asked the Secretary of State for Air the basis of grading to the class of temporary established civil servants which is applied in the case of the engineering drawing office staffs at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough; and is he aware that at the present time draughtsmen who have similar duties and responsibilities to those placed in this class are in an inferior grade; and will the attention of his Department be given to the question of the removal of the anomaly and the consequent dissatisfaction among the members of the drawing office staff?

On the assumption that by the phrase "the class of temporary established civil servants" the hon. Member intends to refer to the designers at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, the reply to the first part of his question is, that designers are graded as such because they are responsible for original design work. A draughtsman has neither similar duties nor responsibilities, and it would be both uneconomical and unfair to designers if draughtsmen were to be similarly graded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in making reductions in the Admiralty staff, cuts can be made in the following order: conscientious objectors, men who have not served in the forces, and ex-service men?

So far as I am aware, no conscientious objectors are employed in the Admiralty, but, apart from this, the Orders already in force practically meet the hon. and gallant Member's view, as will be seen from the order of priority of retention of staff, which is as follows:

( a ) Men and women who were successful or qualified in the recent Civil Service examinations, 70 per cent. of permanent vacancies being reserved for ex-service men or women in accordance with the Lytton Report.

( b ) Ex-service personnel, preference being given to—

( c ) Persons who were directly dependent on those who have lost their lives in the service of their country.

( d ) Persons who were directly dependent on ex-service men now disabled or unable to find work.

( e ) Shorthand-typists, typists and men and women clerks who were accepted by the Civil Service Commissioners for examination, but failed to qualify.

( f ) As at ( e ) who were not accepted by the Civil Service Commissioners.

( g ) Juveniles of either sex under 18.

( h ) Married women (not widows).

( i ) Persons not dependent on their earnings.

Relative efficiency as between non-service men and women in cases of marked difference will at the same time be taken into account.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a recent re-organisation of the Civil Establishments Branch of the Secretary's Department has involved the appointment of one Director of Establishments, with a salary of £1,200 to £1,500, and two assistant secretaries, each with salaries of £1,000 to £1,200, all with additional War bonuses, to do the work done before the War by a principal clerk with a salary of £800 to £1,000; and whether these appointments will be reconsidered, having regard to the state of the national finances?

The Director of Establishments supervises not only the work in connection with the salaried staff at the Admiralty and Outports dealt with by the Civil Establishments Branch, but also the similar questions affecting the industrial staffs at the Outports. Both staff and labour problems are much more numerous and difficult than they were before the War, and this appointment provides the Board, and particularly the Secretary, with the additional assistance necessary for dealing with these problems. Only one assistant secretary is authorised for the Civil Establishments Branch, but a second is to be borne for a period of two years, in view of the special pressure in connection with re-organisation and the reduction of staffs to normal peace establishments, a task requiring constant scrutiny of organisation and methods by experienced officers. The Admiralty believe that the arrangements which they have made in this connection afford the best guarantee of economy and will save their cost many times over.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many women in his Department were receiving a salary of £500 a year in June, 1914; and how many are receiving such a salary now?

In June, 1914, there were two women in my Department receiving substantive salaries of £500 a year, and there are now eight. There are also 68 others whose substantive salary and War bonus combined now reach that figure.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total personnel of the Disposal Board at the present moment and also the cost of maintenance and salaries for the most recent month for which such figures are available?

The total headquarters staff of the Disposal Board which is under the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, was on 1st August last, 1,513, including the share of messengers and cleaners and other common services, and the cost of this staff to Commission funds was approximately £32,300 for the month of July last. I am not clear what the hon. and gallant Member includes under the term "Maintenance," but if he means the expenses of disposals, including commission charges, and storage handling, etc., of stocks in the store depots of the Department, these are estimated to amount to approximately five per cent. of the proceeds of sale, as stated in Command Paper 1412, a copy of which I am forwarding to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the conscientious objector who was in the employment of the Government, and who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, will be allowed to have that imprisonment time reckoned in his service time for his retiring pension?

No, sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Government issued an order in the year 1914 stating that trained members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade would receive 4s. per day on enlistment in the Royal Army Medical Corps; that large numbers of the members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade joined up on this promise and only received 1s. 6d. per day during the whole period they were in His Majesty's service; and will he see that these ex-service men are paid the arrears of pay due to them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Forrest) on 25th July last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the relatives of those officers and men of the Army who have been murdered in Ireland will receive the letters of appreciation of service, and plaque, similar to those given to the relatives of those who fell in the great War, in view of the fact that they gave their lives while doing their duty in the interests of their fellow-countrymen; and whether many relatives of such victims of the civil war in Ireland have so far received no letter of appreciation of service?

The plaque and scroll were instituted as a memorial for presentation to the next-of-kin of those members of His Majesty's Forces who lost their lives through the War, and it would not be appropriate for any others. The Royal Message of sympathy has similarly been restricted to the relatives of those whose deaths are directly attributable to the War. With regard to Ireland expressions of sympathy and appreciation are sent personally to relatives by the Commanding Officer concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to continue the Midlothian Territorial Association; whether, under the new arrangements, there will be any Territorial battalions at all in the county of Midlothian; whether there is any other example of battalions being forced to amalgamate when the uniforms differ so much as in the case of the 7th and 9th Royal Scots; whether any battalion will be left under the new scheme which wears the proper uniform of the Royal Scots; will the 7th battalion retain their own headquarters; and, if so, what annual sum will be saved by linking them with the 9th?

There is no present intention of discontinuing the Midlothian Territorial Association which will administer half a battalion of infantry, a battery of field artillery, and a section of medium artillery. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative; there is the parallel case of the 6th (Rifle) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, which has agreed to amalgamate with the 10th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, a kilted regiment. As regards the fourth part, when the 7th Battalion is amalgamated with the 9th Battalion no Territorial battalion will remain whose full dress is similar to the Regular battalions of the Royal Scots, but it should be borne in mind that, in common with other units, full dress is not at present worn by either the Regular or Territorial Force battalions of the Royal Scots. I would also remind the hon. and gallant Member that in the case of amalgamated battalions the representative half battalions will be allowed to retain any dis- tinctive uniform they may have worn. As regards the fifth part, the 7th Battalion will retain their own Headquarters buildings, but I cannot at present say which will be the Headquarters of the amalgamated battalion; this will be left to the decision of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command, as in all similar cases. As regards the last part, I would refer to the written answer on 12th July last to the hon. and gallant Member for Hulme, in which it was stated that the annual cost of a Territorial infantry battalion was estimated to be £19,500. This, however, is an average figure and in any saving to be effected would be subject to variation according to the circumstances of the particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the effects and unclaimed credits of Private B. T. Becket, No. 300,319, 3rd Manchesters, deceased, will be paid to his mother, Mrs. A. Beckett, 25, Greenheys Lane, Manchester?

Mrs. Beckett is stated to be the foster mother of the deceased soldier, and in the absence of a will she has no legal claim to any portion of the estate.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the case of Driver W. Ryan, No. 1,050,875, Royal Field Artillery, 47, Cambridge Street, Wigan, at present stationed at Preston, on compassionate grounds; he is not yet 18 years of age, and joined the Army during the coal stoppage on account of hardship at home, he is the third son in a family of 10 children, his two older brothers are at present serving in the Army, one in India, and his father is left alone struggling to support seven children, besides himself and his invalid wife; and if, under the circumstances stated and the fact that he only enlisted a little over a month ago, he will consider whether he can grant this soldier his discharge at an early date?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ex-service men are employed in the 1,000 additional staff engaged in checking War accounts in the audit department of the Admiralty?

I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the Accountant-General's Department, where, on 1st July last, a temporary additional staff of 1,066 men and 176 women was employed. Of these, 837 were ex-service men and 7 ex-service women.

asked the Minister of Health whether a communication in a registered letter, dated 6th August, 1921, has been received by the Lunacy Board of Control, in which an ex-service man, J. G. B., has made application for the documents to which, under Section 82 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, he is entitled after discharge from Berkshire County Asylum on 14th February, 1918; and whether the said documents will be supplied to him without delay?

The Board of Control have received the letter and have sent the writer a copy of the order of the justice made on his ceasing to be a criminal lunatic.

asked the Minister of Pensions if much dissatisfaction has been caused among the patients at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Lower Breck Road, Liverpool, consequent upon the food supplies served in the institution and the manner of its cooking and preparation; whether he has received any communication from the patients' committee of the aforesaid institution; and if he will take such action as he can to remove the grievance?

I am having immediate inquiries made regarding this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that S. D. Virgo, late private, No. 52092, of the 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, is suffering from serious leg trouble, as the result of his active service in France, and that in consequence he finds it very difficult to get work; whether Virgo is in receipt of a pension; and, if not, whether he will have inquiries made into the case in order to see whether anything can be done for the man?

A first application for pension was received from the local committee last week, and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the issue office has now finally adjusted the case of No. S.F.G. 427; and what is the reason for the delay?

I am not aware that there has been any delay. The pensioner is in regular receipt of the pension due to him. He has been supplied with a statement of account showing how the matter stands.

asked the Minister of Pensions the decision of the Special Grants Committee in the case of Mrs. Maud Todd, widow of Private Herbert Todd, No. 2324, Lancashire Fusiliers?

The original decision that Mrs. Todd was not supported by her husband prior, to his enlistment has been again confirmed, after further investigation and reconsideration of all the evidence.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the average amount of time occupied in arriving at decisions on cases before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal from the dates upon which these cases are sent forward to that tribunal?

The average period which elapses between the date on which an appeal is received by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals and the date upon which it is heard is eight weeks. Approximately 20 per cent. of the cases have to be adjourned owing to the non-attendance of the appellants or for other reasons.

asked the Parliamentry Secretary to the Admiralty the value and amount of constructional work now being carried out by administration under the direction of the Admiralty?

The value of the constructional work in connection with buildings on land to be executed this financial year by administration under the direction of the Admiralty at home and abroad is approximately £1,253,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if any remittance has been received, additional to the £2,000 already recovered, from the Government of Peru in respect of the claims made against them by emigrants from this country; what proportion of the claims lodged has been paid; and, if no additional remittance has been received, what steps the Government propose to take to secure an early settlement of the claims?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. As regards the second part, 58 claims were originally lodged. Thirty-eight of these have already been paid. Of the remaining 20, 12 have been assessed and will be paid at an early date. Eight have still to be finally assessed. In addition, 12 fresh claims have recently been received from newly-returned emigrants, and these are under investigation. The question of making representations to the Peruvian Government regarding such further sum as may be required to meet outstanding claims is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of obtaining during the Recess from the different industrial centres a considered statement as to the outlook for the coming winter, especially with regard to the relief of distress, so that it may be possible to plan an official policy of assistance, should this be needed, during the winter months and until trade has revived?

Yes, Sir; I have already arranged to obtain reports on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the articles in the Press in reference to the cure of lunacy by vaccine injections; whether he is aware of the allegations that many potentially healthy-minded persons are needlessly confined in asylums because of the lack of proper curative treatment; and whether he will initiate an investigation into the lunacy laws and asylum administration with the object of making such treatment available to the mentally-afflicted confined in asylums?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. There is no obstacle to the use of vaccines in any case in which that form of treatment is considered suitable by the medical authorities of the asylum. I may add that I have under consideration the question of possible reforms in lunacy administration and treatment.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount of the available surplus of deposit contributors for the last five years ending 31st December, 1918, the amount of the non-allocated medical funds during that period, and the amount of the non-allocated medical funds annually; and whether, in view of the work done by hospitals for insured persons, these amounts could be handed over to the Hospitals Commission for distribution among the voluntary hospitals?

Deposit contributors are entitled to the ordinary benefits under the National Insurance Acts only so far as the sums standing to their individual credit will admit, and no question of a valuation arises, therefore, in their case. No medical funds in respect of deposit contributors remain unallocated; the total amount payable for medical benefit is distributed annually.

asked the Minister of Health whether inquiry has been made, as promised on 23rd December, 1920, into the case of William Augur, a carpenter, who was incarcerated in Naps-bury Asylum in 1912 because he objected to the National Insurance Act and wished to contest the seat held at that time by the Premier; and where and for what reason Frank Abraham, a cripple aged 33, a native of Liverpool, is now confined as a lunatic, who, on the 1st October, 1920, sought access to the Premier re the hardships of the unemployed?

Enquiry was made into the case of William Augur, as promised, and the result communicated to the hon. Member in a letter dated 6th January last. In view of the time which has since elapsed I am calling for a further report on this patient's condition. The Board of Control have no knowledge of the second case to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position of the proposed inquiry with respect to the reorganisation of London government; and whether, in view of the serious position created by the refusal of the Poplar Borough Council, for political motives, to levy rates for the police, the London County Council, and the Metropolitan Asylums Board, the Government intends to expedite its investigations into the present local government machinery of the Metropolis?

"To inquire and report what, if any, alterations are needed in the local government of the administrative County of London and the surrounding districts, with a view to securing greater efficiency and economy in the administration of local government services and to reducing any inequalities which may exist in the distribution of local burdens as between different parts of the whole area."

asked the Minister of Health the total borrowings by local authorities, including the London County Council, in connection with housing schemes, and the estimated annual loss per house which will fall upon the ratepayers and the State, respectively?

Approximately £140,000,000 has been raised by local authorities in England and Wales for housing purposes. I estimate that, in the earlier years, the annual loss falling on the rates will, on the average, amount to £3 per house and that falling on the Exchequer to £60 per house.

asked the Prime Minister how many dwelling-houses in England and Wales are at present unoccupied; and if the Government intend to consider the advisability of palliating the present abnormal shortage of houses by legislation against the unreasonable withholding of such houses from occupation?

I have been asked to reply to this Question, but I am afraid that I have no information as to the number of houses in this country which are unoccupied. I do not think it would be desirable to attempt to enforce the letting of houses by legislation, and my hon. and gallant Friend will perhaps remember that a proposal on these lines was rejected when the Housing Bill of this Session was before this House.

asked (1) the Minister of Labour if he has received complaints regarding certain firms of builders engaged on housing schemes at Kirkwall, Thurso, and Wick, refusing to recognise the agreement signed by the Employers' and Employés' Wages and Conditions Council; if he is aware that these firms have, for 12 months, been paying 3d. per hour less wage than that agreed to by this council, but that now, under the provision of the agreement, wages are now being reduced, and that, although they did not grant the increase of wage made under the agreement, they propose to reduce the wages of their employés by 3d. per hour; whether he will take steps to enforce the conditions contained in the Fair Wages Clause;

I have been asked to reply. The circular referred to asks local authorities to take steps to obtain the benefit as regards their housing schemes of any reductions in wages consequent on the award of the National Wages and Conditions Council of the Building Industry, or consequent on any local agreements operative in their districts. I am informed that it is the practice in the burghs mentioned for building trade wages to be regulated by local agreements, and accordingly the existing standard rates continue to be payable in terms of the Fair Wages Clauses unless amended in accordance with the local practice. The attention of the local authorities concerned is being drawn to the position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a month ago men registering as the Lisson Grove Employment Exchange signed declarations giving the names of persons or firms with whom they had been employed since December. 1919; that, three weeks after, men were informed that they could not be paid, as their forms had not come through and that the officers had not had time to get the statements corroborated; that, if there be a shortage of staff to deal with cases promptly, there are registered unemployed men fully qualified to help, and who would rather work for pay than receive unemployment insurance, and that it is a common practice for men to be kept waiting outside the Exchange for hours, only to be told when they get in that their papers have not come through; and whether steps will be taken to obviate the hardship and inconvenience imposed by these delays?

I am causing inquiry to be made into the circumstances obtaining at the Lisson Grove Employment Exchange, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has had his attention called to the urgent necessity for a further extension of the unemployment benefit to textile workers in the North of Ireland; whether a large number of such operatives have been totally unemployed since December, 1920; whether those workers are unable to obtain employment in other occupations; and whether, in view of the great services they rendered to the nation throughout the War in the output of aeroplane cloth for Great Britain and her Allies, arrangements can be made for a continuance of the present unemployment benefit to those now in receipt of the same, and the inclusion of young people between the ages of 16 and 18 years?

The Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1921, authorises the payment of an additional six weeks' benefit as from the 1st July last to those persons who have received 16 weeks' benefit since the 3rd March, making a total of 22 weeks' benefit in all. When the further six weeks' benefit has been drawn no further benefit will be payable until the beginning of the second special period, namely, 3rd November next. I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that provision of 22 weeks' benefit in a period of eight months is a substantial measure of relief to persons unemployed. I can hold out no hope that it will be increased. I would remind my right hon. Friend that, as from November next, when the second special period begins, a further period of 16 weeks' benefit will be payable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a man serving in the Army from January, 1920, to August, 1920, is considered to be in an insured employment?

Service with the forces of the Crown is an excepted employment under the First Schedule to the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. In general, a man discharged from the Army in August, 1920, would be entitled to the special credit of contributions provided by Section 41 of the Act, and when unemployed, to 15 weeks' unemployment benefit. This period of 15 weeks may be increased to 21 weeks in certain cases in accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Act recently passed.

asked the Minister pf Labour (1) whether from the 14th July last the Employment Exchanges in the City of Belfast have refused to pay benefits under Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1921, to juvenile applicants and married women; the reason for this decision on the part of the Ministry of Labour; whether many hundreds of unemployed workers were affected by this decision, the majority of them being married women with families of small children to support; whether, in view of the great hardships and privations which have been inflicted on these people, he will remedy the matter without delay by cancelling the instructions which have been issued not to pay these benefits; the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1921, that is, no benefit beyond the 16 weeks' maximum payable under the first Act of 1921, should be granted to juvenile applicants, that is, to 'boys and girls over 16 and under 18 years of age, and to married women, resident with their husbands, except in special cases; whether the decision with regard to the juvenila applicants is without exception, and accordingly it is the intention of the Ministry not to pay to juvenile applicants benefit for the further period of six weeks; whether, in the case of unemployed married women, the instructions are that the benefit for the further period of six weeks is to be paid only to married women whose husbands are permanently incapacitated for work or whose husbands are out of work and have also exhausted their right to unemployment benefit; whether, as these unemployed juveniles and married women have paid their full contributions, they are entitled to draw full unemployment benefit; and whether he can state under what Section of the Unemployment Insurance Act the Ministry have decided to stop payment of the grants?

As my hon. Friend will be aware the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1921, enables me to make the further period of 6 weeks' benefit only when, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is expedient in the public interest to do so. In this connection I have given very careful consideration to the claims of married women and juveniles with the result that an instruction has been issued to the effect that married women may be given the extra benefit if they satisfy the conditions applicable to all applicants in general, but in the case of juveniles I have considered it expedient to limit the extra grant to those who can prove to the satisfaction of the Local Employment Committee that, when fully employed, they are dependent on their earnings for their maintenance. The effect of this instruction is to date from 21st July last. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind where the instruction has not been applied, I will gladly have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour how long the present dispute affect- ing shipyard joiners has lasted; what are the causes which have prevented a settlement; whether the strike has had disastrous results as regards the retention of ship-repairing work in this country and has materially contributed to unemployment; and what efforts are being made by his Department, which was set up to deal with matters of this kind, to find a solution of the difficulty?

The shipyard joiners' dispute has lasted since December last. What has prevented a settlement is the unwillingness of the men to accept the reduction in wages considered necessary by the employers. I am afraid that this dispute has had a serious effect on employment in the shipbuilding industry. If there were any steps which we could take to bring about a solution of the difficulty, we would most certainly take them. As my hon. and gallant Friend may be aware, a ballot vote of the Union was recently taken on certain proposals of the employers, but these were rejected. We are in touch with the parties to the dispute, and efforts are still being made to bring about a settlement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of the claims lodged by the British subjects with the Reparation Claims Department under various categories specified in Annex I of the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Peace; and if any portion of the £5,000,000, which the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated to the House on the 4th May, 1920, would be set aside to meet such claims, is now available for that purpose?

The total amount of damage in respect of which claims have been lodged is provisionally estimated at about £50,000,000. It is anticipated, however, that a number of the claims lodged will not rank for ex-gratia payments, the damage complained of not being such as is specified in Annex I to the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Versailles. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Trea- sury to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on the 20th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Grants Commission which it was proposed to set up to distribute the £5,000,000 compensation fund, to be provided out of the proceeds of German reparation payments, has been constituted; whether any sums have been allocated for the purposes of the fund; and whether claims for expenditure incurred in connection with measures for the protection of the public during air-raids and bombardment will be considered?

With reference to the first and second parts of the question, I cannot at present add anything to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on the 18th July. The claims referred to in the third part of the question do not relate to any of the classes of damage specified in the Annex to the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Versailles, and consequently cannot rank against the £5,000,000 fund.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any and, if so, how much money has been received from the German Government in respect of reparation claims; and whether the Government, following the example of the French and Belgian Governments, will make advances to British subjects on account of their claims to enable them to make good in some measure the losses they have sustained?

As stated in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on the 20th June last, no receipts from Germany have as yet been allocated on account of reparation and the prior claim in respect of the costs of the British Army of Occupation is not yet satisfied. With regard to the last part of the question, there are no funds out of which advances can be made in anticipation of any compensation to be awarded out of the £5,000,000 to be allocated to the purpose, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 4th May, 1920.

asked the Prime Minister the total amount and value of the reparation made by Germany to the Allies in cash and in kind up to the present time, distinguishing the amount paid in cash and the approximate value of the ships, coal, and other articles handed over; and how much of this total has been received by this country?

The following information is available in reply to the question:

II. Deliveries under the Schedule of Payments of May, 1921.

( a ) Bond for 12 milliard gold marks, dated 1st July, 1921.

( b ) In cash or three months' Bills, 1 milliard gold marks (as the first two quarterly payments of the fixed sum of 2 milliard gold marks a year prescribed by the Schedule of Payments).

III. Cash Receipts of the Treasury to date.

Of the above, the sum of £5,499,619 13s. 2d. has been appropriated in aid of the Vote for Advances for German coal deliveries, 1920–21, and the balance of £6,613,380 6s. 10d. has been, or will be, paid to the Exchequer as "Miscellaneous Receipts" on account of the cost of the British Army of Occupation up to 30th April, 1921.

IV. Receipts under the German Reparation ( Recovery ) Act, 1921, to the 9th instant, £341,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of British troops is now maintained on the Rhine; whether a further reduction of the garrison is contemplated; and what proportion of the cost of their maintenance is contributed by Germany?

The strength of the British, troops on the Rhine (including those detached on duty in Silesia) is about 10,000 all ranks. Under existing conditions no further reduction is contemplated. The cost of the Armies of Occupation on the Rhine is a charge on Germany under the terms of the Peace Treaty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has yet considered the recommendations made by the Joint Labour Committee set up by the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress; and, if so, whether he is prepared to advise the Government to adopt them with a view to protecting consumers' interests?

The Report of the Joint Labour Committee to which the hon. Member refers was only published very recently, and the recommendations which it contains raise some very large questions of national policy. I am accordingly not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the pilot- age rates in the Humber have recently been increased by 12½ per cent.; and, if so, why?

The pilotage rates in the Humber were recently increased temporarily by somewhat under 8 per cent. ( i.e., an increase of 12½ per cent. in the percentage increase over pre-War rates) in order to meet the higher cost of running pilot cutters to which this addition is earmarked. Although it was only recently imposed, representations as to the necessity for it were made by the pilots who own the cutters more than a year ago, and the matter was the subject of a local inquiry in June last. The rates at Hull with this addition are not higher than in many other pilotage districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as stated in the Press, the Government are giving assistance to a Scottish steel combine to join up with an English organisation of the same nature; and, if so, what is the nature of the assistance given?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given on the 5th August to the hon. Member for Renfrew, West (Sir J. Greig), of which I am sending him a copy

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the potent influences of the cinema on the commercial, educational, and political life of the people, some means can be found to counteract the threatened Americanisation of the British people which is being brought about by the overwhelming preponderance of American films exhibited in this country;

(2) whether the proposed American Tariff Bill will seriously affect the production of cinematograph films in this country, which is an important and growing industry, affording employment to many thousands of skilled and unskilled workers; and whether he has considered what steps can be taken to retain the power of the cinematograph in disseminating British ideals and aspirations throughout the world?

I am aware of the views held in the trade regarding the United States tariff proposals. For the rest, my right hon. Friend will be happy to consider any concrete proposals which may come within province of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the land revenue of the Madras presidency, which was Rs.392 lakhs in 1891–92, is now Rs.620 lakhs; and whether this rise is due to any and, if so, what cause's other than increase in the prices of agricultural products?

The figures given in the question are correct. The figure for 1891–2 was, however, substantially lower than those for the years immediately preceding and following, the average at the time being about 430 lakhs. The principal causes of the increase in revenue are an increase in the cultivated area by about 12½ per cent. and increased assessments on resettled areas. The increase in the price of agricultural products is a main factor in the increased assessments, but I cannot say to what extent other factors may have operated.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether out of 88 candidates for the Indian Civil Service at the recent Civil Service examinations only 28 were Europeans; and, under these circumstances, will he inform the House what steps he proposes to take to restore the old prestige and popularity of the Indian Civil Service so that an adequate supply of British recruits may be forthcoming?

I understand the hon. Member to refer to the number of candidates entered for the open competition of this year. The precise figures, according to my information, are 86 and 26, respectively. As regards the last part of the question, both Government and the universities take the view that there has not been time since the Armistice for the normal number of candidates to complete their preparation for the open competitive examination, and it must be remembered that the selection of ex-service candidates includes a number of candidates who would normally have competed in the open competition. This selection of ex-service candidates is proceeding very satisfactorily, 26 such candidates having been, within the last few days, recommended by the Selection Committee as qualified for appointment.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that men who joined the Army during the War direct from the police force with the permission of the police authorities are permitted to count that service towards their police pension, he will, during the Recess, further consider the case of pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabularly and Dublin Metropolitan Police who voluntarily joined up during the War; and whether he will endeavour to secure that these men shall have their police pensions reassessed so as to count their war service towards their police pensions?

The position of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners who joined the Army and served therein during the War has been very carefully considered, and I regret that I cannot see my way to grant the concession now suggested.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund, which was founded in the year 1836 for the benefit of widows and orphans of deceased members of the force and closed to new entrants on 18th June, 1883, is now almost wholly a pensioners' fund; the number of officers and men serving and on pension, respectively, who were subscribing to the fund on 31st March, 1921, the total invested amount of the fund, and the amount of the current account with the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Con- stabulary on the same date; and whether he will, at the earliest opportunity, take steps to carry out the recommendation of the Vice-Regal Commission on Irish Police Forces, presented to Parliament in 1920, recommending that the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund (Benefit Branch) should be wound up as soon as possible?

The number of officers and men serving and pensioned subscribing to the Constabulary Force Fund on 31st March last was as follows:

Officers serving, nil; pensioned, 102.

Men serving, 80; pensioned, 4,215.

The fund may therefore be said to be almost wholly a pensioners' fund. The figures showing the amount of the fund on 31st March last are not immediately available, but the amount invested on 31 st March, 1920, was £278,359 7s. and £8,000 was received from the National Debt Commissioners, who held the securities of the fund, to meet claims during the succeeding year. The balance in hand on 31st December last was £2,799 19s. 11d. I regret that I cannot take steps to secure the early closing of the fund without inflicting either a loss upon the Exchequer or injustice upon the subscribers.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements can now be made for the mutual abolition of visas between Great Britain and Switzerland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave in the House yesterday to a similar inquiry from the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what ratio the £108,000,000 spent by Japan in national defence bears to the gross revenues of the country?

The gross revenue estimated for 1921–22 is understood to be approximately £210,000,000. The amount appropriated for national defence is therefore about 51·4 per cent. of this total.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many claims have been filed at the British Consulate-General, Mexico City, or at the Foreign Office against the Mexican Government for the murder of British subjects in Mexico since 1915; and if he can promise the support of His Majesty's Government in seeing them duly and properly enforced?

The claims are normally filed in the legation in Mexico City, and I cannot without further inquiry state their number. A report will be called for.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the case for compensation against the Mexican Government for Mrs. Henry, whose husband, a mining engineer, was brutally murdered by Mexicans at Zacualpam on the 3rd January, 1916, and who herself with her three small children barely escaped with her life, has been brought to his notice; and if His Majesty's Government will take steps to see that this claim is duly acknowledged and met by the Mexican Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government will make every endeavour to secure that Mrs. Henry's claim is justly settled, as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made for the examination of all British claims against the Mexican Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount paid from public funds to the Agricultural Organisation Society during the past five years; whether in that time the society has had sufficient opportunity to place itself upon a self-supporting basis; why, in view of the reported trading turnover of approximately £15,000,000 annually by the members of this society, there is any need for continued payment of public funds to it; and whether the Treasury will reconsider the whole matter?

The total amount paid to this society from public funds during the five years ended 31st March, 1921, was £117,273. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Leigh on the 28th June, 1920. I am satisfied that the continuance of assistance to this society from public funds on a diminishing scale until. 1923 is in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated total cost to the community of the United Kingdom, measured in rates and taxes, shown separately, of the operations of his Department for the current financial year; and how that cost compares with that of the financial years 1913–14 and 1918–19, respectively?

The cost of the public system of education in England and Wales under the Board's administration and measured in rates and taxes may be stated as follows:—

asked the Minister of Transport if whereas the foremen in other departments on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway have received material advances in wages during the last 18 months, the foremen craftsmen in the civil engineers' department are said to have received advances very much smaller in amount; if the journeymen craftsmen, for whose work the foreman is responsible, are in receipt of wages substantially higher than those paid to the foreman himself; and, if the facts are as stated, what steps he proposes to remove the anomaly?

I understand that the differentiation between the pay of certain foremen craftsmen and the journeymen has been interfered with by increases of wages given to the journeymen, but the reduction of the wages of the latter agreed to will again alter the position. I understand the railway company concerned has the matter under review. My right hon. Friend, the Minister, is not in a position to take any action.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sales have taken place of Crown lands within the last 10 years, for what purpose, and for what reasons; how much money has been realised and what use has been made of it after realisation; what authority decides whether Crown lands should, or should not, be sold; and whether there is any official or body exercising any power to prohibit a sale?

I have been asked to reply. Particulars of the sales of Crown property are scheduled to the Annual Reports to Parliament of the Commissioners of Woods, and if my hon. Friend so desires I will furnish him with copies of these Reports for the last 10 years. During the 10 years to 31st March last, the amount realised from sales was about £853,000 which was credited to the capital account of the Land Revenues. In the same period, more than that sum was reinvested as required by the Land Revenue Acts. The net income is paid into the Exchequer. The sales took place in accordance with the policy that has been pursued by the Commissioners of Woods for many years of selling outlying properties or estates which it is not considered profitable to retain. The approval of the Treasury is necessary for sales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of Sir Edward Northey, at Nairobi, in which he envisaged an administrative deficit of £250,000 this year; whether, in contrast* to the condition of Kenya colony, the West African dependencies have for years not only paid their own way, but have assumed substantial shares of our War debt; and whether the contrast is due to the differing policies adopted of white exploitation in East Africa as against native development in West Africa?

My attention has been drawn to the speech in question. The whole matter of the finances of Kenya is engaging my earnest consideration, but I am confident that the colony's prosperity will be fully restored when the present depression in world trade, which has affected West Africa also, comes to an end. I am not prepared to admit that white settlement in Kenya has in any way retarded the financial progress of the country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to take active steps in support of the suggestions made by the Labour Committee on the Cost of Living in its final report that the economic section of the League of Nations should investigate the operations of all combinations of an international character and submit annual reports of its inquiries, and that there should be a Standing Committee of the economic section of the League which should make recommendations for action by individual States?

I understand that the Economic Section of the Provisional Economic and Financial Committee of the League of Nations is already engaged on an inquiry which embraces certain matters relating to combinations of the character to which the question refers. I should prefer to await the report of the Committee before considering the expediency of suggesting any further steps. In the meantime, I am causing a copy of this question and answer to be transmitted to the British member of the section.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to undertake a redistribution of seats in consonance with the new Census and the shifting of population in what were munition areas during the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Government have not considered this question, as the results of the new Census have not yet been received. A preliminary report on the Census will shortly be issued by the Registrar-General. I may add that the existing distribution of seats was based on the estimated population for 1914.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the postal facilities at Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire, are practically of a war-time nature, and that no letters are collected from there between about 6 p.m. on Saturdays and C p.m. on Mondays; and whether he can see his way clear to remove this anomaly and grant the inhabitants pre-War facilities?

It is the case that there is at present only a morning delivery and an evening collection at Barton Sea-grave, whereas there were two collections and a second delivery (to callers) on weekdays before the War. The Sunday services ceased as part of the general curtailment of Sunday postal labour. The cost of restoring the pre-War facilities on weekdays would not be warranted in view of the present urgent need for economy in expenditure.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones and extensions which have been or are to be withdrawn agreeably to notice of discontinuance from the users since the recent higher charges were imposed, and the total amount of the rental value of the same calculated on the present basis of charges?

The total number of subscribers giving up the service as a result of the increased charges is estimated to be 28,500 and the number of extension instruments surrendered 21,500. The rental value of these services at the new tariff would be approximately £265,000. The number of new installations provided at the new rates is about 35,000 subscribers and 30,000 extensions.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will explain why the delay in obtaining trunk calls is steadily becoming more and more accentuated at any hour of the day; whether this is due to the increasing use of trunk lines even at the present enhanced rates; and the effect of these increased rates on the number of trunk calls since their introduction?

The London records show that, generally speaking, delay on trunk calls is considerably less than in March last. The latest information as to the effect of the increased charges is given in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on the 26th July. During July the number and value of trunk calls showed an increase, but this has not had the effect of appreciably increasing delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has replied to the Treasury Circular of the 13th May?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether, with reference to the complaint made by the Prison Officers' Representative Board to the Prison Commissioners regarding the disciplinary tactics of the Dartmoor Prison Deputy-Governor, and with reference to the statement of the Chairman of the Prison Commissioners to the Board that the Deputy-Governor had not received the necessary instruction on the part of the former Governor, and that he, the Chairman, would remove the discontent among the staff, he will say what steps it is now proposed to take in this respect?

The Chairman of the Prison Commissioners explained to the Prison Officers' Representative Board that any dissatisfaction that had existed was probably due to the unfortunate breakdown in health of the Governor who for that reason was not able personally to instruct a new Deputy-Governor in his duties. Nothing is known of any discontent at present and no further action is called for.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the wide powers left to licensing magistrates under the new Licensing Bill, it is proposed to issue to them a circular defining the broad lines of policy which should actuate their decisions and the spirit in which these should be approached?

In the course of its passage through this House, the Licensing Bill was amended so as to reduce considerably the powers which it had been proposed at different stages to confer on licensing justices in regard to the hours during which the sale of intoxicating liquor is permitted. I propose to follow the usual practice of issuing a circular to Justices indicating the alterations which the Bill makes in the law and in their powers, and drawing attention to points which appear to call for special consideration.