asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British missions there are at the present moment in Hungary; and upon which country the expense falls?

Apart from His Majesty's Legation, there is no purely British mission in Hungary. There are, however, British sections of the Allied Military, Naval and Aeronautical Commissions of Control. The expenses of these Commissions fall on' Hungary. There are also British members on each of the four Boundary Commissions which are, or very shortly will be, at work on the various frontiers. The expenses in this case are borne in equal 'shares by Hungary and the neighbouring State concerned.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what purpose draft mandates for the ex-German African colonies prepared by the Supreme Council are, after communication to and approval by the American Government, laid before the Council of the League of Nations, in view of the fact that the Government of the United States of America does not recognise the League and the League is powerless to alter decisions at which that Government and the Supreme Council have arrived?

The responsibility for ascertaining that the terms of the draft mandates conform to the prescriptions of Article 22 of the Covenant devolves upon the Council of the League, and this responsibility is not affected by the attitude of the United States Government towards the League of Nations.

May I ask whether it is a fact, in the case stated, that the League of Nations can perform any function but that of fifth wheel of a coach?

It has most important functions, and I am sure it will discharge them to the satisfaction of everyone concerned.

asked the Tinder-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the draft mandates for the ex-German African colonies have been communicated officially by the British and French Governments to the American Government in accordance with the request of the American Government in their Note of 20th November, 1920, and of the Council of the League; and whether any replies have been received from Washington so that these drafts may be dealt with by the Council of the League it their next meeting?

His Majesty's Government are in communication with the United States Government through the American Ambassador in London on the subject of the terms of the draft mandates, but they have not yet received any statement of the views of the United States Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that Article 8 of the Covenant of the, League of Nations declares that the manufacture by private enterprise of munitions and implements of war is open to grave objections, and provides that the Council of the League shall advise how the evil effects attendant upon such manufacture can be prevented, he will say what action the Council has taken towards carrying out its obligation; and whether His Majesty's Government will instruct their representative on the League to see that a solution of this very urgent matter is hastened?

The Minister for Education will answer this question.

May I have an answer from the Prime Minister, as this concerns the policy of the Government?

The Minister for Education is one of the representatives on the League of Nations. However, I think I can give my hon. Friend an answer. The problem of the private manufacture of munitions and implements of war by private enterprise is being dealt with by the Temporary Mixed Commission on the Reduction of Armaments, which was appointed by the Council in pursuance of a resolution passed at the First Session of the Assembly. At a meeting of the Commission held last month, a proposal that the problem should be the object of a special international conference was referred to a Sub-Commission. A statement on the Sub-Commission's deliberations will be submitted to the Commission at a meeting to be held in September. I can assure the hon. Member that the matter will be dealt with as expeditiously as its inherent difficulties will permit.

asked the Prime Minister who is to represent Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and India, at the forthcoming meetings of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva next month?

I am not at present in a position to announce the representatives appointed by the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the divergence of view between Great Britain, Italy, and Japan on the one hand and France on the other, on the division of Upper Silesia, the problem has been referred to the League of Nations; if so, whether to the Assembly or the Council of the League; and, if the latter, whether a special meeting of the Council will be summoned forthwith to deal with the matter, or whether it will be dealt with at Geneva when the Assembly is sitting?

The answer is in the affirmative. The Council of the League of Nations has been invited to express its opinion as to the frontier line which the principal Allied and Associated Powers should lay down. In view of the situation in Upper Silesia, the Council has been requested to treat the matter as one of great urgency, and I understand that the question of holding a special meeting in the near future is now being considered by the League.

Will the Council invite representatives of Poland and Germany to be present to submit the case, or are all the facts put before the Supreme That is entirely a matter at the discretion of the Council of the League.

We cannot prescribe to the League its method of procedure, but I have no doubt at all that full opportunity will be given for the presentment of the case by all interested. That is entirely a matter at the discretion of the Council of the League.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the cost of messengers in the principal department has increased from —3,457 last year to —4,612 this year?

This increased cost is accounted for by (1) a slight improvement in the scale of pay of unestablished male messengers—the improvement being common to the whole Civil Service; (2) the substitution of boy messengers by ex-service men, most of whom are disabled; and (3) an increase of six in the number of messengers employed.

Is not the increase partly due to the fact that the officers of the extinguished Food Ministry are also to be transferred to the Board of Trade?

No; the increase of six is due to the institution of a more rigorous system requiring passes before entering the buildings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the temporary staff in the principal Department employed in clerical assistance and copying has increased from 54 in 1914 to 450 this year?

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend are not comparable. In addition to the staff of 54 shown in the Estimates for 1914–15, other temporary clerical assistance was included under other items. The duties of the Board of Trade in 1914 and now differ considerably, and many of the temporary staff now employed are engaged in winding up war activities.

Are these being trained in view of the Safeguarding of Industries Bill becoming law?

Can the hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when these temporary persons will be dismissed?

They are progressively being released as the process of liquidation continues.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any more precise indication when these temporary officials will be dismissed?

It is very difficult to do that, because the liquidation depends on the capacity of the Market to absorb the stocks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, was passed for the purpose of providing the machinery necessary for the execution of the Government's agricultural policy, which was subsequently embodied in the Agriculture Act, 1920; how many persons were appointed by the Ministry or local authorities in consequence of the passing of the first-named Act; and how many of them have been dismissed by reason of the cancellation of that policy by the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, was passed in order to secure the better organisation of the agricultural industry, and to provide a means of bringing the Ministry into closer touch with practical agricultural opinion throughout the country. The organisations set up by the Act will, therefore, continue to be of great value.

Apart from the appointment of a Secretary of the Councils of Agriculture and of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, no fresh appointments were made as a result of the Act, but, as previously stated, the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill will result in a substantial reduction of staff, and notice has already been given to 97 persons on the staff of the Ministry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have yet made any grant of money or given any financial promise to the British Empire Exhibition for 1923; if so, what amount, and the total financial liability his Department is responsible for; whether his Department or the Government are represented on the Exhibition Committee, and, if so, by whom?

No grant of money has been made to the British Empire Exhibition, but, in accordance with the provisions of the British Empire Exhibition (Guarantee) Act, 1920, His Majesty's Government have undertaken to participate in the guarantee fund to the extent of —100,000, subject to the conditions prescribed in the Act. The Board of Trade are represented on the Executive Council by the Director of Exhibitions Division of the Department of Overseas Trade, and the Colonial Office and India Office have also representatives.

Is the officer to whom the hon. Gentleman has referred in the pay of the Board of Trade, or is he going to be paid by the Exhibition Committee? Is it not a question of £5,000 a year?

No. The representative of the Board of Trade is a permanent officer of the Board of Trade, and he is receiving no increase of salary by virtue of attending this Committee.

But is it not a fact that the leading spirit in this exhibition is now connected with or attached to the Board of Trade Department?

No, not at all. He has no connection whatever with the Board of Trade. He is appointed by the Council, and the Council is entirely responsible for him.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the weekly exports of coal from this country since the resumption of work by the miners; how the figures compare with exports before the stoppage, pre-War, and during the War; and can he give any information as to whether we are recovering our foreign markets for coal lost during recent months?

I have been asked to reply. I am unable to furnish particulars of the weekly export of coal since the resumption of work by the miners, but according to the Customs Accounts for the month of July, 1921, the quantity of coal exported during that month was 816,300 tons. The quantity of coal exported during March, 1921, was 1,968,100 tons. The average monthly quantity of coal exported during the year 1913 was 6,116,700 tons, and the average monthly quantity during the years 1915 to 1918 was 3,096,600 tons. It is not yet possible to make any positive statement on the point raised in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of miners in the employment of the Fife Coal Company who left their work to undergo their annual training in the Territorial camp at Buddon have been refused re-employment by the company's manager on the completion of their period of training; whether he is aware that in the cases of Walter Wakefield, Robert McCathie, James Mearns, and George Barnet, formerly employed at Leven No. 4 Colliery, and John Wilson, formerly employed at Leven No. 1 Colliery, the definite promise that they would be re-instated has not been fulfilled; and if any steps can be taken to induce the company to adopt a more reasonable attitude towards the men mentioned and others similarly affected?

I have been asked to reply. The circumstances of this case have not been brought to the notice of the Mines Department, but inquiry is being made, and the result will be communicated to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the week-end tickets issued by the railway companies before the War were available from Fridays to Tuesdays; whether the recent week-end tickets issued are only available from Saturdays to Mondays; and whether he will ask the companies to reinstate the pre War term for these tickets, and so enable them to spread the travelling load over more days, and not overcrowd the trains on Saturdays and Mondays as at present?

The conditions under which weekend tickets will be issued are matters for the railway companies, to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is sending a copy of this question and reply. When he is informed of their views, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many hundreds of platelayers are being discharged from the railways in consequence of the probability of the Railways Bill becoming law; and whether he can take such steps as will ensure the plate layers and other workmen being put in the same position as the railway directors in so far as compensation is concerned?

No, Sir. I am not aware that any platelayers are being discharged from the service of the railway companies in consequence of the probable passage into law of the Railways Bill. The provisions of the Bill with regard to compensation for loss of employment are in some respects more favourable in the case of officers and servants than in the ease of directors.

Is the hon. Member aware that last week this was put forward" as a serious proposition to this House and met with the approval of the Government, or, at least, not with their disapproval, and is he aware that there are hundreds of men being discharged as a consequence of this Bill becoming law?

No. I am quite aware that reductions in railway staffs are proceeding. These are certainly not in consequence of the Railways Bill, but in consequence of the depression in trade.

Is it a fact then that now that the railways have to find their own money, and cannot claim the country's money, they are reducing their staffs to this extent?

I am not prepared to admit that that is the case.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage the number of standing railway passengers using the suburban railways in the metropolitan area on an ordinary weekday bears to the total number of passengers carried; on these lines; whether he is aware that during certain hours of the day, owing to the absence of sufficient rolling stock, the suburban trains are crowded to excess, causing the utmost inconvience and hardship to those travelling; and whether this question is under consideration by his Department with a view to steps being taken to put an end to this overcrowding?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not in my possession. My right hon. Friend is aware that in some instances overcrowding exists in suburban services during certain hours largely owing to the concentration within a shorter period of the "peak load," due to the general introduction of shorter working hours, but I know from discussions which have taken place with the railway companies concerned from time to time that they are doing all they can within economic limits to introduce measures of relief. The improvement of suburban services by the railway companies depends upon their ability to undertake the necessary expenditure, which is considerable, as it is not only a question of provision of additional rolling stock, but of increasing the capacity of the line by electrification or other means.

Will the hon. Gentleman be kind enough to reply to the last part of the question, as to whether this matter is under consideration by his Department with a view to steps being taken to put an end to this overcrowding?

It has been under constant consideration and discussion with the railway companies for two years, since the Ministry was instituted, but the finding of a remedy is one for the companies, and I am satisfied that they are doing their best in existing circumstances.

And do you propose to leave it at that?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be in a position to state before the House rises the names of the British delegates selected to attend the Washington Disarmament Conference?

I cannot at present give the names of the delegates.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of the members of the Business Committee which is to advise the Treasury respecting the national finances?

asked the Prime Minister if it is proposed to give to the Business Committee any powers that have been refused to the Estimates Committee of this House; and, if so, on what grounds the differentiation is made?

asked the Prime Minister the terms of reference and composition of the Committee to be presided over by the Minister of Transport; whether a special staff will be required and, if so, at what cost; whether this Committee will take evidence; and whether the evidence taken by the Committee, as well as the Report, will be available for the Estimates Committee of this House?

I regret that since my return from Paris, the considera- tion of other urgent problems has prevented me from dealing with this subject, nor have I yet had an opportunity of consulting my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer who only returned from Paris last night, but I hope a statement can be made to-morrow, or at latest on Wednesday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on the Consolidated Fund to-morrow, it was proposed to raise this as the first question, and, in the absence of my right hon. Friend in Paris, the Leader of the House said he would give this information, in response to a question, before the Debate took place, if this question were repeated to-morrow? Could the information be given before the Debate?

I think I shall very probably be in a position to give it to-morrow. I do not like to give an absolute guarantee, but I propose to do my very best to give an answer to-morrow. As to whether it is to be discussed, I should like a conversation with those responsible for the discussion to-morrow before that is definitely agreed, as there are one or two other topics the House might like to discuss first. However, I am in the hands of the House with regard to that.

Shall I repeat this question to-morrow?

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, as he has now received and replied to the Treasury Circular of 13th May, he has been able to submit such proposals or estimates as will effect the 20 per cent. reduction in his Department as requested in the said Circular?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on the 2nd August to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East.

It has taken me three questions to get up to this point. May not my patience be rewarded by an answer, instead of being referred to something which says nothing?

Perhaps this is a question which ought not to have appeared on the Paper.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. It was in consequence of your ruling, Sir, that the question appears on the Paper in the form it does.

On a point of Order. May we not come to some conclusion on this? My hon. Friend behind me and several others have tried to get this information. We have been referred continually to another Minister. We had a promise that a discussion might take place on the Consolidated Fund Bill. Since then other subjects have arisen which may make it entirely impossible to discuss this matter to-morrow or the next day. Are we not, as private Members, entitled to get information for which we ask from Ministers if the information asked for is reasonable?

I do not control the information given by Ministers to Members. All I have to do is to call the questions.

You, yourself, Mr. Speaker, have said to-day that this question should not have appeared on the Paper. What we want to know is which Ministers of the Crown in their several Departments have made those reductions. We cannot get that information. The information has been in the hands of the Financial Secretary since the 31st July, and I submit that we are entitled to get this information in the form of a question and answer.

I have already said that I do not control the information given by Ministers of the Crown. My point is that this and similar questions have been frequently put down, and if the answers are not satisfactory I am not responsible for that.

If Membere of this House are not in a position to get answers from the Government, is it not within their power to put down a Vote of Censure on the Government?

The hon. Member must put his Motion on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether any official proposals have been made for a proportionate and general reduction of Ministerial and Members' salaries in the interest of economy; and, if so, whether there is any chance of their being adopted?

It is proposed during the Recess to have a general overhauling of the expenditure of the country, and no doubt all salaries will be passed in review.

asked the Prime Minister what further steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to ascertain how and whether help can be given to the famine-stricken areas of South Russia; whether this matter was discussed at the meeting of the Supreme Council; if so, with what result; and what was. and is, the attitude of His Majesty's Government to this matter?

The matter was discussed by the Supreme Council, which decided that an International Commission should be set up at once to study the possibility of giving immediate assistance to the starving peoples of Russia. The representatives of Great Britain on this Commission will be appointed without delay.

Will the Government give its attention to the poverty-stricken people of Hackney Wick and other poor districts?

Certainly. There are very substantial grants given for unemployment—the most substantial grants in the world.

Who is to supply the funds for the relief? It is no use having a Commission unless there are funds.

I do not quite agree with my hon. and gallant Friend there. I think there is a good deal to be done in another way. However, we have not committed the House of Commons to any fund at the present moment.

Before the House adjourns, shall we have an opportunity of discussing whether public funds will be used?

Certainly. There will be an opportunity to-morrow and on Wednesday.

asked the Prime Minister if he has information with regard to the statement that Lenin is coming to this country; and does he propose to allow this to take place or to have any dealings, official or otherwise, With this man?

The report mentioned has been contradicted in the Russian official wireless press, and we never heard anything of it. The second part of the question, therefore, does not yet arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether any British firm of armament makers has been permitted to furnish, or has furnished, the Greeks with munitions since the last conference of the Greek and Turkish Governments in London; if so, which firm or firms has carried on this traffic; whether any British firm or firms has been or is supplying munitions to the Turks and, if so, which firm or firms: and whether British firms will be permitted to sell or supply arms to the Turkish forces defending their homelands against the Greeks, as well as to the invaders?

His Majesty's Government have no control over the export of arms and ammunition from this country, except that provided by the Orders in Council of 24th March, 1921, which entitle His Majesty's Government to refuse licences for the export of certain arms and ammunition and similar goods. The full list was published in the "Board of Trade Journal" of 31st March, 1921. No Licences have been issued for Greece or Turkey for any articles on this list since January last. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not prepared, however, to accept the hon. and gallant Member's description of the roles and of the respective belligerents.

Are we to understand, then, that licences are now going to be granted for the traffic in arms from this country to both Turkey and Greece?

We shall be absolutely neutral.

But are we going to issue licences now for the traffic in arms to Greece and Turkey?

There will be no distinction drawn between the belligerents.

Does that mean that we are going to permit this scandalous traffic in arms?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that there is considerable anxiety in India at the present moment due to the belief that Great Britain is not maintaining her pledged neutrality in the Turco-Greek war; and whether he will consider the advisability of publishing the Prime Minister's recent asservations of neutrality and his past pledges with regard to the homelands of the Turks, in India?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. All statements in the matter have already very wide publicity in India.

asked the Prime Minister whether any sum, additional to the —2,000 a year charged by Statute on the Consolidated Fund, has, either by way of salary or bonus, been paid since March, 1920, or earlier date, by His Majesty's Government to the Comptroller and Auditor-General?

Yes, Sir. As from 1st January, 1919, bonus was paid to the Comptroller and Auditor-General out of the sum taken for bonus on the Vote for the Exchequer and Audit Department, the fact being set out in a note to the Appropriation Account for 1919–20 and in a footnote on the Estimates for 1920–21, as is the prescribed course in such cases. As from 1st March, 1920, the salary of the Comptroller and Auditor-General was increased to —3,000 as part of the scheme of revision of the salaries of the permanent heads of first-class Departments.

May I ask whether, in addition to that salary, a bonus will be paid?

The hon. Member will find that in the first part of the answer I have given.

May I ask the Prime Minister to whom this question was originally addressed, whether he is not aware that this is a matter of vital concern to the purity of administration, and to the House of Commons control over finance; and, if so, whether he does not think that the House of Commons should be consulted before this additional salary is either paid or promised?

If my hon. Friend will accept an answer from me, as I was the Minister responsible at the time the decision to pay the salary was taken, and, as I am now responsible for the conduct of the business of the House, there is a certain suitability in my replying, I do think that it would have been desirable that this matter should have been brought before the Blouse of Commons at an earlier date, and I am sorry I did not find an opportunity of doing so, but I acted on the assumption that the House of Commons would not wish the position of their officer, in comparison with the other officials of the Government, in regard to which the House and the Government have full discretion, to be worse, and I thought that the House would have resented if the Government did not extend to the officers of the House the benefits which were accorded to similar officials serving directly under the Government.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether it is not precisely because this officer was a servant of the House of Commons, and not a servant of the Executive, that it was desirable to differentiate?

Well, that is a matter for argument; but what I had in my mind was that if we did not pay the same salary to an officer of the House it might have been said he had been ill-treated because he was an officer of the House and because he was not under our control.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India propose to take regarding the export of opium from India, owing to the failure of the Chinese Government to carry out her undertaking to put down the cultivation of opium in China?

As the Chinese Government prohibited the import of opium into China in 1919, the Government of India are bound under The Hague Convention to prevent its export to China.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now state the result of his communication with the Government of India with regard to the cheapening of the cost of passages of Government officials to and from India?

I am not at the moment in a position to make an announcement, as the matter is still under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will publish as a White Paper the proposals submitted by the Commander-in-Chief in India for the establishment and number of units of the Indian Army to be maintained in India based on the detailed examination of what is required for the defence of India?

I am afraid it is not clear to me what proposals my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

Is it not the fact that certain reductions have taken place, and are taking place, and are these facts going to be brought before the House?

Reductions have taken place in accordance with the statement I made to the House last February.

Is it contemplated that any further reductions will take place, and is the Defence Committee reconsidering these reductions from the point of view of the strategical needs of the Empire as a whole?

No further reductions will take place beyond those already sanctioned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to his previous reply to me, where he spoke of "The proposals submitted by the Commander-in-Chief in India"? Will he publish that?

I do not know what my hon. and gallant Friend means by proposals submitted by the Commander-in-Chief in India. The reductions sanctioned already were reductions sanctioned on the proposals of the Government of India in which the Commander-in-Chief concurred. What further proposals my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind I do not know.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not the fact that proposals have been submitted, or are in course of being submitted, for a reduction of the British Army in India by several units of infantry and some of cavalry?

I understand that there has been a Committee sitting at Simla on the future of the Army in India, but no action will be taken on that, or nothing done in regard to it, until the whole matter has been considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that no further reductions will take place in India until this House has had the opportunity of saying something?

That is, I think, for the Leader of the House to say. No further reductions will be sanctioned to those already sanctioned until the Committee of Imperial Defence has reported.

In view of the fact that the matter has been referred to the Leader of the House, can we be informed by the right hon. Gentleman that no action will be taken in relation to the further reduction of the Army in India until the House meets again?

I am sorry I did not hear what the hon. and gallant Gentleman said. I was discussing the business with my right hon. Friend, and did not hear the questions and answers. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put a question on the Paper, I will be glad to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any reply to the telegram sent by him to India with reference to the withdrawal of the proceedings instituted against two native merchants in the Chief Magistrate's Court for extensive frauds against the Munitions Department; and, if so, what is the nature of such reply?

I understand that telegraphic reports have reached the India Office, and are at the moment being deciphered. I have not yet seen the complete text.

When will the information be forthcoming?

If I can, I will circulate the telegrams in the OFFICIAL RBPOET to-night. If not, I hope to be in position to answer the question to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Arthur Stanley Edwards and others, from Cwmbran (Monmouthshire), made an application to appear before the rota committee at Pontypool in connection with their unemployment insurance; that the men have not yet been heard although the appeal forms have been forwarded; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter?

Inquiry is being made regarding the matter raised in this question. I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will furnish a Return showing the number of women drawing unemployment pay who were employed as domestic servants prior to the War; and whether he will issue definite instructions that all such women who refuse employment as domestic servants should be notified that they can no longer receive unemployment pay?

Those engaged in domestic service before the War are not entitled to benefit unless they have also been engaged in insurable occupations such as munitions. It would not be possible without considerable expense to give such a Return as my Friend asks for. In reply to the last part of the question, constant attention is paid to the possibility of offering domestic service vacancies to applicants on the register. The local employment committees have formed special registers of women who, irrespective of their last previous employment, may reasonably be regarded as suitable for private domestic service; they are offered suitable vacancies, and in the event of refusal benefit is liable to be suspended.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that advisory committees have framed conditions of service which make it quite impossible for any one requiring a domestic servant to obtain one?

The whole question of the advisory committee regulations was gone into recently by question and answer. These regulations only deal with juveniles up to 18 years of age, and are of a purely voluntary character. They really do not affect the question of unemployment for the purposes of the Insurance Act.

Have not advisory committees recommended domestic servants not to accept service where they have to stay in at night, and only to give day service?

I am not aware of that. I have perused many of these regulations, and have found nothing of that character. If my hon. Friend can bring any such cases to my notice I shall be glad to inquire into them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some women have refused to go into the service of some Members of this House on any considerations whatever?

Have you had a refusal?

No, but have you?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many naval men are still in hospital suffering from disabilities due to the War?

The number of serving naval men who are suffering from disabilities due to the War and still under treatment in hospital is 18. In addition, there are five naval men in naval hospitals who have been discharged from the Navy and are in receipt of pensions from the Ministry of Pensions. There are also 113 naval men under treatment in the Royal Naval Hospital, Great Yarmouth, suffering from disabilities due to the War. This does not include naval men still being treated under Ministry of Pensions in hospitals other than naval.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give the names of the firms who had contracts for building the sister ships to the "Hood"?

The contracts were placed with the following firms: Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company, Limited; Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Company, Limited; the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, although the minimum scale of wages of the National Union of Clerks for adult workers is £3 10s. per week, the women clerks employed in the Royal Naval Signal School at Portsmouth are paid at the rate of 50s. a week, rising by Is. per week per annum to 55s. a week, inclusive of bonus; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing these wages to the trade union rate?

The scale at present paid applies to all temporary adult women employés in all Government industrial establishments. It was last revised as the result of an agreement between the official side and the staff side of the National Whitley Council on 29th November, 1920, with effect from 1st July 1920, and no reason is seen for altering the agreement then arrived at.

asked the Postmaster-General why the Post Office is refusing to accept parcels for transmission to Russia; if he is aware that many persons in this country with relatives in the famine-stricken areas of Russia are willing to send food parcels to those relatives; and whether he will consider removing the restriction?

asked the Postmaster-General why the chief postmaster at the Isle of Wight refuses to accept parcels for Russia?

It has not yet been possible to arrange for the conveyance of parcel mails to Russia either by sea direct or through contiguous countries. The position is being closely watched, and no opportunity of instituting a parcel post to Russia will be overlooked.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of people in this country who have relatives in Russia, and can he give any reason why his right hon Friend is not willing that parcels of this kind should go to the relatives in Russia—

Yes, I can. The reason is that there is no possibility of sending parcels by post to Russia. When M. Krassin was over here he agreed that a parcels post should be instituted. But at present there are no ships going to Petrograd, and there are mines in the harbour. No country in Europe is at present sending parcels to Russia.

Do we understand that the difficulties are purely physical? Is the right hon. Gen- tleman aware that sixteen ships went last month to Petrograd, and that the channel is now quite clear?

I will inquire into that.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been directed to statements that English firms are able to post circulars in France and Belgium for delivery in England at about half the charge for postage made in this country; and if he will state what loss of revenue is incurred by his Department undertaking the distribution of these circulars, seeing that the British Post Office obtains only a proportion of one-half of its ordinary charges?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answers given on this question by my right hon. Friend on the 19th July and 2nd August, copies of which I will forward to him.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that extemporary sorters, whose examination for established berths take place in September, are, or should be, men who were either physically or medically unfit for the Army or over age; and whether medical examination of successful candidates will be less strict than hitherto, in view of special circumstances?

The question of medical examination is one for the Civil Service Commissioners, who are aware of the circumstances in which the competition is being held.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken into consideration a communication, dated 12th July, which was addressed to him by the president of the Federation of British Industries, on the subject of the currency policy of this country, and which embodied a resolution adopted by the credits and currency committee of the federation; whether he will appoint a Commission, as indicated in the resolution, with terms of reference similar to those of the Committee on Currency and Foreign Exchanges after the War, which was presided over by the late Lord Cunliffe; and whether, in the appointment of the suggested Commission, he will extend invitations, not only to representatives of industry and commerce, but also to representatives of labour, so that the effect of currency policy upon trade and employment may be fully considered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the rest of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 26th July to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government intends to abide by the pledges given to those who built ships during the War; and whether, seeing that the true legal position as regards the special allowances for depreciation of value was set out in the circular prepared by the Board of Inland Revenue and circulated by the Ministry of Shipping on the 25th May, 1917, he can state on whose authority an attempt is being made, in apparent defiance of the law, to deduct from the special allowances as set out in the above circular certain accretions of capital arising through the insurance of lost ships.

The matter is one, in the first place, for the Board of Inland Revenue (subject to an appeal to the Board of Referees) and the Board of Inland Revenue take the view, a view from which I see no reason to dissent, that in cases where an appreciation in value of a ship has been realised by the recovery of insurance moneys based on the increased value, the realised appreciation is a factor which should properly be taken into consideration in connection with a claim for allowance in respect of exceptional depreciation of other vessels. I cannot agree with my hon. Friend's suggestion that this view in any way violates either the provisions of the law or the terms of any undertaking given by the Board of Inland Revenue.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the policy in question differentiates very unfairly between shipowners who ordered ships during the War and those who declined to take the risk of ordering them during that period?

I am aware that that contention has been advanced, but I made a reply to it in the Debate on the Finance Bill, when the matter was fully discussed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the difference between English and Continental shipping rates on goods to South America; and if, seeing that the shipping combine charges —5 per ton from English ports while similar goods are carried from Antwerp to the same destinations for 65 francs, and that such a handicap will either kill British trade or force British traders to ship via Antwerp to the great loss of British shipping, he will look into the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but my attention has not previously been called to the particular rates mentioned in the second part. This matter has already been taken up by the Board of Trade with the British shipping companies, who state that the low Continental rates must be unremunerative, and that their own rates cannot in general be further reduced at present, owing to heavy operating expenses. The Board of Trade have no power to control freight rates, but if my hon. Friend would care to give me particulars of any specific cases in which he considers British trade interests are being imperilled I shall be happy to give them further consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether and when it is proposed to publish the Report of the South Wales Regional Survey Committee set up by the ex-Minister of Health; and whether, if publication is not proposed, he will give his reasons?

An abridged version of the Report of this Committee will be published shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in Bridgwater, through the failure of the local authority to promote and commence operations on a housing scheme, many workmen in the building trades have had to go elsewhere for employment, and many still living in the town are working short time: and whether, in view of the present housing shortage, he will make representations to the local authority on this matter?

The case of Bridgwater will be considered in connection with the needs of other places, and all relevant circumstances will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the total cost of the recent Census; and when he expects to be able to publish the results?

The estimated cost of the Census in England, Scotland and Wales is —500,000. The actual expenditure cannot be ascertained until the completion of the reports, but it is not anticipated that the estimate will be exceeded. The Registrar-General's preliminary report, with the population figures for counties, boroughs, urban and rural districts, and Parliamentary areas, is now in the hands of the printer, and will be published in about a week's time. The further reports, which will be issued from time to time, will, it is expected, be completed in about two years.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can state the number of cases in which applications for allowances have been made by dependants of ex-service men who have developed, since demobilisation, fatal maladies; the number of applications approved and the number rejected; and the general instructions given by the Department to the tribunals dealing with such cases?

The group of applications referred to are not separately classified in our records, and I am therefore unable to give the information re- quired without an unjustifiable expenditure of public money. The instructions issued to the branch of the Ministry which considers applications by dependants are designed to secure that no claim shall be rejected if the conditions of entitlement laid down in the-Royal Warrant are fulfilled. I may add, for the information of my hon. Friend, that the expenditure falling on the Vote of this Ministry for pensions to parents and other dependants (exclusive of widows and children) amounted last year to over —9,200,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, notwithstanding paragraph 13 of the third interim Lytton Report, there are at the present time employed at the Post Office Savings Bank Department at Blyth Road, West Kensington, 1,195 non-service women and 10 non-service men as against only 282 ex-service men under temporary appointments; that the heads of this and other Departments have in practice deliberately declined to act upon the recommendation of the Lytton third interim Report or to carry out the expressed intention of Parliament with regard to precedence being given to ex-service men; and whether, seeing that such action tends to largely increase the at present large pool of redundant ex-service men clerks which have to be dealt with at the Joint Substitution Board, which was declared was most undesirable by the Lytton Report above mentioned, he will, in conjunction with the Ministerial heads, endeavour to induce the permanent heads of Departments to carry out the decisions of Parliament in favour of the preference of ex-service men?

I have been asked to answer this question. In the Post Office Savings Bank Department, 1,250 temporary women are employed, but of these 22 are ex-service, and 173 have qualified for permanent posts. Of the temporary men employed only seven are non-service. Most of the women are employed on work recognised as women's work, and cannot be replaced by men, while those who are not so employed are to be displaced by permanent officers as soon as these become available from the recent special competition. No discharges of ex-service men are taking place from this Depart- ment, and preference for retention will be given to ex-service men if and when discharges become necessary.

asked the Minister of Health the present number of unpen-sioned widows and children of ex-service men either in Poor Law institutions or in receipt of Poor Law relief?

I regret that I have no information as to the number of such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the bonus of —5 in respect of each year of his Territorial service has not been paid to the mother of the late Gunner Arthur George Bowley, Royal Field Artillery, though the officer in charge of the Royal Field Artillery records certified on 24th June, 1920, that the mother was eligible for the award, and frequent attention has been directed to the claim by the Andover War Pensions Committee?

The bounty earned by the deceased soldier was £15, but it is not known whether any payment was made in India on the soldier commencing his extended period of service, and his account, which was finally closed in India, does not give credit for any unpaid balance. Correspondence with India is still proceeding, and settlement will be specially expedited.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any intentionof selling Lumps Fort, or if it is proposed to build officers' quarters on that site; and if he is aware that loads of timber and cement are being taken to this fort which gives the appearance of building operations in the near future?

There is no intention of selling Lumps Fort. Two officers' quarters are now being constructed on that site.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Commissioner of Police has issued instructions that the present practice under which passengers are allowed to stand inside tramcars and omnibuses is to stop at an early date; whether the Ministry of Transport has been consulted on the matter; whether, if this Order is enforced, it is likely that serious hardship will be caused to the public during the rush hours of the day owing to the shortage of vehicles available; whether a similar course is proposed to be adopted on suburban railways in the Metropolitan area; and, if not, will he consider whether steps can be taken to ensure that this question shall be dealt with on the same lines as regards all means of suburban locomotion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Tram-car and omnibus authorities in the Metropolitan police district have been notified by the Commissioner of Police that the statutory provisions as to excess passengers, which have not been enforced during the War, must be complied with as from the 1st October, and after that date no excess passengers will be allowed to stand inside tramcars and omnibuses. The Commissioner is satisfied that sufficient tramcars and omnibuses are now available to be brought into service to meet the requirements of the public even during the rush hours. It was not thought necessary to consult the Ministry of Transport, who are not concerned in this question. The question of overcrowding in suburban railways is a different matter governed by separate statutory provisions, and I would suggest that my hon. and gallant Friend should address the latter part of his question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the reply from the Minister of Transport was only received to-day to the effect that the overcrowding in suburban trains is still continuing, and if this practice is to continue in suburban trains, why are not the same facilities to be given in the case of the trams and omnibuses to the people who wish to get home from their work?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that great hardship will be inflicted on thousands of people who have to work for their lining in London in their effort to get home when it is raining?

The question and the supplementary questions are quite separate. I have referred the hon. and gallant Gentleman in respect of one part of the question to the Minister of Transport. As to the other part of the question, the Commissioner of Police is satisfied that there will be plenty of transport to carry the people even during the rush hours.

Rubbish! Bunkum!

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise the hardship that will be inflicted on these poor people during the winter months, because certain Government Departments say that people must not be allowed to stand in an omnibus or in a tramcar?

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the people who are in the habit of travelling by tramcars and omnibuses before enforcing this Order, and not only those who travel by motor-cars and other things?

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the Chief Whip of his party before insisting upon this Order, which does not allow people to travel standing up?

I do not think that this question has anything to do with the Chief Whip. We have not only consulted the people who have to stand, but we do the same thing ourselves. The Commissioner of Police says that he is satisfied that there is no necessity for continuing the suspension of the rule after 30th October.

Has the Commissioner of Police seen the queues for the trams and omnibuses, and if so, how can he say that in wet weather there will be sufficient accommodation? Has he taken into consideration the severe hardship that will be inflicted on these poor people?

If the Noble Lord will read my answer he will see that the Commissioner of Police is satisfied on this point. A number of extra cars are being brought in, and it does not follow that those cars are in use to-day, but the Commissioner is satisfied that there will be sufficient accommodation under the new service.

Will the Commissioner of Police get a return of the number of people in various parts of London who travel between 6 o'clock and 9, and the seating accommodation provided in the tramcars and omnibuses? and then he will be convinced that there is not proper accommodation provided for these people.

I shall require notice of that question.

I should think so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been received during the present financial year for the sale of war stores by the Disposal Board?

During the period 1st April, 1921, to the 6th August, the figure amounted to —5,497,000. This excludes receipts in respect of sales overseas, totalling to rather more than —1,000,000, which have not yet been remitted to this country.

asked the Chan cellor of the Exchequer whether it is possible for him to put a value upon the war stores still held by the Disposal Board?

I have been asked to reply. I would explain to my hon. Friend that stores are being notified continually to the Board for disposal, and sales from existing stocks are being made daily, and, further, that, especially in view of the fluctuations in the current market conditions, it is impossible to give an estimate of the value of the stores held by the Disposal Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the revocation of the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order (No. 2), 1919, will operate as from the date of the coming into force of the new Licensing Act or as from 1st July, 1921, or 30th September next?

On the assumption that the new Licensing Act will become operative before the end of September, the Intoxicating Liquor {Output and Delivery) Order (No. 2), 1919, will apply to the quarter commencing on the 1st July, 1921, but not to any succeeding quarter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has any information to the effect that Ibrahim Yussry Effendi, Mamour of Abnoub, was tried and fined E£lO for insulting Halim Azer Fanous Effendi, who refused to sign a declaration of confidence in Adly Pasha and the present Egyptian Cabinet;

(2)whether he has any information that the authorities of the Kafr El-Sheikh district of Egypt threatened the inhabitants of Aremone that, unless they would consent to sign declarations of confidence in Adly Pasha and his Cabinet, they would be allowed no water to irrigate their lands and would not be permitted to get loans from the banks;

(3) whether he is aware that, in the second week in June of this year, the authorities of Fakous, in Markeya Province, arrested Abdul Moneim Elsayed Effendi, a student in Tewfikieh school, took from him by force declarations of confidence in Saad Zaghloul Pasha, and then took him to the Government House; and can he make a statement on the subject?

I have no information on the subject of these three questions. They refer to incidents that solely concern the Egyptian Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that ground mineral phosphate of a quality much more rapid in its action than Nauru phosphates, and therefore of greater real fertilising value, can be obtained in the open market at 2s. per unit of phosphate of lime, as compared with 3s. per unit for slag phosphate; whether the Ministry will take the necessary steps to reduce the excessive price now being charged for slag phosphate; whether he is aware that, before the phosphate commissioners entered into contracts with the Slag Phosphate Company, the Ministry had intimated they would not allow the whole of the English allocation of Nauru phosphates to be sold to any single interest; and will he state the reason which actuated the change of attitude on the part of the Ministry resulting in the sale of the total allocation to the Slag Phosphate Company, Limited, or the South Wales Basic Slag Company, Limited?