asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the words, "if qualified for the award of a Long Service pension, 1½d. a day for each complete year of pensionable service," in Admiralty Fleet Order No. 13 of 1922 apply to any period or only to such men as may have completed 22 years' service?

The words referred to apply only to men who may have completed the minimum qualifying service necessary for the award of a Long Service pension, i.e., 21 years for Marines and 22 years for seamen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to state when the post-War establishment of officers for the accountant branch will be published?

I regret that I am not in a position to give a date, as the establishment must necessarily depend upon the decisions to be arrived at regarding the ultimate constitution of the Fleet and the Naval establishments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the provisions of Admiralty Fleet Order No. 84 of 1922, concerning the commencing date for recommendations for promotion, applies to ranks as well as ratings of the Royal Navy?

The Fleet Order in question refers only to recommendations for Warrant rank and its provisions, therefore, apply only to ratings who are candidates for that rank.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering the cost of living and the low rates of pay now being drawn by married officials serving in India, both civil and military, and the inability of these officials to send their children home to be educated, he will state what provision is being made by the Government of India to meet the demand for educational facilities for British children in India?

It is not possible within the limits of an answer to give details of the facilities provided for the education of Europeans in India. My hon. Friend will find full information in the published Reports, such as the Quinquennial Review of the Progress of Education in India and the brief Reports issued annually by the Education Department of the Government of India, copies of which are regularly sent to the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India the result of his communication with the Government of India as to the possibility of alleviating in some manner the burden imposed on Government officials in India by the present cost of passages?

I have not heard further from the Government of India since the communication referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, of which I informed him on 3rd November last. I will endeavour to obtain an early reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether steps have been taken to continue in force those provisions of the Indian Soldiers Civil Litigation Act that otherwise lapse as the result of the termination of the War, so as to secure soldiers absent on service from anxiety about their homes?

The provisions of the Indian Soldiers (Litigation) Act, 1918, will continue to apply as a permanent arrangement to soldiers whose service has been declared by the Governor-General of India in Council to be service under war conditions. I cannot say precisely what action has been, or is intended to be, taken by the Government of India in regard to such declarations, but I will make inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that instruction in the development of mental faculty or instruction in the cultivation of selected mental processes is the basis of special lessons in mind-training which have been offered to the public in recent years; and if he has considered whether it would be advisable to include some instruction of this kind in the teaching in elementary and secondary schools?

Any practical suggestions for the improvement of the teaching given in elementary and secondary schools receive the Board's careful consideration, but in the absence of more definite indications of the methods which the hon. Member has in mind, I am unable to answer his question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will bring in this Session legislation to amend Section 9 of the Education Act, 1918, and thus permit parents to take their boys away from school as soon as their fourteenth birthday has been reached and thus avoid the present situation whereby, in spite of good employment being offered, it has often to be refused owing to the boy having to remain at school after he has become 14 years old to finish his term?

I do not propose to ask Parliament to reverse its recent decision in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether Irish-trained elementary teachers who have had teaching service both in Ireland and England, and who are recognised by the Board of Education as certificated, are being treated on a different footing from those Scottish elementary teachers Who are employed by the Board under parallel circumstances?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to a Circular of the Board, No. 1234, upon the subject of service, rendered in schools other than public elementary schools in England and Wales, which the local education authority, in calculating an elementary school teacher's salary, may desire to add to his service in public elementary schools. The Circular is in accordance with the Burnham Committee's interpretation of Section 9 (b) of their own Report of 30th September, 1920, with respect to the kinds of school which under existing conditions may properly be accepted for this purpose. Its effect is to limit these to certain sorts of schools under the inspection of the Board of Education, but to make an exception for schools in Scotland for the reason that, in respect of the conditions of service and educational organisation there is a very close resemblance between English and Scottish schools which for many years were inspected by the same Education Department.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the latest returns of his Department in regard to 2d. postage, 1½d. postcard rates, picture postcards, and trade communications; and how these figures compare with the corresponding figures for November, December, and January, 1913–14 and 1920–21 regarding both volume and revenue?

If the hon. Member will allow me, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the efficiency bar for women clerks has been applied much more stringently in the accountant's office, Edinburgh, than any efficiency bar has ever been applied to the second division men in that office; that eight of the 32 women at the bar have been stopped, whereas only three men have ever been stopped in the accountant's office during the whole of its history; that only three second division men out of 46 have been allowed to enter the executive grade at the present time; and whether, in view of this disparity between the number of men and women who have been penalised, he will authorise investigation of the treatment of the women clerks in Edinburgh?

This matter has been under my notice on several occasions, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question on the 13th instant by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Bean). I cannot agree that the efficiency bar has been applied more stringently to women than to men in the accountant's office at Edinburgh.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dislocation of business throughout the country through the restricted postal services and extra charges, and that traders are crying out for a return to normal conditions, especially in Cornwall, to compete with foreign countries, whose charges are admittedly more advantageous than ours; and if he is now prepared to restore normal conditions as far as practicable?

I have received representations on this subject from many quarters, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Leader of the House on 16th February in reply to the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that under existing arrangements subscribers to the telephone service can only terminate their agreements on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July, and 1st October in any year by three calendar months' prior notice in writing, so that a subscriber finding, say, in April that he wishes to cancel the agreement on 1st August must wait until the 1st October before so doing; and whether he will consider the advisability of arranging that such agreements should terminate on the 1st of any month, the three months' notice required being given or a shorter period if possible?

I am not aware that the present rule causes any serious inconvenience to subscribers, many of whom are able to arrange for an incoming tenant to take over the telephone for the unexpired portion of the agreement. The Post Office is always ready to facilitate any arrangement of this kind or to deal specially with any case of real hardship. The present dates correspond with the dates up to which the quarterly accounts are rendered and any alteration would involve troublesome financial adjustments, usually of small amount.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that assistant head postmen, assistant inspectors (Central Telegraph Office), and foremen of cleaners are allowed only 14 days' annual leave; and that such a period is insufficient for officers who have performed lengthy periods of service on rank and file duties before promotion to the supervising grade, seeing that it is only two days more than the period allowed to boy messengers; and whether he will arrange for them to be allowed 21 working days in future, commencing this year, in order to bring them into line with other supervising officers?

I regret that I do not feel able to sanction any increase in the annual leave of the grades referred to at the present moment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the local postmaster and the surveyor of the North Wales district has admitted that the senior competent officer at Chester telegraphs is fully qualified for promotion, and that if he should not secure the existing vacancy he would be certain to get the next; and whether, in these circumstances, he will expedite his inquiries?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The filling of the vacancy will be proceeded with in ordinary course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what percentage of women are employed in the money order department of the General Post Office; whether a new controller has recently been appointed; how many women were considered for this post; whether there were no suitable women for it either in the Post Office or in other departments; arid, if not, what steps is the Post Office taking to enable the women employed on the higher accounting duties to qualify for consideration for such posts?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The percentage of women employed in the money order department is rather more than 90 per cent. A new controller has recently been appointed who was considered to be the best qualified officer for the post. There was no woman in the Post Office who possessed in full the necessary qualifications, and the absence of Post Office experience would have been a disqualification for women in other departments. The question of extending the scope of employment of women in the higher accounting duties of the Post Office is one which will be borne in mind as opportunities occur.

asked the Home Secretary what is the cost per annum of the Metropolitan women patrols?

The cost is approximately £27,000 per annum.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received protests from any public authority or body against the waste of time and money involved in summoning grand and petty juries where there are no cases to be tried, or none that are important or difficult; and, if so, does he propose to do anything in the matter?

I have received a number of representations on the subject of grand juries, and one from the National Farmers' Union about the unneceesary summoning of petty juries. The question of grand juries is being considered: as regards petty juries, I would call attention to Section 1 (1) of the Assizes and Quarter Sessions Act, 1908, which gives power to dispense with the attendance of jurymen if, five days before Sessions or Assizes, there is no business requiring it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a trader, who makes up his accounts at the 30th June each year and who in the year to 30th June, 1921, has made a heavy loss, has to make his claim against 1920–21 or must it be made against 1921–22, seeing that Section 34 of The Income Tax Act, 1918, refers to the year of assessment, but does not state which year?

In dealing with claims to relief from Income Tax in respect of losses under the provisions of Section 34 of The Income Tax Act, 1918, it is the normal practice of the Income Tax Commissioners concerned to have regard to the loss sustained in the traders' accounting year ending within the Income Tax year of assessment for which the claim is made, i.e., a loss incurred by a trader in his year ending 30th June, 1921, would form the basis for a claim under the Section for the Income Tax year 1921–22. Cases arise from time to time, however, in which the facts are found to warrant a departure from this rule and if my hon. Friend has any case in mind and will let me have the particulars, I will gladly have the matter investigated and communicate to him the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the profits earned by leading tobacco firms during the past year and to the high retail prices which are being charged; and if he will institute an inquiry as to whether these prices and profits have been maintained by the establishment of a virtual monopoly in the trade and as to whether at existing prices there is a margin for further taxation without increasing retail prices?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's attention has been called to the profits made by certain tobacco firms during last year, but he is not in a position to state whether in the circumstances these profits or the retail prices are excessive. As regards the last part of the question, he can only say that all relevant considerations will be borne in mind in framing the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what be the amount of interest payable per annum to the American Government when payments of interest are resumed in the forthcoming financial year?

It is not possible as yet to give exact figures, but £25,000,000 will be provided in the Budget Estimates for 1922–23 to cover one-half year's interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions he has given to the Board of Inland Revenue for dealing administratively with hard cases which are primâ facie governed by the Gittus case in respect of claims for the repayment of Excess Profits Duty, in accordance with the promise made by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 20th June, 1921?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue have been instructed to deal administratively with cases of the character to which the hon. Member refers. The cases coming within their purview are numerous and present widely divergent features, and o detailed instructions could be framed to cover the various circumstances arising. Broadly speaking, however, where there has been a change of ownership of a business, repayment of Excess Profits Duty is made if there is, and to the extent to which there is, substantial identity of interest between the old and the new owner.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any regulations have now been issued by the Board of Inland Revenue concerning the provisions of Section 40, Sub-section (3), of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915; and, in particular, whether any regulation issued related to the writing-off of goodwill?

A Regulation has been made under the Section referred to by the hon. Member relating to depreciation of capital expended upon patent rights, and I am causing a copy of that Regulation to be sent to him. A Regulation will shortly be made, in accordance with promises given by my predecessors, relating to loss of goodwill in certain conditions in the case of controlled establishments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any instructions have been issued to inspectors of taxes to the effect that they should delay, as far as possible, the settlement of claims for the repayment of Excess Profits Duty until the end of the current financial year?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the interest at the net rate of 5 per cent. per annum without allowance for Income Tax to be charged on any arrears of Excess Profits Duty, whether the interest so paid will be allowed as a deduction from profits in calculating the amount of Corporation Profits Tax payable by a company, and as a deduction from total income in calculating the amount of Super-tax payable by an individual; and whether, if the answer is in the affirmative, the amount to be deducted will be the interest at the net rate of 5 per cent., plus tax?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes that for purposes of Corporation Profits Tax and Super-tax a deduction shall be allowed in respect of the interest in question of the gross amount which, after deduction of Income Tax at the standard rate, would give a net amount equal to the amount of interest actually paid.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what ground allowances granted to children of soldiers killed in the War are treated as income and assessable to Income Tax; and why, if they are taxable, they are treated as part of a widow's income for Income Tax purposes and are not separately assessed?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply, a copy of which I am sending him, given on 20th October last to the hon. and gallant Member for Moss Side (Lieut.-Colonel Hurst).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue authorities have recently decided to levy Income Tax on the maintenance allowance granted to children who lost their fathers in the War and whose mother has remarried; and, if so, whether, in view of the hardship thus inflicted on many who had relied on the undiminished continuance of the maintenance allowance, he can see his way to reconsider the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to a reply, a copy of which I am sending him, given on the 20th October, 1921, to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Moss Side (Lieut.-Colonel Hurst). The pension which an officer's widow who has children receives after re-marriage continues to be assessable to Income Tax as her earned income; but my hon. Friend will appreciate that, in computing the Income Tax liability of the husband and wife, the personal allowance to a married couple, together with the additional allowance granted where the wife has earned income and the allowances in respect of children, apply equally in these cases as in the case of other taxpayers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the income derived from the Government investments in registered companies for the years 1920–21; and what is the present capital value of the shares, showing each company separately?

The following are the particulars:

Department.	Name of Company.	Particulars of Investment.	Interest or Dividend (Gross) received in						Present Market Value.			Notes.
			1920.			1921.
			£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Board of Trade	British Dyestuffs Corporation, Ltd.	850,000 £1 Preferred Ordinary Shares.	39,709	2	4	93,316	2	1	398,437	0	0	—
		850,001 £1 Preference Share
	Turkish Petroleum Co.	40,000 £1 Ordinary Shares	—			—			Not quoted.			—
	British American Nickel Corporation (of Canada.	$3,000,000 "A" Income Bonds.	—			—			—			Company recently reconstructed.
		$3,000,000 Common Stock
	Munster Flax Development Co., Ltd.	£22,000 "B" Debenture Stock.	—			224	17	6	Not quoted.			—
		£11,000 "C" Debenture Stock (not interest bearing).
	Chepatow Water Co., Ltd.	330 £1 Ordinary Shares	26	8	0	26	8	0	Not quoted.			—
	Monmouth Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.	£490,000 6% Mortgage	—			44,100	0	0	—			Interest from 3rd March, 1920, to 30th Sept., 1921. See Note.
Treasury	Suez Canal Co.	161,217 Actions de Capital	809,686	16	10	965,488	8	0	19,51,195	10	0
		15,685 Action de Jouissance
	Cunard Steamship Co., Ltd.	£780,000 Debenture Stock	29,954	8	11	26,378	14	11	Not quoted.			—
		One £20 Ordinary Share

Department.	Name of Company.	Particulars of Investment.	Interest or Dividend (Gross) received in						Present Market Value.			Notes.
			1920.			1921.
			£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Treasury—contd.	Anglo-Persian Oil Co., Ltd.	4,000,000 £1 Ordinary Shares fully paid.	295,744	5	8	427,776	0	6	Ordinary Shares unquoted. Preference Shares and Debentures, £163,322 10s.			—
		1,000,000 £1 Ordinary Shares 1s. paid.
		1,000 £1 Preference Shares £199,000 Debenture Stock
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.	Home Grown Sugar, Ltd.	£250,000 Ordinary Shares	—			—			Not quoted			The interest on mortgage did not fall due until 1922.
		£125,000 Second Mortgage	—			—			—
	Flax Cultivation, Ltd.	£331,000 First Mortgage	—			—			—			Interest in arrear.
	Wessex Flax Factories, Ltd.	£37,000 First Mortgage (of which £2,000 has been repaid).	—			162	0	4	—			Interest includes £20 2s. on account of delay in payment of principal.
Disposal and Liquidation Commission.	British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	1,450,000 7½% Cumulative Participating Prefers Shares.	—			—			£271,875			—
	Hoffman Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	89,556 7% Cumulative £1 Preference Shares.	6,268	18	5	6,268	18	5	Not quoted.			No dividends have een paid on the Ordinary Shares, the profits of the Company having been used as working capital.
		155,889 £1 Ordinary Shares
Foreign Office	Commercial Bank of Siberia.	45,263 Ordinary Shares	—			—			Not quoted.			—
NOTE.—In addition the Board of Trade hold 300,000 £1 Ordinary Shares fully paid and £300,000 5s. paid in the Standard Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., and the subsidiary companies. These shares are of nominal value only as the entire assets and liabilities of the Companies are vested in the Board of Trade, and the greater part of the physical assets has been included in the sale to the Monmouth Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, The shares therefore do not produce any income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company asked for £4,050,000 new share capital and that investors offered £57,000,000; that £4,028,022 was paid as dividend in 1920, which represents 20 per cent. on the capital of the company, while the chairman states that 57 per cent. will be paid for the current year; and, if so, whether he will take steps to call on such companies to help other industries, such as mines and agriculture, seeing that the Government got from mines £758,000,000 during the inflation of coal prices and in view of the reductions of wages which have taken place subsequently?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not aware whether all the figures quoted in the question are accurate. He cannot consider the course suggested in the last part of the question as practicable. Prosperous companies contribute to the general revenue of this country by taxation, and he has no authority to ask them to make further voluntary contributions to depressed industries, if that is the suggestion which the hon. Member's question is intended to convey.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total estimated cost of the Publicity Departments attached to the War Office, Colonial Office, Admiralty, Board of Trade, and Foreign Office in the year ending 31st March next?

The total estimated cost of the publicity sections attached to these Departments during the current financial year is as follows:

	£
War Office	1,500
Colonial Office	450
Board of Trade	465
News Department, Foreign Office	46,712

The functions of the last-named Department are confined to keeping in touch with the Press of foreign countries and correcting misapprehensions abroad in regard to British actions and policy. The Admiralty have no Publicity Department. Such publicity work as may arise is performed by an officer on the naval staff in addition to his normal daties, and no additional cost is involved

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer thr total quantities of plain British spirts in bond in Customs and Excise collections in Scotland, distinguishing the quantities in distillers' and general warehouses, on the 31st December, 1921?

The total quantity of plain British spirits in bond in Customs and Excise collections in Scotland on the 31st December, 1921, was 97,466,011 proof gallons. Separate figures for distillers' and general warehouses respectively are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the actual cost of collecting the present tax on motorcars during the last recorded 12 months; and what was the cost of collecting the Petrol Tax for the corresponding period of the last year it was in force?

The collection of the Petrol Tax, which was abolished as from 1st January, 1921, was spread over a very large number of Customs and Excise officers, who performed the work in conjunction with numerous other duties. It is not possible, without making ex haustive inquiry, to estimate the aggregate cost of this particular item of work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that in the existing administration of old age pensions there is no statistical arrangement for recording the average period for which the old age pension is enjoyed, he will issue instructions that from an early date the statistics in the different localities shall be kept in such a way as to make this important information available for the public in future?

In view of the extra labour involved and of the need for economy, I am unable to issue the instructions suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether voluntary gifts and allowances made by the Solicitors' Benevolent Society, and kindred institutions connected with other professions, to poor and necessitous members and their dependents are taken into consideration when assessing the means of applicants for Old Age Pensions?

Voluntary gifts and allowances made to claimants to Old Age Pensions are taken into account in caluhaing their means.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether an Old Age Pension is subject to deduction by reason of the pensioner's wife, who is not herself an old age pensioner, receiving a pension for a son killed in the War?

In cases where a person is one of a married couple living together in the same house, the rate of Old Age Pension (if any) to which the person is entitled depends upon the joint means of the couple; and in calculating such means a pension for a son killed in the War has to be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring in during this Session the legislation necessary to abolish the present restrictions as to means contained in the Old Age Pension Acts, so that Old Age Pensions may be granted without reduction in respect of the means of the old age pensioners from other sources; and how much he estimates that this would cost the Exchequer?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. A. Williams) on the 13th instant; in reply to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Sir B. Chadwick) on 11th May last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total weight of dyestuffs received from Germany to date by way of reparation; and the average value calculated as credited to Germany, the average value of the quantity disposed of to date to this country and to other countries, the average values of comparable dyes at present ruling in this country, and the average market value of comparable dyes ruling in this country in 1913?

The total weight of dyestuffs received by this country from Germany by way of reparation up to 31st December last was 4,070 tons, in respect of which approximately £570,000 (or £140 a ton) was credited to Germany. 2,400 tons have been sold for approximately £381,000 (after the deduction of expenses of realisation), or £228 a ton, which therefore represents the values ruling at the dates of sale. I regret that the remainder of the information asked for is not in my possession.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any reparation receipts from Germany have yet been allocated to the Exchequer of the United Kingdom; and at what date it is expected that claims registered in the Reparation Claims Department for compensation in respect of suffering and damage by enemy action will be examined and paid out of the £5,000,000 to be provided for this purpose out of reparation receipts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hexham Division (Major Brown) on the 14th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intends to make Germany pay the whole of the instalments due to this country under the Treaty of Versailles, either in money or in goods?

The determination of Germany's capacity to pay, and the time and manner in which she is to discharge her reparation liabilities, are matters for the decision of the Reparation Commission under the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the revised regrading schemes are yet in operation in any Departments employing permanent women above the typist grade; and, if so, in which Departments?

The revised regrading schemes prepared in accordance with the Re-organisation Report are not yet in operation, whether for men or women.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of offices and premises occupied by his Department in addition to his central offices in Great George Street; and whether he can state the estimated annual cost for rent, rates, etc., of these premises?

The Board of Trade are in occupation of six Crown and 15 hired buildings in London, in addition to the headquarter offices at Great George Street. The annual rents amount to £36,956, partly inclusive and partly exclusive of rates and taxes. It is not possible at such short notice to give details of other occupational charges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Hotel Windsor is occupied by his Department; and, if so, can he state the number of staff engaged therein, the number of rooms, floor space, annual expenses, rent, rates, and taxes?

I have been asked to answer this question, but it has not been possible at such short notice to obtain all the necessary details relating to the occupation of the Hotel Windsor. I will furnish the information as soon as it is available, but the hon. Member will appreciate that it is undesirable to publish the rent paid for individual premises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if iodol is manu- factured in this country; if not, whether the only effect of the imposition of 33⅓ per cent. duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act is to increase the cost of this antiseptic to all hospitals; and whether, under these circumstances, he will recommend that steps should be taken to exempt such articles from the operation of these restrictive duties?

So far as I am aware, Iodol is not manufactured in this country, but is a German product, consumed here only on a very small scale. No doubt in these circumstances the price tends to rise by the amount of the duty, The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative, and I would remind the hon. Member that an Amendment which would have enabled the course. suggested by him to be taken was considered during the Committee stage of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, but did not appear to be acceptable to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has omitted to give the name of those constituting the Committee appointed by him, under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, to deal with hollow-ware; and can he now give the names?

I regret that, owing to inadvertence, the Committee to which the hon. Member refers was omitted from the printed list. The names of the members of the Committee on aluminium hollow-ware, wrought enamelled hollow-ware, and plain and enamelled baths are:

• Sir W. M. Acworth (Chairman),
• Mr. F. P. Dorizzi,
• Mr. Stanley Machin. J.P.,
• Mr. R. G. Perry, C.B.E., and
• Mr. Arthur Shaw.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a contract was entered into during the War with the Australian Government to purchase the whole of the zinc concentrates produced in that country up to 1930; is he aware of the disastrous effect this has had on the industry in this country; is he aware that £500,000 was advanced for the erection of zinc smelt- ing works in Australia; what security does the Government hold for this advance and what interest is being paid; whether he is prepared to recommend the Government to render some assistance to the home industry, which will enable those mines to reopen which have already had to close as a consequence of the Australian contract, and thus find employment for a large number of men; and whether he will issue a memorandum giving a full explanation of the whole position for the information of the House?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that an agreement has been entered into by the Government for the purchase of large quantities of Australian zinc concentrates annually for a period of 10 years after the conclusion of the War; that these concentrates are being sold to smelters at a heavy loss; that the lowness of the price charged by the Government has made it impossible for British mines to compete; that these mines have been compelled to close down, thereby throwing thousands of men out of employment; and whether he will order an inquiry into the circumstances under which the contract was made?

As I informed the right hon. Member for South Molten (Mr. Lambert) on 13th February, I propose shortly on a Supplementary Estimate to make a full statement upon this subject. I think, however, that I must say at once that no advance whatever has been made by His Majesty's Government for the erection of zinc smelting works in Australia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the claim of Miss C. E. B. Matthews against the executors of the will of F. E. von Brincken (claim No. 16,943/1), lodged with the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts in January, 1921, and passed on to the German office in the following month, still remains unsettled; whether repeated representations to the German office have failed to elicit any reply; and whether any steps can be taken to expedite the payment of the claim?

The delay of the German clearing office in admitting Miss Matthews' claim appears to have been originally due to inability to trace the debtor at the address given by the claimant. A fresh address was furnished in September, 1921, and the claim has now been admitted in full by the German clearing office together with interest, and will be paid on the 15th of next month. Both the creditor and her solicitor were informed of this fact on the 9th instant.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many non-service men and how many women are employed in the Office of Works Department in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Government Departments and are now awaiting re-allocation?

The numbers of non-service men and women (exclusive of typing staff) employed in the Department in a temporary capacity are as follow:

(a) Clerical Staff:

Ninety-six per cent. of the temporary clerical staff employed in the Department are ex-service men. The non-service staff consists of 15 men and four women.

>When it is possible to dispense with the services of this staff, the posts will be filled, as far as possible, by the appointment of permanent officers of the clerical class.

(b) Technical Staff:

Seventy per cent. of the temporary technical staff are ex-service men. The non-service staff consists of 147 men and five women.

A Departmental Substitution Committee has been formed to consider the possibility of replacing this staff with ex-service men, provided candidates with the necessary technical or professional qualifications can be obtained.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that of the ex-service men recently discharged from Government Departments there are over 1,800 awaiting re-allocation through the pool of the Joint Substitution Board and still unemployed, while the Returns submitted by Departments of His Majesty's Government to that board show that there are over 4,500 women retained in the posts admitted to be substitutable under the provisions of the Reports of Lord Lytton's Committee; and whether he can, in view of these facts, give an undertaking that all the ex-service men referred to shall receive an offer of re-employment in the Government service before the end of this month?

The number of ex-service men upon the Joint Substitution Board's pool is approximately as stated. A considerable number of these men have not yet been discharged from their present Departments, and a proportion of them will probably be retained therein. The 4,500 women estimated to remain in substitutable posts are in many cases employed on work which is rapidly terminating, and their replacement by new personnel on the ee of the completion of their tasks would be extremely wasteful. In other cases substitution by ex-service men is proceeding as rapidly as is consistent with the efficient conduct of the business of the Departments, in view of the fact that these women are the residue left of a much larger number by a continuous and severe process of substitution. Two and a-half years ago the comparable figure of the number of substitutable women was between 80,000 and 90,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any efforts are being made to place unemployed overseas ex-service women in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Government offices through the Joint Substitution Board in preference to home-service men; and, if so, how many have been placed during the last three months?

I have been asked to reply. For the purposes of substitution, ex-service men and ex-service women are treated alike. The Joint Substitution Board, in recommending ex-service personnel for re-allocation on discharge from Government Departments, accords a preference to those, whether men or women, who are disabled, or who have served overseas. The number of women in these categories who have been reported within the last three months to the Board as redundant in their existing Departments is negligible, and no overseas ex-service women appear actually to have been appointed to Government Departments in Edinburgh through the Board's machinery during that period.

asked the Minister of Labour whether local authorities in Scotland are to receive until 1924 a housing subsidy for new houses they build; and, if so, whether the same benefit will be extended to local authorities in England and Wales?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the period within which houses must be completed to qualify for Government-financial assistance in Scotland has been extended to 1924. I have on several occasions given quite definite assurances that, where work has been undertaken by local authorities in England and Wales with the approval of my Department, and for reasons outside the control of the authority, the work cannot be completed by July next, the time for completion will be extended as may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the state of the roads and footpaths connected with the London County Council Old Oak Estate extensions, which are in such a bad condition as, in the case of a recent funeral party, to necessitate the mourners walking to the edge of the estate to reach the carriages, also children having often to sit all day in school with wet feet, which has had an injurious effect upon their health; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Government has subsidised the scheme, he will bring pressure to hear upon the responsible authorities to immediately remedy the present unsatisfactory state of affairs?

I understand that, owing to heavy building traffic, it has not been possible to complete roads, although temporary repairs have been done from time to time. Construction of footpaths on that portion of the estate which is approaching completion is to be put in hand forthwith, and arrangements are being made between the county council and the borough council for the completion of roads where building traffic has ceased.

asked the Minister of Health what are the duties of inspectors employed at the offices of the Housing Commissioners; and whether he is aware that, although the Housing Commissioner for North Wales instructed the Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Urban District Council in June, 1921, not to proceed with the acquisition of land for housing purposes, on 10th December, 1921, the inspector of the Housing Commissioner (Region D) wrote to the council inquiring if one of the sites in question had been acquired by the council, and what was the correct acreage?

The duties of inspectors attached to the offices of the regional Housing Commissioners have varied from time to time in accordance with the position of the State-aided housing scheme. They involve at present the inspection of work in progress and duties in connection with the preparation of final accounts of expenditure. The inquiry to which the second part of the question relates was part of a general inquiry which it has been found necessary to make, in order to ascertain precisely the extent of commitments in respect of land which have been incurred by local authorities for housing purposes. I may add that the offices of the Housing Commissioners will be closed as from 31st March.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state the result of his communication with the Knighton Guardians on the subject of the scale of wages paid to masters and matrons of workhouses?

I have not as yet received any answer from the Knighton Guardians.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the grounds upon which the Government actuary based his opinion (Cmd. 1581, p. 157) that approved societies were not qualified to deal with certain other points arising in respect of the title to unemployment benefit; if so, whether he will state such grounds and the nature of the points referred to; whether it was the actuary's view that having issued, as suggested by him, a certificate of the contributions paid to justify receipt of benefit, the approved society was incapable of either transmitting the cash to the member or of carrying it to his home, as in the case of health insurance benefit; and what is the nature of the change in constitution which, in the actuary's view, would enable approved societies generally to dispose of all matters in regard to the title and payment of unemployment benefit, so as to expedite the abolition of the Employment Exchanges recommended by the Committee on National Economy (Cmd. 1581, p. 148)?

I have been asked to answer this question. As already announced, an Inter-Departmental Committee, with Sir Alfred Watson as chairman, has been appointed, following the recommendation of the Committee on National Expenditure, to consider the relations of Health Insurance and Unemployment Insurance, and to investigate the possibility of reducing the cost of administration. The various points arising are being fully considered, but I do not think there is any advantage at the present stage in attempting to deal with the matter within the limits of question and answer.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the total amount paid in out-of-work donation in the city of Lincoln to date, and the number of men drawing out-of-work pay on 1st February, 1921, and 1st February, 1922, in that city?

The total amount paid in out-of-work donation in the city of Lincoln since the Armistice is about £88,000. Over and above this sum, £116,000 has been paid at the Lincoln Employment Exchange by way of un- employment benefit since the 8th November, 1920, when Unemployment Insurance was extended to cover the bulk of the industrial population. On 4th February, 1921, there were 706 men drawing donation and 3,943 drawing benefit. On 7th February, 1922, there were 7,062 drawing benefit and none in receipt of donation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it has been decided to discontinue the publication of "Labour Overseas"; and whether, in view of the great value of this publication to British employers and workpeople in problems connected with industrial progress, it will be possible to reconsider this decision?

It has been decided, on grounds of economy, to discontinue the issue of the publication referred to, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot at present see his way to reverse this decision.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a recent application was made by the Employment Committee of the Employment Exchange, Ilford, to be supplied with a copy of the cost of living figures supplied by the local Exchange, for circulation among its members, and that their request was refused by the Department; and, seeing that as a result of this refusal the members are of the opinion that the results arrived at by methods of secrecy have no value, will he look into this matter?

I am aware of the application referred to. I am afraid that disclosure of the particulars relating to the retail prices of food, which are collected by the officers of the Employment Exchanges, might give rise to misleading comparisons between the prices charged in different districts and at different shops within the same district—comparisons for which the returns are not designed, and cannot properly be used. As at present advised, therefore, we do not think it is desirable that the existing practice should be altered. The methods by which the Monthly Index figure is reached are set out fully in the "Labour Gazette" of February, 1921, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the result of his investigation regarding the fact that a firm of clothiers with several branches in London was violating the Trade Boards Act: and whether he will now state the reason why no action has been taken?

Owing to the large number of cases still awaiting investigation, it has not yet been possible, with the staff available, to deal with the case referred to. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is necessary to take cases of complaint of evasion according to their urgency, both as regards the individuals and the district affected. This particular case has not been overlooked, and will be taken in its turn.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Port Labour Committees appointed during the War are still in existence; and, if so, what are the present functions of these Committees; how many officials are employed in connection therewith; and what is the total of their salaries?

Port Labour Committees, consisting of representatives of employers and employed, are at present in existence in 41 of the principal ports. Their principal functions are to administer schemes for the registration of dock labour, where such schemes exist, to scrutinise claims to unemptoyment benefit made by dock labourers, and generally to assist the Department in the administration of unemployment insurance for dock labourers. The existence of these Committees does not necessitate the employment of any additional officials, and does not duplicate any work done by other machinery. The secretarial work, which is not heavy, is provided for out of the ordinary staff of the Exchanges. I am unable to give any precise estimate of the cost of this work, but the greater part of it arises in connection with the scrutiny of claims to benefit, and would not be eliminated if these Committees did not exist, as it would then have to be performed by the Local Employment Committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the views expressed by the Newcastle, Gateshead, and District Association of Butchers at a recent meeting; and, in view of the fact that the price of meat is rising, when the Government will assist to reduce the same by removing the embargo on the importation of Canadian cattle?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part I cannot agree that the removal of the embargo would cause any appreciable reduction in the price of meat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the research department of the Board of Fisheries occupies at Lowestoft two large houses in the most expensive part of the town with a large staff of officials; that this department is greatly overstaffed and its officials not fully employed; and, in view of the public demand for departmental retrenchment, what action does he propose to take with reference to the future of the research department and also of the control department of fish and of the herring subsidy which is still operating at Lowestoft with six officials and no work to perform?

The freehold of the two houses referred to was purchased on favourable terms two years ago. From the point of view of the work to be done, they are advantageously situated. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and on the subject of the cost of the research work of the Fisheries Department no reduction was recommended by the Geddes Committee who stated that the expenditure on fisheries had been already very severely cut. I do not understand the last part of the question. The last remnants of the extra staff engaged in connection with fish control and with the herring subsidy were dispensed with months ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to whether no money payment of any kind whatever is made to the mui tsai of Hong Kong by their masters and mistresses, either by way of weekly wage or a periodical lump sum?

So far as I am aware, no such payments are made.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that this House should meet on 28th February [the date fixed for the wedding of H. R. H. Princess Mary]?

Yes, Sir. I am afraid that this is necessary, in view of the amount of urgent business that lies before us.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a monument to the late Private W. C. M'Kay, No. 2176, Glasgow Yeomanry, erected in the communal extension cemetery at Bailleul in 1916, and still standing in January, 1919, has been removed; if so, by whose authority; and what steps will be taken to restore the missing monument?

I am not aware that this memorial, of which no trace can now be found, was standing in January, 1919. The cemetery was almost completely wrecked by shellfire in 1918, and I have no reason to suppose that any of the few private memorials then left have since been removed. The cemetery has been reconstructed and the individual graves, including that of the late Private M'Kay, have been marked by temporary wooden crosses pending the erection of a headstone.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mr. Thomas M'Whinnie, of 1, Crescent Street, Greenock (late private, No. 24529, Royal Scottish Rifles), has made repeated application for payment of balance due to him in respect of bounty or war gratuity which has been refused him; and will he take steps to have the matter inquired into?

This man's account has been adjusted and a notification to this effect was forwarded to the hon. and gallant Member on 31st December, 1921, Mr. M'Whinnie was informed on 4th August, 1920, that the amount due to him in respect of bounty had been credited to his account. His War gratuity was paid in India. He was supplied with a copy of his account on 9th December, 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the post of railway engineer in the Royal Arsenal has been abolished; if he is aware that the manager lately filling that position has been discharged without a pension, before the retiring age, after 21½ years' service; and whether alternative employment has been found for him, and, if not, why?

I am aware of the facts indicated in the first part of the question, and I much regret that no alternative employment suitable to the qualifications of the official concerned is available. The appointment in question has been abolished in order to secure essential economy. The appointment was never intended to be pensionable, and I have no reason to suppose that the salary of £650 per annum, plus war bonus, and a gratuity of £386 on retirement, was less than equivalent to the full market rate for similar duties in industry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what has been the total cost since the Armistice of military staff, including officers and other ranks, at Sofia?

The total expenditure on military staff since the Armistice has been approximately £20,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the total cost since the Armistice of the Air Force staff, including officers and other ranks, at Sofia?

The estimated total cost is £6,000. There has been no Air Force staff in Sofia since 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons of foreign birth have been appointed as British consuls or were on the staff of such officials during the past year; and whether such posts are competitive, or upon whom such selections are dependent?

Appointments to the salaried consular service are confined to persons of British birth and descent and are made by competitive examination of candidates who have previously satisfied a Board of Selection as to their general suitability for the consular service. During the year ended 31st December, 1921. 11 persons of foreign birth were appointed to the unsalaried consular service. Appointments to the unsalaried consular service are authorised by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of the superintending consular officer in whose district the vacancy occurs. No foreigner is ever appointed if a suitable British subject is available. I am unable to give figures as regards consular clerical and sub- ordinate staffs, the selection of which is left to the consular officers themselves, but no ex-enemy alien may hold such appointments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Monsieur Vladimir Evreinow, a Russian subject, who was resident in England in 1920 and who, in that year, accepted a post in a Russian company at Tiflis, and who therefore obtained a passport bearing the visa of the British military authorities in this country for proceeding. via Turkey to Tiflis, was on arrival at Constantinople compelled by the British military or diplomatic authorities to vacate the ship upon which he and his wife and stepdaughter were travelling, and they were detained in Constantinople for six weeks before permission was granted for them to return to this country; that without any reason being assigned Monsieur Evreinow was not permitted by the British military or diplomatic authorities to proceed to Tiflis to take up his post, thereby incurring very heavy loss both in travelling expenses and loss of employment; that Monsieur Evreinow has informed the Foreign Office of the circumstances of his case, and that they have replied to him that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs realised the embarrassing position in which Monsieur Evreinow was placed and regretted that it was ever found necessary to subject him to such great inconvenience, but that no compensation has been offered to him either for the monetary losses which he and his family incurred during their detention at Constantinople or for the loss of his post at Tiflis; and, under the circumstances, whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to justify their action in the matter or to offer suitable compensation to Monsieur Evreinow?

As far as the action of the British authorities is concerned, the facts of M. Evreinow's case are in the main as set forth in the question. While regret has been expressed to him for any inconvenience to which he may have been exposed, it is not considered that there is any case for offering pecuniary compensation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the fellahin all over Egypt have boycotted the markets of the British Markets Company and have set up markets of their own, which they call Zaghloul's markets; whether Egyptians of all classes have declared a boycott on anything British with such serious results to British trade as to necessitate some British firms in Alexandria exhibiting in their windows notices to the effect that the goods in these firms' windows are Austrian; and whether this device has been successful?

The official markets have been boycotted to an extent which varies considerably in different parts of Egypt. Egyptians were urged on 23rd January by prominent followers of Zaghloul Pasha to boycott all things British, but except in the case of the markets, this appeal has so far evoked little response. I have no information as to the alleged devices to avoid the boycott in Alexandria.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that on 14th January, 1922, being the market day for Shandaweel, in Girga province, while the inhabitants were assembled in the new market which they set up in place of the British company's market there, Mr. Kennedy, the general inspector of the company, arrived with the Meawen of Souhag and soldiers; that they then attempted to persuade the inhabitants to return to the company's market, and failed; that they then went on to compel them by force to do so; that Kennedy fired seven shots with his revolver into the crowd and the soldiers fired with their rifles; and that three of the inhabitants were killed and nine wounded; and whether, seeing that the protection of the soldiers made it unnecessary for Mr. Kennedy to use his revolver in self-defence, he has any statement to make on this incident?

At Shandawil (Girga) on 14th January the police ordered a mob who were holding an unauthorised market in the dry bed of a canal either to disperse or to go to the regular market place. Nearly all those present went into the market place, but about an hour later a mob some 50 strong rushed in and proceeded to loot the goods on sale. The police fired in the air. This action resulted in the gathering together of a large crowd from the neighbouring village, who attacked the police and the market staff. The mob directed that the English district inspector of the Markets Company should be given up to them. The Moawin of Police refused, and was eventually obliged to open fire. The resulting casualties were three killed and an unknown number of wounded, of whom five have been reported officially. The staff of the Markets Company eventually effected their escape with some difficulty. The district inspector expressed admiration of the behaviour of the Moawin of Police. Numerous dismissals of employés of the Markets Company had taken place in this district, and it is believed that the dismissed officials were at the back of the trouble.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what properties in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Thrace, formerly belonging to the Turkish Government, are now under the control of His Majesty's Government; what is the approximate value of such properties; and what departments are entrusted with their administration?

Such property in Irak and Palestine as is known to have belonged to the Turkish Government is administered by the competent authority. It consists largely of land, and it is quite impossible to state what its value is at present. Syria is under a French mandate. There has been no such transfer of property in Thrace or Asia Minor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Danzig is, and, if so, to what extent it is, under the protection of the League of Nations; and what practical control, if any, the latter body has over the former port?

The free city of Danzig is under the protection of the League of Nations to the extent that its constitution is placed under the guarantee of that body in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. Further, the League is permanently represented in the free city by a High Commissioner appointed by itself. The port of Danzig is controlled and administered by a harbour board which was set up in accordance with the terms of a treaty between Poland and the free city of 9th November, 1920. Any differences arising between Poland and the free city in regard to that treaty must be submitted to the decision of the High Commissioner who can, if he deems it necessary, refer the matter to the Council of the League. The two parties retain the right of appeal to the Council of the League.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the need for economy and the small volume of work in the Court of Session, he will refrain from making an appointment to fill the vacancy in that court caused by the death of Lord Dundas?

I do not think that, were I to accept the proposal of my hon. Friend, it would be in the public interest. Having regard to the volume of work in the Court of Session, undue delay in the despatch of public business would inevitably result if the number of Judges were diminished.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Inter-Allied Commission appointed to inquire into the steps taken by the German Government for the trial and punishment of the German war criminals have made their Report; and, if so, will he state what is the nature of such Report and what further action is being taken in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is yes. As to the second part, the Report, which I have no authority to publish, is made to the Supreme Council, and that body will decide the question of further action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what progress has been made with and what is the present position of the negotiations between the various railway companies serving the Broadway Station, at Ealing, as to the availability of tickets interchangeably; and will he take steps to prevent a continuance of the injustice of requiring payment of excess fares by the Central London Railway Extension on a District or Picadilly tube railway ticket and vice versâ when, owing to the absence of directions, a passenger at one of the interchangeable tube stations, e.g., Oxford Circus, has proceeded by a line other than that for which his ticket has been issued?

I am informed that negotiations are still proceeding between the companies concerned with a view to overcoming the difficulty to which the hon. Baronet draws attention, and I hope that some solution will speedily be reached.