asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the Police Pensions Bill has now passed into law, he will forthwith issue statutory orders whereby members of the police forces in Ireland who had to retire by reason of injuries sustained in the course of their duty will receive, in addition to their pensions based on length of service, a special pension in respect of their injuries?

This matter is already in hand, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this subject shortly.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the present state of affairs with regard to the, mail service between Mallow and Lismore; and whether, if it is still in a state of suspension, steps will be taken to re-establish it on the normal footing without delay?

This service, like many others, was suspended owing to attacks which were made upon it. It was restored to normal working on the 28th of last month, in accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government, which is that such services should, where possible, be restored in the present circumstances, subject to immediate re-suspension if they be again interfered with.

asked the Chief Secretary how many arrests have been made for crime in Ireland since 11th July; whether the civil Courts are functioning; if so, in what provinces; and if he can make any general statement as to law and order in Ireland for that period?

From the 11th July until the 27th July, the date on which notice of this question was given, I understand that 818 arrests for all offences were made:

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the assimilation of the pay and conditions of service of the Dundrum Asylum staff with those of the Broadmoor Asylum staff, he will take into consideration the fact that the latter institution has been under the new scheme since 1st August, 1920; whether, with regard to overtime payment, reasonable compensation will be given to the Dundrum staff for having, until a few weeks ago, exceeded the eight-hour day by about four hours a day since that date; and when the lodging allowance granted on 1st February, 1920, is to be paid?

The revised rates of pay both at Dundrum and at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylums take effect from 1st March, 1920. As regards overtime pay it is not proposed to pay this retrospectively. It would be possible to pay the revised lodging allowance at once and retrospectively, but as suggestions for an improved scale are at present being considered it has been thought preferable to postpone any adjustment pending a final decision. The amounts involved are small.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the medical advisers of the Admiralty early in the year warned the Admiralty of the risks of overcrowding involved in the increased number of cadets at Dartmouth; whether the cadets are now sleeping in dormitories with less than 3 feet between bed and bed; whether some of the beds are directly under the windows, and that on more than one occasion the beds have been soaked with rain; whether the cubic space of air allowed per cadet is less than the space insisted on in industrial schools; and whether he will reduce the numbers at Dartmouth next term, either by sending more cadets to sea or otherwise?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the replies on the subject already given to the hon. Member on the 23rd March and 5th April respectively. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, owing to the construction of the dormitories and the large amount of window space, it has been found necessary for a proportion of the beds to be placed to a greater or lesser degree directly under the windows, but the bottom halves of the windows can be easily closed in bad weather, leaving fanlights in the upper part open for ventilation, and if necessary the windows on one side of the building can be closed entirely. No reports have been made to the authorities at the college of any beds being wetted by rain. With regard to the fourth and fifth parts of the question, the amount of cubic space of air provided during the past term per cadet is more than double that insisted upon by the Home Office in the case of industrial schools, and under the arrangements already made, the number of cadets at Dartmouth next term will be reduced to 540 as against 586 during the present term. This number will be further reduced in January next to about 495. I may add that, during the present term, there has been an almost complete absence of sickness amongst the cadets borne.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the regulations permit of a man who has completed his time for pension being promoted to warrant rank, observing that recently such a promotion has been made, and the man in question had already drawn one quarter's pension, which he was called upon to refund?

During the War a number of men who had completed time for pension and were retained in the Service were promoted to warrant rank. There is nothing in the Regulations to prevent men who are still serving after completing time for pension from being considered for promotion, provided that, if promoted, they refund any pension already drawn. Now that normal conditions have been restored, however, it is not the intention to promote such ratings unless the circumstances are altogether exceptional.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many paymaster-lieutenant-commanders or paymaster-lieutenants have been appointed to coastguard offices, maintenance captains' offices, and drafting offices in the various areas and commands in addition to pre-War complement; and whether, in view of the fact that these duties were efficiently carried out both before and during the whole period of hostilities without these additional ranks, such appointments are necessary or economical?

The numbers of paymaster-lieutenant-commanders and paymaster-lieutenants at present employed in these offices over and above the pre-War complement are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is expected to make an announcement on the future constitution of the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class A?

Certain matters in connection with the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class A, are still under consideration, and I regret I cannot state definitely at present when a decision will be reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the risk of fire to ships, as evidenced by the recent case of the ss. "Mauretania," fireproofing methods are utilised to the fullest extent possible on His Majesty's ships; and whether the utilisation of such methods is made a condition of the grant of subsidies to shipping companies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. After offensive and defensive requirements are satisfied, safety from fire is one of the main objects aimed at in warship design, and with this end in view internal fittings are kept as simple as possible, and all inflammable material reduced to a minimum. It is obvious that similar conditions cannot be applied in the case of a ship like the "Mauretania," which must be fitted out with saloons and cabins luxuriously upholstered and embellished for the comfort of passengers, with consequent increase in the amount of inflammable material carried. But the interests of the shipping company itself clearly demand that this risk should be reduced to a minimum.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that J. B. Wood, No. 40502, 2/4th South Lancashire Regiment, has been unable to work for eight months, has attended three medical boards, and filled up many forms, but up to date has received no information whether pension will be paid to him; and will he inquire into this case?

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions the conditions on which payment of bonus is made to men undergoing training during their treatment in sanatoria; and the amount which has been paid to such men by way of bonus?

The payment of training bonus to the class of case to which my hon. Friend refers is subject to the same conditions as obtain in regard to training given at a Ministry convalescent centre. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is pot available.

asked the Minister of Pensions the grounds on which the special grants committee have deprived the widow of the late Private S. W. Wool-ford, No. 21656, Royal Army Medical Corps, of her pension; whether the local war pensions committee strongly urged reissue of the pension in view of the woman's conduct; and whether the women deprived of their pensions are not informed of the reason of the action taken and have no right of appeal?

Pension in this case has been declared to be forfeited on the ground of misconduct. I am not, however, altogether satisfied with the existing provisions for forfeiture and restoration of widow's pension, and I am reviewing the whole position in connection with the recommendation made in paragraph 258 of the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the signatures of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses are accepted on the life certificates of officers and men granted pensions by the Ministry of Pensions, but that such signatures are not accepted in the case of service pensions granted by the War Office; the reasons for this discrimination; and whether, in order to save inconvenience and loss of time to service pensioners, he will give directions with a view of securing uniformity of procedure as between the two classes of pensioners?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for calling my attention to this matter. I am informed that the signatures of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, actually in charge of post offices, may be accepted on life certificates of pensioners, and instructions to make this clear will be issued to regimental paymasters.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many ex-service men are now settled on the land in Scotland?

719 ex-service applicants have been settled including 58 whose existing holdings have been enlarged. In addition the applications of a considerable number of ex-service men for holdings have been met by the grant of enlargements to their parents, the applicants agreeing to and preferring this arrangement.

asked the Home Secretary 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?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Air 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?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative. The general principle adopted, both for headquarters and Air Force stations is that non-service personnel are discharged before ex-service personnel. In any exceptional case the most careful inquiries are made as to personal circumstances and the special requirements of the situation before any decision is given.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the opinion of the police authorities throughout the country, it is safe and advisable to permit motor vehicles, having a left-hand drive to be licensed; and whether the rule of the road, being what it is, becomes a serious danger to other traffic, in that the driver cannot see if he has a clear road in passing or overtaking?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The question of left-hand drive vehicles has been very fully considered. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, as at present advised, is not in favour of the abolition of left-hand drive vehicles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the aggregate amount collected to date within the present financial year from the duties on motors is already being expended on road improvement and upkeep; whether any unallotted balance of revenue from this source still remains; and whether any portion is being withheld for the present to provide work in the coming winter?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The whole funds available from the duties on road vehicles are being allocated and in process of being expended for the maintenance and improvement of the highways of the country. The works which will be necessitated thereby will provide employment for a large number of men during the ensuing winter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether power is vested in local authorities to schedule roads not adaptable in their opinion for heavy motor traffic; whether such power entails the prohibition of use by such traffic; and whether the time has arrived for some definite and concerted policy to be enunciated by the Ministry on the whole question of the use or non-use of the roads of the country by this heavy traffic?

Orders can be made by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, under Section 1 (4) of the Roads Act, prohibiting or restricting the driving of vehicles of any specified class on any specified highway but only upon the application of a county council or county borough council and after a public inquiry has been held. It is proposed in considering such applications to consider the needs of the county or county borough as a whole, in preference to considering applications as to individual roads or sections of roads. The action to be taken on any such applications must depend upon the individual circumstances of each case.

asked the Minister of Transport the exact proposed allocation to the various railway companies of the payment by the State in settlement of its war-time liabilities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the proposals contained in the Railways Bill and to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine (Lieut.-Colonel A Murray) on the 13th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that it was stated at the recent International Conference on Tuberculosis that improved sanitation and adequate housing accommodation were amongst the most important means that could be adopted for reducing tuberculosis; and, if this be so, in the interests of economy, will his Department sanction the building of more houses in those districts which are badly overcrowded, and where labour and materials are available for more houses than have at present been sanctioned?

In so far as it is possible to sanction the erection of further houses within the limitations of the Governments housing scheme which have been laid down, I shall certainly do what I can to meet the needs of the more seriously overcrowded areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £31,399 as the purchase price of 204·586 acres, compulsorily acquired at Green Farm by the Cardiff county borough for the purposes of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition, or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The information asked for in the last part is not in the possession of my Department, but I am endeavouring to obtain it, and will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a resolution from the Islington borough council protesting against the alleged extravagant manner in which certain work in converting houses into flats has been carried out and declining to pay the amount certified to be due to the Ministry; whether the council object to the amount stated on the ground that part of it is due to unsatisfactory work in the first instance which had to be put right, and to the fact that the Ministry adopted a prime cost basis with the contractors instead of inviting tenders and making a lump-sum contract; and whether he will have the matter further inquired into?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The work was carried out on behalf of the Ministry by the Office of Works, who are satisfied it was done in the most economical manner possible. I am arranging for a full explanation to be given to the council by representatives of the Office of Works and the Ministry on the specific points raised by the council.

asked the Minister for Health whether, during the past twelve months, his Department have approached the Lee Conservancy Board with a view to that body giving permission to the Urban District Council of Wheathamstead to discharge sewage effluent into the River Lee?

I have been in communication with the Lee Conservancy Board with regard to a proposal that the Rural District Council of St. Albans should be permitted to discharge a properly purified and controlled sewage effluent from the Parish of Wheathamstead. I am advised that the effect of this proposal would be to diminish the dangers of the pollution of the river.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has compiled any analytical examination of the causes which have led to the exceptional rises in rates; whether, in that case, he will publish it; and whether, if no such compilation exists, he will give instructions for one to be prepared and issued?

Yes, Sir Two White Papers on this subject have been published by my Department, namely, Command Papers 1016 and 1155. I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health the terms of the Regulations under which grants are made to medical men by the Insurance Acts for mileage and travelling?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Regulations, from which he will see that a Central Mileage Fund is constituted into which the sums available for mileage are paid (Article 19), that a committee known as the Distribution Committee, consisting of insurance practitioners and other persons, reports to me as to the basis on which the sums in the Central Mileage Fund should be distributed amongst insurance committee areas (Article 20), and that the sums allocated to each area) after consideration of that Report are distributed amongst the practitioners in accordance with a scheme prepared jointly by the local panel committee and the insurance committee, which is subject to my approval (Article 2l).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is now considerable delay as compared with previous years in the settlement of claims for repayment of Income Tax; the reasons for this delay; and whether steps are being taken to expedite the settlement of claims?

Following the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax, the work on Income Tax repayment claims has lately been undergoing a process of decentralisation in order that the claims may be dealt with locally in the offices of the inspectors of taxes throughout the country. This change of procedure was very desirable in order to secure a permanent acceleration in the settlement of repayment claims, and when the new system is in full working order I am confident that this object will be achieved. I am aware that the incidents of the transition have caused delay in the settlement of some claims, but the process is now approaching completion, and I have no doubt that in the near future the benefit will be gained in a speedier system of dealing with claims.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in the interests of economy, he will call for a statement of recent offers of various plant and material submitted by the Disposal Board in answer to applications from would-be purchasers; and whether comparison may be made with the present trade quotations with a view to checking these offers and also in order to satisfy himself that it is the intention of the Disposal Board to dispose of the stores in their possession?

It would be very difficult and expensive to prepare a statement such as that asked for, and I hope that the hon. and gallant Member will not press for it. With regard to the last part of the question, it is the policy of the Disposal Board to ascertain from trade sources present market conditions and values, and this information is supplemented by their own experience as to demand and prices ruling. The Disposal Board have no other object than to realise surplus stores as speedily and a profitably to the State as possible, but at the same time individual cases must necessarily arise in which the acceptance of sacrifice prices would not be to the best interests of the taxpayer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the revenue obtained from the duty on spirits for the financial years ending March, 1920 and 1921, and also for the first three months of the present financial year?

The revenue obtained from spirits for the periods in question was as follows:

Three months ended 30th June, 1921 £14,144,000

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, before coming to an irrevocable decision in favour of the Sukkur barrage scheme, he will appoint an independent committee of experts to report upon the scheme in its technical and financial aspects, special attention being given to the serious allegations that have been made as to the unremunerative character of the project?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 2nd August to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton (Sir C. Yate), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the nuisance occasioned by the clumsy procedure necessary in the notification of the death of animals from unknown causes; and whether he can see that in future the police transmit these notifications direct to the local veterinary officer instead of indirectly through the Ministry?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that the procedure in question is clumsy or inconvenient, and I would point out that in dealing with suspected outbreaks of the diseases scheduled under the Diseases of Animals Acts it is necessary to take every precaution to prevent them from becoming epidemic. This end can only be successfully attained by a central authority which is in a position to coordinate any necessary control measures, and I am therefore not prepared to modify the Order by which the Ministry is required to be notified immediately of all suspected outbreaks of disease

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. S. G. Berry, of Ladyseat, Holme, Peterborough, reported the death of two pigs to the police over a month ago; that since that date three veterinary inspectors, on behalf of the Ministry, have investigated the circumstances and reported that there is no trace of swine fever or any dangerous disease among the herd; and that, nevertheless, Mr. Berry's farm remains closed by order of the Ministry; and whether he can see that this unnecessary embargo is at once lifted?

I understand that on the 6th July last Mr. S. G. Berry reported to the police that he suspected the existence of swine fever among his pigs. The local veterinary inspector who was instructed to investigate found it necessary to examine the pigs on 7th, 18th, and 26th July before he was able definitely to state that swine fever did not exist among them. All restrictions with regard to the movement of pigs at Mr. Berry's farm were withdrawn on the 2nd August last.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the probable extension of hours under the Licensing Bill (No. 2), he will investigate into the present hours, conditions, and wages prevailing in London; and if he will consider the desirability of appointing a small committee of men and women to take evidence? Sir M. BARLOW: As my hon. Friend is aware, enquiries into the conditions in the catering trades have been in progress for some time in connection with representations as to the advisability of applying the Trade Boards Acts. I am not aware of any circumstances which make a special enquiry in London necessary, as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, eliminating from his calculations the cost of labour in Germany, what is the average cost of living in that country compared with that obtaining in Great Britain so far as foodstuffs are concerned, and in this connection will he base his figures on the rate of exchange prevailing when the calculations published by the Board of Trade on 29th July, 1921, were made, by which the real costs in Germany of the following articles were given, i.e., sugar, British price 8¾d. per lb., German price, controlled, 3½d. per lb., and milk, British price 8¼d. per quart, German price, controlled, 2¾d. per quart; and will he extend the calculations by the inclusion of each article of food which is taken into account when estimates are being made as to the cost of living in Great Britain, as such cost affects the wage rates here, which articles are enumerated in the summary published in the " Labour Gazette" for February, 1921?

Periodical official returns of retail prices in Germany are available for a few only of the foods enumerated in the " Labour Gazette" list to which my hon. Friend refers. I am therefore unable to supply the comparison he desires. But even if this obstacle did not exist I should hesitate to employ the method he suggests for making this comparison. My hon. Friend will, I hope, forgive me if I remind him that an estimate of the cost of living in a country calculated in terms of the current rate of exchange with some other country would be most misleading. That method if applied to such a country as Austria, for example, might suggest the conclusion that the cost of living is less there than it is in this country at the present time, a conclusion which my hon. Friend, I imagine, would be loath to accept. When the credit of a country depreciates internationally to an extent greater than the decline in the purchasing power of its currency at home, foreign purchasers and debtors may benefit, but the mass of the home population, earning and spending the currency within the country, derive no benefit from the adverse exchange. It is they, however, who must be considered in calculating the cost of living in the country; not an imaginary immigrant spending the currency of his own country which happens to have a good exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour if a man has made the six qualifying days in either of the following methods: xxxxxx, xxooxx/ooxxoo; and whether he is entitled to payment for the following signings: xxxooo/xxxooo, xxxxoo/ooxxxx, xxxxxo/ooooxx/xxxooo?

I should explain-that the definition of continuous unemployment contained in the Unemployment Insurance Acts applies to both waiting periods and benefit periods. Assuming x to indicate a day of unemployment and o a day of employment or failure to prove unemployment, the first two examples given in the question would satisfy the waiting period or, if the waiting period had already been satisfied, would entitle a claimant to benefit for six days for each of those periods. The right to receive payment of benefit in the remaining examples of cases depends on whether the waiting period has been satisfied before the claimant signs the register as in the examples given. If it is assumed that the signatures and failure to sign follow immediately after satisfying the waiting period, benefit would be payable for three days in the third example, for four days in the fourth example, and for five days in the fifth example. If, however, the waiting period has not previously been satisfied and the third, fourth and fifth examples are to be dealt with independently of any preceding or succeeding periods of unemployment or as examples of regular short-time working, benefit would not be payable in any of these cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he anticipates a saving under Sub-heads (B) Travelling expenses, (C) Incidental expenses, or (P) Grants for reinstatement in civil life in next year's Estimates?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary what is the cost of operating the Aliens Act and the Factory Act, respec- tively, for the present year; and whether in these Departments, and, if not, in which, he anticipates reductions in next year's Estimates?

The estimated cost for the current financial year is: Aliens Act, £99,000; Factory Act, £196,000. Some reduction under both heads is anticipated for 1922–1923, chiefly through not filling vacancies in the staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed in the Estimates for next year to reduce the number of the Air Force, or to reduce the expenditure on stores, or to make rearrangements of the staff of the Air Ministry, or whether the reduction in next year's Estimates will be effected at the cost of civil aviation?

As the hon. Member is aware, the form of next year's Estimates is at present under examination and discussion. He will, I am sure, therefore, realise that I am unable to give him any information on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of natives called up for labour by the Government of Kenya Colony under the compulsory labour ordinances?

A return for the period February to December, 1920, shows that the number of persons for whose labour applications were sanctioned by the Chief Native Commissioner amounted to 2,208.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried before Mr. Lindsell, a magistrate in Hong Kong, in which a Chinese woman was charged with kidnapping a mui-tsai girl, aged 14 years, and in which the evidence showed that the girl had been taken to Canton and Macao for sale as a slave; whether the magistrate, addressing the defendant, said the girl is not your property but that gentleman's, meaning the prosecutor; whether this practice of slave-owning and slave-dealing is recognised in Hong Kong; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen a Press report of this case, but it did not quote the word "property" as having been used by the magistrate. Reports have already been obtained from the Governor showing the circumstances in which cases of this particular class occur. As has been repeatedly stated, there is no slavery in Hong Kong and the law of the colony recognises no right whatever on the part of the employer as against a child that in accordance with Chinese social custom has been adopted in return for a money payment; but in order to suppress kidnapping, an offence which is often committed with the object of profiting by traffic in girls outside the colony, particularly for immoral purposes, it is sometimes necessary to treat the employer of a mui-tsai as having the lawful care of the child as against the child-stealer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a treaty of alliance, military or otherwise, exists between the French and Polish Governments; whether its terms have been communicated to His Majesty's Government; and whether the treaty has been communicated to the League of Nations?

A political agreement was concluded last February between the French and Polish Governments, and its terms were published in the "Temps" on 22nd February. I have no information as regards the last part of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grave inconvenience caused to business firms and individuals by the continued delays and irregularity in the delivery of the Indian mail; and whether he is taking any, and, if so, what steps to restore the pre-War conditions enabling the Indian mail to be delivered in this country in 14 days from the date of its despatch from Bombay?

I am aware of the inconvenience which is doubtless being occasioned by the irregular arrival of the Indian mail; and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that all practicable steps are being taken to improve the service. In present conditions pre-War speed is not attainable, but it is hoped that before the end of the year the service will be accelerated and arrivals made regular.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount due to Northumberland under the social betterment fund of the Ministry of Mines Act; and if any scheme has been prepared for the spending of the money due?

I have been asked to reply. Of the total sum at present standing to the credit of the Miners' Welfare Fund, established under Section 20 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, £17,079 is allocated to the Northumberland district, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on 13th July. The Committee has resumed its sittings, but it has not yet been possible to prepare any general schemes for the allocation of the Fund in the individual districts.

asked the Attorney-General whether a dispute between a soldier and the Army Council as to whether or not such soldier comes within a particular Army Order can be referred for decision to the Law Courts; and, if not, whether there is any other impartial body before which proceedings for the disposal of the matters in issue can be taken?

My right hon. Friend asks me to say that the answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. But it should not be assumed that the suggestion that the Army Council is not an impartial body is assented to.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to permit of the re-enlistment without loss of disability pension into the Army of those ex-service men who are in the possession of any small disability pensions, but who, by reason of the possession of such disability pension even if of the smallest amount, are debarred from re-enlisting, but draw unemployment pay instead of doing work for which they are well qualified?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 14th March last to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Deptford (Mr. Bowerman), a copy of which I am sending him. Since that reply was given, however, I have been considering the re-enlistment into the non-combatant branches of the Army of ex-soldiers with disability pensions, and I am at present in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will circulate a list of the Territorial divisional areas affected by the reduction of 21 battalions, showing the reduction which is to take place in each area?

These reductions are still under consideration, and a full list will be issued as soon as a final decision has been come to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of public economy, he will take steps to offer for sale the remainder of the home-grown timber purchased by the Timber Supplies Department in order that the said Department may be closed and further financial losses averted?

Every effort is being made to dispose of the remainder of the home-grown timber, but owing to the present state of the market, it is difficult to effect sales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what period of time Pennal Towers, County of Merioneth, was occupied in connection with the timber operations, and the total sum paid in respect of rent, rates, and taxes; whether the house and premises had to be painted and put in order before they were vacated; and, if so, what was the amount of the expenditure on this account?

The Timber Supply Department occupied Pennal Towers, County of Merioneth, for 27 months, and paid a total sum of £435 18s. 9d. in respect of rent, rates and taxes. The house and premises were painted and reinstated before they were vacated, at a cost of £400.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were employed at the London offices of the Timber Supplies Department on the 1st January and 1st August, 1921, respectively; and what were the sums paid in respect of salaries for the months of December, 1920, and July, 1921, respectively?

The number of persons employed at the

London offices of the Timber Supplies Department on 1st January and 1st August, 1921, was 328 and 196 respectively. The sums paid in respect of salaries for the months of December, 1920, and July, 1921, were £5,760 and £3,769 respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many temporary clerks are employed by his Department; what salaries do they receive and what holidays; and whether it is proposed to reduce the temporary staff, and to what extent and when?

The temporary staff of the Ministry on the 1st July, 1921, excluding hospital staffs, medical officers, typing staff, messengers and cleaning staff was as shown below. Effort is continually made to effect reduction in this staff as the work of the Ministry changes, and considerable reductions have in fact been made in the past 12 months:—

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state how many permanent clerks are employed in his Department and at what salaries?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a proposal has been put forward to increase the number of waterguard chiefs and superintendents from 53 to 71; whether each of these posts costs the country about £1,000 per annum, counting pay and bonus, a well equipped office, provision for pension, and an attendant boy at £4 per week; what is the necessity for this increase, seeing that 53 sufficed during the troublesome times of the great War; and whether, when economy is being preached and practised throughout the country, he will now refuse to sanction the suggested step?

The work of supervising the waterguard staff has hitherto been entrusted in part to officers belonging to the general Customs .and Excise service, .but the work proper to that service has so increased in consequence of the heavy taxation now in force that they have no longer time adequately to carry out this part of their duties. An increase in the supervising staff of tlie waterguard ser-

The permanent staff of the Ministry of Pensions on the 1st August,1921, was as shown below:

vice has therefore become imperative if the Customs Revenue is to be properly safeguarded. In considering the number of posts to be added, due regard has been had to the necessity of economy, and the addition of 18 is the least that could be made with any degree of safety. No increase in office accommodation will be necessary, and no attendant boys will be employed. The cost will be well under the figure quoted by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the advisability of giving testimonials, where deserved, to Government servants on the termination of their employment, on account of the large number of these men at present being dismissed, and the way in which they are handicapped on applying for fresh employment owing to their being unable to produce a testimonial such as would have been furnished in any other form of employment, the reference which is at present given on application being of a very inadequate nature?

If the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with particulars of some instances in which the present procedure has operated harshly, showing the name of the person discharged and the Department in which he was formerly employed, I will consider whether any modification of procedure is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what will be the estimated headquarters staff of the Admiralty for the next financial year; and what other reductions in his Department may be anticipated?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford, North, on the 1st August, and the Noble and gallant Member for Battersea, South, on the 3rd August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether certain Reports of Sub-committees appointed by the

Profiteering Acts Department were incomplete, but were nevertheless published; whether the Report of the Subcommittee on the Alkali Industry is any less complete than the Reports submitted on dyeing, printing, bleaching and printing, and on explosives; whether the Sub-committee on the Alkali Industry obtained sufficient evidence to warrant the conclusion that there is a combination in this industry; and whether he will have, in the public interest, the findings of this Sub-committee published?

I am aware that certain incomplete Reports of Sub-committees under the Profiteering Acts have been published, but, as I have already informed the hon. Member, the investigation into the alkali industry was not sufficiently far advanced for the publication of the Report to serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of export trade and import trade between the British Isles and China and Japan, respectively, for the years 1910-14 and 1919–20?

The following statement gives the information desired by my hon. Friend:—