for England and Wales, 5 for Scotland, and 19 for Ireland. The 5 Scottish Boards and 18 of the Irish Boards cover trades in which Boards for England and Wales or for Great Britain have also been established. Thus there are 39 trades to which the Trade Boards Acts have been applied, and in 34 of these the majority of the workers employed are women. In no trade has a Trade Board been replaced by a Joint Industrial Council. A Joint Industrial Council has, however, been established in the hollow-ware trade, and an Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee has been formed in the cocoa chocolate, sugar confectionery, and jam section of the sugar confectionery and food preserving trade.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue a statement showing the local authorities which have and have not qualified for the King's Roll in their employment of ex-service men?

I will gladly supply my hon. Friend with any information that he may desire in respect of local authorities in any particular district. I have not a record of those local authorities which are at present qualified by the number of disabled men they employ for admission to the King's Roll but have not enrolled, although from information received at various times from local offices it is known that there are such cases.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department 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, whether every effort is being made to employ ex-service men in preference to those who have not served?

The figures are as follow:

In order to effect the drastic reductions in expenditure which are required, it will be necessary to discharge a substantial number of persons now employed temporarily in the Department of Overseas Trade, and I fear that it will be impossible to avoid including among those discharged a certain number of ex-service men. As regards the second part of the question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend, as I have already stated in reply to a question in this House on the 4th July last, that, subject to the requirements of efficiency and to considerations of special hardship, ex-service men will be accorded preferential treatment in this matter.