asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the depressed condition of the printing and paper trade in Edinburgh, one of the large industries on which the city depends, and whether, with a view to alleviating the serious unemployment that prevails, anything can be done either to secure the allocation of a larger number of such Government and other public contracts for printing and stationery as are now available or to hasten other necessary orders of which the Edinburgh printing and paper industry might have a share?

The attention of my right hon. Friend had not previously been called to the matter in question. As regards the position in the matter of Government contracts for printing, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Dept-ford (Mr. Bowerman) on the 1st August last. AH Government printing required for Scotland is executed in Scotland. The depression in the printing and paper industries is general over the whole kingdom, and it would not be desirable, even if it were feasible, to transfer to Edinburgh printing at present being carried on in other localities. With regard to the paper industry, the Scottish mills are invited to tender for supplies for the public service, irrespective of regional destination. The demand for all classes of paper has been considerably reduced, but mills north of the Tweed continue to secure a large proportion of the orders.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that large queues of unemployed men are waiting daily out-site the Adelphi Hotel, Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, now occupied by the Ministry of Labour; that they have no protection from the weather; and that these premises are quite unsuitable for such a purpose; and whether steps will be taken immediately to obtain other premises, or at least to provide accommodation where men and women now unemployed may wait under shelter?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but I am aware that in a number of towns applicants wait in queues outside the Employment Exchanges. It is, unfortunately, not possible to prevent some measure of congestion at Exchanges during periods of abnormal pressure, particularly if large numbers of applicants present themselves at the same hour, but if claimants to benefit will comply with the arrangements made for their convenience, that is to say, if they will apply at different hours according to the programme notified to them, it is hoped to make payments with a minimum of trouble to all concerned.

asked the Secretary for Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines in the county of Durham that have been stopped during this year; and if any inquiry as to the reasons of such stoppage has been made by the Mines Department?

There are 61 coal mines in the county of Durham which were working at the beginning of this year and which are not working at the present time. Since the termination of control no special inquiries have been made into the reason why work is stopped, but in the majority of cases the stoppage is no doubt for financial reasons or owing to lack of orders. Nine new mines have been opened over the same period.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that 3,500 workmen of the Harton Colliery, County Durham, have received notices to terminate their employment as the colliery is to be closed; that the workmen contend that the colliery can be worked economically and have made practical proposals to that end; and if he has received any request from either the workmen or the mayor of Shields for a meeting to discuss the matter with a view to keeping the colliery open?

I am aware that Harton Colliery has been temporarily stopped, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has referred to me a request from the local miners' lodge and from the Mayor of South Shields that a deputation from the local miners should be received. I am now in communication with the Durham Miners' Association on the subject. I understand, however, that negotiations are still in progress between the owners and the men with the object of re-opening the mines.

asked the Home Secretary whether ho is aware of the criticism made by the Recorder of Liverpool on the action of the police of that city in batoning unemployed workmen in the Walker Art Gallery on Monday, 12th September, 1921; whether he has received documentary evidence justifying the Recorder's criticism, including a statement that the watch committee of the Liverpool City Council is prepared to render all assistance in the event of an inquiry being made into the circum- stances; and if such an inquiry is to be held by the Home Office, and the date of that inquiry?

I have seen the Recorder's remarks to which the hon. Member refers. The Liverpool watch committee, while offering to assist in an inquiry, if I deem one necessary, stipulate that it should be a public inquiry on oath. I have no power to order an inquiry on oath unless authorised to do so by Parliament, and after full consideration I cannot regard the matter as of such urgent public importance as to justify my asking the two Houses to pass the resolutions required by the Act passed last March. If anyone is aggrieved by the action of the police, the courts are open to him to take proceedings against them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in the allocation of the constructional work, the claims of the Thames are being considered?

The claims of Thames' firms will receive consideration so far as price and other essential condition may admit. I may add that a portion of the guns will be made at Woolwich Arsenal.

asked the Minister of Health if a number of municipal authorities are refusing to carry out schemes which would find useful work for many unemployed men because of the instruction sent out from his Department that only 75 per cent. of the recognised trade union rate of wages should be paid to such workmen; and will he take steps to immediately withdraw the instruction, in view of the continuous fall in wages and the difficulty to meet the high cost of living with the present low rate of wages, and so allow the work to be proceeded with in such localities?

As I stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for the Plaistow Division of West Ham (Mr. W. Thorne), the Government are unable to depart from the principle that, for a probationary period, less than the recognised rate of the area for unskilled labour shall be paid, but they have decided that where a man is employed for half a week his pay may be at the rate of 87½ per cent. of the recognised rate, instead of 75 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and the weekly cost in wages and salaries of the staff now employed in the Shipping Department; and when this Department will be wound up?

The staff engaged on work inherited from the Ministry of Shipping is 514, and the weekly cost in wages and salaries, excluding salaries of permanent civil servants on loan from other Departments, is about £2,030. Part of this work, namely, the Government transport work, is permanent. The remainder, shipping liquidation work, is being reduced in volume as rapidly as possible, but it is not possible to give a precise date for its final completion.

asked the Prime Minister if clerical officers in the Civil Service only receive £80 per annum, plus bonus; and whether he will reconsider this rate of remuneration, seeing that those officers are in many cases married men with families?

£80 a year, plus bonus, or £184 a year at the present rate of bonus, is the rate of pay laid down for members of the clerical class in London who are 18 years of age and upwards. The scale rises by annual increments to £250 a year, plus bonus. I am not prepared to reconsider the rates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the deficiency to be met out of the public taxes for the maintenance of the Office of the Public Trustee has increased from £2,409 in 1916 to £114,890 in 1921; and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure that this Department is conducted with due regard to economy in the immediate future?

The position with regard to the financial condition of the Public Trustee's Office in 1920–21 was explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Gilbert) on the 17th August last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As he will see from that answer, the actual expenditure out of the Public Trustee's Vote, 1920–21, was more than covered by receipts under the Public Trustee Act and Trading with the Enemy Acts. Every possible care has been and is being taken to ensure the economical administration of this Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that about 25 temporary clerks in the Admiralty, whose services are about to be, or have just been, dispensed with, have claimed compassionate gratuities under 50 and 51 Vict., c. 67; that such gratuities have not been paid owing to the Treasury leaving failed to give its consent; that the Treasury gave their consent in case of dockyard labourers similarly entitled under the said Act; and whether he will take steps to secure to these clerks an early payment of such compassionate gratuities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on the 17th August last, of which I am sending him a copy. No person is entitled to a compassionate gratuity under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of non-service male civil servants who have obtained promotion since 1914?

I regret that the information is not immediately available, and that it could not be obtained without undue expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that valuers in the Inland Revenue Valuation Office of 11 years' service are being discharged at a month's notice, although in September, 1919, a promise on behalf of the Board was given them of three months' notice of dismissal, and that many of these men have no independent means and their age is against their finding employment outside the Civil Service; and whether some suitable posts now occupied by post-War staff can be given them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Ealing (Sir H. Nield) on the 31st ultimo. I am sending a copy of that reply to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the age limit will be increased for ex-service temporary civil servants who wish to enter the administrative class?

It is not proposed to increase the age limit of 40 on the 1st January last recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee in their last Report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Customs officials are now opening packages of toys to ascertain whether they contain certain toys which the Board of Trade insist are liable for duty under the key section of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, despite declarations and the production of invoices to the contrary; whether dolls'-eyes and the eyes of various other toys, such as teddy bears, gollywogs, etc., are sometimes hollow and sometimes solid, and that to ascertain the process of manufacture means the breaking of the eyes; whether the Customs are so breaking goods of substantial value; is he aware that this process entails a considerable amount of damage to the goods in the re-packing, as well as pilferage and considerable delay; and whether he will give instructions to the Customs officials at Sperling "Wharf, Regent Canal Docks, and other places, that the sworn declaration and original invoices which have to be produced shall be accepted, except in cases where well-founded suspicion exists that the declarations are false?

In the interests of the Revenue, the law empowers the Customs Department to require selected packages of goods entered by importers as free of duty to be opened for examination, and I am not prepared to give instructions that such powers should in no case be exercised. Customs officers are also empowered to take samples of goods for examination and for assessment of duty. I have no reason to believe that in the exercise of such power goods of substantial value are being broken as suggested, but I will cause investigation to be made if the hon. Member will furnish particulars of cases in which such action is alleged. I am informed that in no case have dolls or other toys been broken by Customs officers at the particular dock referred to; though in one or two cases eyes have been taken from dolls found to be broken on importation. I would point out that the unpacking and repacking of goods under the law devolves on the importer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Beren-garia" arrived on the 30th September with a quantity of sugar-milk on board; that as the tide was unfavourable the ship was compelled to lie in the Solent on the 30th September until after the Customs House at Southampton was closed, and that in consequence of this duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act was charged upon the sugar-milk; and whether, in view of the circumstances of this case, he will remit the duty paid?

Under Section 7 (2) of the Finance Act, 1901, it is provided that as regards the first levying or repealing of any duty of Customs, the time at which the importation of any goods shall be deemed to have had effect shall be the time at which the entry of the goods under the Customs Act is delivered and the goods in question become liable to Key Industry Duty accordingly. I may add that if the goods in question are the subject of a sale under contract made before the duty became leviable the seller is authorised under Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1901, to add the amount of the duty to the contract price.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation in the forthcoming Session of Par- liament to secure that a full statement of the paid-up capital employed in the various undertakings in this country shall be submitted to Parliament, with a statement of the profits earned for three years prior to the War and three years since, and thus enable both employers and employed to approach the matter of fixing up harmonious relations with a full knowledge of the actual facts?

I have been asked to reply. The collection of the information to which the question refers would involve a large expenditure, and I am not prepared to propose the necessary legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, according to present arrangements, the resolutions of the Washington Conference will require Parliamentary sanction in each country represented, or whether the delegates will possess plenipotentiary powers?

I am not in a position to answer the first part of the question pending the outcome of the Washington Conference. The British delegates will be furnished with the usual full powers.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement in the Press that at a recent meeting of the governing body of the International Labour Office a letter was read from Sir Malcolm Delevingne stating that he would be unable to take further part in the meetings of the governing body; and whether, in view of the fact that such a loss in the continuity of work and intimate knowledge of the working of the international labour organisation as is involved in Sir Malcolm Delevingne's retirement is a public calamity, he can explain why this change in the representation of the British Government on the governing body has been made?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I have given to-day to an exactly similar question by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Hogge).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Russian men, women, and children, respectively, are maintained as refugees by His Majesty's Government at the present time; whether the Russian Government has been approached with a view to the repatriation of these people; if so, what reply has been received and what arc the reasons given for such reply?

The last detailed reports which were received gave the numbers of Russians who were being maintained by His Majesty's Government us follows:—

3,056 men,

1,435 women,

768 children.

The numbers have, however, been reduced further since these returns were made. The Soviet Government was asked early this year to grant an amnesty to refugees under British control. They replied that they were prepared to admit only those persons who had been passed by the Bolshevik Commission which it was suggested should visit the refugees in Egypt, Cyprus and Serbia, in order that no persons should be admitted to Russia to whom the Soviet Government objected. Subsequently, Monsieur Chicherin, in conversation with the British Agent at Moscow, stated that he was not prepared to admit any refugees under British control into Russia, as they were "antagonistic elements."

asked the Prime Minister whether, assuming that the Board of Trade figures are correct as to the total trade with Russia for the first nine months of this year, being valued at £418,873, exclusive of imports of gold, he will state on what grounds it is anticipated that the total trade with Russia for the year 1921 to be £5,000,000 or £6,000,000?

The figure of £418,000 odd quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend does not represent the total trade of the United Kingdom with Russia during the first nine months of the year, but relates only to imports into this country from Russia. The total of the orders placed in this country during the, first eight months of the year, as stated by the Russian Trade Delegation, represented business at the rate of between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000 in a year.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Russian Government have now offered to recognise the debts of the Czarist Government; and whether His Majesty's Government will now consent to follow the example of the French Government by voting credits to help the starving people of Russia?

It has already been stated, in reply to another question, that the correspondence with M. Krassin on the subject of the recognition of the debts of the Czarist Government will be laid immediately. I understand that the French Government intends to assign the sum of Fr.6,000,000 to the French Red Cross for the relief of the famine-stricken population in Russia, thereby following the action already taken by His Majesty's Government in assigning goods to the value of £250,000 to the British Red Cross.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the imperial Japanese Government has indicated to His Majesty's Government the reasons for the continued occupation by Japanese forces of Vladivostok, portions of the maritime province, and the Russian half of the island of Saghalien; what are these reasons; when it is expected that these troops will be evacuated; and whether he expects that this matter will be raised at the Washington Conference?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise. I have no information to show when the Japanese troops will be withdrawn or whether the question will be raised at the Washington Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the partial repudiation by the Argentine Government of the obligations it undertook to British shareholders in Argentine railways under the Mitre law, on the strength of which law £200;000,000 have been invested by 250,000 British investors in building and equipping the railways of Argentina; and whether he will request the Argentine Government to inform His Majesty's Government what steps the Argentine Government proposes to take to remedy what appears to be the confiscation of British investments in Argentina?

The matter has been brought to my attention, but I have at present nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for St. George's (Mr. Erskine) on the 31st ultimo.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Yugo-Slav Government has repaid any of its debt to Great Britain; and what is the proportion of its budget which is expended upon its armaments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Expenditure on the Ministry of War and Marine for the period 1st June to 31st December, 1921, is understood to work out at rather more than one-fifth of the whole.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the hardships suffered by British citizens arriving in America, who are unwittingly in excess of the monthly quota allowed, by reason of the quite inadequate accommodation provided on Ellis Island, where they are compelled to remain till the month following; and whether any representations have been made to the Government of the United States on the matter?

My attention has been called to the conditions under which British subjects have been, and unfortunately continue to be, detained at Ellis Island. To judge by the distressing accounts which I have received, and which are to a remarkable extent in substantial agreement, the treatment to which persons are subject, and the conditions under which they have to live, on the island would justify the strongest complaints. Repeated representations have been made to the United States Government. Further negotiations are proceeding at the present moment which I hope may lead to some permanent improvement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Serbian troops have advanced to Louria, which is the strategic key of Albania, and that this advance is a deliberate attempt to conquer and possess the country; and whether the Foreign Office is in consultation with the Albanian Government?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether large numbers of Yugo-Slav troops are continuing to cross the frontiers of Albania; whether they are now approaching the town of Lourka; and whether it is possible for representations to be made to the Yugo-Slav Government in order to bring to an end these continual alarms in Europe?

A report has been received that Jugo-Slav troops are advancing into Albania in the direction of Lurya. The Allied Powers have already made repesentations to the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government urging them to maintain the status quo pending the final settlement of the Albanian frontiers. The matter was also mentioned personally to the Jugo-Slav Minister for Foreign Affairs while in Paris in October. Instructions have been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris to expedite the settlement of the frontiers by the Ambassadors' Conference, and to suggest summoning the Jugo-Slav Government to withdraw their troops to their own territory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Board of Trade has made any and, if so, what representations in regard to questions affecting British trade which arise out of the United States tariff proposals published as a supplement to the "Board of Trade Journal" of 4th August; and whether such proposals have subequently materialised into law?

I have been asked to reply. A summary of the representations made to the Board of Trade with regard to the tariff proposals referred to by my hon. Friend has been transmitted to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, through the Foreign Office, for such action as His Majesty's Ambassador may find it possible to take. As regards the final part of the question, I understand that the Tariff Revision Bill as passed by the House of Representatives is still under consideration by the Finance Committee of the Senate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what were the instructions given to the British Commissioner, Commander Garle, on his appointment to examine and assess the claims of British subjects in Turkey: whether Commander Garle has been instructed to base his calculations on either the Versailles or the Sèvres Treaty; will his decisions be final or subject to appeal; are claimants entitled to be given a copy of Commander Garle's reports on their respective claims; has the Commissioner been instructed to base his calculations on present or pre-War prices; and when is it anticipated that Commander Garle will complete his investigation?

The Commissioner was sent out to examine and assess claims by British nationals in respect of loss of life, injury to person, and damage to property in Turkey and former Turkish territory, coming within the provisions of Annex I of the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Versailles, for presentation to the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action. He has no concern with claims under the Treaty of Sévres. The Commissioner's conclusions will be subject to any revision that the Royal Commission may think fit to direct, and it will be for the Commission to decide whether a copy of his reports shall be communicated to claimants. The Commissioner was provisionally instructed to assess damage in respect of commodities at the 1914 value, but to assess damage in respect of buildings or household or personal effects on the basis of the cost of reinstatement. I am unable at present to state how soon he will be able to complete his investigations.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will ascertain from the medical officer of health for Glasgow how many of the children under 10 years of age who were attacked by small-pox in the outbreak in 1920 belonged to families living in one room, two rooms, three rooms, and four rooms and upwards, respectively; and whether any, and, if so, how many, of the fatal cases came from such families?

The figures in reply to the first part of the question are, respectively, 13, 66, 13, and 2. Of these, 5, 18, 6, and 2 respectively were fatal Cases. These figures exclude four cases from beyond the city boundary.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether there is proof that a seine net injuries spawning grounds on the sea bed, or takes up or kills immature fish; if not, whether he will permit a relaxation of bye-law No. 17 of the Fishery Board for Scotland, so as to allow the use of the seine net within the exclusive fishing limits in the Moray Firth; and, if it is proposed to hold an inquiry, will he, pending a decision on the matter, suspend the operations of the fishing board's police cruisers so far as seine-net fishing within the limits referred to is concerned?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Fishery Board for Scotland propose to hold an inquiry at an early date into an application for a relaxation of the provisions of their bye- law No. 17, so far as they effect the exclusive fishery limits in the Moray Firth. In the course of the inquiry the question of the effect of seine-net fishing on spawning grounds and on immature fish will be investigated. With regard to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend is unable to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the £150,000 allocated to Scotland at the time of the repeal of the Agriculture Act was for further development of agriculture in Scotland, or whether grants in aid of agriculture organisation, milk recording, etc., which were previously paid by the Development Commissioners, will now be charged to the new £150,000 grant?

The special fund of £150,000 provided under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act is for the purpose of promoting agricultural development, including the establishment of scholarships and maintenance grants for the children of agricultural workers and others. As regards the second part of the question, the matter is complicated by the reductions in expenditure which are now under consideration, and I am not at present in a position to indicate how far, if at all, the discontinuance or curtailment of services in consequence of these reductions may be avoided by making these services a charge upon the £150,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the reports reaching the Admiralty of live mines taken up by trawler fishermen in the North Sea understate the case; that as late as the week before last the Aberdeen trawler "Prosyon," A. 889, took up four mines in the net, the last one being in the cod end, and rather than risk taking it aboard the skipper cut away, and left his catch to go to the bottom; whether he realises that the unswept area is one of the richest and must remunerative fishing grounds, and will therefore repay the cost of effective sweeping; and will he, in the light of this evidence, take immediate steps to get the area cleared?

With regard to the first part of the question, the facts as known to the Admiralty are as follow:

A report was received that the trawler "Prosyon" trawled up one mine on 11th October, which was brought to Gregness and rendered safe. No report concerning the other three mines has been received. "Prosyon" was one of the two vessels referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on the 26th October as trawling in an area where vessels are warned by Notices to Fishermen not to trawl without using a safety device. As I explained fully in that reply, these areas have been swept and bottom swept with the greatest care, and I regret it is impossible for the Admiralty to take any further action.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a final decision has yet been reached regarding the work of voluntary agencies among the soldiers in military camps; and whether, in view of the widespread opposition that the suggested curtailment of this excellent work has aroused, he will give an assurance that it will be allowed to continue on present lines?

No restrictions on the work of voluntary agencies in connection with the moral and social welfare of the troops have ever been contemplated, but, as I indicated in reply to a question on 24th May last, it is impracticable to allow a large number of institutions to cater on War Department land for soldiers in opposition to the

authorised regimental institutes. The difficulties of the case are, however, fully recognised, and negotiations between all the parties concerned are proceeding with a view to a satisfactory settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of soldiers suffering from venereal disease are treated in barracks or auxiliary hospitals, and are not calculated in the official returns?

All soldiers suffering from venereal disease are admitted to hospital and are treated in hospital till active signs of the disease have disappeared and they are fit to return to duty. All such cases are included in the official statistical returns. Cases of syphilis have subsequently to undergo a prolonged course of out-patient treatment in barracks, but they are not included in statistical returns after their discharge from hospital unless re-admission is necessary, when they are again included in the returns.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the incidence in rates per 1,000 per annum of venereal disease amongst British troops in the United Kingdom, in the Army of the Rhine, and in the Army of the Black Sea, for 1919, 1920, and the first half of 1921?

In the subjoined table the figures shown between brackets for 1919 are those which were given under reserve on 18th May, 1920, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lanark. It is now clear, however, that owing to the rapidity of demobilisation and to other circumstances, they are quite unreliable. No figures for 1919 are available for the Black Sea.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the payment of the £5,724,000 already made to ex-service officers and men under the scheme for their higher education at the universities and other institutions was under the control of the Treasury; if the further expenditure of £3,000,000 threatened by the Board of Education under this head will have to be voted by Parliament; if this matter will come under review by the committee inquiring into the reduction of expenses in Government Departments; and if the proposed continuance of this war measure for another four or five years is warranted by the state of our finances?

All sums required for this service are voted by Parliament and spent under regulations approved by the Treasury. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, the service is continuing only in the sense that obligations to particular individuals long since entered into with the approval of Parliament are still in course of discharge. Save in a few exceptional cases of officers and men whose discharge from the Army was delayed on such grounds as detention in hospital or compulsory detention in a remote theatre of war, no new applications have been accepted since 30th June, 1920.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the redemption of the tithe hitherto charged upon the Crown's Sutton Bridge Estate will result' in increasing the amount payable by the ex-service and other tenants by the amount hitherto paid by the nonresident owners of the tithes in one of two ways, either by the overseers increasing the amount of the assessment of the various holdings, or by the actual loss falling to be paid by the ratepayers of Sutton Bridge, he will see whether the far greater number of the ratepayers are Crown tenants; why the Ministry of Agriculture decided to proceed with the redemption, in the face of the advice of the Holbeach Assessment Committee to the contrary, to the detriment of the Ministry's tenants; and what action, if any, the Ministry proposes to take to recompense their tenants for the burden cast upon them?

I have been asked to reply. In accordance with the general policy of the Tithe Act, 1918, which was intended to stimulate tithe redemption, the Ministry decided to redeem the tithe hitherto charged on its Sutton Bridge Estate. While the redemption of tithe will doubtless result in an increase in the rateable value of the estate, the effect of this, so far as the tenant's liability for rates is concerned, will, in the opinion of the Ministry, be largely, if not wholly, neutralised by the substantial increase in the rateable value of the two parishes principally concerned consequent on the recent sub-division and equipment of a large area of the estate for small-holding purposes. The Minister cannot, therefore, accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that any burden has been cast upon the Ministry's tenants as a result of the redemption, but if my hon. Friend will bring any specific case of the kind to his notice, he will gladly give the matter further consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is his intention to circulate the report of the committee who inquired into the conditions obtaining in Bellahouston Hospital; and, if so, when it will be circulated?

The Report will be published and placed on sale at the earliest possible date. I will arrange to supply my hon. Friend with a copy if he so desires.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether men on leave from hospitals are not paid their ration allowance; and whether he will take steps to secure such payment in the future?

The system of ration allowances does not obtain in my Department. When his condition permits, a man receiving long periods of treatment away from home is given the opportunity of a few days' leave, during which his treatment allowances are continued without interruption. It would be impracticable to adopt any other system of payment.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to cheapen the cost of passages to and from India, to Government officials in the service of the Government of India?

I have not found it practicable to give the assistance referred to by the method of direct payments to officials. I am in communication with the Government of India as to the possibility of alleviating in some other manner the burden imposed on Government officials by the present high cost of passages, but I cannot be held to give any definite promise in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a public meeting of protest against the continued control of rice by the Burmese Government was recently held in Burma; whether there is a strong popular feeling against the continuance of the control; and whether he will now direct that the control be abolished?

I have seen the report of a public meeting at Rangoon favouring a more stringent control of rice than at present exists. I do not doubt that other meetings have favoured a relaxation of control, though I have not previously heard of them. I am in communication with the Government of India on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in connection with the deputation from British Guiana which came to India at the end of 1919 to lay before the Indian Government a scheme for the colonisation of British Guiana by assisted emigration from India, the Indian Government has now ascertained that the Colonial Government is willing to undertake legislation assur- ing equal political rights to Indian emigrants; whether the Government of India has now decided to despatch a deputation to British Guiana to investigate local conditions and the suitability of the proposed colonisation scheme and to report whether further guarantees respecting the status of Indians are necessary; and, if so, of whom does such deputation consist?

The answers to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. The deputation consists of Mr. G. F. Keatinge, I.C.S., Director of Agriculture, Bombay; Diwan Bahadur Keshava Pillai, Deputy President of the Madras Legislative Council; and Mr. Venkatesa Narayan Tewary, of the Servants of India Society.

asked the Minister of Health whether tiles of foreign manufacture are being used in connection with a housing scheme at Willesden; and whether, on grounds of economy and in view of the unemployment existing in the slate industry, he will make inquiry into the matter?

I will make inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the reduction in the cost of building houses is due to the decrease in the price of timber, to the reduced cost of bricks, cement and other materials, and to the reductions in wages paid to workmen?

It is estimated that the reduction in the cost of building houses due to falls in wages rates may be put at 6 per cent., and the reduction due to the lower prices of materials is about 12 per cent. of which 5 per cent, results from the reduced cost of timber. The remainder of the reduction in the cost of building, which amounts to some 12 per cent., is due to increased output, reduced margin for profit and risks and increased efficiency of organisation.

asked the Minister of Health whether facilities will be given for the consideration of the Bill relating to the guardianship, maintenance, and custody of infants during the present Session?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on the 20th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Divisional Court in the ease of Berkshire County Council v . Reading Borough Council; and whether he will adopt the suggestion of the Somerset County Council and seek to amend the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, in order that residence may be defined and the chargeability of a local authority for mental defectives be based on residence for a fixed period, say, one year, within the area of a local authority or on a Poor Law settlement, and that no period of residence in prisons, reformatories, industrial schools, hospitals, sanatoria, for tuberculosis and other diseases, lunatic asylums, or any other public institution shall be deemed to be residence within the meaning of the Act?

My attention has been drawn to this decision, and the suggestion will be considered when an opportunity may occur for amending legislation.

asked the Minister of Health when his proposals to reduce the milk allowance to expectant mothers will take effect; and what this economy is likely to total per month?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I made to questions on this subject on 20th October.

asked the Minister of Health the number of inmates in the workhouses of England and Wales for the year ending June, 1921; and whether he will give the corresponding figures for the years ending June, 1913, and June, 1914?

The number of persons in receipt of institutional Poor Law relief in England and Wales in the years mentioned (exclusive of lunatics in asylums, etc., and casuals) are stated in the following table:

asked the Postmaster General whether he will increase by one the number of seats on the staff's side of the Whitley Council and thus enable the Association of Ex-service Civil Servants to speak on behalf of the temporary male clerks employed throughout the General Post Office?

The allocation of seats on the staff side of the Post Office Whitley Council is primarily a matter for the staff themselves. The number of seats could only be increased by an amendment of the constitution of the annual meeting, which will be held next month. Any proposal of the staff side in the direction suggested would be carefully considered by the official side.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to hurry on the laying of underground telegraph cables during the approaching winter; what mileage is to be laid; and whether a cable is to be laid into the Rotherham and Sheffield districts?

The work of laying underground cables for both telegraph and telephone purposes is being pressed on as rapidly as possible. Contracts are being proceeded with which cover over 800 miles of main cable, of which nearly half will contain telegraph wires. The cables will connect 69 cities and towns with the main underground trunk system, and, in addition, some 500 miles of cable will be laid in connection with the development of the local telephone system. One of the main cables will connect Sheffield with Derby and Leeds, and other cables will also be laid in the Sheffield and Rotherham district.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegrams are only accepted if they are in plain language without commercial marks or abbreviations; whether recently a telegram for abroad from a Liverpool firm was refused on the ground that it contained the well-known abbreviation c.i.f., and that subsequently the firm had to use the words charges, insurances, and freight, which cost an additional 7d.; and whether, in view of the Government's desire for more trade, he will consider the advisability of abolishing such Regulations in connection with trade telegrams?

Commercial marks and recognised commercial abbreviations are accepted in full-rate telegrams to all places abroad, save when they are debarred by Censorship Regulations in

the country to which they are addressed. If the hon. Member will supply me with the particulars of the telegram to which he refers I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of meals provided under the Feeding of the School Children Act by the 28 large towns in England, respectively, together with the cost and amount recovered in each case for the nine months ending September, 1921?

I assume that by the 28 large towns in England the hon. Member means the 28 towns which have the largest population. I have no separate figures relating to the number of meals provided during the first three months of this year, but, according to returns furnished to the Board by local education authorities, the number of meals supplied in each of the towns in question during the six months ended 30th September was as follows:

Information relating to the cost of the meals and the amount recovered will not be available until the annual returns relating to the year ending 31st March, 1922, are received from local education authorities. For further information, I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to page 147 of the Report of the Board's Chief Medical Officer for 1920 [Cmd. 1522], which has just been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Sinn Fein prisoners have escaped from military camps since 11th July; and what disciplinary action has been taken?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary from what country arms are being imported into Ireland, as is alleged by certain parties; whether any are manufactured in and exported from this country; and, if so, will he state the names of the firms and the names of the directors of such firms, whether British or allied, with the amount of profit being made on these alleged transactions?

As regards the first part of the question, I can only say that attempts to import arms from both Germany and America have come to light. On each such occasion of which evidence has been obtained the attempt was frustrated by the action of the Government concerned. As regards the latter part of the question, if any firm in this country were known to be engaged in supplying arms to Ireland, appropriate action would at once be taken, and the facts would be made public.

asked the Home Secretary whether the pay of the Metropolitan Police has recently been reduced; and, if so, by how much weekly for officers and men; if the present rate of pay is still open to further reductions; and, if so, on what basis it will be made?

There has been no reduction in the scales of pay which were granted to the police in 1919 on the recommendations of the Desborough Committee. The bonus which was granted last year on an agreed sliding scale varying with the cost of living lapsed automatically at the end of September by reason of the fall in the cost of living. No reduction in the pay of the police is contemplated.

asked the Home Secretary what censorshp is at present exercised on cinema films, who are the censors, when do they meet, and what are their powers?

There is a voluntary censorship of cinematograph films conducted by a Board of Censors established by the trade, of which the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool is president. This Board which sits daily has no statutory powers, but nearly all films are by agreement submitted for censorship before they are exhibited. It is also open to local authorities in pursuance of their powers under the Cinematograph Act, 1909, to insert conditions in the licences issued by them as to the character of the films which may be exhibited, and L understand that many local authorities are exercising their powers in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any powers to require a banker to furnish information about a client's finances other than by an Order of the Court; whether in fact his agents have approached any bankers with a request for such information since the repeal of the Defence of the Realm Act; and, if so, under what circumstances?

I have no such power, and I have not authorised any person to make such a demand. It is of course quite possible that the police in the ordinary course of an inquiry may have applied to a banker for information, but they could not demand it.

asked the Home Secretary the reasons which led to the instant retirement of Sir Basil Thomson, K.C.B., from his position as Chief of the Special Department of the Criminal Investigation Department after many years of distinguished service to the State?

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the principal officers of the Metropolitan Police Force have recently resigned; whether such resignations are caused by the reorganisation of the Headquarters Staff of the Police; if so, on what lines it is proposed to reorganise the Force; and can he make any general statement on the subject?

Sir Basil Thomson is about to retire in order to facilitate a reorganisation of the Department of which he had charge. There has been no other resignation in his Department. It is hoped that the reorganisation will lead to greater economy and increased efficiency.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that the various Communist clubs are being used for the open and avowed teaching of treason, and that at the Sunday schools organised by these people children are being taught disloyalty to the King and the belittling of the Empire, and other pernicious doctrines; and what steps, if any, are being taken to have such clubs licensed and their proceedings reported?

I have no doubt it is the case that there is very objectionable teaching at some of these "Sunday schools," but I fear that the hon. Member's suggestion would not provide any remedy. Clubs are not required to be licensed. Those in which intoxicating liquor is supplied have to be registered, but, even if they are registered, this gives the police no right of entry for the purpose of reporting the proceedings of the club or the teaching given by its members?

asked the Home Secretary what steps, if any, are being taken to secure the rights of free speech at public meetings; what action is to be taken to counteract the many organised attempts to break up political and labour meetings by bands of Communists, many of whom have secured admission to such gatherings by means of forged tickets; and if he will consider the advisability of so amending the laws of conspiracy as to safeguard the rights of the community?

The responsibility for preserving quiet in public meetings and securing a hearing for the speakers rests with the promoters of the meeting. The police do not, as a rule, enter the meeting unless their assistance is called for to prevent or suppress actual breaches of the peace. So far as I am aware, the police, when their aid has been invoked, have dealt effectively with all outbreaks of disturbance. I do not think any amendment of the law of conspiracy would affect the position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a farmer paying Income Tax under Schedule D, who is also engaged in another business enterprise other than farming, is liable to pay the full rate of Income Tax on any profits arising out of his non-agricultural business without taking into consideration losses sustained on his business as a farmer, or whether his income from the two sources would be considered as one income for the purposes of Income Tax, and a loss on one business set off as against profits on another?

In the circumstances suggested in the question, the farmer, upon proof of the farming loss at the end of the year of assessment, would be in a position to claim repayment of Income Tax on the amount of the proved loss up to an amount not exceeding the tax actually paid and borne by him for the year in question in respect of the profits of his non-agricultural business and his income from any other sources. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of Section 34 of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an international monetary conference is to be held shortly in London; and whether the Government are taking any part in the conference?

I understand that an international monetary conference has been called to meet in London on 6th December under the auspices of the Sound Currency Association. The conference is entirely unofficial, and while His Majesty's Government are in sympathy with the general purposes of the conference, they do not propose to be officially represented at it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £500, given as the cost of the visits of Ministers and officials to Gairloch and Inverness, includes the cost of the destroyer used by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland?

No, Sir. I am informed that the only cost involved in this connection is that of the fuel consumed, and this consumption of fuel will involve no excess over the provision authorised for steaming purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the clearances from bond of home-made spirits in proof gallons were for the quarters ending June and September, 1921?

The number of proof gallons of home-made spirits retained for home consumption in each of the quarters ended 30th June and 30th September, 1921, was as follows: Quarter ended 30th June, 1921, 3,350,259 proof gallons; quarter ended 30th September, 1P21, 3,509,682 proof gallons.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the attention of His Majesty's Board of Customs has been called to the case of an artificial bird in a cage which when wound up with a key emits a musical sound resembling whistling, and that His Majesty's Board of Customs has decided that this is a musical intrument and must bear the duty of 33⅓ per cent.; and whether he can explain on what grounds the Board have decided that this is a musical instrument?

My attention has been drawn to the case to which the hon. Member refers. On further consideration of the musical capacity of the bird in question, it has been decided that it is not a musical instrument.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, on a recent consignment of furniture casters, the importer was asked whether any of these were likely to be used by pianoforte dealers, as, if so, then he must pay the duty of 33⅓ per cent, and, if at the end of the year any of the casters capable of being so used had not been used, drawback could be obtained; if so, whether this action was taken on instructions issued by the Board of Customs; and, if so, whether he will cancel these instructions?

The particulars given are insufficient to enable the consignment in question to be traced, but if the hon. Member will supply me with further details I will cause inquiry to be made as to the facts.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether arrangements can be made at the opening of Parliament to afford Members of this House suitable and sufficient accommodation when they present themselves at the House of Lords in obedience to His Majesty's gracious summons to hear the Speech from the Throne, instead of having, as at present, to resort to galleries and in some cases possibly not obtaining admittance at all though attempting to obey the summons of His Majesty?

The disposition of seating accommodation in the House of Lords does not lie within the responsibility of the First Commissioner of Works, who is forwarding the hon. Mem- ber's suggestion to the Lord Great Chamberlain. But I may point out that it would appear impossible to increase the seating accommodation on ceremonial occasions, except by curtailing the gallery space occupied by the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a resolution passed on 1st September at Dar-es-Salaam by a mass meeting of unofficial British and other European residents in Tanganyika Territory protesting against the principle of assimilating the financial, fiscal, and economic position of the territory to that of Kenya Colony, on the ground that such assimilation is unfair to Tanganyika Territory inimical to the development, and contrary to the interests of settlers, traders, and natives alike; whether he has sent any reply to this representative protest; and whether he will safeguard the rights and interests of all sections of the population in Tanganyika by severing all fiscal and administrative connection between it and the wholly different Crown Colony of Kenya, for whose present financial and economic embarrassment the people of Tanganyika are in no way responsible?

The resolution has been received, and the Governor has been instructed to acknowledge it. As my hon. Friend is aware. Tanganyika Territory and Kenya Colony are in no way administratively connected. It is clearly desirable that these adjoining territories should have the same currency, and that the Customs duties should be similar as far as possible. The desirability of departing from an identical tariff, where local conditions will justify it, has not been overlooked, and the present identical tariff is liable to amendment. The subject is to be considered at a conference of the local authorities, who will submit their recommendations for my approval.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will include British Guiana in his tour of the West Indies with a view to careful inquiry into the coolie question there?

Yes, Sir. I propose to include British Guiana in my tour, but I am not clear in my mind what inquiry the hon. and gallant Member has in view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can lay before the House any Report of the recent elections for the senate and assembly at Malta; whether those elections were carried out under the system of proportional representation by the single transferable vote; and whether any difficulties were encountered in carrying out the system?

I have not yet received any report on the recent elections in Malta, but will ask the Governor to furnish one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sekondi, Gold Coast Colony, was selected after a survey of other sites, including those near Takoradi, and recommended by the Crown Agent's consulting engineers as suitable for a deep-water harbour should one eventually be required; whether the harbour constructed as a result of that report, and the town which has grown up around it, represents an outlay of public and private capital to the extent of at least£1,000,000 sterling; whether an important committee appointed by the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony reported as recently as May, 1919, that the time was ripe for the further development of Sekondi into a deep-water harbour; whether, and for what reason, it has been decided to commence an entirely new scheme at Takoradi, some six miles by road from Sekondi, and abandon the latter port; and what is the estimated total cost of a complete and fully-equipped deep-water harbour at Takoradi and the tonnage expected to pass through that port annually?

No, Sir. The consulting engineers in 1898 were considering the provision of a harbour for small craft, and stated that if a deep water harbour were in question, the Takoradi site was the best. They are still of the same opinion. The development of Sekondi into a deep water harbour would be a costly and very difficult undertaking and would greatly hamper the existing trade during construction. Takoradi has been selected as the best and, indeed, the only practicable site for such a harbour. The provision of a deep water harbour is necessary in order to deal with the growing volume of exports, which is expected to increase rapidly as new railways are built, and to reduce the cost of handling goods. The cost of the full scheme as originally sketched was about five millions sterling and the scheme at present sanctioned is estimated to cost £1,600,000. It is quite impossible to give an estimate of the tonnage, as that depends upon the development of rail and road transport, but I may state that the tonnage exported from Sekondi has risen from 23,000 in 1914 to 97,000 in 1920, and further proportionate increases are to be expected in the future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a statement by an official of the French Ministry of Agriculture that British railway companies possess no trucks really suitable for the transport of fruit and vegetables; whether frequent complaints have been made as to the character of the vans provided for the conveyance of milk; and whether he will cause representations to be made to the railway companies with a view to securing more suitable provision for the transportation of agricultural produce?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not aware that there is any lack of suitable trucks for the conveyance of fruit and vegetables in this country. The statement to which the hon. Member refers is doubtless one which appeared in the Press on the subject of the provision of specially designed stock for use in connection with the experimental train ferry service to carry fruit and vegetable traffic from France. The Ministries of Agriculture and Transport have been discussing the question of the best type of vehicle for carrying milk, and the matter is receiving the consideration of the railway companies in connection with the building of new stock.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the impact tests carried out by the United States Bureau of Public Roads showing the relative damage to road surfaces by various kinds of solid rubber tyres and also by pneumatic tyres; whether his attention has been drawn to the recent recommendation of a joint committee in America, representing vehicle interests and road engineers, advising a lower scale of taxation for vehicles equipped with pneumatic tyres as compared with those provided with solid rubber tyres; whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of adopting for the year 1922 a preferential tax or rebate for all vehicles equipped with pneumatic tyres, having regard to the fact that such vehicles do practically no damage to modern road surfaces; and, if not, whether he is willing to appoint a committee of experts to inquire into this question and report before the end of the year?

The answers to the first and second part of the question are in the affirmative. The whole question is the subject of a most careful consideration and investigation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can now give a date for the consideration of the Genoa Conventions?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the statement which I made yesterday in regard to the Business for next week.