asked the Minister of Pensions (1) how many cases of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis have been dealt with by the Appeals Tribunal during the 12 months ending 1st July, 1921; what is the number of such appeals which have been rejected by the tribunals during that period;

(2) how many cases of ex-service men suffering from neurasthenia have been dealt with by the Appeals Tribunal during the 12 months ending 1st July, 1921; and what is the number of such appeals which have been rejected by the tribunals during that period?

:I have now made further inquiries, and I find that it is not possible to supply this information without very considerable labour and expense, which I am not prepared to authorise.

:Is it not most desirable that people generally should know how the soldiers are being treated, and how these tribunals are doing their work; and in the absence of the details how is it possible to form any opinion?

:All questions with regard to the Court of Appeal are answered by the Attorney-General. To give the details asked for would mean looking up individual cases to the extent of several thousands, and I cannot now authorise that expenditure.

:asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis are now in sanatoria, without pension or treatment allowance of any kind; and if he is aware that many of these men were, prior to their war service, strong and healthy, and began that service as A1 men?

:I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. I would remind my hon. Friend that tuberculosis is a disease which is unhappily prevalent under ordinary civil conditions. The function of the pensions warrant is to compensate for disability due to war service only. If, however, a claim to pension is rejected on the ground that the disability is not of this character, the claimant has a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

:What is the nature of the independent tribunal to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred? Is it the Lords Tribunal?

:It is an independent tribunal created by a Statute of this House, over which the Minister of Pensions has no jurisdiction whatever.

:Is it the Lords Appeal Tribunal?

:Certainly.

:It is like sending the men to a sentence of death. They are turning down cases wholesale.

:I gave the hon. Member an answer to his question, and it is not for me to defend the appeal tribunal of the House of Lords, or the system under which they do their business. No less than 52 per cent. of the cases heard were unchanged, and 61 yer cent, were increased.

:Is there any representative of that appeal tribunal in this House?

:There is no direct representative in this House so far as I know, but the Attorney-General answers questions relating to the appeal tribunal.

:How can there be 52 per cent. unchanged, and 61 per cent. increased? How do the Lords do that?

:If the right hon. Gentleman can give the figures as to the percentages, how is it that he cannot answer the very simple question which I have put to him?

:The Attorney-General answers these questions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, in consequence of the probability of the War Pensions Bill shortly becoming law, many ex-service men are being discharged from the district pension offices; that an ex-service pensioner, named Williams, who lost a leg in the War, has received notice to leave the pension office at Matlock on the 27th August, though several of the officials at the central pension office, Derby, are men of military age who have done no Army service, one of whom is to be sent to take the place of Williams in the office at Matlock; and whether he will take such steps as will ensure Williams's services being retained?

:I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the many thousands of pensioners whose pensions have been reduced during the present year as a result of special examinations by medical boards; whether any special instructions have been given to medical boards that in the interests of economy examinations should be much more severe than hitherto; and whether he will take such steps as are necessary to bring to the notice of each pensioner the exact method by which he can appeal against the decision of the medical board which reduces or discontinues his pension.

:As I have repeatedly stated, no instructions in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend have been issued by my Department, and this fact was confirmed most explicitly by the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, whose report has recently been published. The fact that during the past twelve months the percentage of cases in which the assessment was unchanged or increased has risen from 52·5 to 61·8, is alone sufficient to refute the suggestion that any such instructions could have been issued. Pensioners are, I am satisfied, fully aware of their rights of appeal and exercise them; and I do not consider that any special steps, such as are suggested in the last part of the question, are called for.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of issuing a special leaflet to these men when their examination has been concluded by the medical board, stating whether it has been decided to continue or discontinue the pensions?

:I think that such a leaflet has in many cases been issued. My experience is that every pensioner generally knows his rights, but I will look further into the matter.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question is based upon what happens in hundreds of cases?

asked the Minister of Pensions what buildings will be available for other purposes, and in what localities, when the pesions staff is removed to Acton; and when it is expected that the latter building will fee completed and the requisite staff transferred?

:The greater part of the Acton buildings will be required, in order to release for demolition, the Cumberland Gate and Chester Gate Huts, Regent's Park. The utilisation of the remainder is under consideration, and it is hoped to make use of it, in order to vacate expensive rented accommodation in the Westminster area. Portions of the Acton buildings have already been completed, and are gradually being brought into use. The buildings are expected to be finally completed in March, 1922, and they will be occupied immediately they are ready.

:Will there be a considerable s'aving by the removal of this large staff?

:Undoubtedly.

:Has the Pensions Ministry staff got into this building at Acton? Are the buildings which they now occupy in various parts of London being vacated as the staff get into the offices at Acton?

:Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reason for the delay in publishing the reports of the various committees appointed last year to inquire into the staffing of the Government Departments, and the name of the Ministry the Report on which the Government do not propose to publish?

:Three of these reports were published in December last. Preparations were being made in March for the publication of the remaining reports, but the Ministerial changes which took place at that time necessitated a further reference to the new Ministers who were appointed to the Departments concerned. I regret that this should have caused some delay in the publication of the reports. It is not proposed to publish the report on the Ministry of Munitions, in view of the fact that the Ministry has ceased to exist.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report on the Ministry of Munitions is favourable or unfavourable to the Government?

:That has certainly nothing to do with the question as to the determination whether to publish or not to publish, but I should have thought that in the interests of economy my hon. Friend would wish to save any printing which was unnecessary.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to a report published this morning the-re are over 2,000 more Government officials than there were in May?

:That does not arise on this question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether about 28 temporary clerks on the staff for general service have been added this year to the permanent staff.

:No, sir; none of the temporary clerks of the Ministry has been added to the permanent staff this year. In the interests of economy, it was found possible to keep the temporary male clerks employed last year within a maximum number of 74, though 99 were provided for in the Estimates for that year, and consequently only 74 are included in this year's Estimates.

:Is it a fact that there are 28 additional assistant clerks this year, and were those appointments sanctioned by the Chairman of the Business Committee?

:There were, as the hon. Member says, certain additions to the assistant clerks who are members of the Civil Service. There was a great mass of additional work thrown upon the Ministry in connection with the preparation of the Railways Bill, and it must not be taken that those assistant clerks are permanent additions to the staff. Reductions have already been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, out of 1,183 members of the staff employed in the Food Department, no less than 260 appertain to the establishment division at a cost of nearly £50,000 per annum; and whether, in view of the routine nature of the work performed, he will undertake to personally investigate the staffing and work of the division and consider an immediate reduction by 50 per cent.?

:I am satisfied that the staff of the Establishment Division of the Food Department is being progressively reduced at as rapid a rate as is consistent with the carrying out of essential services, and I may instance the fact that the annual rate of £50,000 quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend has already been reduced to £44,000, and by the end of this month will be further reduced to £41,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, out of a staff of employés in receipt of salaries ranging from £250 to £700 per annum in the Establishment Division of the Board of Trade Food Department, there are only two ex-service men employed; and whether, in view of the routine nature of the duties performed in this section, he will issue immediate instructions that all the non-service staff shall be substituted by ex-officers and men of His Majesty's forces, and at the same time have a review made of the salaries paid in each case, with a view to reducing them to a figure more in proportion to the value of the work performed, having regard to the salaries paid for the more important work of liquidation?

:The retention of the officials to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers is in accordance with the recommendations of the Departmental Substitution Committee of the Ministry of Food, appointed under the terms of the Lytton Report. It has been the consistent policy of the Department to substitute ex-service men in every case where this can be effected without detriment to the public service. I am satisfied that the salaries have been settled strictly in proportion to the responsibilities of the work performed.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the clerks draws £400 or £500 a year, that his only duty is to register typewriters, and that he is drawing more money than clerks who are responsible in the Liquidation Department for dealing with millions of money per annum?

:I should be very surprised if that were a fact.

:If it is true that there are only two ex-service men employed, and if Substitution Committees have really been set up in accordance with the Lytton Committee's recommendations, how can that state of affairs be possible?

:The hon. Member must realise that this is a temporary staff, which is gradually in process of disappearance, and the four non-service members of the staff, including the number given to-day, are under notice, and they are purely temporary officers.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in spite of the undertaking of the Treasury that they would carry out the spirit of the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, this kind of complaint is continuous?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of the Regulations made by the late Minister of Food were made under the Defence of the Realm Act, and seeing that those Regulations cease on the 1st September with the termination of the War, will he see that the whole of the staff connected with this Department is dismissed?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the fact that it is officially stated that no charge is contemplated in the position of the permanent Secretary of the Admiralty in regard to the Board, whether the Board will give an assurance that no Order in Council will be made affecting the position of the permanent Secretary until Parliament has reassembled and has the power of questioning such an Order in Council?

:I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my replies to his previous questions on this subject. No Order in Council inconsistent with these replies is in contemplation. I cannot, however, give the assurance asked for, which would amount to an undesirable constitutional innovation.

:Is the hon Gentleman aware that I have never had a direct answer to this question, and that the Navy and the Sea Lords are genuinely alarmed at the prospect of a change by which a servant of the Admiralty becomes a member of the Board?

:I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend is entitled to speak on behalf of any members of the Board of Admiralty.

:Is it within the hon. Gentleman's knowledge that there is a Cabinet Order which says that this change is to be made?

:No change in the constitution of the Board of Admiralty is in contemplation.

:Is there a Cabinet Order that this change is to be made?

:I believe there was a Cabinet Order some time ago, but it does not affect the position of the Admiralty.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of persons admitted into the Civil Service in consequence of their success in examinations set by the Commissioners during the past 12 months; and whether he can say how such figures compare with a similar pre-War period?

:A great deal of labour would be required to give the information desired for periods of 12 months other than calendar years. The total number of persons in whose favour certificates of qualification for appointment to the Civil Service was issued in 1920 (1st January to 31st December) was 24,764. In addition, Special Recommendations were issued in favour of 884 disabled ex-service men under the Order in Council of the 22nd March, 1918. The number of persons certificated in 1913 was 17,819; in 1914 is was 18,424. Each of these totals includes persons who for one reason or another were appointed without educational examination.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of candidates who qualified in the Civil Ser- vice examinations held in November, December, and March last, and the number who have received appointments?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many temporary clerks in the service, who competed in 1920 for permanent clerkships, satisfied the qualifying standard and became listed for employment; how many of these have been placed, how many remain to be placed, and when they may expect to be placed; whether some temporary clerks who did not qualify have been retained in the service while others who did qualify have been dismissed; and whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by the latter in carrying on while waiting for the employment promised them?

:The number of qualified candidates at the examination for men clerical officers held in November and December, 1920, and in March, 1921, was 4,093, of whom 425 have been appointed to permanent posts. It is hoped that the remaining qualified ex-service candidates will be offered posts by the end of this year. At the women's competition the number of qualified candidates was 1,662, of whom 354 have been appointed to permanent posts. The appointment of further numbers of the qualified women candidates must depend, under the terms of the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, upon the rate of appointment of the ex-service men candidates. In regulating discharges of temporary personnel prior to the declaration of the results of the recent limited examinations, it was of course impossible to forecast what those results would be, but priority of retention was, as far as possible, accorded to all who had sat for the examinations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any aliens are at present employed in Government offices; and, if so, whether he can give the number?

:Aliens are debarred from employment in the permanent Civil Service. Employment in an unestablished and subordinate position, such as that of charwomen, is not absolutely prohibited, but cases of such employment, if any, are extremely few.

:Do I understand that aliens are employed at this moment while thousands of ex-service men are out of work?

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that under the Aliens Act passed two years ago the employment of any alien in any capacity in the Civil Service is prohibited?

:I have already stated, in reply to the question, that I am not aware of any such case, but as regards short temporary employment it is impossible to say at any given moment that there are no such cases in existence. As to such cases where the employment may be of a charwoman only for a week it is not worth while to make a calculation.

:In view of the fact that the end of the War found hundreds of aliens employed in various Government Departments, is it not satisfactory that these have all now been discharged, and that there are no more aliens in Government employment?

:What calculation is necessary to ascertain whether a woman is an alien or not?

:What period of time in the employment of the Government is covered by the word "temporary"?

:I could not fix a definite limit. It varies from one period to another.

:Will the hon. Gentleman take steps now to see that no alien is continued in the employment of any Government Department as long as the Labour bureaus can supply woman labour of our own nationality?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that orders issued by general headquarters, Irish republican army, captured by the Military, definitely stated that executions could only be carried out on the written order of the local brigade commandant; whether he is aware that the brigade commandant for the area in which Mrs. Lindsay was kidnapped is John Hegarty, of Douglas Road, Cork, who was for some time storeman at the Cork union workhouse, and therefore a paid servant of the Local Government Board; and whether he can state whether this person is now drawing Government pay, and is therefore a servant of the Government?

:Orders signed by the Adjutant-General, Irish Republican Army, on the 20th April, 1921, stated that a convicted spy "shall not be executed until his conviction and sentence have been ratified by the Brigade Commander concerned," and that " all cases of execution of spies shall be notified at once to the Adjutant-General." The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, but this man has been on the run for nearly twelve months, and about three months ago another storeman was appointed in his place.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that all Government officials who are known to be rebels and disloyal will be dismissed immediately the truce ends?

:That is entirely a different question, which I am not now prepared to answer.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in January, 1919, certain munitions were taken over by the Royal Irish Constabulary from Messrs. Craig's Engineering Works, Londonderry; that on 24th June, 1919, Messrs. Craig were informed by the Ministry of Munitions that their claim would be passed at a very early date; that on 7th November, 1919, Messrs. Craig were referred to the War Office; that on 24th November, 1919, the Ministry of Munitions were unable to trace Messrs. Craig's claim at all, and referred them to the War Office; that by the 5th February, 1920, the War Office had referred the claim to the General Officer Commanding, Ireland, with a request that action be taken as early as possible; that on 12th February, 1920, general headquarters, Ireland, were making every endeavour to arrive at an early settlement; and that by 24th March, 1920, they had referred the claim to the Irish Government, to whom they sent a hastener on the 7th May, 1920, with the result that by 22nd April, 1921, the matter was referred back to the War Office who, on the 21st May, 1921, informed the claimants that their claim had again been referred from the War Office to the Irish Office for settlement (reference 2/9,473 O. S.), since when nothing has been received by Messrs. Craig; and when will these interchanges cease and Messrs. Craig be paid?

:I regret that the decision of this case has been so long delayed, and have taken steps to secure that an early decision shall be reached.

:What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by an early decision? Cannot he inform the House when it will be made?

:At the. earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Chief Secretary what provision is now made by way of pension or compensation to men of the Irish police force who were wounded or injured in the discharge of their duties during the Irish rebellion of 1916 and to the dependants of the men who were killed in that rebellion; whether any compensation can be obtained in such cases under the Malicious Injuries Act of 1919 and any increases of pension can be granted under the Increases of Pensions Act, 1920; and whether provision will be made for such cases in the Regulations made by the Irish Government consequent on the passing of the Police Pensions Act?

:Extra-statutory pensions were awarded to members of the Irish police forces injured in the rebellion of 1916, and to the dependants of members killed. No compensation could be awarded in these cases under the Criminal Injuries Act of 1919. The statutory part of the pensions awarded is increased so far as the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act permit. The Pensions Order to be made by the Irish Government will not apply to pensioners who retired before the 1st April, 1919.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question, whether provision will be made for these men in the Regulations which are now to be issued by the Irish Government?

:I cannot answer that part of the question, as the Regulations are not yet completed.

:Do I understand that the Regulations will make provision for increasing the pensions of or compensation to members of the force injured in the course of their duty?

:In drawing up the Regulations that matter will be fully considered.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is at the present time sitting at the Royal Irish Constabulary headquarters in Dublin a body representing fully 12,000 men who are wishing to be disbanded on the Appointed Day? Will they be disbanded?

:The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

:This is a matter of very great urgency. Cannot an answer be given?

:I observed that the hon. Member was here yesterday. He could have put down the question.

:I never received it myself until this morning.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the disbandment of the South Persia Rifles has now been decided upon owing to the refusal of the Persian Government to take the force over; and, if so, can he state what is to become of the guns, rifles, stores, equipment, horses, and mules supplied by the Indian Government, and what compensation is to be paid by Persia to the Government of India for the cost of these and for the expense incurred in maintaining peace and security in Southern Persia all this time?

:The dissolution of the South Persia Rifles is already in progress and about one-third of the force has been disbanded. Negotiations, however, are being carried on with the Persian Government both with a view to maintaining some part of the force in being and on the points mentioned in the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

:Is the disbandment being carried out peacefully, or by the men going off with their rifles?

:I cannot answer that at the moment.

:If part of the force is retained, will the Persian Government be asked to pay some part of the cost? Although the force was created without their consent, if part of it is kept should they not be asked to pay?

:I think that will be so.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether this country owes considerable sums to the republic of Azerbaijan in respect of the transport and provisioning of troops and other matters; what is the total amount of such indebtedness; and will is Majesty's Government take steps to earmark such moneys as a fund to provide in some measure for the just claims of British nationals whose properties at Baku have been confiscated.

:This country owed to the late Government of Azerbaijan certain sums in respect of transactions which took place during the occupation of parts of the Caucasus by British troops, after the Armistice with Turkey. The amount at present ascertained is £450,017, but the exact amount cannot be stated pending the results of the examination of the accounts of the local military authorities which is at present taking place. The question of the method in which these amounts shall be accounted for has not been finally determined pending the final determination of the future status of Azerbaijan. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

:There being a, legitimate claim, will it not be possible for the Government to safeguard the interests of British Nationals who have lost their property?

:Whatever action may be taken to safeguard the interests of British nationals, I am afraid it cannot be done in this way.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before the House rises, he can give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will do all possible to expedite the reparation which his Department has admitted is owing to Mrs. Stan Harding for the treatment she received in Russia, and so insist upon justice being meted out to British citizens who have suffered gross maltreatment under a foreign flag?

:The British official agent in Moscow is being instructed to make strong representations to the Soviet Government on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in providing relief for the victims of the Russian famine, he will consider the desirability of ameliorating the present depressed condition of the Scottish fishing population by providing for the export of cured herrings as part of the British contribution to such relief?

:In the event of arrangements being made for the dispatch of foodstuffs to Russia, this suggestion will be considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Trade Commissioners appointed to represent this country abroad have been directed to make their reports through the Foreign Office?

:The Trade Commissioners throughout the British Empire make all their reports direct to the Department of Overseas Trade. The commercial diplomatic officers in foreign countries make their reports direct to the Department except when such reports have a substantial political interest. In the latter case they are made to the Foreign Office through the head of the diplomatic mission concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state approximately the number of standing passengers carried by omnibuses and tramcars during the three months ending 31st December last, and the three months ending 30th June last?

:I regret that I have no information as to the number of excess passengers which have been carried, and could give no approximate figures.

:May I ask how the Commissioner of Police can possibly be aware that the omnibus and tramway companies will be able to provide sufficient accommodation for these passengers on the 1st October, if the numbers are not known?

:I do not see how that point arises.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will be impossible for these people to travel by District trains, which, in the crush hours, are more than crowded already?

:What is the reason for making this Order?

:This is a matter of importance, and as the House is going to rise in a few days, is it not necessary—

:I observe that the next question on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member is on the same point. Will he put that?

asked the Home Secretary whether the Chief Commissioner of Police, before issuing instruc- tions that the present practice, under which passengers are allowed to stand inside tramcars and omnibuses, was to stop at an early date, consulted the various tramway and omnibus undertakings in the Metropolitan area; whether arrangements have been made by many "of these undertakings to supplement their present fleets in order to better cope with the existing traffic requirements, and to enable them to carry the public without the need for standing; what are the numbers of new motor omnibuses and tramcars which the London GeneralOmnibus Company and the London County Council, respectively, have either in course of manufacture or on order, and what proportion of these additional vehicles will be available before 1st October, the date when the prohibition as to standing inside vehicles is to come into force; what steps were taken by the Chief Commissioner to satisfy himself that sufficient tramcars and omnibuses will be available to meet the requirements of the public, having regard to the daily scenes of overcrowding which take place at certain hours at important traffic points in the City and West End, and bearing in mind further that during the cold weather and wet winter months that are coming on the need for inside accommodation will be much greater than is the case at the present time; and whether he will arrange for an inquiry into the matter, and for the different traffic authorities to be fully consulted, before a decision is enforced which is likely under existing conditions to cause great hardship, especially amongst women and girl workers?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, even if 25 per cent. more tramcars were placed upon the roads between now and 1st October, it would be quite impossible for the tramcars to carry all the passengers going to work early in the morning and travelling home after working hours; and if he will reconsider the question of putting into force on 1st October the decision announced by him?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police proposes to withdraw the present facilities whereby passengers are allowed to stand inside omnibuses and tramcars on the 1st of October; whether the effect of such action must be to enormously increase the queue at all stopping places during such hours, and also to necessitate a very large increase in the number of tramcars and omnibuses at certain periods and in certain localities; whether he is aware that the Ministry of Transport has not been consulted; whether he can give directions for the matter to be further considered by both the Home Office and the Ministry of Transport before the Chief Comissioner puts his proposal into effect, which can only cause many hundreds of thousands of workmen to lose many millions of hours of leisure, and inflict the maximum of hardship upon them?

:The decision of the Commissioner of Police is not a new regulation made by him, but is merely an intimation that, after 1st October, he will have to enforce provisions which have been laid down by Parliament. By Act of Parliament it is a criminal offence, for which both driver and conductor are liable to penalties if- any excess passengers be carried in omnibuses and, subject to limited exceptions, in tramcars. During the War the Commissioner decided, in the public interest, not to enforce the provisions.

The tramcar and omnibus authorities knew that this concession was a wartime measure, and could not. be continued indefinitely, and the Commissioner did not consider that he was justified in continuing it after the 1st October. They have now requested the Commissioner to receive their representatives before it is definitely decided to enforce the law, and he will be happy to do so. If, after consideration of all the facts, a postponement of date be found to be necessary, it will be made.

The primary object of the Commissioner is to see that the general public are not subjected to the danger and inconvenience of overcrowding, if that can possibly be avoided; but he realises that the public would rather have overcrowding than inadequate facilities of transport, and his decision will be influenced by that knowledge.

:May I ask whether, considering that the House will be rising in a very few days, when we shall have no opportunity of discussing the matter, the right hon. Gentleman will give a promise here and now that the Order shall not be put into operation until there is better weather—in the spring—taking into consideration the large number of people who will be adversely affected? Will the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to reply to that part of my question, where I ask for the numbers of new omnibuses and tramcars which the General Omnibus Company and the London County Council respectively are constructing, seeing that he has stated there will be plenty of accommodation available by the 1st October?

:Why, since the passengers are complacent and the companies are capable, will the right hon. Gentleman not try letting them alone?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware it was stated in the House the other day that this was not a traffic problem, and that the Minister of Transport had not been consulted? May I ask whether, in view of the fact that an extra number of omnibuses and trams will have to be employed to carry the passengers, it will not increase the traffic congestion, and thus become a traffic problem? Has the Commissioner of Police consulted the Minister of Transport to find out his views as to the advisability of putting the Order into operation?

:I must ask for notice of that question.

:On a point of Order. Owing to the reticence of the right hon. Gentleman, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow.

:May I have an answer to my question?

:The hon. Member's question was not relevant to the one on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport whether an economy can now be effected in the salary (£5,000) of the Chairman of the Bates Advisory Committee?

:The Rates Advisory Committee have still important work to finish in connection with the classification of merchandise, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is unable to recommend any reduction in the salary of the learned Chairman. I may add, how- ever, that if he consents to accept the Presidency of the Bates Tribunal no additional salary will be paid during the period in which both the committee and tribunal are in existence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to communicate to the House the Report of the Departmental Committee on Speeds of all Vehicles on the Public Highways; and, if not, whether, in view of the urgent necessity of revision of the existing regulations, he will expedite the conclusion of the Committee's labours?

:The Departmental Committee have not yet prepared their report on this matter, but I am informed that they hope to be in a position to do so early in the autumn.

asked the Prime Minister whether Prince Aziz Hassan has been refused permission to come to this country; if so, why; and whether this restriction can be immediately removed?

:Both the Egyptian Government and Lord Allenby considered that the admission of Prince, Aziz Hassan to this country would be most inadvisable. I see no reason to dissent from their view.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, as the result of Prussian exactions and oppression, the native inhabitants of Heligoland have issued a memorandum asking that the island may be granted self-government; and whether, in view of the obligations of this country to the Heligolanders under the treaty by which the island was ceded to Germany, and the fact that in a number of respects Germany has failed to carry out the terms' of the treaty, the Government will endeavour to arrange for the reference of the question of the future status of the island to the League of Nations, so that the principle of self-determination which has governed the Cabinet's policy in other cases may be given effect to.

:I have no knowledge of the memorandum in question. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Wirrall (Mr. Stewart) on 8th August.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the League of Nations is now charged with the duty of deciding how much opium is to be grown in the world and how much is required for medicinal purposes and of preventing the cultivation of the poppy to any greater extent than will suffice to satisfy this need; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, can he say how the League proposes to enforce its decrees in foreign countries such as China and Persia?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. Article 23 of the Treaty of Peace entrusts the League with the general supervision over the execution of the International Opium Convention of 1912 and any Conventions on the same subject which may hereafter be concluded. One provision of the existing Convention requires the signatories to enact effective laws or regulations for the control of the production and distribution of opium, but it does not rest with the League to decide how much opium is to be grown. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

:Would not this little effort, in addition to the very great matters which have lately been referred to the League, prove too much for that body in its youth?

:I think not.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will confer with Mr. Speaker as to the possibility of devising means of affording the House an opportunity of taking official notice of the death of a colleague and paying a mark of respect to his memory?

:I have carefully considered this question, and have had an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Speaker on the subject. The present practice of the House in these matters is guided by custom and precedent. It is true that our established practice does not always afford an opportunity for expression within the House of the feelings which we entertain for a colleague who has passed away, but I venture to think that our predecessors acted wisely, and that it would be a mistake to regulate our procedure by any formal rules.

:Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there is some incongruity in the fact that while, if a Member of this House happen to die within the precincts, we at once adjourn as a mark of respect to his memory, yet, if he die outside the precincts, however distinguished he may be, we go on with our business just the same?

:In dealing with a great historic institution like this House, precedent, I think, has great weight, and really guides, if I may say so, the expression of our feelings, though it does not control them. I think it would be very difficult to frame any rule which would really be applicable to all circumstances, and that the formality of a rule would detract immensely from the testimony which we now pay to a colleague whose memory we desire to honour, whether it be upon the Floor of this House or whether it be in such ways as are open to us in the Commons House of Parliament or elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any particulars with regard to the cruiser "Vigilant," His Majesty's Customs and Excise; on what duties she is employed; how much she originally cost; what is the annual cost of upkeep; and upon what Vote is the charge shown?

:The "Vigilant" is the only Customs Revenue vessel established on a seagoing basis. She is utilised for watching, boarding and searching vessels for contraband in the estuarial waters of the Thames, and for making visits of inspection round the coast. The present vessel was formerly the Admiralty surveying trawler "Esther," and was transferred from the Admiralty in 1919, at a nominal charge of £6,500, to replace a worn-out vessel of the same name. The cost of upkeep, including fuel, stores, and repairs, for the year 1920–21 was £2,800, and the charge is shown on the Customs and Excise Vote.

:Do not the Admiralty employ coastguard cruisers for watching purposes to perform the same duties, and is it not the fact that, the week-end before last, the " Vigilant '' attended a local regatta at, I think, Holyhead, and is practically a yacht for the benefit of certain officials of the Customs and Excise?

:I am certain that the suggestion contained in the last part of the Noble Lord's supplementary question is quite unjustified. With regard to the former part, those are details which I think the Noble Lord might put upon the Paper.

:Will not this vessel have plenty of work to do in connection with the anti-dumping regulations?

:With reference to that part of the answer which relates to the visiting of Customs stations, is there any reason why Customs inspectors should not go by train at a much less cost, instead of apeing the Admiralty by taking a yacht round?

:That question assumes that there is unwarranted expense. I have told the House what the expense is, and the figure in itself shows that there cannot be any undue use of the vessel in the way that the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amounts of Exchequer grants to universities in England and Wales for the years 1890, 1900, 1910, and 1920, respectively?

:In the financial year 1890–91 the Exchequer grant was £28,500; in 1900–01, £42,000; in 1910–11, £154,250; in 1919–20, £742,000, of which £510,500 was described as recurrent, and £231,500 as non-recurrent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been able to form any estimate of the cost of the recent coal dispute to the various Departments, by reason of unemployment pay, on account of the Defence Corps, and by the loss of export trade?

:I would refer to the reply given on the 5th July to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn). As regards actual expenditure by the Government, it is necessary to add to the figures then given, amounting to £18,855,000, certain items included in the Supplementary Estimates presented to the House in June and July, namely:—

As regards unemployment pay, the amount directly due to the coal dispute cannot be calculated with certainty. On the assumption, however, that if there had been no coal dispute, the level of unemployment from April to July would have been the same as in March, it has been estimated that the amount of unemployment pay distributed showed an increase due to the coal stoppage of £13,000,000.

As regards export trade, it has been estimated that volume during the period of stoppage was less than might have been expected by some £40,000,000 or £50,000,000.

I wish to emphasise that the above figures represent the cumulative effect of many conditions, the most important of which was no doubt the coal stoppage. It would, however, be misleading to ascribe the total effect to that single cause.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that a number of collieries in the county of Durham are closing down; whether, in view of the great increase of unemployment that is ensuing, he has taken into consideration the effect upon the cost of production of the operation of sliding scale rents in the cases of royalties; how many collieries in Durham and Northumberland are subject to royalty rents based upon a sliding scale, and what is the maximum rent per ton that is being obtained under these scales in these two counties; whether the sliding scale operates in other parts of the United Kingdom, and, if so, where; what are the maximum rents obtainable under the present high prices; and is he aware that in one case at least it is as high as 6s. 4d. a ton?

:I am aware that owing to lack of trade a few Durham collieries are not working. I have no information as to the effect of sliding-scale royalties upon the cost of production since control ceased; but in Durham, for the quarter ended 31st March, 1921, the average cost of royaltes in those undertakings which had sliding-scale leases was lO¾d. per ton raised as compared with 6½d. in those paying fixed royaties, and 7¾d. for all Durham undertakings. Sliding-scale leases operate in twenty-seven undertakings in Northumberland and Durham, and also to varying degrees in Scotland, South Wales, Notts, and Derby, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Bristol, Somerset and Kent. I have no information as to the rents which are now being obtained under these leases.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the closing of these Durham collieries is owing to the Government sale of American coal?

:I cannot answer that question without further inquiry.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that because of the high rates charged by the North Eastern Railway Company at least one Durham Colliery has closed?

:I cannot say.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the price of coal for domestic use in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and district is 55s. a ton, whilst the same brands are being sold for export at 25s. per ton; whether the former price is charged owing to the existence of a coal ring operating between colliery owners and distributors; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to ensure domestic supplies being charged at no higher price than those for consumption by the foreigner?

:I am aware that prices as quoted by the hon. and gallant Member are being charged in Newcastle, but I have no information as to the respective qualities of the coal sold. As regards the remainder of his question, I would refer him to the answer given to questions upon this subject by the hon. Members for Finchley and Southwark on the 25th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received during the past year from Super-tax and the cost of collection, including rent of buildings, etc., in which the offices are held?

:The Exchequer receipt of Super-tax in 1920–21 was £55,281,000. The total cost of collecting the Inland Revenue Duties in 1920–21 is estimated at £7,550,000, including the sums borne on the Votes of other Departments. The staff of the Department is not allocated to particular taxes, and no accurate apportionment of the expenditure as between them is possible.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of that Super-tax is collected in Ireland?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the grants that were made to the cotton operatives from the Cotton Control Board funds are taxable; and, if so at what rate, i.e., earned or unearned?

:I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the grants made to cotton operatives who were unemployed by reason of the restriction of output under the Cotton (Restriction of Output) Order, 1917. On this assump tion these grants were not, as I understand, regarded as income for Income Tax purposes.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the cost of maintenance and repairs at Hampton Court Palace has increased from £7,020 in 1914 to £25,635 this year?

:Apart from the general rise in cost of labour and materials, the increase is due partly to the fact that provision is made for carrying out urgent maintenance work postponed during the War, and partly to the necessity for reconstructing the drainage of the Palace and repairing the Tudor timber and brickwork. There is also an increase in the cost of producing guide books, the proceeds from the sale of which provide a valuable appropriation-in-aid, amounting for the last financial year to £2,414 as compared with £54 for the year 1913–14.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of arranging that next year subscriptions to hospitals should not be liable to Income Tax, in order that by this means the hospitals of the country may once more be placed on a sound financial basis?

:I regret that I cannot see my way to promise legislative proposals in the direction desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received a request from the Governor of Jamaica respecting the proposed import duty on bananas and cocoanuts entering the United States; and what action he is taking in the matter?

:No communication on the subject has been received from the Governor of Jamaica.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received from the British High Commissioner in Palestine a Report on his administration for the past year; and whether this Report will be laid as a White Paper before the end of the Session, or, failing this, whether the Report will be published as soon as received, in view of the many contradictory allegations that are now being made regarding the British administration of Palestine at the present moment?

:A Report from the High Commissioner was received yesterday in the Colonial Office, and will be published as soon as possible. I much regret that time has not permitted of its being laid before the end of this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what lines it is proposed to introduce the principle of elected representation to a national council or assembly to assist the British Government in Palestine; whether before the British occupation the only persons who had votes were Mohammedan Turkish subjects owning landed property; whether Christians and Jews, as well as the Arab peasants, were disfranchised; and whether the Moslem deputation from Palestine recently received by him desires to continue this limited franchise?

:The whole question is now being discussed by the High Commissioner with representatives of local opinion in Palestine, and is also being considered here. My hon. Friend may rest assured that there is no intention of perpetuating any anomalous or unfair discrimination which may have been made under the Turkish regime. Nothing in what was said to me by the deputation referred to, which included Christians as well as Moslems, led me to believe that they advocated any such discrimination.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that under the Turks every man could keep a gun if he wanted, and that this kind of interference with the liberty of the subject renders the British Government in Palestine exceedingly unpopular?

:I do not think guns and votes go together.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken in Palestine to collect the large number of unauthorised firearms still in possession of different sections of the population; and whether the full Report of the inquiry into the armed disturbances at Jaffa will be published as a White Paper?

:I have no doubt that all possible steps are being taken by the police authorities in Palestine to collect firearms in possession of unauthorised persons. As regards the latter part of the question, I would prefer to reserve my judgment until the Report has been received.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total area of land acquired by local authorities for housing purposes, and the total expense incurred in acquisition, showing that expense under the following heads, purchase price; all other costs, including transfer, arbitration, and compulsory acquisition.

:I estimate that the land acquired by local authorities for housing purposes amounts approximately to 27,000 acres, and that the cost is about £4,800,000. I am afraid I have no information available which would enable me to divide this figure under the various heads enumerated by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that during the period 25th February, when the law exempting new houses from taxation took effect, to 9th July, homes to accommodate 20,897 families and to cost $100,000,000 have been planned in New York city, and that for the same period last year, when new houses were not exempt from taxation, only $37,143,000 were invested in homes providing for 6,604 families; and whether he can now state if he has received any official information concerning the results upon housing progress of the tax exemption law in New York city.

asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the question as to whether schemes for the encouragement of housebuilding at present in operation in the United States of America, whereby new houses are exempted from rates for a term of years, could profitably be applied in this country?

:I regret that the inquiries which I am causing to be made into this subject are not yet completed.

:If the right hon. Gentleman finds that the result of this step taken in New York is to increase the number of houses there, will he consider the desirability of taking action in this country?

:It is for that reason that I am awaiting the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the arbitrator awarded the sum of £33,000 as the purchase price of 58·854 acres compulsorily acquired at Acton Wells by the Acton Urban District Council for the purposes of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable subject has been reduced owing to severance?

:The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. I am obtaining the information asked for in the last part, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Health what was the aggregate rateable value, previous to purchase, of the 27,000 acres acquired for a total sum of £4,800,000 by the local authorities in connection with housing schemes; whether, in view of the statement made in the official journal " Housing," that the area of sites approved up to 28th January, 1921, was 57,516 acres, he can say what, if any, obligation rests upon the local authorities to buy or lease land in addition to the 27,000 acres actually acquired, and in that event what is the acreage, the sum of money involved, and the present rateable value of that additional land?

:I am afraid that the information asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's question is not available. The question whether any local authorities are so far committed in connection with the buying of further land for housing that it will be necessary to complete the purchase will have to be determined as individual cases arise, and I have informed local authorities that they should not incur further commitments in this connection without express sanction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he received a letter, dated 2nd July, sent to him by the Isle of Wight. District Committee of the National Union of Agricultural Workers, relating to the condition of the housing for the working classes in the rural districts of the Isle of Wight, and drawing attention to the insufficiency of the inspection, to the non-enforcement of repairing notices, and to certain statements in the annual report of the medical officer of health for the district; whether no reply has been sent to that letter beyond a postcard of acknowledgment; whether a second letter was received, dated 8th August, to which no answer at all has been sent; and whether it is intended to send any replies to those letters and to insist upon the proper execution by the rural district council of the Isle of Wight of the Housing Acts?

:The questions raised in the letters referred to relate to matters which have been the subject of investigation by my Department and of conference with representatives of the local branch of the National Union of Agricultural Workers, and I am considering what steps it is practicable to take within the limits of the general policy recently announced to deal with the situation. I am communicating with the rural district council as to the delay which appears to have occurred in the enforcement of notices to repair and causing a reply to be sent to the National Union of Agricultural Workers.

asked the Minister of Health if he can form any estimate of the cost which will be incurred by the Royal Commission on the Local Government of Greater London; and whether, in considering means by which existing inequalities in the distribution of local burdens may be decreased, the. Commission may also have an opportunity of considering the feasibility of imposing further safeguards against reckless and extravagant expenditure by local bodies?

:It is not practicable to form a reliable estimate at the moment, but I do not think the cost should be large. I have no doubt that the Royal Commission will consider the question of financial control as far as it comes within the terms of their reference.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Durham County Council has bought a pack of beagles from a well-known breeder in Leicestershire; whether the purchase is made with the ratepayers' money; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of disallowing the purchase and advise the council to organise paper-chases for the health of the school children?

:I have no information as to this matter, but I will communicate with the county council.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for many years a pack of beagles has been maintained at Dartmouth Naval College at the taxpayers' expense, and if it be good for cadets, why is it not good for miners' children?