asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been directed recently to the efforts made by German firms to capture trade in Serbia; and what action has been taken by his Department in this matter?

I am aware of the position referred to in the first part of the question. My Department is doing all it can to bring trade openings in the Serb-Croat-Slovene Kingdom to the notice of United Kingdom firms, and is giving all possible help in efforts to secure business for this country. The Serb-Croat-Slovene State has been included in the scope of the export credits scheme since its inception, and I hope the extension of the facilities now provided for under the scheme may assist British firms to meet German competition in that area.

asked the Minister of Health what quantity of Dutch strawberries, raspberries, black currants, and other fruits, respectively, has been imported into England during the last 12 months; and what quantity of these has been condemned as unfit for human food?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the desired information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government have a nominee on the board of Home-grown Sugar, Limited; whether the price now being offered for next year's beet is believed to be substantially below cost of production unless wages are further substantially reduced; and if, in view of the large amount of employment afforded by this industry, he is considering the removal of Excise on home-grown sugar?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. At the prevailing rates for wages and transport it is possible that the proposed minimum guaranteed price for next year's beet is below the present cost of production, but in addition to benefiting by any decrease in costs of production, the farmer will share equally with the company in any profits derived from any increase of sugar content above 16 per cent. and of sugar price above £43 per ton duty paid. As regards the last part of the question, home-grown sugar is already receiving favourable treatment, the Standard Excise duty being 19s. 5½per cwt., as compared with 25s. 8d. on foreign sugar and 21s. 4½d. on colonial sugar.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the reported action of the German Government in controlling the export of German goods, and in fixing prices for the same, with a view to either stabilising or improving the rate of exchange; whether His Majesty's Government has considered the effect of restrictions of trade of this kind on employment in this country; how this action of the German Government will affect the working of the German Reparations (Recovery) Act and the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and whether His Majesty's Government is in consultation with the German Government with a view to the stabilisation of the exchanges by more natural and less harmful means?

The exportation from Germany of many descriptions of goods has been controlled for a long time past, and I understand that this control has generally involved a system of special prices for exports, fixed by the various trade organisations. I have seen references in the Press to recent proposals that in future German exporters should, where possible, insist on payment in foreign currencies, but I have received no official information on this subject. In any case, I see no ground for considering that the adoption of such proposals would affect the working of the two Acts referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, nor do I think that it would serve any useful purpose for His Majesty's Government to proffer advice to the German Government as to the best method of stabilising exchanges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of German china are being imported into Great Britain, such china not having the country of origin indelibly marked under the glaze; that there is a great slump of trade in the Staffordshire districts and an increasing amount of unemployment; and whether he will give a promise that early next Session, as hoped in the letter of 22nd October to the National Council of the pottery industry, he will introduce a Measure, based on the recommendations of the Merchandise Marks Committee, so that the British public may be protected from German china being sold as of British manufacture?

The official trade statistics do not suggest any large importation of porcelain, china, and earthenware from Germany, but I am aware of the unsatisfactory state of employment in the pottery trade of this country. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, there is no provision of existing law under which all imported china could be required to be marked with an indication of its country of origin, but I hope to introduce amending legislation early next Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any legislation amending or extending the Safeguarding of Industries Act is contemplated for next Session?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Islington Borough Council published, prior to the passing of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, particulars of tenders for arc-lamp carbons, showing that the French price was £14 8s. per 1,000, and the German price £10 15s. 6d. per 1,000; and, seeing that the effect of the flat-rate duty is to impose a heavier charge on French than on German commodities in such cases, will he reconsider the policy of the Government?

I was not aware of the publication of the particulars stated in the first part of this question; the answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the steps which are being taken to manufacture in this country articles protected by Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act which are at present only obtainable abroad?

Apart from the activities of certain industrial research associations, such information on this subject as has come to the knowledge of the Board of Trade has been given confidentially by manufacturers engaged in, or intending to take up, particular lines of production; and I do not think it would be proper for me to make such information public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Messrs. Stephens Brothers and Company, 13a, Finsbury Square, E.C., made application on the 15th September, 1921, to the Dye Stuffs Advisory Licensing Committee for a licence to import a quantity of belzaldehyde; that on the 21st September they were directed to approach British manufacturers for this commodity; that on the 22nd September they replied that the British material was not satisfactory for their purpose; that on the 27th September they were asked to state in what respects it was not satisfactory and to furnish evidence that the material would be utilised exclusively for silk making; that on the same day, the goods already being in London, they again asked for a licence; that on the 28th September they gave the information asked for, and on the 30th September received a licence, No. L2,153 E, dated 30th September, 1921, for the goods; that on the presentation of this to the Customs House, London, they were not able to obtain possession of the goods, and on the 28th October acquainted the secretary of the Dye Stuffs Advisory Licensing Committee of that fact, and on the 31st October were advised that the Licensing Committee could not intervene; whether Messrs. Stephens Brothers are now asked to pay 33⅓ per cent. tax on this material; and whether he is prepared to take any action to enable this firm to obtain these goods without the additional costs?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, according to the information at the disposal of his Department, the Safeguarding of Industries Act has yet had any appreciable effect in safeguarding employment in the United Kingdom against the effects of the depreciation of foreign currencies, particularly that of Germany?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Aberdeen (Mr. W. Graham) on the 24th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the total German imports for the period since the coming into force of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, and for a similar period prior to its enforcement?

In view of the expense involved in the preparation of monthly totals of trade with individual countries, such totals are only compiled quarterly. The figures relating to imports consigned from Germany during the third quarter of the present year, with corresponding figures for 1920 and 1913, were published yesterday in the Monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom. The figures for the fourth quarter of the year will probably be available about the end of January next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that five cases of wood toys were held up by His Majesty's Customs for six or eight weeks because three toy pianos valued at more than ls. each were included; and whether a duty of 33⅓ per cent. is payable for these musical instruments?

If the hon. and gallant Member will supply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with particulars of the case to which he refers, he will cause inquiry to be made and let him know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether difficulty has arisen over the amount of duty to be levied on tungsten wire contained in electric lamps; whether figures have been submitted to His Majesty's Customs proving by exhaustive analysis of figures as relating to lamps of various voltages and wattages, showing that the value of the tungsten averages less than one per cent, of the c.i.f. value of the lamp; whether in London His Majesty's Customs have accepted as a full settlement payment of duty on such a basis; and whether His Majesty's Customs at Goole has refused to release consignments of these lamps unless safeguarding of industries duty is paid on the basis that the tungsten wire represents 10 per cent. of the total invoice value?

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have before them figures given by various importing firms, and are considering how far it is possible to establish standard values for the wire in question. They have not yet established any general standard of value, and any settlement in London on the basis suggested in the question must have referred solely to a particular consignment. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot identify the case at Goole to which the hon. and gallant Member refers without further particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the arrival of a case of dolls, No. 723/897, from Bremen, per ss. "Phônix," on the 17th October, an officer of His Majesty's Customs refused to allow the package to be removed pending investigation of the actual number of dolls contained therein, and that after considerable delay the importers were allowed to remove the package on payment of Is. deposit in case it should be decided subsequently that duty was leviable; and whether he intends to take any action so that small items such as the above can be allowed to be imported with the payment of these small amounts?

So far as can be ascertained, no endeavour was made to obtain delivery of this case from the Customs officers at the dock until the 4th instant. The entry itself was not presented until the 2nd instant, and not completed by payment of the reparation levy and deposit until the 4th, the date on which the goods were actually delivered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the additional staff required for dealing with goods invoices under the Safeguards of Industries Act is secured by withdrawing personnel from the Department dealing with the German reparations levy; and whether, in consequence, the efficiency of the latter Department is seriously affected?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of staff still engaged in the Wheat Commission of the Board of Trade (Food Department), the number of ex-service men, and the number of women employed; and how many women and non-service men have been replaced by ex-service men under the substitution scheme during the past 12 months?

The total number of the temporary staff engaged in the liquidation work of the Wheat Commission (including the Flour Mills Control Staff) is 178, of whom 99 are ex-service and 49 are women. Of the non-service staff 20 are under notice for the end of next month. The answer to the last part of the question is 31.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many offices are at present maintained in Wales in connection with the operations of the late Ministry of Food; how many persons are still in receipt of salaries;(2) the functions which are discharged by the offices maintained in Wales in connection with the operations of the late Ministry of Food, the total cost of their maintenance, the total amount paid in salaries, and the date when it is anticipated that these offices will be finally closed?

The Government are considering whether, and to what extent, the maintenance of adequate supplies and equitable distribution of foodstuffs, in case of national emergency, can safely be left to voluntary effort. Until a decision is taken, the Board of Trade are responsible for the maintenace of a nucleus staff. For North and South Wales this nucleus staff comprises eleven salaried officials at Cardiff and Carnarvon. Their principal functions consist in the revision of the schemes of emergency, supply and distribution, and the maintenance of the register of goods carrying vehicles. The inclusive cost is approximately £300 a month.

asked the Minister of Pensions if Mr. Wilson has been appointed to the permanent service without examination; whether his appointment was opposed by the secretariat of the Department; if his appointment is in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Lytton Committee recommendation; and if Mr. Wilson is now substitutional in accordance with the recommendations of the Lytton Committee?

Mr. Wilson was appointed to the permanent service, under Clause 7 of the Order in Council of the 10th January, 1910, without examination, in June, 1920, before the Lytton Committee reported. His appointment was made in exceptional circumstances, in view of the understanding on which he left the pensionable service of the London County Council in June, 1918, after 15 years' service, to take up duties in the Ministry. As a permanent civil servant, Mr. Wilson is not substitutable under the recommendations of the Lytton Committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions if Mr. Clack, who has been recently employed by the Ministry of Pensions, was recommended by the joint substitution board; and, if not, why outside candidates were appointed to posts in the Civil Service without their sanction?

Mr. Clack has been employed on pension work under the London War Pensions Committee since August, 1917, and was transferred to the Ministry on the dissolution of that Committee in August last, with the specific approval of the Treasury, in view of his long experience in Pensions work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Civil Service Commissioners have prepared new Regulations for the issue of certificates of admission to the permanent Civil Service; whether he has considered whether such Regulations widen the terms of Clause 7 of the existing Order in Council providing for the grant of certificates without examination; and whether, in view of the strong feeling in the service on the subject, he will postpone the issue of any such Regulations until they have been laid before this House for consideration?

New Regulations, under an Order in Council of the 22nd July, 1920, for governing the manner of admission to the Civil Servivce and the conditions of the grant of certificates, are under consideration. No widening of the terms of Clause 7 of the Order of the 10th January, 1910, is contemplated, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether second division men clerks in the Post Office who have been employed on work now graded as lower clerical, maximum salary £180, have been promised executive posts, maximum salary £400, and in the meantime are to receive the rank and pay of executive officers; if so, how many are there; and what sum of money is being paid under this arrangement?

In the Post Office as in the Civil Service generally second division clerks, the maximum of whose scale was £300 to £350 per annum with payment for all overtime worked have, subject to individual fitness, been merged (as part of the general assimilation settlement approved by the House) in the Junior Executive Class of which the maximum is £400 a year inclusive of overtime payment. As a result of the reorganisation of the Civil Service some of the work hitherto assigned to second division clerks will be allocated to the newly constituted clerical class, of which the maximum salary for men is £250 per annum plus payment for overtime; and second division clerks at present so employed will be transferred as opportunity offers to junior executive or equivalent posts elsewhere. Pending completion of the task of reorganisation it is not possible to say what, if any, appreciable cost is involved in such temporary employment on clerical class work, especially as the scales for the two classes overlap, or how many persons are affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether stocks of bacon, flour, and meat were under the control, in storage or otherwise, of the Ministry of Food on 31st October; and whether, in view of the high prices for these essential foods still prevailing and the widespread unemployment, it is proposed to release any considerable part of these commodities at an early date with a view of reducing prices?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the remainder does not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the urgent need by British creditors of payment of Czech pre-War debts, to further employment in their businesses in this country, he will again press for removal by the Czech Government of restrictions on payment?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government are again communicating with the Czech Government on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the quantity of machine-made tools now in this country under orders placed during the War for disposal as soon as the state of the market permits; whether much of it has come from America and not yet been unpacked; and whether he can give the estimated aggregate value of the machine tools held anywhere to the account of the Government?

I have been asked to answer this question. I regret that it is not possible to state the number or aggregate value of the machine tools which the Disposal and Liquidation Commission have for disposal. A large number of American tools were of necessity imported during the War, a small proportion of which still remain unpacked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Disposal Board is now selling machinery, especially machine tools, a great deal of which is new, at a less price than they could get for it if it were broken up for scrap iron; whether this policy is disastrous to the machine tool-making industry, since it will perpetuate unemployment; and whether, in the circumstances, he will instruct the Disposal Board to suspend further sales for the moment?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of machine tools now in his possession and the approximate income from sale of same; whether he is aware of the depression in the engineering trade; and, if so, is he prepared to advise the holding up of the sales of such stocks, as there is no likely loss involved, with a view to relieving unemployment by allowing firms an opportunity to produce for the market which would inevitably open if Government stocks were held back for some time to come?

For an estimate of the value of machine tools in the hands of the Disposal Board I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to-day to the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. Forrest). I am making inquiries regarding the approximate income from the sale of such stocks, and will communicate shortly with my hon. Friend. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer to my answer on the 25th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Victoria Works of Kendal and Gent (1920), Limited, Gorton, Manchester, have largely closed down in consequence of their inability to compete with the low prices charged by the Government for their surplus stocks of machine tools; and whether he can hold up the sales of such surplus stocks pending a revival in the trade, in order to safeguard employment in the machine-tool industry?

I regret that I have no information regarding the firm referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) on the 25th October.

asked the Minister of Health whether the inquiries he promised to make on 1st November in regard to the subject matter of the Tate Chipping Sodbury housing scheme are now complete; and can he give an assurance that the land held up by the Disposal Board will be sold to the Chipping Sodbury rural district council without further delay?

I understand that the Disposal Board have now agreed to the sale of this land to the district council.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of a higher scale of pay being in existence to plasterers on Government-sanctioned housing schemes than can be offered by commercial contractors; that this is seriously retarding the completion in various parts of the country of factories and workshops now under construction; and if, in view of the need for facilitating industrial employment, he will cause this anomaly to be removed?

I am not aware of a higher scale of pay being in existence for plasterers on Government-sanctioned housing schemes than can be offered by commercial contractors, and shall be obliged by particulars of any ease which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. The rates of wages paid on housing schemes must be neither more nor less than those applicable to the district concerned.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £838 as the purchase price of 1·030 acres compulsorily acquired at Kingsway by the Widnes borough for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(2) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £6,445 as the purchase price of 23·445 acres compulsorily acquired at Church Lane by the Wealdstone Urban District Council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rate-able value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £11,030 as the purchase price of 45 acres compulsorily acquired at Oxford Road by the Reading county borough for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(2) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £1,903 as the purchase price of 5·472 acres compulsorily acquired at Bent Lane estate by the Prestwich Urban District Council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

asked the Minister of Health whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £38,508 as the purchase price of 545·038 acres compulsorily acquired at Portsdown Hill by the Portsmouth county borough for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £1,648 as the purchase price of 9·805 acres compulsorily acquired at the Terrace House estate by the Richmond (Yorks) borough for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(2) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £1,504 as the purchase price of 5·425 acres compulsorily acquired at Mill End by the Rickmansworth Urban District Council for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(3) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £870 as the purchase price of 5·402 acres compulsorily acquired at Horn-church by the Romford Rural District Council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the arbritrator awarded the sum of £2,162 as the purchase price of 3·956 acres compulsorily acquired at George Street by the Uxbridge urban district council for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(2) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £4,195 as the purchase price of 9·312 acres compulsorily acquired at Udney Park estate by the Teddington urban district council for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(3) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £12,805 as the purchase price of 102·690 acres compulsorily acquired at Marley Pots farm by the Southwick-on-Wear urban district council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

asked the Minister of Health whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £522 as the purchase price of 2·668 acres compulsorily acquired at Shepperton by the Staines rural district council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

The facts as stated in the first part of each of the hon. Members' questions are correct. As regards the last part, I am obtaining the information asked for and will communicate with the hon. Members in due course.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £15,618 as the pur- chase price of 102 acres compulsorily acquired at Burgess Street (two cases) by the Southampton County Borough for the purpose of a housing scheme; what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance;(2) whether the arbitrator awarded the sum of £7,450 as the purchase price of 34.021 acres compulsorily acquired at Western Road by the Southall-Norwood urban district council for the purpose of a housing scheme; and what was the rateable value of that land previous to acquisition or, if it formed part of a larger subject, the amount by which the rateable value of that subject has been reduced owing to severance?

The facts as stated in the first part of each of the hon. Members' questions are correct. As regards the last part, I am obtaining the information asked for and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Health, inasmuch as all increases of rates on houses to which the various Rent Acts, 1914–20, apply are recoverable from the tenants, and the Acts empower the owners to increase the rent by 40 per cent. above the standard rent of 3rd August, 1914, is he aware that the various assessment authorities include the 40 per cent. increase of rent in the assessment of rateable value, which must result in a further increase of rent to the tenant who derives no benefit; and will he therefore introduce legislation to prevent this cumulative assessment being made by the rating authorities?

I have no definite information as to the practice of assessment authorities, but I cannot undertake to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested by the hon. Member. It must be borne in mind that the Rent Restriction Act by restricting the rent demandable has the effect also of restricting the rateable value of the house to which it applies.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a serious outbreak of typhoid fever in the village of Bolton-on-Dearne; if so, whether he has any information as to the cause; and what steps are being taken in the matter?

I have been aware of this outbreak since its commencement in August. It is attributed to an infected water supply, which is being dealt with.

asked the Minister of Health whether the wages and salaries of municipal workers throughout the country are being made subject to similar reductions in wages and salaries based upon the Board of Trade index cost-of-living figure as are workers in various industries and professions, including the Civil Service; and, if not, whether he will consider this matter, and urge upon local authorities the importance of reducing this item of expenditure, which would be based upon reductions elsewhere throughout the country and could not be considered other than fair?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular letter which I addressed to local authorities on this subject in August, indicating that the reduced scale of bonuses payable to civil servants from 1st September should be adopted for local authorities' officers. I do not get complete information as to the remuneration paid by local authorities to their officers, but I have not heard of any case in which the reduced scale of bonus has not been applied.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the hardship inflicted on the managers and probationer nurses of small country hospitals of less than 50 beds by the Regulation regarding probationer nurses, under which probationers in such small hospitals are not allowed to reckon time spent in them as part of their training qualification, in spite of the fact that time spent in such hospitals is well spent owing to the varied experience afforded in them?

I am not aware to what Regulation the hon. and gallant Member refers. No such provision is included in the Rules framed under the Nurses Registration Act, 1919, for the admission of existing nurses to the register, and the Rules for future admissions are still under the consideration of the General Nursing Council and have not yet been submitted to me for approval.

asked the Minister of Health whether steps can be, and will be, taken during the Recess to restrain local bodies from maintaining packs of hounds and organising visits to theatres at the expense of the ratepayers?

It is open to any ratepayer who considers that a local authority is proposing to incur illegal expenditure to make an application to the High Court to restrain the local authority from incurring such expenditure.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the action of the County Council Theatres and Music Halls Committee in threatening the continuance of the cabaret performances at the Hotel Metropole; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to remove the anomaly of preferential treatment by the said authority?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have made inquiry, and I understand that the committee recently heard an application for the renewal of the music and dancing licence in respect of the Hotel Metropole, and, after considering the application and objections taken to it by the Entertainments Protection Association, decided to recommend the London County Council to attach conditions prohibiting the use of scenery or costumes and limiting the number of performers. It is open to the applicants to appeal to the Council. I have no authority to intervene in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to members of approved societies under the National Health Insurance Act whereby members who, during the contribution year ending 3rd July, 1921, were employed for any period less than 13 weeks are denied all relief, while those members who were unfortunate enough to be unemployed during the whole year are penalised by being struck off the register, and their year of unemployment treated as their free year; and whether he will take steps to amend the Regulations in this respect?

The matter to which the hon. and gallant Member calls attention is being dealt with under the National Health Insurance (Prolongation of Insurance) Bill now before Parliament and by an amendment of the Arrears Regulations, to which I referred in my speech on the Second Reading of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the subject of unemployment existing in the Westbury district of Wiltshire; and whether the result of his further inquiry now enables the Ministry of Labour to certify the district for a grant to commence a sewerage scheme?

I am now informed that the Ministry of Labour have certified this district for grant purposes, and I am in communication with the Unemployed Grants Committee and the Westbury Urban District Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any steps to enable local authorities in industrial areas to temporarily suspend the enforcement of the payment of rates in those cases where they are satisfied that the inability to pay is due to abnormal unemployment caused directly or indirectly by the War?

Apart from further legislation which the Government cannot now propose, I have no power to take any steps for the purpose suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the desir- ability of setting forth this winter in concise and handy form a comprehensive statement as to the benefits obtainable by an unemployed family in respect of State insurances (health, unemployment, and dependants (temporary provision), guardians' assistance, and relief work, with detailed explanations as to how any of these are affected by pensions (service, old age, or any other), such statement to be readily obtainable at post offices and Employment Exchanges?

In view of the information already published and the expense involved in carrying out the suggestion contained in the question, I am inclined to think that the publication of a statement as proposed would hardly be justified. I will, however, consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is also concerned, and communicate with my hon. Friend. I may inform my hon. Friend that leaflets containing particulars of Unemployment Insurance benefit, and indicating to what extent such benefit is affected by pensions, are already obtainable at any Employment Exchange, and that it is proposed to issue immediately a corresponding leaflet with regard to the grants payable under the Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provision) Act. Information regarding relief work may also be obtained as a rule at Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Henry Loughran, of Ballybofey, county Donegal, was supplied with an unemployment insurance card, which was stamped with 25 stamps; that he applied to the Ballybofey Employment Exchange for benefit and, after signing daily for nine weeks, was informed that he was not entitled to benefit; can he state if Henry Loughran is entitled to benefit; if not, why was he supplied with a card; and what steps will he take with regard to the stamping of the same?

I understand that a claim to benefit was made on the 3rd August, and the claimant's eligibility for benefit under Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, was considered. Delay was, I am informed, caused by the failure of the applicant to supply sufficient information as to his previous employment and consequent difficulty in verifying that he had been engaged in insurable employment in each of 20 weeks since 31st December, 1919, as required by Section 3. When the necessary inquiries had been made the case was referred to the Court of Referees, in accordance with the usual procedure, and the Court disallowed the claim. It may still be possible to pay benefit in respect of contributions paid, but the payment of contributions has not so far been verified. Further inquiries are being made with regard to this point, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a number of insured persons normally employed in the Belleek Pottery, county Fermanagh, have not received the full amount of unemployment benefit to which they are entitled, although repeated applications have been made to the Employment Exchanges at Ballyshannon and Sligo; and whether he will take steps to expedite a settlement of these claims?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a very large number of British ships are being sent for repair and overhauling to the port of Hamburg; that 25 per cent. of the men engaged in the ship repairing industry in the port of London are now idle and a good number of them receiving Poor Law relief; and that some shipping companies have sent some of their big ships for extensive repairs to the port of Hamburg; if he will use his good offices, in trying to persuade the British shipowners to have their ships overhauled and repaired in this country, with a view to finding for a good number of men useful work; and if he will give a Return of the number of British ships and tonnage for 1921 that have been repaired in the port of Hamburg flying the British flag?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies, of which I am sending him copies, given on the 25th and 31st October to the hon. Members for Howton (Mr. R. Young) and Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather), from which he will see that there is no power to require repairs to be carried out in British ports. I would again suggest that if there are any preventable causes owing to which ships are sent abroad for repairs, the matter should be investigated by the shipowners, ship-repairing employers, and the trade unions concerned. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that there is no available material upon which to base a return as to the number of British ships repaired in the port of Hamburg.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport if the County of London Electric Power Company have made application to the Electricity Commissioners for permission to erect a large generating station on land at Barking which will find work for a large number of unemployed; and if he will take steps to secure that this application may be considered as quickly as possible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Electricity Commissioners inform me that they hope to announce their decision on the application shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether many thousands of ex-officers are still unemployed; whether they are debarred from unemployed insurance benefit in many cases; whether some part of the sum voted in relief of unemployment can be used in relief of such cases; and, if so, how would it be paid?

The number of ex-officers registered with the Appointments Department as unemployed on 4th November was 6,052. They are not, of course, debarred from unemployment benefit on account of being ex-officers; but it may probably be assumed that the majority are unable to satisfy the preliminary qualifying conditions for benefit, which are that they should either have paid a sufficient number of unemployment insurance contributions or be able to show employment in an insurable occupation in at least 10 weeks since 31st December, 1919. The sums voted for the relief of unemployment are being expended by way of assistance to local authorities who undertake schemes of work for the relief of unemployment in their area. A preference is given to ex-members of the forces in the selection of men for employment, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, the employment provided generally takes the form of labouring work. I am afraid it would not be possible to set aside any part of the available funds for the relief of ex-officers in particular.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to put into operation immediately the Grocery and Provision Trades' Board's proposed rates of wages before the Committee of Inquiry recently set up by the Ministry of Labour has issued its Report, in view of the fact that bringing into operation the proposed rates will retard the further fall in the cost of living?

The rates in question have not yet been submitted to me by the Trade Board. If and when the Trade Board submit them, I am bound by statute to take them into consideration at once, with a view to confirming them, or referring them back for reconsideration, and I shall consider them on their merits in accordance with this statutory obligation.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the 27 nations represented at the International Labour Conference at Genoa in June and July, 1920?

The names of the countries represented at the International Labour Conference, Genoa, June and July, 1920, are as follow:—Argentine, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chili, Czecho-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Roumania, Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Siam, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to announce his decision respecting the many requests made to him to enlarge the powers of the Aerated Water Trade Board so as to cover the operations of persons engaged in bottle-washing, bottling, filling, and all subsidiary processes preparatory to the sale of alcoholic beverages when such operations are carried out apart from the manufacture of mineral waters?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, this question is a difficult one, and it is not easy to find a practicable course of action which would not cause as many difficulties as it would remove. With a view to seeing, however, whether some solution, satisfactory to all parties, can be found, I am inviting representatives of the various interests concerned to meet together and discuss the whole matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many ex-service students undergoing training under the higher scheme for the training of ex-service students have not yet received their maintenance grant for the Michaelmas term; and when the outstanding grants will be forwarded to the students who have not already received them?

Instalments of maintenance grant have been paid by the Board in 10,872 of the 11,133 awards now current. In 137 of the remaining 261 cases the claims have not yet been received, and in 124 cases payment has been deferred pending the necessary consideration of particular circumstances relevant to the continuance or amount of the award. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there is no avoidable delay on the Board's part in the payment of the grants.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what newspapers contained the intimation that applications for small holdings from ex-service men received after 1st March, 1921, would receive no preference: and whether the decision will be suspended in the case of ex-service men who are still in hospital or have only recently left it?

The announcement was issued to the principal newspapers in Scotland and to the Press agencies. It appeared in daily newspapers published in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and was referred to in various other Scottish newspapers. The Board of Agriculture will be prepared to receive applications from ex-service men, such as those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I cannot give any undertaking that the decision will be suspended.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture intend their intimation of 14th October, issued to ex-service applicants for land throughout Caithness, to apply to those in the burgh of Wick who are carters with businesses of their own or in which they are engaged with parents; and, if so, will he reconsider this decision, in view of the fact that it is not reasonable that such applicants should be given the option of either accepting land so far away as 20 miles from their place of employment or having their names removed from the list of eligible applicants for land, especially since the land applied for was meant to be a pertinent of their business and to provide the applicants with means of employment during normal slack seasons when their horses could be utilised for cultivating land in place of lying idle?

The answer to the first; part of the question is in the affirmative. My hon. Friend will appreciate that if the funds available for land settlement are to be economically applied in the interests of the greatest possible number of applicants it is not practicable to undertake to satisfy individual preferences as td the situation and type of holdings. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland will give sympathetic consideration to applications from ex-service men for ancillary holdings of the nature mentioned in the question in connection with schemes in progress or those that may be projected in the future.

asked the Chief Secretary if partially-disabled men, who are employed on building construction work at Clontarf and Killister, county Dublin, and who are obliged to see a doctor and seek medical relief from time to time, are subject to stoppage of their pay during their compulsory absence when seeing a doctor; whether this is contrary to the conditions of employment laid down by the Government; and whether he will give suitable directions on this subject to the contractors who are carrying out these works?

I have only just received the following telegraphic report in regard to this matter—

"In connection with the building works at Killister which are being carried out under the Local Government Board's supervision, no application has so far been received from ex-service men employed for leave of absence for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. In every case, however, upon an ex-service man receiving notice to attend a Medical Board, he is, on production of summons, allowed leave of absence and is paid in full. The building works at Clontarf are carried out by a firm of contractors, and it is not known definitely what policy is pursued in the case of ex-service men seeking medical treatment during working hours; but it is understood that the practice in the case of men summoned before a Medical Board is the same as that followed by the Board in the case of Killister works."

asked the Minister of Labour what are the rates of wages paid or proposed to be paid to ex-service men being engaged in this country for employment in the devastated areas in France?

I have no official information on this matter, but I understand that the rates in the case of the men sent out by the British Legion are 2 francs 25 centimes per hour for skilled men, and 1 franc 85 centimes for unskilled men, these being stated to be the trade union rates.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a large number of ex-service men in the Cardiff area are being discharged from the Government instructional factories without the faintest hope of procuring situations as improvers for the purpose of finishing their training; whether any allowance is made to trainees to enable them to procure the necessary tools for their particular trade on leaving the training centre; and whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment already existing in the country, he will consider the suspension of further discharges and so enable these men to become more efficient and competent to obtain employment in their various trades before being discharged?

Since 1st November no man has been discharged from the Cardiff instructional factory. About 60 men discharged before that date still require improverships. As the special arrangements now in operation for finding improverships are producing these at the rate of 15 per week, I hope these men will soon be placed. Full tool kits are supplied immediately to all trainees who have jobs, or bonâ fide promises of jobs, in the trade in which they have been trained. During the winter months no men who require improverships with maintenance will be discharged unless they have improverships to go to, or have completed the full period upon State maintenance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that 2,000 more ex-service men have now received notices of dismissal from Government Departments; that the Ministry of Labour are discharging disabled ex-service men whilst women are retained to do similar work to the men discharged; that 13,000 women are being retained in the Ministry of Pensions on work which, in a number of instances, could be done by ex-service men; that hundreds of ex-service men are being dismissed from the Air Ministry, whilst non-service men are being retained at Kidbrooke, etc.; that 100 ex-service men have received their final notices from the Admiralty, whilst the non-service people who were also under notice have had their notices cancelled for the time being, and that during the last month or so the ex-service staff has been reduced from 57,000 to 51,000, whilst the temporary staff (women) has been reduced only from 40,000 to 39,000: and, in view of the great hardship which would thereby be inflicted on the ex-service men and of the fact that the Lytton Committee Report has been carried out neither in the letter nor in the spirit, will he appoint a Committee to inquire into the whole question of the retaining of such a large non-service staff, both men and women, and cancel all dismissal notices, so far as the ex service men are concerned, until such Committee has issued its Report?

The actual number of ex-service men who have been reported since 1st November to the Joint Substitution Board as about to become redundant in Government Departments in London and in the South-East of England is less than 200, and in a number of these cases Departments hope to be able to suspend the notices given. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24th October by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions to the hon. and gallant Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter).The number of ex-service men at present under notice of discharge from the Air Ministry is 83. At Kidbrooke, out of a total temporary staff, employed on clerical duties, of about 180, there are eight who are not ex-service men who are not under notice of discharge. Two of these eight are retained on grounds of hardship, on the recommendations of the local Substitution Committee, five are retained temporarily on grounds of special efficiency, and the case of the eighth is still under consideration. At the Admiralty the notices of 13 non-service personnel have been extended until the end of this month on grounds either of very great hardship or special efficiency; their retention for this short period has not involved the discharge of any ex-service man. During the period in which the number of ex-service men temporarily employed decreased from 57,400 to 51,400, the number of women temporarily employed decreased from 46,600 to 39,300. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I am satisfied that every effort is being made to give effect to the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee, and I am unable to accede to the suggestion for the appointment of a further Committee and the cancellation of notices and discharges pending such Committee's report.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will reconsider the case of a widow, Mrs. Jane Williams, 6, Mitze Street, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, who has lost three sons in the War, and who is entirely dependent upon the pension of 12s. per week; and, considering the distressing circumstances of this case, will he place the whole facts before the Special Grants Committee with the view of getting her a substantial grant from this special fund?

I will ask the Special Grants Committee to consider this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the published opinion of the chairman of the Northampton Board of Guardians in reference to the Ministry's treatment of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis wherein he is reported as saying that these cases are becoming somewhat of a scandal; that all sorts of mean tricks are resorted to in order to push the men's claims on one side while the men are reduced to paupers; whether he will make inquiries as to the foundation for such charges in Northampton or elsewhere; and whether he proposes to take any steps to restore confidence among ex-service men that no injustice is being done to men suffering from tuberculosis or similar ailments?

The incident which I gather my hon. Friend has in mind was investigated by the Ministry, and it was found that the Press statement had reference to a particular case in which the Ministry's rejection of a claim to pension had been confirmed on appeal by an appeal tribunal. I personally received a deputation of those interested in the case and explained the situation to them. I am satisfied that there is no foundation for the charges made in the Press notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the delay in remitting the bonus of £60 due to Mr. John M'Alpine, of 28, Tobago Street, Greenock, late stoker petty officer, Royal Fleet Reserve, No. 10814; that no pension has been granted to this sailor in respect of 11 years' active service and 14 months' Royal Fleet Reserve; and will he take steps to have the case reconsidered?

I am having inquiries made into this matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the exact position of soldiers who re-enlisted after the War and were promised that the allowance to their dependants would be continued during their period of service; whether since the Order, which was issued in September last, allowances to parents have ceased for sons who are serving at home and abroad; and whether the allowance made by the Government can be paid to the soldier if he is expected to forward the allowance direct to his dependants?

The dependants of soldiers who re-enlisted with a promise that dependants' allowance would be continued still draw that allowance (which is issued to the dependants direct by the Army Authorities), provided that the soldiers are in receipt of the rates of pay in force when they re-enlisted. If the soldiers elected to draw the increased rates introduced by Army Order 325 of 1919, they surrendered their right to dependants' allowance, and were informed of this before they made their choice. The Army Order of September, 1921, did not in any way affect the continuance or method of issue of dependants' allowances, but merely laid down that in cases where no Government allowance is in issue to the wife or dependant of a soldier serving at home a voluntary allotment could not be made through official channels, but must be made by the soldier direct. That is to say, the Army Order concerns simply the machinery for issue of voluntary allotments, and not in any way the entitlement to or method of issue of any Government allowance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a complaint that at the Bristol works of Messrs. Ward and Company, shipbreakers, the Fair Wages Clause is not being observed in connection with the work of breaking up a destroyer and cruiser; whether in work of this character the Fair Wages Clause is applicable; and if so, whether he will make inquiries into this complaint?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative, As regards the third part, if the hon. Member will furnish full details of the complaint, inquiries will be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is a floating dock due to this country as part of the German reparations still lying at Hamburg; whether this has necessitated certain vessels proceeding to Hamburg for repairs, which could otherwise have given employment at home; and when it is proposed to bring the floating dock to England?

A German floating dock allocated to this country is still lying at Hamburg, where it is required for use in preparing for sea a large German liner which is also due to this country. The dock will be brought to England when the liner has been prepared for sea. The Admiralty are not aware that this arrangement has necessitated vessels proceeding to Hamburg for repairs which could otherwise have given employment at home.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs. Fenton Brothers, silversmiths, etc., of South Street Works, Moor Street, Sheffield, contractors to His Majesty's Government, do not conform to the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts; that they declined to be governed by the agreements made between the associations of employers and employés covering the industry in the Sheffield district; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the matter?

A complaint has been received from the National Union of Gold, Silver and Allied Trades against the firm in the terms mentioned in the question. The union have been asked to supply details of the alleged infringement, and on receipt of these details, the matter will be inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many men who voluntarily enlisted in 1914 and since discharge have re-enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps as clerks at present stand no chance on the promotion ladder, as they cannot obtain the second-class certificate of education; and will he grant a concession in their case for promotion up to full corporal if they are in possession of the third-class educational certificate and joined up prior to the Derby scheme or the Military Service Act. and thus give them an equal chance with other men who, owing to their never having left this country during the War, have been enabled to get first- and second-class educational certificates?

It is open to any man in the Royal Army Service Corps (Clerks Section) to attend the examinations for certificates of education, and I am advised that an efficient clerk should find no difficulty in obtaining a second-class certificate. It is not considered that a man unable to qualify for such a certificate would be likely to make an efficient non-commissioned officer. In these circumstances, I regret that I am unable to make a concession in the direction suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British officers and men are still unaccounted for as the result of the Great War; if the figures previously given have been modified by the work of the exhumation parties which have been at work since the Armistice; and how many missing have been traced under the following heads: dead, died of wounds, and prisoners of war?

The number of missing officers and men still unaccounted for is approximately 93,800. In approximately 6,100 cases of officers and men originally reported missing evidence of death has been obtained as a result of the work of the exhumation parties and other searches by the Imperial War Graves Commission. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, J. Collie, No. 19,418, Mechanical Transport, working at the Royal Arsenal, has been given notice that his services will not be required after 5.40 p.m. on 11th November, 1921; that this man in question has been employed in the Army Ordnance Department for four years and three months; that J. Collie is an ex-soldier, and lost his left leg in France in 1915; that the man has a wife and three children to maintain; and if he can see his way clear to have this ex-soldier's notice withdrawn and prevent the man seeking Poor Law relief?

I very much regret the circumstances of this case. Every effort has been and will be made to find suitable employment for Mr. Collie, but he is reported to be not qualified for clerical work, on which he has been tried, whilst employment as a manual labourer has proved injurious to his health. In these circumstances the Woolwich authorities had no option but, to give him notice of discharge.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has received representations from Scottish bodies, including the Interdenominational Advisory Committee on Army Chaplaincy Services concerning the new conditions laid down for carrying on of Young Men Christian Associations and other similar institutes in connection with camps; and, if so, what decisions have been arrived at?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. W. Graham) on Thursday last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if Sapper Robert Wills, No. 156539, Royal Engineers, who was killed in France on 4th November, 1917, was alleged to have remitted sums amounting in the aggregate to £25 to certain persons during the year 1917; that up to the present time all efforts to find the existence and whereabouts of the persons who are stated to have received these remittances have failed; will he therefore have special inquiry made in the interests of the person to whom this soldier left his estate to see whether these remittances were actually made by this soldier; and will he furnish the legatee with the evidence of the genuineness of these remittances?

I have ascertained that the late No. 156539, Sapper R. Wills, Royal Engineers, authorised remittances amounting in the aggregate to £25 during 1917, which were sent to the addresses furnished by the late soldier. Special inquiries have already been made. The evidence that these remittances were authorised by him and payment made on his behalf by the Regimental Paymaster, Chatham, has already been furnished to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will cause the Westfield Park, Cupar, which was occupied as a military camp, to be restored to its former condition, by removing the weeds with which it is covered, to the detriment of adjoining lands?

I am having inquiries made and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army is now recruited fully up to establishment; whether the number of officers is requisite for the establishment; and what steps is he taking to ensure that officers belonging to the Special Reserve and Reserve of Officers have sufficient inducement offered to be available in time of emergency?

The Peace and War Establishments of the Regular Army have not yet been fixed, and consequently the number of officers required from the Reserves is not known. In the re-organisation of the Special Reserve as Militia the terms to be offered to officers will receive due consideration. As regards the Reserve of Officers, officers drawing retired pay are liable for service; for other officers an additional inducement now exists in the shape of promotion in the Reserve which was not permissible before the War.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the claims of various properties forcibly taken in Buxton by the War Office for military purposes more than four years ago have never been settled; and why letters and communications addressed to the War Office Compensation Court on this matter are never replied to, specially the claim referring to the Kensington and Grosvenor Houses situated in Broadwalk, Buxton, and acquired as a military Hospital on the 12th of September, 1917?

As regards the cases specified, which are the only ones which I am in a position to identify, settlement has been delayed by the refusal of the claimants to accept an award made by the late Defence of the Realm Losses Commission. The Department's observations upon the application for a reconsideration of this award, together with two supplementary claims in respect of the same premises, are about to be forwarded to the War Compensation Court. These various claims are closely interconnected, and it is not practicable to deal with them separately.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is a public right of way leading up to the pier at Warsash; whether the public has the right to use the pier or whether this right has been granted to any individual; if so, to whom; whether any sum has been paid for the right to use the pier; if so, what that sum is; and whether the pier will be sold at public auction when the Air Ministry have ceased to require its use?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Whether or not there is a public right of way to the pier at Warsash is a question which should be addressed to the local authorities. The public have no right to use the pier. Certain rights for the use of the pier have been granted to the hon. and gallant Member for Walton (Lieut.-Commander Chilcott), who is freeholder of the adjoining land and who has purchased from the Government certain buildings erected by them upon that land. No separate sum has been paid by him for the right to use the pier, but the arrangement in connection therewith secures for the Government the rights they require in regard to the pier and relieves them from any liability for the upkeep thereof. The pier is at present required for Air Ministry purposes and there is no probability of its being offered for sale. If it were so offered, the hon. and gallant Member has an option to purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to establish a Royal Air Force Staff College at Andover; what will be the cost of establishing such a college; what will be the annual charge on the Exchequer; and whether arrangements can suitably be made to avoid this expense or the greater part of it by utilising centres equally convenient and already established?

It is proposed to establish a Royal Air Force Staff College as stated at Andover, where buildings and an aerodrome are already available, and where the initial expenditure can consequently be limited to a sum of £21,000 for reconditioning hutments. The annual cost is estimated at £39,000. The proposal to establish such a staff college is not, of course, a new one, as the House was informed of this intention on Page 6 of Command Paper No. 467, which was laid before Parliament in November, 1919. The original scheme was to establish this college at the Royal Air Force training centre at Halton, but it was found, on examination, that this necessitated buildings, which would have cost £140,000 to erect, and, in view of the urgent need for national economy, the proposed Air Pilotage School at Andover was greatly reduced in size and scope, thereby making it possible to find accommodation at this station for the staff college, without embarking on a new building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether His Majesty's Government is willing to adopt the three following general proposals with a view to assisting civil aviation: the guarantee by the State of interest to a large national air transport company, to which would be granted a monopoly of all British routes for a term of years; a mileage subsidy to all British aircraft with a British crew, no matter where flown; and a guaranteed load of mails to selected services at liberal rates; and, if not, would he state his reasons?

The proposals referred to by my hon. Friend have received very full and careful consideration. The proposal to establish a National Air Transport Company, with a monopoly of all British routes for a term of years, was not adopted, because it would preclude the growth of private initiative to the ultimate detriment of British civil air development. It would also presume the continuation of direct State assistance to air transport for an indefinite period. The reasons for the rejection of the other two proposals were stated in the Report by the Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation regarding Government Assistance for the Development of Civil Aviation (Cmd. 770 of 1920), and are as follow:

"Methods of affording Direct Assistance.—We have considered various methods by which a direct grant might be given and the basis upon which it should be assessed, and have approached the problem as involving the transport by air of passengers, goods, and mails.

The question of the payment of grants on the basis of the number of miles covered, or of the number of hours flown, has been discussed, and we have had before us details of the French scheme in operation which is based on this principle.

We have been forced to the conclusion that any such scheme of grants is fundamentally unsound, as the grants can be earned without any direct return to the State or com- munity, either by way of experience gained, useful work performed, development of more efficient machines or establishment of regular air routes. We have, therefore, discarded the policy of giving grants on such a general basis.

We have also considered the advisability of making the payment of a grant dependent upon the carriage of a guaranteed load of mails within a fixed maximum time, but have found the practical application of such a system too difficult to warrant its adoption. This method has the further grave defect that it might often involve the State in the payment for certain services which might not, in fact, have been performed."

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to have any delivery of letters on Sunday, 25th December, Christmas Day?

As my right hon. Friend stated, in answer to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Sudbury Division (Major Howard) on the 27th October, there will be a full delivery of letters and parcels in London and the provinces on Christmas Day.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the appointment of a London sorter to the postmastership of Ware was made on an impartial comparison of the qualifications of the candidates; the number of applicants for the position and their Post Office rank; whether the officer referred to was the best qualified from the point of view of experience of Post Office work; whether service in the Army is taken into account in making appointments to postmaster-ships; and, if so, why, in view of the fact that it is giving weight to a factor not available for all competitors?

The appointment in question was made on an impartial consideration of the qualifications of the candidates. The number of candidates was 99, and they held various ranks from that of postmaster downwards. The officer appointed had served since the commencement of the War with the Royal Engineers Postal Section, during which time he displayed exceptional controlling and organising ability in connection with postal matters. He has for some time past been in charge of the whole of the postal services for the Army of the Rhine; and I am satisfied that he was the best qualified officer for the post referred to. If service in the Army has enabled an officer to demonstrate the possession of special qualifications for a vacant post, it is, in my opinion, proper to take them into account.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now reconsidered the postage charges on commercial circulars; and, if so, whether he will give consideration to the matter of weight, so that very small and light business circulars may not have to bear the same burden as bulky circulars of greater weight?

I understand my hon. and gallant Friend to suggest the restoration of the ½d. rate for circulars weighing not more than 1 oz., which was in operation until June last. My right hon. Friend has already stated that he will consider the question of a reduction of postage rates as soon as that can be done without asking the Exchequer to subsidise the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has existed for some time in the Aberdeen Post Office because the claims of senior and fully-qualified officers have been ignored when vacancies in the higher grades have occurred; that the last promotion on the postal side involved serious injustice to three excellent officers who had been on war service, and that the appointment was given to a man who had been retained as indispensable and whose opportunities were created by the absence of his colleagues, who were given,no opportunity to qualify on the essential duty; that in the telegraph section the last promotion was given to number 14 on the list, although many of his senior colleagues were fully qualified for the higher position, and in some cases held every possible technical certificate; that the last promotion from the outdoor staff involved the unfair treatment of over 30 men, many of whom possessed much higher qualifications than the promoted officer; and whether, having regard to the unrest which has been created by the methods of selection adopted, he will examine the present machinery with a view to securing a more satisfactory method of selection?

I will make inquiry into the matter, and communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General the length in days of the course of training in wireless telegraphy which Commander Grattan, who has recently been appointed an assistant inspector of wireless telegraphy, had in the Navy before the War; whether this training was equivalent to the training for a science degree; whether, in view of the fact that candidates were required to have had practical experience in wireless telegraphy and electrical engineering, he will state what practical experience Commander Grattan had had in electrical engineering; and whether he is aware that, according to the Navy list, Commander Grattan does not possess any specialist qualifications, and has neither qualified as a wireless telegraph and signals officer nor in any specialist branch requiring electrical engineering attainments?

Commander Grattan went through a nine weeks' special course in wireless telegraphy in 1913 preparatory to taking up an appointment as assistant to the officer in charge, Admiralty shore wireless stations in the United Kingdom, and has been continually employed on wireless telegraph work since 1913. His experience of electrical engineering was gained during over four years' service in submarines. I am satisfied that Commander Grattan possesses all the qualifications necessary for the post he holds.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the names of the architects from among whom the architect of the Houses of Parliament for Northern Ireland will be chosen?

After careful consideration, the First Commissioner has invited Mr. Ralph Knott, to design and execute the public offices in connection with the Civil Service of the Northern Irish Government; and he has also invited Mr. Arnold Thornely, of the firm of Messrs. Briggs & Thornely, to execute the Parliament House. Both these architects have consented to undertake the work, which will be begun as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether 200 members of the Irish Republican Army commandeered Carndonagh Workhouse, County Donegal, and posted sentries there; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

I am informed that the front portion of this workhouse was recently occupied by a body of men styling themselves members of the Irish Republican Army. The matter is being dealt with under the local liaison arrangements, but I have not yet heard the result.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the 25th and 26th October last Quarter Sessions were being held at the Court House, Portlavighise, and that on the same days and at the same time, and within a stone's throw, Republican courts were being held openly and without hindrance at the town hall, and large numbers of cases were dealt with; that on the 22nd, 24th, and 26th instant other Republican courts were openly held in neighbouring districts at Rathdowney, Durrow, Monasterevan, and elsewhere, and that the sittings of these illegal courts are openly advertised and their doings reported in the local Sinn Fein papers; whether he receives reports from the police as to the intended and actual sittings of these courts; whether the police are instructed to prevent the holding of courts of which they have notice; and whether any persons have been prosecuted and punished for holding these illegal courts?

I only received notice of this question yesterday morning, and have been unable to obtain reports on the specific cases mentioned in the question. But as regards these courts generally, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for West Derby (Sir R. Hall) by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will cause inquiries to be made of the Republican liaison officer responsible for the carrying out of the truce in the district of Rosscarbery, county of Cork, why Mr. T. J. Kingston, J.P., who left Ireland after his house had been burnt down, but returned to his farm after the truce had been proclaimed, has had his farm raided by large parties of men, all his stock and implements taken away, his sheds torn down, and other general damage done, and a notice posted up to the effect that the farm belongs to the Irish Republic; whether he will ascertain if complaint was actually made to the liaison officer but without success; and will he himself inquire and take action as to this breach of the truce, if the facts are as stated?

The police reported a robbery of stock and implements from Mr. Kingston's farm by a party of unknown men; but the posting of the notice referred to in the question has not been reported, and from inquiries made by telephone this morning, it cannot be confirmed. I am, however, having further inquiry made, and will take such action as may be necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will ascertain if, as a result of obtaining a decree for malicious damage to the amount of £17,000, and of obtaining a further decree in the High Court to allow him to set his rates against this amount, Lord Ashtown had his property at Glenahiry and other places in County Wexford further damaged and compensation awarded to the amount of £6,000; whether further damage has been done him since the truce for the like reason, and his solicitor threatened by the Republican party and his clients forced to leave him; and will he ascertain if the facts are as stated, and convey a remonstrance to the competent Republican authority of this breach of the truce?

The total amount of compensation awarded to Lord Ashtown for malicious damage to his property is approximately £24,000. The last award was one of £400 in respect of damage to timber between 1st July and 13th September, and there is reason to suppose that some of this damage has been done since the truce. The matter is being dealt with. I have not heard of the allegations in the latter part of the question, but I am having inquiry made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Quinn, formerly a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary, who was discharged from the force in November, 1920, as no longer fit for service, after over 25 years' service, owing to an injury accidentally received while in discharge of his duty from a fellow member of the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether the pension of £123 10s. awarded him was the same as if he had retired voluntarily in November, 1920; whether, but for this injury, he could have completed his 30 years' service, and would then, on voluntary retirement, have received a pension of £195 a year, whereas owing to this injury, caused by no fault of his own, he has lost five years' service and £72 of retiring pension; and whether he will take steps to remedy this hardship on an old servant of the Crown?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I can only say in ordinary circumstances Sergeant Quinn would probably have become qualified for a pension of £195 per annum if he had continued to serve until the 1st August, 1925. This matter is governed by Statute, and I regret that there is no power to increase the award which has already been made in this case. It has been calculated on the same basis as that adopted in British police forces.

asked the Chief Secretary whether solicitors are being compelled to leave Ireland, owing to the conditions of terrorism prevailing in that country, and are thus deprived of their means of earning a livelihood; and whether he will make representations to the legal authorities in England with the view of obtaining facilities for their admission to practice their profession in England?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of any specific case of this kind which has come to his notice, I shall be glad to consider what action can be taken; but I am not aware of any such case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Warder W. Egan, Mary-borough Prison, has been the responsible cook and baker for about two years, including cooking and baking for hospital patients, without a single complaint against his work, yet about 12 warders, junior to him, have been promoted to the rank of principal warder over his head in spite of his technical knowledge and 24 years of loyal service to the Crown; whether it is a common practice for the General Prisons Board to ignore applications relating to staff grievances; and whether he will make inquiries into the numerous complaints against the administration of the General Prisons Board?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by me to the hon. Member on the 31st October last. It is a fact that officers junior to Warder Egan have been promoted to positions for which he is not regarded as suitable. There is no foundation for the suggestion that the General Prisons Board ignore applications from the prisons staff. On the contrary, they are always prepared to investigate any alleged grievances which are brought to notice. I am satisfied that the administration of the Board is carried out with fairness to all concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the increased lodging allowance due to the attendants of the Dundrum State asylum, County Dublin, from February, 1920, and the boot allowance of 8s. per year due since September, 1918, are to be paid; when the attendants Gaffney and Mahon are to be paid their retrospective lodging allowances due since February, 1920; when will overtime be paid for duty performed in excess of the eight-hour day; when will the practice cease of making the staff remain seven years in the service before getting their lodging allowance; if the staff fitter has to spend over two-thirds of his existence inside the asylum walls without any overtime or sleeping-in payment; and will he say if the repeated promises made many months ago to assimilate the general allowances of this staff with those of the Broadmoor State asylum are to be carried out?

The increased lodging allowances payable to the Dundrum asylum attendants will be made within the next ten days, and attendants Gaffney and Mahon will receive their allowances, which run from November and February, 1920, respectively. The rule requiring seven years' service before qualifying for this allowance is no longer in operation. As regards boot allowance the authorised amounts have been paid, and no part in due. The hours of attendants at the asylum are now on the average very little in excess of eight per day and payment in respect of the slight overtime worked cannot be sanctioned. The statement an regards the fitter's hours of duty is incorrect. No asylum attendant is entitled to a sleeping-in payment. The fitter's position will be found to be similar to that of a corresponding officer at Broadmoor. There has been no failure to complete the assimilation of the allowances at Dundrum to those in force at Broadmoor, except as regards lodging allowance, in which the practice of the Irish prisons service has been followed as more appropriate.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Engineer Newman, of Kilkenny Prison, was put to do heavy manual work at Belfast Prison, and was afterwards certified by the local medical officer and a medical board as physically incapable of such work, owing to an accident sustained in the execution of his duty at Clonmel on 24th November, 1916, but was certified ac quite fit for ordinary duty; whether such heavy manual work is essentially part of the duties of a supervising officer or engineer; whether this engineer has in consequence been reduced to the rank of warder, involving a loss of £1 ls. 2d. per week; and, if these facts are correct, what action does he propose to take to have this matter adjusted?

Warder Newman was accidentally injured in the discharge of his duty as a tradesman warder, and was, in consequence, pensioned from the service in the year 1916. In the year 1917 he was taken back, as his condition had improved, and he has been employed on ordinary warder's duties since then, occasionally receiving working pay for such artisan duties as his physical condition permitted him to undertake. On the recent creation of the grade of engineer warder it was thought right to place him tentatively in this rank, but as he has been proved to be physically unfit, the Prisons Board have reluctantly been compelled to make him revert to ordinary rank and employ him on warding duties. This officer appears himself to have decided to lift heavy weights on the recent occasion in Belfast, but in any case the Prison Board could not again take the risk or justify the expense of employing a man on work for which he has proved unfitted. While the duties of an engineer warder are partly of a supervising capacity, he must always be available for and physically capable of undertaking manual labour.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will inquire into the discontent among the staff of the Irish Prisons service relating to methods of promotion and general administration by the General Prisons Board; whether certain promotions have taken place contrary to the terms of the circular dated 9th December last; what are the qualifications possessed by the chief warder of Mountjoy Prison after having spent nearly all his service in the clerical branch; will the promise made to the Prison Officers' Representative Council be carried out with regard to granting the temporary officers an increment after one year's service; why the temporary officers are not granted the usual rest day in certain prisons; and the number of days' duty performed by Chief Warder Fitzgerald during the past 12 months?

I am not aware that there is any general discontent in the Irish Prisons Service as to the methods of promotion and administration by the Board. All officers are considered as to their suitability for promotion irrespective of the duties which they may be per- forming, and this principle was applied in the case of the chief warder at Mount-joy Prison, who possessed the necessary qualifications for the post to which he was promoted, and was considered by the Board the most suitable officer for this appointment. As regards temporary warders, the Prison Officers' Representative Council raised the question of their increments, and the matter was promised consideration. It was found, however, that the grant of increments in such cases would be contrary to general Treasury practice, and therefore could not be sanctioned. A weekly rest day is being granted to temporary warders as far as the exigencies of the service permit. Where such is not possible the warder is entitled to overtime payment. As regards the last part of the question I must protest against the unfounded suggestion made against the General Prisons Board.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India in the case of the refusal by the Legislative Council of the Central Provinces to pass the sum of Rs. 65,000 sanctioned to cover the cost of a higher rate of pay for provincial service officers promoted to hold Indian Civil Service posts?

The action taken with reference to reduced or refused Budget grants in a province rests, under the Act, with the Governor and the local Government and not with the Government of India. I have not yet heard whether the Governor of the Central Provinces has "certified" the grant in question under Section 72 D (2) of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has information to impart to the House regarding the extent to which forcible conversion of Hindus by the Moplahs in Malabar has prevailed; and whether the Indian Caliphate agitation leaders have denounced these excesses on the part of their co-religionists?

In consequence of the questions asked last week, I telegraphed to the Government of India inquiring whether they could furnish a statement, but there has not been time for a reply. I shall be glad to inform my hon. Friend when I receive the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is now possible for him to announce the terms to be given to surplus Indian Army officers; and how far these terms compare favourably with the terms given to surplus British cavalry officers in Army Order 320 of July last and the terms offered to naval officers in Admiralty Order 1056 of 1920?

No, Sir. I am afraid it will be some weeks before I can announce the terms, but I think I can promise that they will compare favourably with the terms given to surplus British cavalry officers and naval officers.

asked the Secretary of Stale for India whether the Government of India has disposed of the cases of the 86 persons sentenced to imprisonment for participation in the Punjab disturbances of 1919, which it is understood have come under the subsequent revision of the Viceroy himself?

I have not yet heard.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the rate of pay given to a regimental major with five years' service in that rank in a British regiment serving in India amounts after deduction of Indian Income Tax to approximately £824 per annum, whereas the pay and emoluments of an officer of similar rank and similar service at home amounts to £839 after deduction of Income Tax or, if a soldier servant is not provided, to £875 per annum; whether, as the value of the rupee shows no sign of rising to the rate of 2s., on which basis the pay of British officers serving in India was based, this anomaly will now be rectified; and if he is aware that such apparent injustice leads to discontent, in view of the acknowledged fact that a higher rate of pay should be given to officers serving in a hot climate away from their home than to those at home and who are not therefore serving under such disadvantages?

Assuming that the officer be married and without children, the figures given are approximately correct if the exchange value of the rupee is taken as 1s. 4½d. The present rupee rates of pay for British service officers in India were not determined by an assumption that the rupee would remain at 2s. The question of the emoluments of these officers and the effect thereon of variations in exchange is engaging the attention of the Government of India; at present they are not prepared to grant any increase of pay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether copies of the list of questions recently issued by the Indian Fiscal Commission are available at the India Office; and whether representative organisations and individuals in the United Kingdom having trade interests in India will be allowed to present, as evidence receivable by the Commission, written answers to the questions?

Copies of the list, of questions have not so far been for warded to the India Office, but I have seen a list published in an Indian newspaper of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. The question of procedure is of course one for the consideration of the Commission. The Commission has announced that associations or individuals wishing to represent their views should apply to the Secretary, Indian Fiscal Commission, Simla. If my hon. Friend would like any assistance in the way of forwarding communications to the Commission I will gladly see what can be done.

asked the Home Secretary whether the lady members of the Voluntary Advisory Board will in future be consulted before appointments to the hospital staff, disciplinary or nursing, are made?

The Prison Commissioners have already arranged to do this in respect of the hospital at Holloway and are very glad to have the Nursing Board's assistance.

asked the Home Secretary whether any special instructions have been issued to the police with respect to the holding and conduct of Bolshevist and Communist meetings, especially in the public parks; whether the putting of questions is deemed by the police to be an improper interruption; and whether decorous observations by critical opponents is permitted?

Instructions of a permanent nature are issued for the guidance of the police, with a view to the preservation of the peace at public meetings, and apply equally to all meetings, whether organised and attended by Communists, or Bolshevists or otherwise. But, with the exception of Hyde Park, the Metropolitan Police do not patrol the public parks and do not take action therein unless called on by the park authorities. It is not for the police to permit or to stop the putting of questions, so long as disorder is not occasioned thereby, or a breach of the peace becomes imminent.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any recent evidence showing that attempts have been, and are being made, to tamper with the discipline of the police in the interests of Bolshevist and kindred movements?

I have not received any such evidence. Should I do so, I will certainly give it prompt and careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary the number of aliens who have entered this country to settle within the last six months; and whether, in view of the existing unemployment, he is still restricting such arrivals as much as possible?

It is not possible to give the figure asked for, but I believe it to be negligible. The Alien Passenger Returns published quarterly show that for the nine months ended last September the departures of aliens from this country exceeded the arrivals by 5,853.

asked the Home Secretary if he will reconsider his decision not to exempt midwives from jury service in response to the request pressed on him by the Federation of Medical and Allied Societies, representing the majority of medical and nursing professional associations, as essential to the safety of lying-in women?

I have no power to exempt anyone from jury service, but the point has been noted for consideration whenever legislation on the subject of liability to jury service is in contemplation.

asked the Home Secretary what was the increase of salary obtained by Sir Basil Thomson to which Sir Basil refers in his recent communication to the Press; what was his salary on leaving office; and what is the retiring pension that he has secured?

Sir Basil Thomson's salary was increased from £1,500 to £2,000 a year from 1st May, 1920. His salary on leaving office was £2,000. The amount of his pension has been fixed at £1,120.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Engineer R. Blight, formerly of Northampton prison, was invalided in consequence of an accident sustained in the execution of his duty in 1913, and prior to the ordinary retiring limit; that the engineer was pensioned without any compensation for the very serious injuries received; and why the officer was not awarded compensation within the terms of the Workmen's Compensation Act?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The amount of the pension was fixed by the Treasury. I understand that the value of the pension exceeds the amount of his weekly earnings at the time of the injury, and that for this reason no addition could be made by way of compensation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. H. E. Winny, inspector of explosives to the City of London Corporation, when giving evidence at the inquest by the City coroner and a jury into six fires which occurred at 39, Cripplegate within a period of nine weeks, stated that they had attempted to obtain legislation with regard to the storing of celluloid, but that they and the London County Council had been successful only in the cases of films and celluloid sheets; and whether, in view of the fact that there is a large quantity of celluloid in the City, he is prepared to promote legislation which shall confer wider powers on county and municipal authorities as regards the storing of same?

I have seen the coroner's notes of the evidence, from which it appears that there were on these premises some celluloid collars and celluloid buttons. The jury found in each case that the fire had been wilfully caused by some person or persons unknown. The question of further legislation to deal with celluloid dangers is under consideration, but to extend Regulations to all premises in which comparatively small stocks of celluloid articles are kept would involve many difficulties.

asked the Home Secretary the terms of the Regulations under which a married prison officer who has lost his wife by death, but has a daughter old enough to act as housekeeper, is held to be a bachelor and is not granted the usual subsistence allowance, notwithstanding the fact that he was ordered to another prison for the convenience of the public service and has to keep two houses in consequence of a lack of Government quarters?

The Treasury has sanctioned the payment of subsistence allowance to married officers who are transferred in the public interest to fresh districts, and cannot obtain unfurnished accommodation. This benefit is also extended to unmarried officers with dependants. Each case is dealt with on its merits, and if an officer establishes that he is maintaining bonâ fide dependants., subsistence allowance is granted to him.

asked the Home Secretary how many prisoners in local prisons and in convict prisons, respectively, received elementary education during the year 1920–21; and how many of each total were 25 years of age and over?

The total number who received education in local prisons during 1920–1921 was 5,619, and in convict prisons 178. There are no statistics showing the ages of those who received education, but the Standing Orders regulating education prescribe that it shall be concentrated on prisoners under 25 years of age, the chaplain having a discretion to include those over that age where he thinks it desirable. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulations on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary at which of the prisons serving as collecting depots for juvenile adult prisoners associated games are now provided; and at which of such prisons, if any, meals are given in association for such prisoners?