asked the Secretary of State for India when he will be prepared to make his statement in regard to proportionate pensions for members of the Civil Service who desire to retire owing to lack of confidence in the present method of ruling India; and what is delaying the publication of these terms?

I hope to make the announcement this week. The delay, which has been greater than I originally hoped, is solely due to consultation with the Government of India on the numerous points of detail which have arisen out of this very important and intricate matter.

As the right hon. Gentleman's pledge to me was given in this House, does he propose to make a statement in the House, or to publish it in the Press?

I am afraid it will be a very long communiqué, because it deals with the details of various services. As soon as I have arranged with the Government of India the exact language, the best plan will be for me to communicate with my hon. Friend, who takes an interest in this matter, and ask him to put an unstarred question which, with the answer, will then be on the records of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is prepared to make a full statement of the troubles arising from the Moplah rebellion; and whether he is satisfied that steps have been taken to protect the lives and property of His Majesty's subjects in the event of risings in other parts of India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the situation in Malabar?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the number of casualties due to revolutionary violence in India during the War; and what is the present state of affairs in the Moplah area?

As the House is, I think, aware, I have already published and am publishing all the information in regard to these disturbances as I receive it by telegram from India. I think, however, that that information should be brought officially before the notice of the House, and to that end I am having prepared and hope to present within the next few days a White Paper containing the essence of the reports I have received. I fear that, owing to the inherent difficulties of the country, we must anticipate that the operations required to put an end to the disturbances may take some little time. I will, of course, keep the House informed as to their progress, and propose to supplement the White Paper from time to time as may be necessary.

With regard to the last part of question No. 2, the Governments in India have the fullest sense of their responsibility for the lives and property of those with whose protection they are charged. I would refer the hon. Baronet to the statement made by the Viceroy in the Council of State on the 3rd September, of which I will send him a copy. As regards the first part of question No. 7, I am not able to supply figures as to the number of persons whose death or injuries may have been attributable to revolutionary violence as distinct from ordinary crime during the period of the War. But information contained in the Report of the Sedition Committee, Command 9190 of 1918, will perhaps partially meet the Noble Lord's purpose. I will send him a marked copy.

In the White Paper that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to lay on the Table will he give information regarding the forcible conversion of Hindus to Mohammedanism, as to which information is rather wanting?

I cannot speak from memory. What I propose to publish as a White Paper is a collection of the telegrams I have received. As my hon. Friend knows, there has been a considerable number of forcible conversions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many troops and armed police are employed in this Moplah area?

I cannot state that I am not sure whether, on reflection, the hon. Baronet will think that it would be wise to give the information. All troops that are necessary and for which the Government of Madras has asked have been sent.

Does the unfortunate rising among the Moplahs not prove the necessity of keeping a firm hand on India and of preventing agitators from this country spreading discontent among the natives? Has not the time arrived for a seizure of arms in India?

There never has been any doubt that it is the duty of the Government to deal firmly with outbreaks such as the Moplah rebellion.

asked the Secretary of India whether the Government of India has taken any steps for giving the public throughout the Empire correct information on public questions; and whether a system of communication through the different grades of officials down to the village officers can be elaborated, in view of the need of counteracting seditious propaganda?

The Government of India, through their Central Publicity Bureau, which is supplemented by certain Provincial Bureaux, have developed a system by which information as to public questions is widely circulated in the Indian Empire, the measures taken by Government being in particular explained. Besides the communiques which are constantly appearing in the public Press, a very large number of leaflets and similar documents are issued. Copies of many of these are on record at the India Office, and I shall be glad to send the hon. Baronet a selection if he so requires. As regards their distribution, there are in Madras, for instance—I quote Madras because I have information for that Province—many thousand honorary correspondents of the Publicity Bureau who work in conjunction with the Provincial Publicity Bureau, so that the information may reach remote villages. The Government have, moreover, suggested to their officers that they should remove misapprehensions, correct misstatements, or refute disloyal and seditious propaganda.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the terms given by the Home authorities to surplus officers to retire; and when the terms to be offered by the Indian Government to surplus officers of the Indian Army, which it is stated are likely to compare favourably with those given by the Home authorities, will be published?

The terms given to surplus British Service cavalry officers were announced in Army Order 320 of July last, and were published in the Press at the same time. The terms offered by the Admiralty to naval officers are given in Admiralty Order 1056 of 1920, and were, I think, also published in the Press. I do not think I need recapitulate either set of terms here, as they are somewhat lengthy and technical. I hope it may be possible to announce the terms to be given to surplus Indian Army officers in the course of the next month.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the Indian terms will compare favourably with those given by the Home authorities?

As the hon. Baronet knows, there are great differences between the services. I would rather have notice of the question, so that I can give a considered reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the loyal Indian soldier and his family at his home are now being persecuted almost beyond endurance by anti-Government agents; that canal officials refuse him water for his crops, bunias refuse him food, and the loafers in the bazaar revile him because he is loyal to the British raj; and if he can state what steps are being taken in India to protect the soldier and punish his persecutors?

I have not received any reports of the nature referred to; but I am bringing this question to the notice of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action is to be taken by the Government of India, in view of the fact that the Bengal Legislative Council have passed a resolution that no further appointments of British officers be made to the Bengal police?

I have not received a report of any such resolution, but in any case no action could be taken on it by the Government of India, as recruitment for the Superior Police Service is controlled by the Secretary of State in Council, who makes all appointments to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Charles Edwards, No. 318048, D Company, King's Own Scottish Borderers, of Cowdenbeath, joined the Army on 27th November, 1920, when he was only 17 years of age; that his mother wrote to the War Office and to the colonel commanding, pointing out that he was under age, and claiming his release; and what action has been taken?

There is no trace in the War Office of any application from Mrs. Edwards, and I am not aware of the facts concerning Private Edwards' enlistment. A report has been called for, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this boy enlisted in November, that he was only 17 years and 3 months old at the time, that his case has been before the War Office, and that no reply has been received?

That is exactly what I am not aware of. No trace has been found of the case at the War Office. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars I will look into the case at once.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Persian Oil Company has been given a monopoly for prospecting oil in Iraq; and whether the King of Iraq has the power of giving other oil concessions to British or other companies in his kingdom?

With regard to the first part of the question the answer is in the negative. The general situation is as stated in the White Paper (Miscellaneous No. 10, 1921) concerning Economic Rights in Mandated Territories. With regard to the second part under Article 240 of the Treaty of Sèvres, property situated in Iraq and belonging to the Turkish Government or to the Turkish Civil List was to be acquired without payment by the new State of Iraq and when the Treaty has been ratified, which as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware has not yet been done, the State of Iraq would therefore succeed to all the proprietary rights of its predecessor.

Will my hon. Friend tell me to whom British companies are to apply for a concession of the kind suggested in the question?

Is the Anglo-Persian Oil Company meant by the "Persian Oil Company" mentioned in the question?

I have no doubt the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is meant. As to the other question, I have some hesitation in giving a reply off-hand, as the matter is extremely technical. I would rather my hon. and gallant Friend gave me notice of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a memorial signed by about 2,000 residents of St. Lucia, including authoritative representatives of all sections of the population, petitioning for a system of representative government; and whether, seeing that a similar request has been granted in the case of Grenada, and in order to allay unrest and encourage inter-colonial good-feeling, he will now accede to this St. Lucia petition?

The petition, which is presumably the same as that referred to in the question asked by my hon. Friend on the 17th August, has been received. The signatories have been informed that it is proposed that, if, as I hope I am, able to visit St. Lucia during my forthcoming tour in the West Indies, I should take an opportunity of acquainting myself on the spot with public opinion in St. Lucia regarding the suggested change in the constitution of that island, and that the Secretary of State will therefore defer consideration of the matter pending my return.

Would the hon. Gentleman kindly answer the second part of the question, namely, whether a similar request has been granted to Grenada, and whether representations have not reached the Colonial Office showing the most unhappy circumstances if a preference is given to one Colony over another in the same group?

With regard to the first point, I was under the impression that I answered the question yesterday. It is a fact that a similar request was received from Grenada. It was received very much earlier, and effect has been given to it. With regard to the other part of the question, I have had a great many representations on the subject of St. Lucia, but I would remind the hon. Member that inasmuch as my visit to the West Indies is largely the result of this and similar representations, it does not seem unreasonable to defer decisions for three months.

Will the hon. Gentleman extend his tour to Hong Kong, where a similar application is being made on behalf of British residents in that part?

Seeing that the Administrator is in England at the present moment and that there is general agreement upon, and no opposition to the proposal, why cannot it be dealt with now, instead of postponing it until next year?

I have seen the Administrator and I do not think I have anything to add to what I have said.

What period will elapse before any action can be taken, after the hon. Gentleman's visit?

I cannot, of course, be precise as to dates, but I need scarcely point out to my hon. Friend that the most probable way of arriving at a conclusion expeditiously will be to form an opinion on the spot, and then I shall be in a position to offer advice to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and enable him to deal with the matter.

You did not do that in the case of Grenada.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the decision te which he has come in regard to the petition of Grenada for a system of representative government; and when the new-system will come into operation?

This is the question to which I have previously referred. The petitioners have already been informed that it is proposed to amend the existing Constitution of Grenada by introducing an elective element into the Legislative Council. A local commission has investigated the details of the scheme, and their report is now under consideration. It is not possible to fix a date for the new Constitution to come into force, as some of the details may require consultation with the Governor.

Is there any reason whatever why a concession granted to Grenada should not also be granted to another Colony in the same group under the same conditions?

The main difference between the two, as I have tried to point out, is that one request was received about six months before the other.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Government during the late War took over the control of the railways and water supply in East Africa belonging to the Magadi Soda Company, Limited, and that this property was of great assistance to His Majesty's forces in the campaign in this area, he will arrange that the claim made by the company for the interest on the money expended on the railway and on the water supply during the period when the Government had control shall be paid by the Government?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The claim has received careful consideration, but I am advised that it is inadmissible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that the police authorities for Devonshire, Essex, Exeter, Lincolnshire, Salisbury, Wiltshire, Berkshire, and Worcestershire have, in increasing pensions under The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, taken advantage of the word may in Part I (1) of the Schedule to the Act, to grant increases less than the amount authorised by the Act; and, if so, whether the police authorities concerned have any discretion in the matter in view of the fact that the word may in most Acts of Parliament is held to be equivalent to the word shall?

I understand that the police authorities mentioned in the question have not in all cases granted increases of pension to the full extent permitted by the Act. I am advised that the matter is one in which the Act gives police authorities a discretion.

Does the Act allow a> reduction in the pensions specified, where all the stipulations have been complied with? May I further ask whether the decision of the Solicitor-General in the Committee on this matter holds good, especially as he ruled that "may" was equivalent to "shall" in most Acts of Parliament, and he justified that because it was a duty and, where a duty was thrown on local authorities, it was not subject to any caprice of that local authority?

I really must ask my friend to put that down. I cannot follow his supplementary question.

In view of the grave objection to differences in the treatment of police pensioners in different parts of the country, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Law Officers and inquire whether the word "may" in this Section of the Act does not really mean "shall"?

I do not agree at all that there is a great deal of difference in the treatment of pensioners in different parts of the country.

In the event of the question of "may" or "shall" being decided, will the right hon. Gentleman support the decision of the Solicitor-General in Committee on this matter?

The Solicitor-General gives no decisions in Committee. It is the Committee which decides.

It is upon the opinion of the Solicitor-General that the Committee acted. They accepted his interpretation.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to correspondence between the Scottish Education Department and the education authority for the burgh of Glasgow regarding the method adopted by the authority for financing the cost of motor ambulances purchased by the authority for the conveyance, in terms of the Education of Defective Children (Scotland) Act, 1906, of cripple children to and from special schools maintained by the authority, whether the use of motor ambulances for this purpose in Scotland was first made by the School Board of Renfrew, who were authorised by the Department to charge the same to capital to be liquidated over a period of years; whether thereafter the Department twice sanctioned the provision by the School Board of Glasgow of motor ambulances and authorised the payment to be charged to capital; whether now the auditor of the Department insists that the cost of a further supply of motor ambulances and other motor vehicles be charged wholly to the revenue account of one year; and whether the present attitude of the Department, whereby heavy expenditure designed to benefit the citizens over a period of years is to be met altogether by rating in one year of exceptional depression, has his approval?

I have looked carefully into the correspondence referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. It is the case that in the instances quoted the Department, having regard to the small expenditure involved, raised no objection to proposals for spreading over a period of years the cost of motor ambulances purchased by the School Boards of Renfrew and Glasgow for the purpose of conveying cripple children to and from special schools. When, however, the Glasgow Education Authority made application for sanction to spread over a period of six years a considerable expenditure in respect of motor vehicles, including not only motor ambulances for the conveyance of defective children, but also motor lorries for coal haulage and other purposes, the Department thought it necessary to refer the question to counsel. In the opinion of counsel, borrowing for purposes other than those expressly authorised in Section 45 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, and in Section 24 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, is ultra vires of an education authority. In these circumstances the Department had no option but to decline to sanction an arrangement for which there is, as they are advised, insufficient statutory authority.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the interest taken in the women's rural institutes in Scotland, he can say how many members of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are employed in connection with women's rural institutes in Scotland; what positions are occupied by these members of the staff and the salary attached to each position; how many members of the staff are engaged in propaganda work and how many in teaching; what the total expenditure per annum is on women's institutes in Scotland, salaries, travelling expenses, and other expenses; what is the relation of the staff of the Board of Agriculture engaged in the work of the rural institutes in Scotland to the central committee of the institutes; and how often has the central committee met?

The staff employed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in connection with women's rural institutes in Scotland numbers seven, namely: One organiser at a salary of £450 per annum, three assistant organisers—two at salaries of £200 each and one at £250 per annum, one woman clerk at 56s. a week, and two typists at 47s. 6d. and 50s. a week respectively. Propaganda work necessarily involves the giving of instruction in institute organisation and development, and all members of the organising travelling staff are trained to undertake this. The total expenditure from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund during the year ended 31st March, 1921, was £2,008, made up as follows: Salaries, £1,201, travelling expenses, £600, and other expenses, £207. The relation of the staff of the Board engaged in the work of rural institutes in Scotland to the central committee of the institutes is purely advisory. I am informed that the first meeting of the central committee will be held this month.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of men who have been settled upon the land under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Acts from 1st January, 1919, up to 1st October, 1921?

The number of holders settled from 1st January, 1919, up to 1st October, 1921, is 1,245, including 743 ex-service holders.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are satisfied with the progress they are making in this matter?

I think satisfactory progress has been made, and it has been accomplished in difficult circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a Commission to inquire into the temporalities of the Church of Scotland has been appointed; and, if so, will he state the names of its members?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can give the figures of the numbers unemployed in each of the building trades in Scotland?

I have been asked to reply. At 7th October, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of unemployed men in the building trades in Scotland were as follow:

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Prime Minister informed us there was no unemployment in the building trades?

If my hon. Friend looks at this a little more closely, he will observe that 1,175 of these men are painters, and that is a seasonal trade, while 3,458 are labourers, whose unemployment largely depends upon the fact that there are skilled men out of work. Of all the others, 1,700 alone are men of other skilled trades, and that means largely that they are men who finished jobs in particular localities and have not yet gone off to others, and who come to register with us.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a communication from unemployed boilermakers in the Plymouth district relating to the local ship-breaking scheme; and whether he is in a position to state his views on the suggestions made?

The communication referred to has been received. The ship-breaking scheme provides for the employment of both ex-service men, and men discharged "on reduction" from the dockyard, this being a principal object. It is open to the contractor to employ whatever classes of workmen may be necessary for the carrying out of the work.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the scheme at the present moment has rather broken down, and many men are unemployed?

Yes, Sir, I regret that I am aware of it. I am doing my best to devise some scheme for helping the situation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Preston the tramways committee of the local authority were obliged to discharge a number of men engaged on repairs to the permanent way, the money allocated for repairs having been exhausted; that subsequently the local authority obtained a grant for work on the permanent way; that men were engaged through the employment exchange for this work; that some of these men had been previously discharged by the tramway committee; and whether, in such circumstances, where men are skilled in the work, the condition that the rate of pay must not be above 75 per cent, of the ordinary rate applies?

I understand from the Unemployment Grants Committee that ordinarily the condition as to 75 per cent, of the ordinary rate of wages is to apply to all cases, but that, in this particular instance, the condition will not be enforced by them, because sanction to the scheme was given before the condition was announced in the recent Circular.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any protests from approved societies with regard to the Circular issued to them allowing to treat employed contributors under the National Health Insurance Act with a certain amount of latitude in the event of the necessary number of contributions not having been paid in consequence of unemployment; whether he is aware that the Circular is regarded as inadequate and that certain approved societies are urging the re-introduction of the benevolent fund or the deduction of a percentage of each society's valuation surplus to be placed in a separate fund, so that the liability might be distributed over the whole of the societies and not limited to any particular one whose members have been hardest hit by unemployment: and whether he will give this matter further consideration?

It has been represented to me by Approved Societies of various types that the concession recently made with reference to the arrears of insured persons who were employed for less than 26 weeks in the past contribution year is not sufficient to meet the needs of the case, and the whole question is having my careful consideration, with a view to the immediate introduction of amending legislation.

asked the Postmaster-General if the inhabitants of Bourneville postal district, Blaina, Monmouthshire, are without the convenience of a public telephone; that repeated applications have been made to the postal authorities for the installation of a telephone; that when medical aid is urgently needed there is no public telephone within a mile of Bourneville; and will he therefore give instructions that a public telephone shall be installed in this area without further delay?

I am prepared to provide a public telephone call office at the Bourneville post office if a guarantee be forthcoming to make good the difference between the annual receipts and the sum of £12. Details of the guarantee terms have been supplied to the District Ratepayers Association and their reply is awaited.

Is it the inhabitants or the place who give the guarantee, or who is to give the guarantee? Is it customary for private individuals to guarantee a Government institution like the telephone system?

If there is not £12 worth of business in the village there cannot be very much serious hardship.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the average monthly number of postcards passing through the post before the recent change in rates, and what is the number to-day; and is the loss in revenue compensated for by the saving in working costs?

I am not yet in a position to give this information. Returns have just been taken, but it will be some little time before the results can be tabulated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give a reply next week?

No. This is a very big business and it will take a considerable time to get the returns in.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that the prohibitive postage rate on picture postcards has led? to a diminution of upwards of 50 per cent, in the issue of these cards, causing serious losses to many retailers and unemployment to many workpeople in the trades concerned; whether he will, in the circumstances, agree to an immediate reduction in the rate of postage; and whether the same staff is required to deal with the reduced number of postcards as was employed before the increased rate became effective?

I have nothing to add to my answers to previous questions on this subject, except to say, with reference to the last part of the question, no part of the staff is engaged in dealing exclusively with postcards, and that the adjustment of the staff to the work is a matter constantly under review.

Is the right hon. "Gentleman not aware that unless something is very rapidly done with regard to these picture postcard stamps the industry will cease to exist before the postage is reduced?

I think that is a very alarming statement to make.

Is this one of the methods by which the Government wish to stimulate trade in this country?

asked the Post master-General if he is aware that a Belgian advertising agency is circularising firms in this country, pointing out that the saving in postage rates makes the cost of printing a negligible quantity, and offering to print, fold, address, and post 1,000 copies of a circular for £4 5s., whereas the postage alone in this country would amount to £4 3s. 4d.; and whether, under these circumstances and in the interest of British printers, he will consider the desirability of reducing the existing postal charges upon printed matter?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave on Thursday last on this subject, a copy of which I am sending him.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the figures given in this question?

I have no reason to dispute the statement contained in the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, under the alteration of the postal train arrangements, subscribers for the Edinburgh and Glasgow morning papers resident in a great number of towns and villages in Scotland north of Glasgow and Edinburgh do not receive their copies of Monday's issue until much later in the day and, in many districts north of Stir- ling, not until the following morning, Tuesday; and whether he will take prompt steps to remedy this great inconvenience?

I am aware that the discontinuance of the postal train which formerly left Euston for Aberdeen on Sunday night has resulted in the delay of a certain number of Scottish newspapers published early on Monday morning. Such arrangements as were possible have been made to minimise the inconvenience, and I understand that the number of these papers now delivered later in the north of Scotland is probably but little over a 100. It has been necessary to subject all parts of the country to restrictions in connexion with the cessation of Sunday night mail services, and as there is still urgent need for limitation of Post Office expenditure I am not yet in a position to reconsider the matter.

When is this postal train service between Euston and Aberdeen likely to be resumed?

I must refer my right hon. Friend to the last part of my answer. At present I am not in a position to do more.

Are the inhabitants of those parts of Scotland to be precluded from reading, for example, Minister's speeches made on Saturday till late in the day on Monday?

That is possible, but you cannot make great economies without minor inconveniences.

Why not close the Post Office altogether?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that letters posted before 12 o'clock noon last Saturday in the towns of Ashton, Preston and Radcliffe did not arrive—

The hon. Member should give notice of such a question.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is intended to utilise the vacant site formerly occupied by the General Post Office in St. Martin's-le-Grand for purposes connected with his Department; and, if so, when it is proposed to start building operations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The site will be disposed of when an adequate offer is received.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say for how long the site has been vacant?

I think, for some years. Work was intended to be begun on the site before the War, but the Government decided, in the then condition of national finance, that they were not justified in going on with so ambitious a scheme. The work can be done in a less expensive part of London, and I hope a substantial sum will be realised by selling this magnificent site.

asked the Post master-General if, in view of the disappointing financial result of the in creased postal charges, the general dissatisfaction caused thereby, and the fact that foreign postal systems are being utilised in order to evade our inflated prices, he will, at the earliest possible moment, take steps to revert to the pre-War standard?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers to similar questions on Thursday last.

Having regard to the circumstances referred to in the question, will the right hon. Gentleman be able at an early date to revert to a standard somewhat intermediate between the present standard and the pre-War standard?

I hope to be able to do that—and the Government will do that—as soon as the finances of the Post Office and of the country justify it, but if we met the case of Belgium and France, the people who are capable of sending their correspondence to those countries to get the benefit of the depreciated exchanges would then transfer their correspondence to Germany, and it would be impossible for us to meet the depreciated currency in Germany.

asked the Pastmaster-General why the usual custom of the Post Office to provide the public and the Press with telegraphic facilities during the night in those towns where a morning daily paper is published has recently been departed from in the case of the Norwich Post Office, which is now closed at midnight; and whether the reason officially given that the number of ordinary telegrams after midnight is very small means that the policy of the Department is now to require that the business in every branch of its operations and at all hours shall be remunerative, irrespective of the fact that the Post Office controls a service of public utility?

The policy of the Post Office in this matter is based upon the general requirements of the public telegraph service. There has been no recent change of general practice, but in view of the urgent need for economy, and of the very high cost of staffing telegraph offices throughout the night, inquiry has been made into the justification for night attendance at a number of the larger offices, and as a result it has been decided to curtail the hours at several offices, Norwich among them.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. C. A. Pim, a prominent business man in Dublin, is retained in the positoin of regional director in Dublin, taking into consideration that he has never served with His Majesty's forces; and what steps are being taken in Dublin Regional Headquarters to enforce the terms of the Lytton Report in connection with the substitution of Mr. Pim and other civilians by ex-service personnel?

Mr. Pim was appointed as Regional Director of the Ireland (South) Region on its inception in July, 1919, and it would be inopportune, in the exceptional circumstances at present prevailing, to consider the question of his replacement. The total temporary staff employed in the region is 296 and of these only eight, some of whom are already under notice of discharge, have not served in the forces.

Is it not a gross breach of the Lytton Report that this man is being retained?

If my hon. Friend was kept as closely in touch with ex-service men as I am, he would know that the first consideration is efficient administration.

Are we to understand that men are put in these positions irrespective of whether they are service men or not?

The hon. Member, unfortunately, appears not to have heard the last part of my answer, which was to the effect that out of 296 people whom we are employing, only eight are not ex-service, and some of those eight are under notice of discharge.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that certain non-service staff in his Department, recently dismissed through substitution machinery, were re-engaged in another section of his Department; and how this action is to be reconciled with the Government's statement regarding employment of ex-service men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the Lytton Committee in their recent Report have recommended a definite proportion as between ex-service and non-service personnel in substitutable grades in the Ministry; and in order to give effect to that recommendation with the greatest rapidity and administrative convenience, women are being transferred from certain sections to fill vacancies in pension issue offices.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the total number of non-service staff employed in Government Departments on the 1st of August?

The total number of non-service staff employed in Government Departments on the 1st August, 1921, was about 219,000, of whom 165,897 were permanent civil servants.

asked the Postmaster-General whether women are being employed on men's work in the mail-bag section, Post Office Stores Department; and whether, in consequence, ex-service men have been discharged?

Owing to temporary slackness on their own work, eight needlewomen are being employed in stencilling light-weight mail bags, which work as a matter of convenience is normally allotted to men. The arrangement is not likely to last more than a few days, and no ex-service men have been discharged in consequence of it.

asked the Postmaster-General how many non-service temporary packers and porters are employed in the Department in London: whether he will see that no further dismissals of ex-service temporary packers and porters shall take place while non-service personnel is being retained; and whether redundant ex-service men can be used to replace non-service men of their class?

There are no temporary non-service packers and porters employed in the Department in London.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether the Post Office Stores Department has a Substitution Committee set up in accordance with the Lytton Committee's Report;

(2) how many temporary clerks are employed in the Post Office Stores Department, London; what are the numbers of non-service men and women employed on clerical duty; and whether this Department is carrying out the recommendations of the Lytton Committee?

As the answer to these two questions is somewhat lengthy, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

A Substitution Committee has not been set up in the Post Office Stores Department, London, as the number of non-service temporary clerical staff is not sufficiently large to justify the formation of such a Committee. One hundred and thirty temporary clerks are employed, of whom 73 are ex-service men, 15 are non-service men, and 42 are women. All the non-service men and 22 of the women are employed on permanent work which is proper to men, and are only being retained till permanent staff is assigned from the recent competitions. It would not be in the public interest to replace them by ex-service men who would shortly have to be displaced to make way for the men assigned for permanent service. The remaining 20 women are employed on women's work, and are therefore non-substitutable. The recommendations of the Lytton Committee are being applied in the various Departments of the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the great difficulty experienced by disabled ex-service men in getting employment at the present time, he will make special provision for such men who have recently left training centres without obtaining improverships?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of making provision for these men is receiving my most earnest attention. Special efforts have been and are being made to find improverships for men whose institutional training has terminated, and a special canvassing staff has been appointed to assist Divisional Directors of Industrial Training in securing workshop vacancies with private employers. One thousand and fifty-six vacancies have been found in the last seven weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many, if any, officers of the Army and Navy are still being educated at Oxford and Cambridge and other universities at the expense of the taxpayers; what has been the total of such expenditure; and when it will entirely cease?

The number of ex-service officers and men who are now in receipt of grants under the scheme administered by the Board of Education, which covers Universities and other institutions for higher education, is, approximately, 11,000. The total expenditure up to 30th September, 1921, is £5,724,934, the estimated total expenditure is £8,500,000. I anticipate that the expenditure under this scheme will almost entirely cease in the financial year 1925–26.

Apart from the enormous expense, is the right hon. Gentleman sure these young men will profit by acquiring that blend of intellectual arrogance and sentimental socialism which is the hall mark of University education?

You benefited by a University education!

Question time is not the time for flowers of speech!

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many ex-service men have been discharged or received their notices from Government Departments since 1st June; how many ex-service men who have been previously employed in Government Departments are awaiting re-allocation through the Joint Substitution Board; and whether the 'recommendations of the first interim Report of the Lytton Committee are carried out in respect of dismissals of ex-service men, namely, disabled men last to go?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether since 1st June a large number of ex-service men have been discharged from Government Departments; whether since the Armistice conscientious objectors have been reinstated; and, if so, whether he can give the approximate numbers in each case?

I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply to questions on these subjects on the 20th October.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered the second part of my question—how many ex-service men are awaiting re-allocation?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that I answered a similar question yesterday. That answer will be in the OFFICIAL REPOBT today.

Nor do I think the hon. Gentleman has answered the second part of my question?

That was answered yesterday, too!

That also was answered in the longer reply to which I have referred.

asked the Minister of Pensions if the pension of Mrs. Wiseman, Cowdenbeath, was reduced on account of the fact that she was in receipt of Poor Law relief; under what authority the reduction was made; and if he is aware that the Poor Law authorities in granting the amount of relief took her pension into account?

My right hon. Friend is reconsidering the question as to the effect of Poor Law relief on "need" pensions granted under the Royal Warrant, and I hope to communicate later with my hon. Friend with regard to the individual case to which he refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the British Representative on the Council of the League of Nations is to make an explanation to this House of the reasons for his concurrence in the decision of the Council to partition the industrial district of Upper Silesia, especially in view of the fact that the sittings of the Council were held in secret; and whether this explanation can be made before the right hon. Gentleman's departure for the Washington Conference?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to my Noble Friend the Member for Hastings (Lord E. Percy).

Yes, but can the right hon. Gentleman now state if we shall have any opportunity of discussing this very extraordinary award with regard to Upper Silesia, and thus of giving the Lord President of the Council an opportunity of making some sort of explanation to the British public?

I think my right hon. Friend said yesterday that, in the circumstances which he recounted in his answer, he would suggest that we should wait until the documents were in, the hands of the House and we had had an opportunity of studying them before debating them.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the documents have now appeared in full in the Press, and that hon. Members have had an opportunity three days ago, and can he now state if there will be any opportunity of hearing the right hon. Gentleman's defence of the auction taken by the Council?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to give a day for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, Central Division, on the subject of the German indemnity.—[" That this House is of opinion that the Indemnity Payments fixed for Germany under the Treaty of Peace and subsequent agreements are injurious to the trade of the world and, in particular, adversely affect this country; and expresses its opinion that the time has come for a revision of the whole position, with the reservation that all possible assistance should be given by Germany towards the rebuilding and re construction of the devastated areas in France ."]

No, Sir. I see no prospect of time being given for the discussion of this Motion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 15th January another payment of 1,000,000 gold marks is due from Germany, which no financial expert in Europe considers can be made without the creation of financial danger, and are we not to be able to discuss this matter?

The hon. and gallant Member now appears to be debating the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether Queen Olga, con sort of King Constantine of Greece, is at present in England; whether this presages any recognition by Great Britain of Constantine as King of Greece; and whether any conversations have taken or will take place between any British Ministers and Queen Olga with reference to either dynastic questions or the present war between Greece and Turkey?

I have no information as to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. The second and third parts, therefore, do not arise. I would venture to point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that Queen Olga is the mother, and not the wife of King Constantine.

Is the Government not aware that Queen Olga is now in this country, as mentioned in the French Press?

I am not aware of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations have taken place or are now proceeding with a view to the granting of a monopoly for the exploitation of tobacco in Greece to a group of English capitalists in return for a loan?

I understand that negotiations were proceeding recently in regard to a loan to Greece from private sources in the United Kingdom, but at present I have no further information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the past two years many loyalists of small means in the South of Ireland have had their houses destroyed and are now suffering great inconvenience and hardship; and what measures does he propose to take to meet their case?

The Government fully realise the hardships inflicted upon many loyal subjects of His Majesty in the South of Ireland during the troubled period of the past two years. For loss sustained by the destruction of property, however, a remedy is available in the provisions of the Criminal Injuries Acts, which enable compensation to be claimed from the ratepayers of the county in which the property was destroyed. The Government will consider whether further measures are required.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the Regulation recently issued by the Sinn Fein Minister of Defence prescribing a dose of lead to anyone who makes an application for compensation? May I send it to him?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read it?

Certainly.

Have any of these-people been paid, and, if so, how many have been paid out of the money awarded?

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an estimate of the total amount of the money which is normally due to the local authorities in the three southern provinces of Ireland from the Imperial Exchequer by way of grant or otherwise, but which is being withheld owing to the refusal of the local authorities to meet the awards made in respect of malicious injuries inflicted on the loyalist population by the Republican party?

The total amount payable from the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account to local authorities in Southern Ireland and withheld under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations, stands at present at approximately £1,650,000. Of this, £940,000 has already been applied in the discharge of criminal injury decrees awarded to Crown employés and other liabilities of these authorities, namely, expenses in connection with the administration of justice. In addition to the statutory sums from the above-mentioned accounts so withheld, it is estimated that out of voted monies a sum at the rate of about £200,000 per annum is being lost to the local authorities each financial year.

Why is compensation given to civil servants before the ordinary inhabitants of Ireland?

Because the police, soldiers and civil servants before the Truce were particularly liable to loss of life and wounding.

Will this money be applied to pay the loyalists who have suffered damage from the acts of the Republican party?

I regret to say that there is not enough money in this fund to pay the damage which these loyalists have unfortunately suffered.

Could not a percentage, at any rate, be paid?

Take it off the railways.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give the total amount to date which has been awarded by the Irish Courts of Justice as compensation for the malicious burning of houses, destruction of property, and murder and wounding of loyalists since the 1st of January or other convenient date; and of this total how much has been awarded in the County of Cork?

The total amount of compensation awarded under the Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Acts against local authorities in Southern Ireland during the period 1st June, 1920, to 30th September, 1921, is approximately £8,000,000, of which about £1,600,000 is leviable off the County of Cork. It is impossible from the records available to state what proportion of these sums is in respect of decrees awarded to loyalists.

Has any of this money been paid?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money invested by the Govern- ment in commercial companies, and the names of the companies and the amount invested in each company?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 12th July last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money reclaimed through the abolition of the taxation of land values and the amount actually refunded?

The total amount of Land Values Duties repaid under Section 57 (3) of the Finance Act, 1920, is £837,110. There are no exact statistics of the aggregate sum in respect of which application for repayment was made, but it closely approximates to the amount actually repaid.

Is this the total sum collected?

The total sum repaid.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much was not paid back?

I shall require notice of that.

Is this a sort of indirect dole to the agricultural industry?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total public expenditure to date incurred during the period of the present Parliament; how this sum is divided up amongst the following headings: Army, Navy, and Air Force, including all military expenditure at home and abroad and all War settlement charges; national debt charges; war pensions; educational, health services; and old age pensions; and all other charges?

The figures for the precise period mentioned by the hon. Member could only be made available at an expenditure of time and money which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not feel justified in incurring. But the hon. Member will find material sufficient, I hope, for his purpose in the annual Finance Accounts and in Command Paper 1304 issued in May last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total national expenditure from both rates and taxes on public assistance in 1910 and 1920 respectively, especially under any Acts relating to the Poor Law, education, provision of meals, old age pensions, public health, housing, national health insurance, unemployment insurance, &c.

The hon. Member will find all the information available set out in a recent return of the total expenditure under certain Acts of Parliament, House of Commons Paper 189 of 1921.

Is the hon. Gentle man aware that in the return to which he refers me, the expenditure on public assistance has increased by nearly £190,000,000 during the past ten years, and by about £233,000,000—

The hon. Gentleman is giving information. Question Time is not allotted for the purpose of giving information, but of getting it.

On a point of Order. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think that, in view of the disclosures in the White Paper to which he has referred me, it is necessary to have a Royal Commission on the whole subject?

The hon. Member must put a question on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a custom that is springing up in business circles of liquidating businesses that have had a prosperous trading year and restarting the concerns under another name; whether this is done with the object of avoiding the payment of Income Tax due; and whether he will introduce a Bill to so amend the law as to prevent this evasion of a legal liability?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not aware of any such practice as is suggested by my hon. Friend. Under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts, the assessment upon a business is computed upon the ordinary three years' average notwithstanding a change in the proprietorship; relief is, however, obtainable where it is proved that the profits have fallen short from some specific cause since the change or succession took place, or by reason thereof. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to Rule 11 of the Rules applicable to Cases I and II of Schedule D of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the approximate annual cost of the production of the publication called Accounts relating to the Trade and Commerce of certain Foreign Countries and British Possessions; and will he make inquiries to ascertain whether any useful object is served by its publication?