asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Henry Quinton, late private, the Carabineers, of 8, Santley Street, Brixton, who, at the outbreak of War in 1914, belonged to the National Reserve, South Lambeth branch, and who joined up for service overseas, and served in France and Belgium for two years until invalided, but who has never received the bounty of £10 due to him as a National Reservist rejoining for overseas service?

The £10 bounty was not due to this man as he did not satisfy the conditions attaching thereto. The case has already been fully inquired into, and the man informed that he was ineligible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether on the 4th of August, 1914, a special Army Order was published to enlist from civil sources additional trained men, such as cooks, tailors, hospital subordinates, and clerks at 4s. a day; whether its provisions have been confined to those who enlisted before 14th August, 1914, and for general service only; upon what authority has the Order been so qualified; and whether recruits under the Order who do not fulfil the full conditions have recently been granted arrears of pay?

The Army Order authorised the enlistment for general service of men with certain qualifications at special rates of pay. It stated that the number to be enlisted would be notified to recruiting officers. Instructions were issued to recruiting officers to enlist no man of the classes indicated after 13th August, 1914. In the cases referred to in the last part of the question, I satisfied myself that the men were entitled to the emoluments under the Army Order?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now publish the amendments lately sanctioned by him to the rules regarding the pensions of senior officers in the Indian Army?

It has not been considered necessary to issue a Press communiqué in this country, but the Government of India have been authorised to publish a supplementary Army Instruction embodying the recent decisions regarding the rates of pension admissible to colonels and general officers of the Indian Army. Officers in this country can be supplied with an explanatory memorandum on making application to this Office.

asked the Secretary of State for India if, as reported in the Calcutta papers, the Government of Bengal have accepted the proposal, moved by Babu I. B. Dutt in the Bengal Legislative Council, to appoint a committee of five non-official and two official members to inquire, amongst other things, into the abolition of the military and river police; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure the safety and security of Bengal from being imperilled?

I cannot find that I have received any information upon this subject. I understand from the question that nothing further has been accepted than the appointment of a committee of inquiry. The protection of Bengal is, I am sure, safe in the hands of its Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the increased pay sanctioned for the Indian Imperial Police early in 1919 was intended to include overseas pay; if so, how is it that officers appointed in India, and therefore ineligible for overseas pay, actually drew the full scale of pay until 1st January, 1920, when the second scale, which included overseas pay, was sanctioned; and whether, owing to the deduction of overseas pay from their salaries, officers of the Indian Imperial Police appointed in India are now drawing less pay than they would have done had the old graded scale remained in force?

The scale sanctioned with effect from 1st January, 1919, was arrived at as a scale applicable to all officers in the police, whether appointed in the United Kingdom or in India, before the principle had been definitely accepted that the pay of the Imperial Services should be fixed on an Indian basis, and that the additional amount required to obtain recruits from the United Kingdom should take the form of overseas allowance. Officers of Indian domicile were thus given the benefit of it like others. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative, as all officers who were in the police prior to the introduction of the new scale, whether appointed in India or in the United Kingdom, have, since the 30th April, been granted overseas allowance, in addition to their pay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the greatly increased cost of medical attendance, surgical operations, and treatment in nursing homes, he will consider the question of rendering assistance to officers of the Indian Imperial Police who in consequence of loss of health in the performance of their duties, are sent home on sick leave?

I regret that I do not see my way to make a practice of assisting officers of the Indian Imperial Police or other Civil Services in India who are on sick leave in this country to meet the increased medical charges, which are not unusual now.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as the Woods and Forests Department are apparently disposed to part with some of the Crown lands, he will consider the advisability of letting more of them for use as allotments, particularly in the western parts of Essex?

The hon. Member may be assured that the Commissioners of Woods are always ready to consider favourably applications for the provision of allotments on Crown land that is available and suitable for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in regard to notices to quit issued on the instructions of his Department to allotment holders on land belonging to a Mr. A. Marshall, at Otley, he has given due weight to the fact that Mr. Marshall has been opposed to the presence of the allotment holders since the land was acquired for cultivation; that the plot holders still contend that there is no valid reason why any of this land should be surrendered, and that the surrender of allotments in such cases as this is regarded as contrary to the assur- ances given to allotment holders in the past respecting their tenure; for what reason he places upon the urban district council the responsibility of re-acquiring the land as allotments when his Department possess ample legal powers to retain the land; and whether, seeing it is not denied that this food producing land will revert to an unproductive state, he will take steps to have a local public inquiry into this case at which the allotment holders will be permitted to state their case?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on the 10th instant, the Ministry gave the most careful consideration to the whole of the circumstances before arriving at a decision. The Ministry arrived at the opinion that, if possession of the land were retained, the owner might have been able to substantiate a considerable claim for compensation for injurious affection. The Ministry has always stated that in such a case plot holders, under Defence of the Realm Act Regulations, might have to give up the land. It is observed that the plot holders do not agree that there is any valid reason for the land being given up, and if they be able to satisfy the urban district council on this point, it is open to the council to attempt to acquire the land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts. The Ministry, however, is not prepared to undertake the liability of payment of compensation as a result of retaining possession, and in these circumstances it is not considered necessary that a local public inquiry should be held.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among allotment holders at Springfield, South Wigston, Leicestershire, whose rents have been advanced 75 per cent., with rates and taxes in addition, and that six months ago representations were made to the council to provide additional land in the district for allotments, but steps have not been taken by the council to provide land to meet the demand, though land is available; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the matter of the increase of rents and the council's failure to provide land?

I have no information as to the increase of rents of allotments at South Wigston, but inquiries will be made, and the result communicated to the hon. Member. The Ministry is, however, aware that the council has for some time past been in negotiation for land for allotments, and the opportunity will be taken to ascertain the present position of the negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received a communication from the Hampshire Milk Recording Society with regard to a Circular, dated 12th July, issued from his Department, imposing a charge of 5s. for certificates issued in respect of recorded cows; whether he can consider the withdrawal of this charge, seeing that these certificates in the past have been issued free of charge, and that the farmers have already to pay 5s. per cow to the societies which have undertaken the organisation of the records, to cover the salaries and expenses of the recorders; and whether, if the Government charge for certificates is persisted in, the result will be the collapse of a system under which much useful information from a national point of view has been obtained?

I have received a communication from the Hampshire Milk Recording Society urging the withdrawal of the proposed charge of 5s. for Milk Record Certificates. The charge was made on the unanimous recommendation of the Advisory Committee appointed to advise the Ministry on livestock matters and only after very careful consideration of its probable effect on milk recording. I do not share the view that the charge will tend to discourage the keeping of milk records inasmuch as experience shows that, even when no charge was made, applications for certificates were made in respect of only a relatively small proportion of the cows recorded. The advantages of milk recording, for which the members pay an annual subscription and levy per cow, are by no means confined to the possession of certificates, and where a farmer wishes to obtain certificates, which have been proved to be of definite commercial value, there is obviously no hardship in his being charged a reasonable fee for them. It should be remembered, moreover, that the contributions paid by members by way of sbuscriptions and levies per cow do not cover the expenses of the societies. The Ministry pays a grant to each society of 60s. to 70s. per herd up to a limit of one-half the expenses of the society for the year, besides providing all the forms necessary for milk recording. While certificates have hitherto been issued free of charge, no promise has ever been given that this would always be continued, and in view of the imperative need for economy at the present time, and of the substantial advantages which the farmer already obtains from the Ministry's milk recording scheme, the Ministry is not prepared to withdraw the proposed charge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered the case of Mr. E. P. North, ex-service trainee in dairy farming, submitted to him on the 3rd August by the hon. Member for Moss Side (Lieut.-Colonel Hurst); and whether he can give the applicant the facilities desired by him?

Particulars of this case were received by the Ministry on the 8th instant, and the matter was referred to the Ministry's district commissioner for inquiries and report. It has not been possible for the inquiries to be completed, but when the commissioner's report is received, I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the officials at the Ministry who are charged with the administration of the substitution scheme, affecting ex-service men, have in terms declined to give an assurance to the accredited representatives of the Ex-service Men's Association that the recommendations of the Lytton third interim Report will be continued to be carried out; whether there was any authority for such action; and whether he will make it clear to the House that such recommendations and the carrying them into effect shall not be defeated by Departmental action?

The third Report of Lord Lytton's Committee contains recommendations which must receive the approval of His Majesty's Government before they become effective. Pending the decision of the Government on these recommendations no official is in a position to give assurances of the kind referred to in the question. If there be any recommendation of the Lytton Committee already approved by the Government which we do not appear to be carrying out, I should be glad if my hon. and learned Friend would specify it.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many instructors there are at the Twickenham centre; how many of them are ex-service men;

(2) what is the total number of persons employed at the Twickenham training centre; and what is the average number of trainees there?

The number of instructors at the Twickenham Government Instructional Factory is 24. Seven of them are ex-service men; the remainder are elderly experienced craftsman instructors who have been continuously employed at the factory since it was taken over from the Ministry of Munitions as a training centre. In all, the staff of the factory at this moment is 63. A number of these are labourers and skilled labourers assisting the trainees and their instructors. Six of the staff are engaged in office work, in the work of securing contracts and orders for the productive work which the factory turns out, and in endeavouring to find improverships for men due to leave at the end of their instructional course. In view of the reduction in the number of trainees, four of the staff are under notice and I am reviewing the cases of the remainder. At this moment the number of trainees under instruction is 77, 17 having recently left. There are about 60 trainees immediately due to enter the factory.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to report the result of his inquiries into the circumstances obtaining at the Lisson Grove Employment Exchange in connection with the payment of benefit?

I have written to my hon. Friend to-day, informing him of the result of my inquiries into the question which he put to me on 11th August.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that small lightning strikes are still occurring, and whether, in view of the industrial situation, he will urge on labour leaders generally the necessity in the national interests of advising their men to abstain from such action?

There are such strikes, I regret to say, but they are few in number at the present time. I will lose no suitable opportunity of doing as my hon. Friend suggeests in his question. I might observe that not infrequently strikes of this character are taken against the advice of responsible leaders.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that six casual temporary women employes with three to five years' previous Government service are under notice on' account of reduction of work at the Stepney Employment Exchange, and that these women are either widows with dependants, single women with dependants, or single girls alone in London with no parents; and whether, in view of the fact that in many other Employment Exchanges an abnormal amount of overtime is being worked, and in view of the anticipated increase in the number of claims to be dealt with at the beginning of the next special period covered by the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, he will arrange to transfer these women to one of the other Exchanges?

It is a fact that a number of temporary women clerks engaged at the Stepney Employment Exchange on a weekly basis are under notice of the termination of their appointments on staff reduction, due to the diminishing volume of unemployment. Of the six officers to whom my hon. Friend apparently refers, three were not, according to the information supplied by them on appointment, employed in Government service prior to the Armistice, whilst the other three had varying periods of Government service beginning not earlier than 1918, prior to their appointment to the Stepney Exchange. I accept my hon. Friend's information as to the domestic circumstances of these officers, but I must remind him that they were engaged solely to meet a temporary increase of the volume of work. The position is not altered by the fact that a limited amount of overtime continues at present to be worked in some Exchanges where the pressure remains very heavy. Certain duties must be performed by specially trained clerks. I much regret that it is not possible to arrange the transfer suggested or to suspend the notices of the women clerks concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to appoint Mr. A. G. Herbert, a solicitor, to be the permanent Secretary to the Forestry Commission; if so, what previous experience has this gentleman had of forestry or public administration, and what special qualifications has he for the post; whether he has been connected with the Civil Service only in a temporary capacity for a period of two years; whether the Government is fully satisfied that he is the most suitable person for the post; and whether there is no member of the permanent Civil Service who could undertake the duties?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Forestry Commissioners propose to appoint Mr. A. G. Herbert to be their permanent Secretary. Mr. Herbert was Secretary to the Interim Forest Authority from April, 1919, to November, 1919, and subsequently acting Secretary to the Forestry Commissioners. In addition to this specific experience in forestry administration, Mr. Herbert qualified as a solicitor with honours and possesses high academic qualifications. His experience in the Public Services is limited to the work of the Interim Forest Authority and the Forestry Commission; but the Forestry Commissioners, with whom the appointment rests, are fully satisfied that he is a most suitable person for the appointment in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will receive a deputation of the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants with reference to the dismissal of Mr. Francis Hyndman from the Enemy Debts Branch on the 29th July; whether he is aware that the association states that the sole cause of such dismissal was that Mr. Hyndman was an active supporter of a proposal to establish an office committee of the Departmental Whitley Council, and that the existence of any adverse report upon him was never alleged by the heads of the branch before dismissal; and whether, in any event, he will inquire into the matter?

I have inquired into the matter, and am satisfied that the facts are quite otherwise than as suggested in the question, and that the dismissal of Mr. Hyndman had no relation whatever to the establishment of a Departmental Whitley Committee, but was solely due to the unsatisfactory nature of his work, particulars of which were communicated to him. In those circumstances no useful purpose would be served by receiving a deputation of the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants with reference to his dismissal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any of the temporary officials employed by the Ministry of Shipping have been transferred to any other department; and what proportion of these have received notices of the termination of their employment?

The number of temporary officials transferred from the Ministry of Shipping staff to the Board of Trade on 1st April, 1921, was 649. That number was reduced by 1st instant by 75, and will be further reduced by 60 by 1st October next. No temporary officials were transferred on the abolition of the Ministry of Shipping to any office other than the Board of Trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now prepared to say what position in the Civil Service or what scale of salary determines whether an official shall travel by first-or third-class on a railway?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my predecessor to his similar question on the 10th March, since which date the position has not changed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what has been the net reduction in the clerical and industrial employés of the Government during the last 12 months?

The net reduction in the clerical staffs of Government Departments during the past 12 months has been 10,800. In addition, the number of industrial employés has decreased by 8,400.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what reductions of staff will be obtained in consequence of the recent changes in policy as regards housing and agriculture; and what will be the consequent saving to the Exchequer?

The anticipated reduction in staff that will be obtained by the end of the present financial year, in consequence of the recent change in housing policy is 883, costing in salaries (excluding bonus in the case of permanent officers) £253,000 per annum. Of this number 320, costing in salaries £107,000 per annum, will have ceased to be employed by the 30th September next. The change in agricultural policy will lead to a reduction in staff of approximately 520, and an annual saving in salaries, travelling expenses, subsistence allowances, etc., of approximately £250,000. The majority of the staff concerned will be discharged by the end of September next. The figures mentioned include staffs of Agricultural Executive Committees paid from State funds, but not in the direct employment of the Agricultural Departments.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the recommendation of the Lytton Committee contained in paragraph 43 of their third interim Report regarding the com- mencing permanent salary of successful candidates at the recent Civil Service examinations for temporary clerks has caused considerable dissatisfaction amongst those affected; and whether the salary question may be referred to the Whitley Council before confirmation?

The paragraph in question embodies the unanimous recommendation made by Lord Lytton's Committee, after examination of several alternative proposals for the entry of candidates at the recent limited competitions at points above the normal commencing salary of the posts which they obtain. That recommendation has now been accepted by His Majesty's Government after consideration of the views expressed by the staff side of the national Whitley Council at a special meeting of the Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed on 19th July last, at a mass meeting of the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants, protesting against the continued dismissal of ex-service men from the Civil Service whilst non-service personnel is retained in similar posts; whether such dismissals have been and are taking place, and to what extent; and whether he will direct that ex-service men shall be the last to be dismissed from Government Departments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In considering discharges of temporary personnel, preference for retention is given to the ex-service men involved. Departments are also required to arrange wherever possible for the absorption of ex-service temporary personnel for whom work is no longer available in one branch by the discharge of non-service temporary personnel from another. It will be obvious that a Department from which discharges are taking place has not invariably other similar posts to which the ex-service men can be transferred. When posts are not available in the same Department, every effort is made to place efficient ex-service men in fresh temporary posts in other Departments. Very large numbers of non-service personnel have been discharged with this object; and Departments are required to keep under review cases in which, on the grounds recommended in the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, non-service personnel has been retained in posts in which ex-service men might be employed. The numbers of ex-service men so awaiting re-allocation, including a large proportion of men whose notices of discharge have not actually expired, are at present about 250 in London and 300 in the Provinces.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the members of the Advisory Committee provided for by the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act?

The Committee will be constituted as follows:

The Marquess of Crewe, P.C., K.G., G.C.V.O. (Chairman).

Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker, O.B.E., F.Z.S., Dr. W. Eagle Clarke, I.S.O., F.R.S.E. (Experts in Ornithology).

Mr. C. F. Downham, Mr. W. G. Dunstall, Mr. L. Josephs (Experts in the feather trade).

The Earl Buxton, P.O., G.C.M.G.

Captain E. G. Fairholme, O.B.E.

Mrs. Reginald McKenna, J.P.

Mr. H. J. Massingham.

(Clitheroe) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a combination exists in the alkali industry; if so, what are the firms comprising it; and what is the scope of its operations?

I understand that there is an agreement in the alkali industry between Messrs. Brunner Mond and Company, Limited, and the United Alkali Company, Limited, and that the object of the agreement is to regulate prices and sales of certain products. I am informed that the agreement does not limit output or extend to labour conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a small group of Bradford firms have made arrangements to secure their pre-War debts and obtain the entire control of many textile mills in Poland containing approximately 90,000 spindles, hundreds of looms, and large scouring and combing plants; that under this arrangement the firms in question secure priority of payment for their own debts against other creditors for large sums; that the firms in question have engaged to supply raw materials, money, and/or credits, notwithstanding the fact that many Bradford firms are being compelled to make private compositions with their creditors on account of the scarcity of money and credit in the Bradford trade; and that scores of thousands of Bradford textile workers are suffering hardship by reason of unemployment, which would be alleviated if the raw materials were manufactured in Bradford mills and money and credits for the Bradford trade were not depleted; and whether, having regard to the present crisis in the Bradford trade and for the protection of other creditors involved in the transactions referred to, he will make full inquiries into the matter, and take whatever action is necessary and within his power in the interests of the industry and trade of Bradford and the West Riding?

I have seen statements with regard to certain proposals whereby Polish importers would be able to obtain credit for the purchase of raw materials, and Polish debtors would be enabled to offer further security for the payment of their debts. I have no information as to the extent, if any, to which Bradford firms are interested in such a scheme, but if the hon. Member will send me any more precise information on the subject I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have particulars of moneys, securities, and investments held by British firms in Poland, and of profits accrued to them or made by them in Poland; if the Commissioners have any knowledge of payments made in sterling to British firms on account of Polish debts owing to them, or an account of profits accrued in Poland which have been reinvested in Polish marks to avoid repayment of allowances made by the Commissioners from Excess Profits Duty, or for other reasons; if the Government, or its representative in Poland, has been approached by any British firm or Member of Parliament respecting their attitude towards a suggested deflation by the Polish Government of their present mark currency with the object of protecting the interest of British firms who have invested in Polish marks or in securities or shares which are valued in terms of Polish marks; and, if so, what was the reply of the Government or its representative in Poland?

As regards the first part of the question, the Board of Inland Revenue have no information on this subject except such as may be furnished to them in connection with the accounts of individual taxpayers. I cannot see that the re-investment of profits would enable a firm to avoid its proper liability to Excess Profits Duty; but if the hon. Member would furnish me with particulars of any case he may have in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have allowed any of the pre-War debts owing by Polish debtors to Bradford firms to be written off and allowed for in arriving at Excess Profits Duty, so that firms have since recovered, or are, or may be, in a position to recover, sums that have been written off as bad debts for the purpose of Excess Profits Duty due; if so, what is the total sum involved; if any of the debts so written off and allowed as loss for the purposes of the Excess Profits Duty have been repaid and, if so, to what extent; and whether the Commissioners have made any arrangements with. Bradford firms regarding pre-War debts owing by Polish debtors to Bradford firms, and, if so, what is the nature of such arrangements?

The treatment of bad debts in connection with the computation of Excess Profits Duty is a matter on which directions are given in the statutory provisions relating to that duty and allowances would be made in respect of the debts to which the hon. Member refers in so far as those debts were shown to be bad debts in respect of which the taxpayer was entitled to claim an allowance under the provisions in question. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue have no power to make arrangements with the firms referred to otherwise than in accordance with the statutory provisions. I have no information which would enable me to give the figure for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Britannic Assurance Company, of Birmingham, has issued instructions to their local agents to the effect that all persons in arrears with their premiums must bring their arrears down to 18 weeks by 31st August, to 15 weeks by 30th September, and to 12 weeks by the end of October; that, in view of the vast number of policy holders unable to obtain employment, this will mean the lapsing of their policies and the loss of their premiums; and will he take steps to protect these policy holders against the action of the company?

I am making inquiries from the company on the matters referred to in the question, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that Appendix IV of the Second Report of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply discloses that, in spite of the preference, the price paid by the Commission in 1920 for British West Indies raw sugar was 50·640s. per cwt. c.i.f., as compared with that of 65·690s. paid for Cuban raw sugar, he will furnish a return of the parcels of British West Indies sugar purchased during the year 1920, giving dates, quantities, and prices of each parcel?

The prices paid by the Sugar Commission in 1920 for British West Indies raw sugar and for Cuban raw sugar are not comparable, as the purchases were made at different periods of the year. In these circumstances perhaps the hon. Member will not press for the Return which will involve an exiguous staff in a considerable expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he proposes to take any steps to inquire into the question of river pollution in Scotland, in continuation of the inquiry whose report was not presented before the War, and to increase the reference of such inquiry to the increased pollution caused by motor-car oils and fluids from tarred road surfaces, and to recommend to local authorities what action could be taken so that the fishing in the rivers of Scotland may be preserved unharmed?

The duties of the Secretary for Scotland under the Rivers Pollution (Prevention) Acts have been transferred by the Scottish Board of Health Act, 1919, to the Scottish Board of Health, who have had this matter before them in conjunction with other Departments concerned. Arising out of a Resolution passed at a conference of bodies interested in freshwater fisheries, held on 7th June last at Fishmongers' Hall, London, I am informed that a conference is being arranged for an early date between these bodies and the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Scottish Board of Health, and the Fishery Board for Scotland. This conference will deal with various aspects of the problem of river pollution prevention, including pollution of the nature referred to in my hon. Friend's question. The action thereafter to be taken will no doubt receive the careful consideration of the various Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any of the 123 cases classified as unvaccinated in the report of Dr. A. S. M. MacGregor on the Glasgow small-pox outbreak had at any time been vaccinated; whether any of the 45 deaths from small-pox in that outbreak classified as unvaccinated had at any time been vaccinated; and why the whole of the facts regarding the vaccinal condition of all the cases is not given in the report?

I am making enquiry into the points put by my hon. Friend and I shall communicate with him when the results of the enquiry reach me.

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. Alexander Massie, of 15, Brachelston Street, Greenock, has been requested to repay a part of the pension which had been already paid to him; and, in view of the increased cost of living since the pension was earned, will he cause inquiries to be made into this matter?

I have caused inquiry to be made into this case. Mr. Alexander Massie is a pensioned Scotch prison warder, now re-employed as a Customs watcher. It has been necessary to withhold part of his pension under Section 20 of the Superannuation Act of 1834, which allows him to receive only so much of the pension as will, with his present Customs pay, be equal to the pay which he received in the prison service. The annual amount of pension now being so withheld is £13 8s. 3d. As regards my hon. Friend's reference to the increased cost of living since the pension was earned, I may mention that Mr. Massie is in the enjoyment of War bonus at the rate of £116 0s. 5d. a year.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce next Session, on behalf of the Government, legislation dealing with the provision of increased benefits for workmen's compensation, or whether the extension of the Workmen's Compensation (War Addition) Act, 1917, will in any case be allowed to continue till the end of 1922?

I hope to be able to introduce amending legislation in regard to workmen's compensation next Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the protest made by the Liverpool magistrate against the practice of sending children to prison on remand; and whether he intends to take steps next Session to make this practice illegal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I would call the attention of the Noble Lord to Section 97 of the Children Act, 1908, under which it is already illegal for a court of summary jurisdiction to commit a child ( i.e., under 14 years of age) to prison on remand.

asked the Home Secretary the composition and terms of reference of the Committee which he has promised to appoint to examine the recent further evidence as to the results obtained with leadless paints; and will he state what are the qualifications of the members?

I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is satisfied that medical men are all thoroughly familiar with the earliest signs of incipient small-pox; if not, whether he will arrange with the profession for a general warning to practitioners on the subject so as to check, in the initial stages of any outbreak, any serious spread of the disease, particularly in the thickly populated districts?

(2) whether he is warning the various local authorities of the need for preparing hospital accommodation for potential cases of small-pox; whether, since the War, there has been a steady growth in the number of these cases; whether he can explain the prevalence of the disease after our long immunity in the past; and whether he can guarantee that the utmost care is taken to ensure that the lymph is in all cases British manufactured and not imported from abroad, where British supervision is slight?

Practical experience of small-pox is, of course, owing to its rarity in this country, not possessed by every medical practitioner, but every medical practitioner should know what are the earliest signs of this disease. I do not think that at present there is any need for a general warning such as suggested, but my medical officers are prepared to take immediate action when necessary, and to advise local authorities as to the steps to be taken for combating the disease, including the provision of adequate accommodation for isolation. All vaccine lymph issued to public vaccinators and medical officers of health is manufactured at the Government Lymph Establishment, but private practitioners are, of course, free to purchase lymph from other sources, British or foreign. I may also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Sir B. Chadwick) on the 15th instant, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the receipts of local authorities in England and Wales from rates and Government contributions, respectively, for the years ending March, 1920, and March, 1921, and an estimate for the current year ending March, 1922?

I will send my hon. Friend, in the course of a few days, a statement giving the best information available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the unsatisfactory and depressing atmosphere prevalent in asylums and due in great measure to the absence of appropriate methods of cure, failure to supply cheerful surroundings or occupation to the patient, he will take into consideration the desirability of scrutinising the defects of the present system and substituting for centralised machinery the system of administration by locally interested public committees likely to be more alive to the needs of the inmates, the observance of the rights guaranteed to them and to their relatives by legal enactment, and all other matters pertaining to their welfare?

It must not be assumed that I accept the suggestions contained in the first part of the question, but as I have previously stated, I have under consideration the question of possible reforms in lunacy administration and treatment. As regards the last part, I would remind the hon. Member that the administration of public asylums is already in the hands of the local visiting committees appointed under the provisions of the Lunacy Acts.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the inquiry which has been made into the dispute which has arisen with the National Catholic Benefit and Thrift Society, it was found that two general meetings of the council, held in 1916, were invalid, owing to the fact that the central branch had been deprived of the representation given them under the Act; whether the 1918 general council meeting was found to be invalid for the same reason; whether the referee appointed by the Ministry found that the central branch had been deprived of representation at the 1919 and 1920 general council meetings contrary to the National Insurance Acts; whether sick and disabled members of the central branch are being deprived of their part of their benefit owing to the withholding of the valuation report of the branch from its committee of management; and whether he will at once give instructions for these charges to be thoroughly investigated, with the object of ending this long-standing dispute once and for all?

It would not be possible to compress into the limits of an answer to a question a statement of the various arbitrations, hearings and investigations which, over a period of six years, have been held in connection with this unfortunate dispute between the committee of management of the National Catholic Benefit and Thrift Society and the committee of the central branch. If the hon. and gallant Member can find time to call at the offices of the Ministry, all the papers will be shown to him. So far as the Department is concerned, the matter is now disposed of by the recent decisions of the High Court of Justice. I have no reason to think that any sick or disabled member of the central branch is being deprived of the benefits of the Act. The Court having decided that the levies on the branch were valid, it is not possible to issue the valuation report of the branch until the consequential deficiency in the administration account of the branch has been made good in accordance with the Act and Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the importance of the traffic issue which must be raised, the Ministry of Transport will be represented on the inquiry now promised into the potentialities and the desirability of a Greater London?

The importance of the traffic question has not been overlooked. The Minister of Transport does not desire that a direct representative of the Ministry should be placed on the Commission, but I have been in consultation with him as to the name of a suitable person conversant with traffic problems.

asked the Minister of Health if the delay in proceeding with the Ruardean Hill (Gloucester) water supply is causing great inconvenience and injury to the health of the people in the surrounding districts; will he ascertain who is responsible for the delay; and will he take the necessary steps to bring about an arrangement whereby this scheme may be immediately proceeded with?

I have been awaiting the completion of negotiations between the Office of Woods and the district council. I understand that these negotiations are likely to be completed at an early date. I will see that the matter is dealt with promptly in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of C. E. M., an engineering draftsman of ability, admitted on the 21st July, 1916, to Bexley Heath Asylum, on account of epileptiform attacks commencing in adult life and recurring at long intervals, whose severity was not such as to incapacitate him from self-support; why this man is detained upon the rates through non-compliance with the circular addressed by the Lunacy Board to visiting committees and in opposition to the repeated claims of his mother, who has applied to have him delivered to her care under the provisions of Section 79 of the Lunacy Act; and if he will see that his release, thus legally applied for, is accorded without delay?

Repeated inquiries have been made into this case, and in view of the medical reports the visiting committee have declined to discharge the patient. The Board of Control will, however, obtain a further report on the case.

asked the Minister of Health whether the decisions of visiting committees re discharge of patients from asylums are subject, in the case of London County Council asylums, to interference or reversal by a central committee sitting in Arundel Street; whether medical superintendents have at times exceeded their powers by opening, intercepting, or answering on their own authority applications addressed by relatives to visiting committees; and whether he will take steps to prevent the calling in of a doctor from the Pensions Ministry being used to reinforce, by the threat of the loss of half the patient's allowance, the refusal of a medical superintendent to comply with the next-of-kin's right to the discharge of a service patient under Sections 72–74 of the Lunacy Act?

I understand that the decisions of London Asylums Sub-Committees with reference to the discharge of patients are not subject to reversal by a central committee, that letters addressed to visiting committees are always laid before them, and that in no case is an application to the committees for discharge dealt with by the medical superintendent. As regards the third part of the question, I am informed that no case is known where an incident of the kind referred to has occured.

asked the Minister of Health the 10 highest rated towns in England and Wales; to what main causes the high rate in each case is assigned; and whether, except in the instance of Poplar, there has been any objection to its collection on the part of the local authorities?

According to the recent White Paper (Cmd. 1155), the following are the 10 districts with the highest rates for the year 1920–21:—

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether a public utility society whose housing scheme received the sanction and recommendation of the Ministry can be refused a loan by the Public Works Loan Commissioners after it has already entered into obligations on the understanding that a loan was to be made;

(2) whether a loan has been refused by the Public Works Loan Commissioners to Women's Pioneer Housing, Limited, a public utility society recommended by the Ministry, on the ground that the provision of housing accommodation for single working women was not an urgent matter; and whether, in view of the sanction and encouragement given to this society earlier in the year and of the fact that they have already entered into serious commitments as a result, he will cause the application to be reconsidered?

It rests entirely within the discretion of the Public Works Loan Commissioners whether they will advance money to a public utility society for housing purposes. In the particular case referred to by the hon. Member I have consented to a subsidy from the Exchequer being paid to the society, but I understand that the Public Works Loan Commissioners consider that their resources at the present time should be reserved for more urgent working-class schemes.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that, in answer to repeated inquiries addressed to the Lunacy Board of Control concerning an order issued by a magistrate, William Tomes, on 8th May, 1917, for the reception as a lunatic of a voluntary boarder at St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton, the Board have stated, in a letter dated the 11th instant, that they are not in possession of the information required, one item being the date of the above magistrate's death, which they had previously stated to have taken place; that the statement of W. Tomes's death was made by the Chairman of the Board, Sir William Byrne, in a letter, dated 22nd July, 1920, addressed to the voluntary boarder in question in answer to and as a means of dismissing her inquiries into the circumstances under which this magistrate had issued his reception order on being presented with documents not in conformity with the requirements of the Lunacy Act, 1890, one of these documents, for instance, containing no statement in writing by the petitioner as required under Section 31 of the Act and being moreover unsigned; if he will direct that the Board obtain the required information as to the date of death of W. Tomes for the purpose of ascertaining whether it occurred later than the Board's admission, dated 23rd June, 1919, of these irregularities and others; if so, whether he will, in view of the gravity of the issues involved, inquire into the circumstances of the Board's failure to conduct the requisite investigation while W. Tomes was still living;

(2) whether he is aware that on 2nd February and 9th February, 1921, registered letters were addressed to the Board of Control in Lunacy by a some time voluntary boarder at St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton, urgently requesting information concerning grave irregularities officially admitted; that, as no reply was received to either of these letters, the writer instructed her solicitor to apply to the Board in the matter, whereupon the Board wrote in reply on the 11th instant that they had no information in their possession which would enable them to answer the inquiries; and that one of the items of information stated not to be in the Board's possession was the name of the magistrate who, on 15th May, 1917, had an interview with this lady at St. Andrew's under the terms of Section 8 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, and who under this Section also was required to send a report of the interview to the Board of Control; if he will inquire why the Board condones the offence against the Act exhibited in this magistrate's omission to send a report; and if he will direct that information as to this magistrate's name and as to the circumstances of his offence be immediately obtained from St. Andrew's by the Board?

I am informed by the Board of Control that these inquiries relate to matters which are the subject of judicial proceedings which are being taken by the patient in question against the hospital authorities. While proceedings are pending, the Board cannot make any statement on questions in regard to which evidence may have to be given at a later stage.

asked the Postmaster-General why building operations on a new building at Mount Pleasant, Rosebery Avenue, E.C., which was designed to abolish very serious overcrowding in the inland section of the General Post Office, have been suspended, thereby causing unemployment in the building trade and perpetuating the overcrowding of the Post Office staff, many of whom have to work in the basement in artificial light for the whole of the day?

The new building has been deferred on grounds of economy, as the Government felt unable to proceed with a scheme of this magnitude in the present state of the national finances.

asked the Postmaster-General what form the medical examination will take that the temporary Post Office sorters will have to submit to who are to be given an opportunity to sit for examination in September; whether consideration will be given to the fact that most of these men were exempt from the Army during the War on medical grounds; and whether, provided that their physical defects do not interfere with the discharge of their postal duties, some latitude will be given to the medical examiner?

As I informed the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) on the 15th instant, the question of the medical examination is one for the Civil Service Commissioners, who are aware of the circumstances in which the competition is being held.

asked the President of the Board of Education the extent to which his Department controls local education authorities in regard to the personal appointments they make; and whether every undertaking given in advertisement by a local education authority is, in the opinion of the Board of Education, binding upon that authority?

The Board do not control personal appointments by local education authorities, except where the Regulations require specifically that appointments to certain posts shall be subject to the Board's approval. The second part of the question relates to a point of law, on which I have no authority to express an opinion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, under the assimilation scheme of the Irish prison service, chief warders with over 20 years' service have been graded on the minimum scale of Class II, thus putting them on the same basis as those newly promoted to the rank; whether under the Crown no officer is ever punished or made to suffer except on reports of inefficiency or misconduct; and will he take steps to bring the administration of the General Prisons Board into conformity with the usual practice?

This is one of the cases of hardship arising out of assimilation, and the Treasury decisions on this and other such cases are shortly expected.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent fatal accidents due to the use of dazzling lights on motor cars; and when he anticipates being able to deal with this danger to traffic?

My attention has been called to a recent fatal motor-cycle accident stated to have been caused by dazzle from the lights of an approaching car. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the Noble and gallant Lord the Member for Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 15th instant, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the total sums voted in the Estimates without discussion in each of the following years: 1911, 1912, and 1913?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the gradual accumulation of antiquated Acts whose life is extended every year in the Expiring Laws Continuance Act, he will consider the desirability of closely examining all these Measures in order to see whether much of the matter they contain could be usefully eliminated from the Statute Book or modified on up-to-date lines?

Yes, Sir. This question is now under examination by the Treasury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions were given to Colonel Gossett as to the protection of the workmen at Pecs and in the Baranya when that district was taken over by the Horthy Government; whether the Horthy Government expressed their intention of arresting leading Socialists in the Baranya; what action Colonel Gossett took regarding this proposal; and whether he will ask Colonel Gossett to send a full report of the present situation?

The instructions given to Colonel Gossett, as President of the Allied Commission for supervising the evacuation of Southern Hungary, are designed, firstly, to avert any conflict between the Jugo-Slav and Hungarian authorities during the transfer of the territory, and secondly, to ensure that properly constituted authorities, capable of preserving order, are ready to take up their duties in the territory immediately after the transfer. I have no knowledge of the alleged intimation on the part of the Hungarian Government that they would arrest leading Socialists in the Baranya, nor have I seen any reference to it in any report from Colonel Gossett. That officer is in close touch with His Majesty's High Commissioner in Budapest, who telegraphs summaries of his reports.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Cassel concession is recognised by anyone in China; and, if so, by whom?

The position was fully explained in my reply to the question put by the hon. Member on 4th August, and I have nothing to add to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the present position of the judicial proceedings instituted by the Japanese Government against Mr. Shaw, the British resident in Antung, Korea; and whether Mr. Shaw has taken any action in return.

This case engaged continuous and earnest attention from the time that Mr. Shaw was arrested by the Japanese authorities in Korea; and whilst it proved impossible to reconcile the views of the two Governments on the question of law involved, His Majesty's Government were able to reach a settlement with the Japanese Government resulting in the release of Mr. Shaw and his departure from Japanese territory without the proceedings against him having been further continued. I am not aware of any action taken by Mr. Shaw in return.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the result of the voting at the plebiscite held on 13th March, 1920, in the second or middle zone of Slesvig, in accordance with Article 109 of the Treaty of Peace with Germany; how many persons were qualified to vote at this plebiscite; how many effective votes were recorded; and, of these, how many were given for Denmark and how many were given for Germany?

Out of 70,864 persons qualified to vote in the second Slesvig plebiscite zone, 12,800 effective votes were given for Denmark, and 51,728 for Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the result of the voting at the plebiscite held on 10th February, 1920, in the first or northern zone of Slesvig, in accordance with Article 109 of the Treaty of Peace with Germany; how many persons were qualified to vote at this plebiscite; how many effective votes were recorded; and, of these, how many were given for Denmark and how many were given for Germany?

Out of 111,191 persons qualified to vote in the first Slesvig plebiscite zone, 75,431 effective votes were given for Denmark, and 25,329 for Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the deficit recently announced in the latest Polish Budget statement; and if he will state what is the total debt owed by Poland to this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to his question on the 3rd instant. The sum of £4,185,000 3s 6d. is the total of Poland's debt already brought to account, but this will be subject to adjustment when all the accounts have been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any Orders in Council have been given where by relief in respect of Excess Profits Duty paid in any Dominion or Colony may be granted, as provided in Section 23 of the Finance Act, 1917; and, if not, whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to enter into arrangements with any of the Dominions or Colonies in order that a person may be able to obtain the relief to the extent indicated in that Act?

One Order in Council has been made under the provision in question, and other cases are under consideration. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the arrangements contemplated by this provision can only be made by agreement with the Colonial Governments concerned, and I can assure him that we are fully prepared to discuss the matter with any Colonial Government that wishes to enter into such an arrangement with a view to the necessary Order in Council being made.

The following answers were received after the adjournment of the House on 19 th August, 1921.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the reason for the delay in unveiling the memorial to the Members of the two Houses who fell in the war; and whether he can now make any statement as to the expected date and ceremony of the unveiling?

( for the First Commissioner of Works ): This is a matter for the Memorial Committee, and I would suggest that the hon. Member should approach one of the House of Commons representatives, namely, Colonel Burn, Sir Herbert Nield, or Sir James Boyton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the unhealthy conditions under which work is carried on in underground workrooms, restaurants and cafes; and whether he intends to introduce legislation next Session to deal with this question?

As regards factories and workshops, the reports of the factory inspectors show that the conditions in underground workrooms are often unsatisfactory, and I am considering the question of inserting special provisions in regard to such rooms in the amending Factory Bill, which I hope to be able to introduce next Session.

As to underground rooms and restaurants and other premises which are outside the scope of the Factory Acts, no representations as to unhealthy conditions have been received by the Home Office during recent years, and I have no legislation in contemplation for next Session.

asked the Home Secretary what were the reasons that led to the Commissioner of Police authorising the raising of the rates of taxi-cab fares since 1914; whether, now that costs are falling, it is intended to maintain these rates at the present figures; and, if so, why?

Increases in the rates of taxi-cab fares since 1914 were authorised by the Home Secretary, owing to the increased costs of running, and the question of reducing those rates, as the costs of running decline, will receive careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Territorial and New Army officers were refused a refund of railway fares incurred in travelling from their homes to the headquarters of their units of the Defence Force, while a refund was made in the case of the Regular Reserve of Officers and Special Reserve?

Territorial and New Army Officers were re-commissioned in the Defence Force, and were, therefore, joining their units on first appointment. In such cases, officers are required, under the Regulations, to pay their own travelling expenses. Officers of the Regular Reserve of Officers and of the Special Reserve are entitled, under their conditions of service, to a refund of their travelling expenses when called up for duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total personnel of the Regular Army, Territorial Army, Special Reserve, and Army Reserve to-day, and what was the total in July, 1914?

The approximate total strength of all ranks of the Regular Army, Territorial Force and Reserves in July, 1914, was 735,000, and the corresponding figure for 1st August 1921, was 459,000.