asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to state the conditions which have been arrived at by the Government of India for the issue of proportionate pensions to those members of the Indian Civil Service who do not see their way to serve under the present conditions in that country?

The following Resolutions are being issued by the Government of India, with my approval, on the 8th November dealing with this and connected matters:—

asked the Prime Minister whether, as so much of the work of the Ministry of Transport has ceased owing to the de-control of the railways, and as so many of the staff have left, it would be possible to further economise by placing this Ministry under one of the other Cabinet Ministers, say the Board of Trade, with a special Under-Secretary to deal with roads?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last, in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definite steps have been taken towards providing other Civil Service employment for the temporary valuers of the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue; and what has actually been done on the basis of substitution by the Substitution Committee of the Inland Revenue and the Joint Substitution Board of the Ministry of Labour, bearing in mind that over five weeks of the two months' notice to terminate their engagement have already expired?

Applications for appointment to established tax clerkships have been received from three temporary valuers, and of these two have been offered appointments, while the case of the third is under investigation. Seven vacancies for collectors of taxes have arisen, and temporary valuers are being considered for these posts. The Board of Inland Revenue would also be prepared to consider temporary valuers for temporary clerical appointments, should any of those officers so desire. The Joint Substitution Board is endeavouring to obtain employment in other Government Departments for the redundant ex-service valuers, and a definite offer of appointments is being made to one of them. The qualifications of the remainder have been submitted to various Government Departments. It will, however, be understood that the number of temporary posts above graded clerkships in Government Departments for which the qualifications of the officers in question fit them, is extremely limited.

asked the First Secretary to the Treasury how many ex-service temporary civil servants have been marked medically unfit for the permanent service?

The number of ex-service candidates at the recent limited examination who have been disqualified on medical grounds for permanent appointment is eight.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what was the gross monthly cost for pay and allowances in 1914 and 1921, respectively, of officers employed at the War Office; when is it proposed to reduce the present cost to the pre-War level, allowing for increase in daily rates of pay; and whether a large number of officers now at the War Office are doing the work of displaced civilian clerks?

The gross monthly cost for pay and allowances of officers employed at the War Office was in 1914 £12,500, and is in 1921 £35,000. It is impossible to say when the present cost will be reduced to the pre-War level, allowing for increase in rates of pay, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the staff of the War Office is subjected to constant and careful review, and reductions effected from time to time as the pressure of work permits. It is incorrect to suppose that any officers at the War Office are doing the work of displaced civilian clerks. During the War officers who were temporarily unfit for duty with their regiments were in the interest of economy employed in the War Office instead of doing nothing while convalescing, and clerks were thereby saved. This practice has long ago ceased, and officers are employed at the War Office solely on work which is appropriate to officers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what number of whole-time officials are employed in the Welsh section of the Ministry; and what was the total expenditure in respect of salaries and expenses of administration for the month of October last?

The number of whole-time officials employed by the Ministry in Wales during September last was 61. Their salaries, travelling and subsistence allowances for that month amounted to £3,797 12s. 7d. The figures for October are not yet available.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now announce the appointment of the Select Committee to inquire into the employment of conscientious objectors in Government offices?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state when the Select Committee on the employment of conscientious objectors in Government offices will be set up; what will be the terms of reference; and the names of the Members who will be appointed?

A Motion for the appointment of this Select Committee has appeared on the Order Paper, and will be moved to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering the depression in so many circles purveying public entertainment, he will consider the desirability of making a special study of the effect of the Entertainments Duty with the object of ascertaining whether a reduction is desirable in the coming financial year?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the effect of the Entertain- ments Duty, as of all other taxes, on the various industries concerned receives my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's constant attention, and will be fully considered in connection with the finances of the coming year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether local collectors of Customs and Excise are demanding from cricket, football, hockey, and other amateur clubs certain rates of duty under the Entertainments Duty Act on each senior member's subscription, 3d. for the entrance fee, first year 6d., on each senior lady playing member 2d., entrance fee, first year, 2d., on each junior boy's subscription 6d., first year's entrance fee 2d., on each junior girl's playing-member subscription 4d., on first year's entrance fee ½d., on non-playing men's subscription of £1 1s. the sum of Is., on ladies' subscription of 15s. 9d., and on affiliated honorary members paying 10s. 6d., 6d.; under what circumstances such assessment becomes payable, seeing that all such clubs upon which the demand has been made are run strictly for physical recreation of the members and that there is no entertainment; will he at once give instructions to the commissioners of the Entertainments Duty to cease such demands; and is he aware that if such taxes have to be paid by amateur sporting bodies who run their clubs purely for amateur sport and physical recreation of their members, it would mean the closing down of many small clubs throughout the country, and that no gate attendance is charged by any of these clubs, all of which are semi-private in character and already pay high taxation?

The charges to which the hon. Member refers arise under Section 1 (4) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, which provides that Entertainments Duty is chargeable on such part of the subscription or contribution to any club, association, or society as appears to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to represent payment for the right of admission to entertainments in respect of which Entertainments Duty is payable. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable to say whether there is liability to duty under this provision in particular cases without a full knowledge of the facts; but if the hon. Member will furnish him with details of the cases he has in mind he will have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much have the Slough Trading Company paid to the Government, up to date, under their contract for the Slough depot of £7,000,000?

The company have paid the whole of the money due to date under the heads of agreement, i.e., for the mechanical transport and spares, £3,650,000; for the depot, £1,000,000. The next instalment for the latter is due on the 31st December next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to enforce the Corporation Profits Tax for the years 1920 and 1921?

Yes, Sir. The duty is being assessed and collected in the usual course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount applied to sinking fund and amortisation by the Government on Government stocks since the 31st March, 1921; and what is the amount of death duties paid in war stocks?

The amounts applied to sinking fund and amortisation by the Government on Government stocks between

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the amount of coal exported monthly from America to Europe from 1st January, 1921, to the date of the latest returns available, and the price of the same at the port of delivery?

The amount of coal exported monthly from the United States of America to Europe from 1st January, 1921, and the average declared value f.o.b. American ports of bituminous coal exported to Europe were as follow:—question, the price of American coal at European ports of delivery cannot be stated, but an addition of from 4 to 6 dollars per ton to the f.o.b. values shown above for the freight rate will furnish the best practicable indication of the c.i.f. value of bituminous coal.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed, the quantity of coal raised and the quantity commercially disposed of, the wages cost and the costs other than wages in the Monmouthshire and South Wales coalfields during July, August, and September, respectively?

As soon as I have obtained the necessary information I will issue a statement giving these particulars for the quarter ended the 30th September in respect of the industry as a whole and the various districts. I do not think the circumstances are such as would justify me in asking for the figures for each month separately.

asked the Home Secretary whether a number of the English officers who were dismissed consequent on the London police strike in 1919 joined the veteran corps of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the invitation of the Home Office; whether a large number of those men have been promoted to high ranks in the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, seeing that they have given entire satisfaction to their superiors in every respect, will he now consider their reinstatement in the English prisons' service?

I have repeatedly considered the matter, and regret that I feel unable to make any exception to the rule that none of the prison officers who were dismissed for refusing to obey orders in 1919 can be reinstated.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons recently employed by Sir Basil Thomson in the Special Department of the Criminal Investigation Department have recently resigned, been asked to resign, been dis- missed, and been transferred to other Departments; who is at present in charge of investigating revolutionary and seditious, and especially Russian, activities in this country; what previous experience the present Chief Commissioner of Police has had in this highly specialised work; and whether the activities of the Special Department when under Sir Basil Thomson were confined to the Metropolis, or the United Kingdom, or whether they included secret service abroad as well?

The answer to the first part of the question is, none. Since Sir Basil Thomson's resignation no person employed by him has resigned, has been asked to resign, has been dismissed, or has been transferred. The answer to the second inquiry is—the same gentlemen who were in charge under Sir Basil Thomson. The reply to the last two inquiries is that, as head of the Metropolitan Police, the Commissioner has the widest possible experience of police work of every kind, and, in addition, he will be assisted by expert officers in the specialised work; and that Sir Basil Thomson's Department collected information from all parts of the United Kingdom and from abroad.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the defects in the gaming laws and the recent disturbances connected with race meetings, he is prepared to recommend the appointment of a small Committee to consider the amendment of the gaming laws and to confer with racecourse companies and racing authorities for the purpose of devising means for protecting the public against fraudulent and other undesirable persons doing business at race meetings and sports gatherings?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 17th June, 1920.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Employment Exchange at Blaenau Festiniog is to be closed; whether he is aware that this Exchange is the only one in the county of Merioneth, and that the area in which it is situate is the centre of a large industry in which unemployment prevailed for many years; and whether he will consider the desirability of retaining the Exchange?

After careful consideration I propose to discontinue the temporary Employment Exchange, opened at Blaenau Festiniog during the demobilisation period, and to replace it by a Branch Employment Office, which will be much more economical and will, I am satisfied, be adequate to meet the needs of the district.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of miners are now unemployed in the South Yorkshire coalfield; and what steps have been taken to provide relief work of a kind suited to them?

The percentage of miners registered as unemployed in the South Yorkshire coalfields at 28th October was 28. Various local authorities in the area have submitted schemes to the Ministry of Transport and the Unemployment Grants Committee towards the cost, of which grants totalling £191,457 have been sanctioned. The number of men for whom employment has been found on these works is approximately 3,700. As regards further assistance, the local authorities concerned may submit proposals to the Ministry of Transport and the Unemployment Grants Committee, who have power to make contributions towards the cost of schemes in accordance with the proposals outlined by the Prime Minister on the 19th October.

asked the Minister of Labour the result of his inquiries into the delay of several weeks in the payment of unemployment benefit at Cowes?

A number of claims were unfortunately delayed owing to abnormal pressure whilst others were held up owing to the non-receipt of particulars which applicants and employers had been asked by the Exchange to furnish. The position is now greatly improved, and a special inspection will be made at an early date in order to ensure that all avoidable causes of delay are removed.

asked the Minister of Labour if any payments are being made to people out of work beyond payments under the Unemployment Insurance Act and relief granted by boards of guardians; and, if such sums are being paid, to what categories of persons and the amount thereof?

As far as I am aware, the only payments other than those specified in the question now being math out of public funds to workpeople out of work are the payments of out-of-work donation due to unemployed ex-service men and women who, after serving on a duration-of-the-war engagement, were discharged from the forces within the previous 12 months. These payments are now few and rapidly diminishing in number. On 21st October the number in receipt of out-of-work donation was 192, and the weekly payments made amounted to £232. I should add that, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, certain payments additional to unemployment benefit are proposed for six months from 10th November by the Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provision) Bill now before Parliament. That Bill, it will be remembered, provides expressly that the whole amount of these additional payments and also of the unemployment benefit itself must be taken into account by boards of guardians when dealing with applications for relief.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now state the result of his inquiries into the case of the action of an owner of several farms, comprising 814 acres, in the Colchester district, in giving notice to his tenant farmers to leave, resulting in throwing 52 workmen out of employment and good land going to waste?

Yes, Sir, and I am informed that the estate referred to has changed hands recently, the tenants being given notice to quit at Michaelmas last, in order that the purchaser might then have vacant possession. It is the fact that practically all the five farms comprised in the estate are, at the moment, unoccupied and uncultivated, but one farm, and the greater part of another, have already been sold, and will be cultivated at once, while two other farms, in regard to which negotiations for sale are proceeding, are expected to be sold in the near future when cultivation will be resumed. The remaining farm is being retained by the purchaser, and will be farmed by a bailiff. I hope, therefore, that the workmen referred to will shortly be re-employed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-service pensioners under treatment are not qualified to receive grants from the Civil Liabilities Department unless in receipt of full treatment allowances; that therefore a man undergoing treatment upon several days in the week who merely is compensated for loss of time is disqualified, although that loss of time may be sufficient to prevent his providing for his future; and whether he can revise this Regulation?

I am aware of these facts. As treatment allowances are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Pensions if the pensioner is in a position to accept employment, it was considered that as men receiving treatment, with allowances, were, equally with men in hospital, unable to take steps to provide for their future, they should be made eligible for assistance from the Civil Liabilities Fund. The time limit was accordingly extended for such men, but not for men who, though receiving occasional treatment, have opportunities for providing for their future.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many reservists who were called up for service during the coal stoppage were thereby completely ruined in their business prospects, whether industrial or agricultural; that these men have been refused any assistance owing to the Regulation which the Civil Liabilities Department is compelled to obey, and which forbids the making of grants unless applications are lodged within 12 months of first demobilisation or discharge, and that this insist- tence on this Regulation is materially adding to the prevailing unemployment; and whether he can see his way clear to amend it?

The Civil Liabilities Department was inaugurated to alleviate hardship arising out of service with His Majesty's forces in the recent War. I am afraid that service during the coal stoppage cannot be admitted under this heading.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an applicant who is out of date cannot receive aid from the Civil Liabilities Department; that if the applicant, on being refused, crosses the road and secures industrial training at the public expense he is entitled to a grant for precisely the same purpose as indicated in his original application; that it costs on an average £290 to establish such a man as against an average of £30 if his original application were granted; and whether he can remedy this anomaly?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. As to the second part, a disabled man would not be regarded as eligible for training in a trade which he is able to follow notwithstanding his War service. Further, no Civil Liabilities Grant can be awarded to a trainee for whom there is an opening with an employer in the trade for which he has been trained. The contingency referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is therefore most unlikely to arise. But I will look into the matter and consider whether any real hardship can arise, in which case I will ask for authority to deal with it on its merits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any and, if so, what portion of the Pembrey Farm Settlement has been sold and at what price; how many small holdings have been created on the estate; the number of ex-soldiers now settled there; the total cost of the scheme from November, 1917, to date: and whether the Ministry has come to any decision as to the future policy with regard to the settlement?

849½ acres of the Pembrey Farm Settlement have been or are being sold for £11,260. Four smallholdings have been created for ex-service men, while 18 other ex-service men have been settled on the farm. The total capital expenditure by the Ministry up to 30th September last was £61,985. The question of the future of the settlement is at present under consideration by the Departmental Committee appointed on 13th May, 1920, whose preliminary Report was presented to Parliament as Cmd. 851.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether under the scheme of educational assistance for ex-service officers and men training and maintenance allowances have been given to individuals whose previous opportunities would never have admitted them into the profession for which they are being trained; and is it a fact that school-masters under this scheme have been trained at the taxpayers' expense for other professions?

I have no doubt that some of the ex-service students who are being aided under the scheme for the higher education of ex-officers and men would not have been able, before the War, to secure full-time courses of higher education for the professions for which they are now preparing. I see no reason to regret this circumstance. Some students who were teachers before the War have been aided with a view to their adopting another profession. But it has been the Board's rule to discountenance such change of profession unless there was clear evidence that disability caused by War service rendered a return to the teaching profession undesirable in the interests of the individual and of the educational service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Second Lieutenant Alfred Clare joined the Royal Flying Corps on 1st November, 1915, and was then passed as Al for General Service; that he served nearly 18 months in France and earned his commission abroad; that in February, 1918, he was passed fit for flying and carried out his duties as pilot observer in the Royal Air Force for five months; that on 28th July, 1918, he got a fall, through the premature landing of an aeroplane, while on duty, was very seriously injured internally, and has since undergone many surgical operations; that he had to resign his military duties and his permanent Civil Service appointment, and leave his home and go to South Africa under the surgeon's orders to save his life; that he was examined by several boards and was at first informed that his sickness did not carry a wound gratuity, then that his injuries did, then that he suffered from tuberculosis, and then that there was definite proof of absence of tuberculosis and that this application for wound gratuity has been under consideration for over three years and has not yet beer, granted; and will he have the case dealt with promptly?

The facts are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend, except that I can find no evidence in confirmation of the conflicting statements alleged to have been made to the ex-officer as a consequence of successive medical examinations. His claim to wound gratuity has been most exhaustively considered; two medical boards, specially convened, have found that his condition is not definitely attributable to the crash of July, 1918, and as a wound gratuity can be given only for definite injuries sustained in action or through the performance of military duty otherwise than in action, I regret that the application cannot be granted.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will retain the head-quarters of the Fife War Pensions Committee at Cupar, the county town, and not remove it to any other place in the county?

The reorganisation of the areas of war pensions committees in Scotland is at present engaging the attention of the Committee which I have appointed to advise me on that important matter. I have accordingly referred my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to the Committee for their consideration and report.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a non-combatant who only performed 11 months' service at home during the War, and is now a resident in the area administered by the Aldershot War Pensions Committee, has received grants from the Ministry of Pensions to the extent of over £600; and, if so, whether he will state the full amount paid to this man and the reason for such payments?

The Ministry were of opinion that the disability for which this man was discharged was neither attributable to nor aggravated by service, but the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, to whom an appeal was made, conceded aggravation. The man thus became entitled to the full benefits of the Royal Warrant as regards pension and treatment, and will remain entitled to such benefits until such time as the aggravation by service of his invaliding disability has passed away. A Medical Board is being held shortly, and the question of whether aggravation continues will be considered on the Board's Report. The total amount which the man has received in pension and treatment allowances since the date of his invaliding in October, 1918, is approximately £600.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Report is now available regarding workmen at the Shotwick aerodrome who are being subjected to medical examination, although the employment is only of a temporary character; and whether, having regard to the fact that several men over 50 years of age have been discharged in consequence, and that the resentment caused amongst the workmen may involve a stoppage, he will now give instruction, that all men employed on work of a temporary character shall not be subjected to medical examination of this kind?

I have now received a report upon this question and find that no workmen have been discharged at Shotwick as stated, but several men who presented themselves for employment were rejected, because, in the opinion of the medical officer, their physical condition was such that they were considered unfit for the work which they would have to perform. No man was rejected merely because he was over 50 years of age or had three teeth missing, as stated in the hon. Member's question, and, in fact, men who suffer from both these disadvantages have been taken on. I am unable to agree to dispense with medical examination in cases of temporary employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any medal is being issued to men who were called up, but never served overseas; and what badges have been issued to them if invalided out of the service in such circumstances?

No war medal was granted for home service, except that the British war medal was awarded to personnel of coast defence batteries actually engaged with hostile vessels. As regards the last part of the question, such men received the silver war badge.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private J. Duffy, No. 2967281, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, whose parents reside in Greenock, has made application for his release from the Army in order to support his parents; that a sum of £35 has been remitted by friends for the purpose of purchasing this soldier's release; and that the application has been refused; and will he cause inquiries to be made into this case?

The hon. Member has already called the attention of the Department to this case and, on 20th ultimo, instructions were given that, provided the soldier was still willing, and the purchase money, which had been returned, was again remitted, the discharge would be carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in some cases the inscriptions on the headstones of graves in France have become obliterated; and will he call for a Report from the War Graves Commission?

I beg to refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 18th August last to the hon. Member for Barkston Ash (Mr. Lane-Fox). The expert report therein referred to, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend, indicates that the legibility of the headstones is generally very satisfactory. Stones which have not turned out well are being replaced, and I shall be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will bring to the notice of the Imperial War Graves Commission any particular cases of this sort that he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the expensive shop premises and upper rooms, Nos. 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, are still being retained by the Navy and Army Canteen Board; what is the annual rent paid for these premises; if it is intended to give them up at an Early date; and, if necessary, will he obtain cheaper and less prominent premises for the purpose?

I understand that no opportunity of securing suitable alternative premises on better terms has yet presented itself. The rent paid by the Board is not chargeable to Army funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been called to the advertisements of houses to let daily appearing in the Press wherein the advertisers, in breach of Section 8 (1) of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, stipulate for an intending tenant paying a premium or purchasing furniture as a condition of the tenancy; and whether His Majesty's Government, in order to enforce the said Act, will take proceedings not only against such advertisers but also against the newspapers publishing such advertisements?

It does not fall to my Department to take proceedings for breach of Section 8 of the Act, but I am advised that if a premium forbidden by the Act is demanded and paid it can be recovered by the person paying it, who can also institute a prosecution, if he wishes, of the person by whom it is received.

asked the Minister of Health whether any delay in the completion of houses under the Government subsidy scheme is due to the shortage of plasterers and tilers; to what cause or causes he attributes such shortage; and what has been and is its effect on house constructional work generally?

The completion of houses under the Government scheme has certainly been very considerably delayed owing to the shortage of plasterers and slaters and tilers. The position as regards slaters and tilers has somewhat improved recently, but there is still a serious shortage of plasterers. The reason for this shortage would appear to be that the trade has not in recent years been recruited proportionately to other trades. There can be no doubt that the effect of this shortage is to delay construction, to increase cost, and to cause unemployment in other branches of the building trade.

asked the Minister of Health whether a letter was sent from his Department on the 20th of September to the medical officer of the Bedford Rural District Council stating that the case of a boy who was diagnosed by the medical officer and by the medical man in charge of the case at the hospital as small-pox was not officially a case of small-pox, as he had been successfully vaccinated; whether there are large numbers of cases of small-pox on record in which successful vaccination had been performed either prior to or subsequent to infection by small-pox; and whether he justifies this action of a medical officer on his Department in refusing to accept the diagnosis of two local doctors, solely on the ground that successful vaccination had been performed?

The answer to the first two parts of the question of the hon. Member is in the affirmative; in regard to the third part of the question all the facts of the case have been taken into consideration. The case to which the hon. Member refers is that of a patient who was successfully vaccinated by his doctor ten days after the appearance of an eruption suspected to be small-pox. The medical officer of the Ministry who saw the patient in consultation with the local doctors advised them that, although there was originally reasonable cause to regard and treat this case as provisionally one of small-pox, the subsequent successful vaccination differentiated it from those cases which it would be proper to enter in the official small-pox register. With this recommendation my medical advisers are in complete agreement. I am advised that, although vaccination can be performed successfully at any time during the greater part of the period of incubation of small-pox, immunity to vaccination develops rapidly after the onset of illness, and after the efflorescence is completed the patient is wholly insusceptible to vaccinia.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons in the employ of local authorities in Wales in connection with the administration of Acts dealing with agriculture and small holdings; what is their aggregate salary, including allowances; and what proportion of such expenditure is borne by the Ministry of Agriculture?

The number of officers employed by the Agricultural Committees in Wales (including Monmouth) in connection with the administration of Acts dealing with agriculture and small holdings is 87. The amount of their salaries is £20,150, of which the Ministry contributes approximately £18,800.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the payment due to be made to farmers under the Corn Production (Repeal) Act in respect of their wheat and oats harvested in 1921 will fall very far short of what was due to them under the Agriculture Act owing to the unexpectedly rapid fall in prices to a level so far below the cost of production; and, in view of the fact that the bargain made by the Government with the National Farmers' Union has turned out to be a very bad one for the farmer, does the Government propose to take any steps to redress this grievance?

I am aware that the prices of British wheat and oats have fallen to a greater extent than was anticipated when the bargain with the National Farmers'. Union was made, but it is impossible to estimate the amounts which would have been payable to producers of wheat and oats this year had the Corn Production Acts not been repealed. Those amounts would have depended, not only on the average market prices over the seven months ending March next, but also on the amounts that would have been fixed by the Commissioners under the Agriculture Act as the minimum guaranteed prices for this year. In any case I am not prepared to recommend to the House that the amounts of £3 an acre for wheat and £4 an acre for oats laid down in the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act should be increased.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the inability of the farmers in Cheshire to dispose of their cheese; and whether he will take steps to approach the boards of guardians and other public authorities to take over this cheese supply from the farmers with a view to assisting the distress caused by unemployment?

I am aware that farmers in Cheshire, as in other parts of the country, are finding it difficult to dispose of their cheese. The position in Cheshire, I understand, is due to the amount of unemployment among the textile workers and others in that county and Lancashire, and will, I trust, improve with increased activity in the cotton industry. I fear that I could hardly take action on the lines suggested in the second part of the question for the benefit of one special and local branch of agriculture. I have no doubt that in their purchases public authorities generally will bear in mind the desirability of encouraging the home producer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can shortly make a statement of his policy with regard to the export of horses; if he can definitely prohibit the export of aged horses to France or Belgium; and if it is possible to come to an agreement with France and Belgium with regard to the proper treatment of horses and the punishment of French and Belgian subjects who maltreat them?

The Ministry's policy with regard to the export trade in horses has already been indicated in answers to questions put on the 15th August last by my hon. Friend the Member for Acton, and on the 25th ultimo by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York. In substance, that policy is so to administer the provisions of the Exportation of Horses Acts as to ensure that worn-out or decrepit horses, i.e., horses unfit for work, shall under no circumstances be passed for shipment, and that every practicable step shall be taken to secure the comfort of the animals during the passage. For this purpose a very high standard of fitness to travel and to work is insisted upon, and a great improvement has been effected in the fittings of the vessels used for the trade. With regard to the latter part of the question, I understand that the maltreatment of horses is already punishable under French and Belgian law, which I have no doubt the authorities do their best to enforce.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that orders have been issued by the Government to the effect that no applications from civilians for small holdings are to be considered meantime; and whether some discretion can be left in the hands of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in dealing with applications from civilians?

The position is not quite as stated by my hon. Friend. Under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are under a statutory obligation "to give a preference in the matter of land settlement to suitable persons who have served in the forces of the Crown in the present, or in any previous, War." The applications from this class are so numerous that only a very limited number of civilian cases can be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider the classification of roads in the St. Andrew's district of Fife so as include the following as first-class roads: The portion of the main road to the North which runs from Muirhead to St. Michael's, and the road from St. Andrew's to Anstruther, direct?

The classification of roads, recently communicated to local authorities, is a provisional one, and applications for the reconsideration of the classification assigned to particular roads are now under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a servant of the Leith Corporation, who has accepted a position under the Edinburgh Corporation at the time of the amalgamation of the two areas, is entitled now to retire and receive compensation?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions of Sections 89 and 90 of the Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act, 1920, which deal with the rights to compensation of officers of the Leith Town Council who accepted office under the Edinburgh Corporation at the time of the amalgamation of the two areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Board of Trade Returns are to be issued quarterly instead of monthly; what is the cost of issuing these Returns monthly, and what is the estimated cost of issuing them quarterly; and, since it is undesirable at the present time to restrict vital information respecting the trade of this country, will he reconsider the matter?

The Board of Trade Returns which it is proposed shortly to issue quarterly instead of monthly are those relating to the trade of foreign countries and British Possessions. There is no intention of converting the Returns relating to the trade of the United Kingdom from a monthly to a quarterly publication.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Industries and Manufactures Department of the Board of Trade received, on the 12th October, a letter from the Fancy Goods Section Vigilance Committee of the London Chamber of Commerce, drawing attention to the fact that under Key Industry List C, issued by the Department, eyes (artificial-human) are expressly specified; that the term artificial-human is naturally understood by traders to imply that artificial dolls' eyes are not involved, and requesting that His Majesty's Customs authorities should be advised accordingly without delay; that no answer has been received to this letter; that the packages involved through the ruling that dolls' eyes are dutiable are, in the main, very bulky and are consequently responsible for a large amount of congestion at the ports of entry; that in cases where, under protest, importers have paid a deposit of 5 per cent. required in order to obtain the goods pending an official ruling as to their liability to duty, they are very much hampered in conducting any transaction with goods owing to uncertainty as to price, and that this is specially hampering to business at the present time owing to the demand for stocks of these goods for Christmas trade; and whether he will take steps to obviate these delays?

A letter in the sense indicated by the hon. Member was received, and was answered, on the 1st November, the reply indicating the reason for the interval which had elapsed, and the reasons for maintaining the ruling in question. As regards the latter parts of the question as to the alleged congestion au the ports resulting from the operation of Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the, 1st, November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any additional staff or buildings have been necessary in connection with the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and, if so, what has been the cost?

With regard to the question of additional staff I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on the 27th October to the hon. Member for Harborough (Sir K. Fraser), of which I am sending him a copy. No additional buildings are being occupied by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any complaints have been received regarding the delay in delivery of goods due directly or indirectly to the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

A few complaints have been received that the passage of goods through the Customs was being delayed pending decisions as to liability to duty, but I am informed that arrangements for obviating such delay have now been made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any of the articles protected under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act are articles not manufactured in the British Empire; and, if so, what preparations are being made to manufacture such articles?

I have been asked to answer this question. Some of the articles chargeable with duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act were not being manufactured in the British Empire, so far as I am aware, at the time of the passage of the Act. The object of that Part of the Act is, however, to encourage the development of the industries to which it relates, and the extension of their range of production, and I am informed that a number of manufacturers are already taking steps in the direction indicated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all the articles at present protected under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act are articles of military necessity?

I have been asked to reply. The question of the special importance to the national welfare of the industries protected by Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, including the factor of military preparedness, was fully discussed during the passage of the Bill, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the official reports of the Debates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any Orders have been made, or are in contemplation, under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; if so, to what articles do they apply; and whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of considering such Orders before they become operative?

I have been asked to reply. No Orders have yet been made, nor can it be stated in advance what articles will be covered by any such Orders. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Section 2 (4) of the Act.

asked the Postmaster-General how the figure of £18,000,000 per year, which it is alleged would be required as a subsidy if the 1d. per ounce letter rate and the ½d. rate for postcards were reinstituted, was arrived at?

The figure of £18,000,000 was based on the assumption that a return to pre-War postal charges would secure an increase in the volume of correspondence to the pre-War level. As, however, the year immediately preceding the War was a year of great trade activity and there is to-day great trade depression it is doubtful whether a reduction in the present postal charges would secure such an increase, in which case the hon. Member's proposal would involve a subsidy of more than £18,000,000 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that a letter for Worthing has to be posted in London before 9 a.m. in order to reach Worthing the same day, he will make arrangements for letters which are posted in London up to 12 o'clock midday to be delivered in Worthing the same day?

Letters for Worthing posted at the General Post Office (King Edward Street) or at the South Western District Office up to 10 a.m. or at the South Eastern District Office before 10.30 a.m. are delivered on the day of posting; I am having inquiry made as to the practicability of arranging for letters posted up to noon at the majority of the Head District Offices to be delivered at Worthing the same day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether M. Rothstein, referred to in the note of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as being the representative of the Soviet Government in Teheran actively employed in a Press campaign against Great Britain, is the same person as the Russo-German Jew employed by the War Office during the War as head of the section dealing with Slavonic information; and, if so, who was responsible for his appointment?

I have been asked to answer this question. The person referred to was employed, under the authority of the then Director of Special Intelligence, as a translator. He was not, however, the head of a section.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Prince Aziz Hassan is still being refused permission to come to this country; and, if so, the reasons why?

I informed the hon. Member on 18th August of the reasons why Prince Asiz Hassan had been refused permission to come to this country. These reasons still hold good.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a British subject, ex-Lance-Corporal A. F. Rothstein, who served in the British Army from July, 1917, to January, 1919, made an application for a new passport in lieu of an expired one, which had no more space left for visas, to enable him to accompany his invalid mother and sister to Moscow, and that the application has met with a refusal; whether he can explain this action on the part of his Department; and if he will issue instructions for the renewal of the passport?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. Mr. A. F. Rothstein is the son of the Soviet Representative in Teheran, and he is understood to enjoy a double nationality, British and Russian. It is also understood that he has been working at the offices of the Soviet Delegation in London. In these circumstances it was decided that it was undesirable that Mr. Rothstein should travel to Russia with a British passport, more especially as there could not conceivably be any difficulty in his obtaining a Soviet passport.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the undertakings given to the Arabs through King Hussein to gain their independence in 1915; if such undertakings could be considered to be the basis of a treaty between Great Britain and the Arabs; and the terms communicated in the correspondence between the two countries which were responsible for getting the support of the Arabs and King Hussein?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 24th October.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Government of Roumania proposes to negotiate a loan of 40,000,000 Swiss francs, of which 16,000,000 in specie remains free for application to such purposes as the Roumanian Government may desire, and of which 24,000,000, also in specie, is to be set aside for use in connection with orders made by the Roumanian Government to Swiss factories; whether the plan of the Roumanian Finance Minister is to allocate 24,000,000 Swiss francs for improving postal, telephone, and telegraph services, and railway material; and whether the loan will be covered by 7,500 wagons of grain to be delivered by May, 1922, and a similar number of wagons of grain of the 1922 crop, the grain being valued at Antwerp prices?

I understand that the Roumanian Government have succeeded in floating a loan of 40,000,000 Swiss francs, of which 16,000,000 will be paid in instalments and 24,000,000 received in the form of Swiss material for the improvement of the Roumanian telegraph, postal, and railway services. This advance is to be repaid by the delivery of wheat from the Roumanian Government, half from this year's harvest and half from the harvest of 1922. The above information is not as yet official, and is given subject to correction.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Roumanian Government are about to complete the agreement made with France for the delivery of 15,000 wagons of wheat due to the French Government; and whether, in the event of the Roumanian Government being successful in negotiating a loan with Switzerland, the value of Roumanian bonds is being assessed at at least 50 per cent. of its face value, or, if not, at what value?

I have seen Press accounts of a Franco-Roumanian loan, but I have no official information on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how Russia's loan indebtedness prior to 1914 was divided up among the various nations which had advanced money to her either for State or for public purposes?

I regret that I have not such information as would enable me to answer the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate total number of deaths from all causes suffered by the Russian armies during the Great War up to the time of the Russian withdrawal from hostilities?

No figures are available beyond those contained in paragraph 40 of the Report of the Committee to collect information on Russia, which was presented to Parliament in May last (Cmd. 1,240).

asked the Prime Minister whether any of the staff, British or other, who have been inquiring into questions of disarmament at the League of Nations will be present at Washington to give advice if required in connection with the Conference?

As far as the British staff is concerned, the answer is in the negative. I have no information as to the staffs of other countries.

asked the Prime Minister what are the terms of the Franco-Turkish agreement concluded on 20th October at Angora?

I would refer my hen. Friend to the reply which the Leader of the House gave on 2nd November to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amount has accrued to date under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act; whether this money is in the hands of the British Government; and what is the reason for the delay in meeting the claims of seamen and others against this fund?

The amount received under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act up to the 2nd November inclusive was £1,470,797. The money has been paid as to £1,468,000 into the Special Account at the Paymaster-General's Office under the Act, where it is held pending final settlement of the distribution of receipts from Germany under the schedule of payments of May last. The prior charge for repayment of the cost of the Army of Occupation has not yet been covered, and the money is not therefore in any case available as a fund out of which payments can be made to sufferers from enemy action under the announcement of 10th May, 1920.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the practice of the Board of Education to grant certificates to candidates for the certificate examination who are in residence in training colleges when they have been unable to sit for the examination through illness, whilst the same privilege is not granted to students who sit for the acting teachers' examination; and will he consider the advisability of instituting an unvarying qualification for the teachers' certificate examination instead of leaving it to the discretion of the Department?

The Board are prepared to consider applications from training college authorities for the grant of certificates to students who have completed approved courses of training, but who have been prevented by illness from entering for their final examination. In such cases the Board obtain records of the student's work during the course of training, and reports from the college staff, and a certificate is only granted if the Board are satisfied that the student has reached the standard of attainments which would qualify for a pass in the examination. It would not be possible for the Board to apply the same arrangements to candidates for the acting teachers' examination, since the same evidence would not be available in their case. I see no reason to abandon the present practice.